Shoulder Season golf trips to Scotland and Irealnd

A Guide to Shoulder Season Golf Trips to Ireland & Scotland

Why More Traveling Golfers are Choosing the Spring and Fall

Daniel Jones

May 6, 2025

6 Minute Read

When many travelers think of a golf trip to Ireland, Scotland, or England, they often picture long summer days and packed pubs full of stories and laughter. There’s no question why the height of summer remains the most popular time to venture across the pond.

But there’s another window that's growing in popularity. It’s a little quieter. A bit more relaxed. And for the right group, it might be the sweet spot.

This is the shoulder season. And for many of our members, it has become the preferred time to experience golf's greatest destinations.

What Exactly is the Shoulder Season?

For golf trips to the U.K. and Ireland, the shoulder season refers to two windows. The first is early spring, from April through mid-May. The second arrives in early autumn, from late September through the start of October.

These timeframes sit just outside the peak summer months. The weather can be surprisingly good. The scenery takes on a different kind of beauty. And for those planning ahead, the access improves across the board.

Shoulder season golf trips to Ireland and Scotland

The NCCAA Expedition enjoys a glorious April day at Royal Portrush.

Why Consider the Shoulder Season?

There's a Little Give in the Tee Sheet

At places like The Old Course, Muirfield, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush, tee times are often claimed the moment the books open. For the peak season, that means planning over a year in advance and still running the risk of missing out.

In the shoulder season, there’s usually a little more give. If you're late getting started, you may find a few weeks — maybe even a couple of months — where availability is still open. But after that, the window closes fast.

It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a better chance. And for many groups, it's the difference between securing that bucket list round or waiting another year.

The Rooms You Want are Still Available

Scotland and Ireland offer some of the most memorable accommodations in golf travel. But the best rooms go quickly, especially for the peak season.

In the spring and fall, availability tends to open up. From rooms with a view to boutique properties with fewer than fifty keys, they're all a little easier to secure.

And in some cases, the rates might be a touch better as well.

The Welcome Feels Warmer

There's a different rhythm to the shoulder season. The conversations last longer and the clubhouses are quieter. The experience feels more personal and far less transactional.

Local hosts and staff have more time, and more energy too. After the winter downtime, everyone seems rested and genuinely excited for the season ahead.

It's not just about avoiding crowds. It's about enjoying hospitality at its finest, when there's time and space for it to shine.

The Changing Landscape

The scenery has always been part of the experience. In the shoulder season, it provides a vibrant canvas for your memories.

In the spring, everything feels more alive. The gorse is in bloom, the greens are sharp, and there’s a crispness to the air that makes the entire course feel fresh again. Even a simple walk between holes seems to stand out more.

In early autumn, the light softens. The sun sits lower in the sky, and the colors shift from bright to golden. It's as if the links concedes that winter is coming, but not just yet.

File Under: April in Dornoch, courtesy of the Expedition led by Conor Yuits from Thorny Lea Golf Club.

Let's Talk About the Weather

A lot of travelers assume the weather in April or October will be worse than in the summer. And on the surface, that seems fair. It’s cooler. The daylight is shorter. The forecast looks a bit less predictable.

And yet, many of our spring and fall Expeditions have seen fewer rainy days than those booked in the heart of summer, especially in recent years. I can speak from experience here. Over the past five years, I’ve spent more than two months total across the pond. I can count the number of true washouts on one hand.

Scotland and Ireland don’t always follow the rules when it comes to weather. And that works to your advantage in the shoulder season.

There’s also something about the mindset. When you plan a trip for July, you expect sunshine. When you go in April, you pack for anything. So when the sky clears and the course glows in the afternoon light, it feels like a bonus. The bar is lower, and the reward is higher.

The reality is, the weather in the shoulder season often holds its own. In fact, it's probably not all that different than early or late season rounds at your club.

A good pullover, a quality rainsuit, and a flexible mindset is all you really need.

A stunning April morning at Royal Portrush for the members of Noyac Golf Club.

Let's Talk About Course Conditioning

Spring brings more than just fresh air. It brings courses that feel newly restored.

Winter is when most clubs take on the projects that keep their course in top form. Revetted bunkers are rebuilt. Walking paths are repaired. Worn areas from the summer season are reseeded and given time to recover. The edges look sharper. And thankfully, the rough is lower.

It’s the course before the crowds, and that makes a difference.

That said, early April still comes with a few reminders that it's spring. You might come across the occasional ground under repair and the turf may be a bit soft in spots. A little more sunshine usually brings those areas back to full strength.

Most travelers barely notice. And for many, the chance to play these courses while they’re both fresh and quiet is a trade they’d happily make again.

Let's Talk About the Good Life

The quieter pace of shoulder season isn’t just for the golf. It makes the entire experience feel more open and less structured.

You might find yourself with a free afternoon in Portrush and decide to stop by Bushmills Distillery. In summer, that would require a reservation weeks ahead. In April, you might be welcomed right in.

The same goes for local restaurants and notable sites. A slow morning might be all you need to explore the Ring of Kerry without the summer clog of tour busses. There’s more room to be spontaneous, and more chances to follow your curiosity.

That said, it’s still early in the hospitality season. In many towns and hotels, Sundays and Mondays can be quiet. Some restaurants and distilleries may be closed or keep limited hours. If your trip begins on a weekend, a little planning up front will go a long way.

For many travelers, that slower start is actually a positive. It gives the journey space to breathe before things kick into high gear.

Let's Talk About St. Andrews

If you’re hoping to play the Old Course without a guaranteed tee time, the shoulder season is your best chance.

In April or October, the town is quieter. Fewer visitors equals less competition for the Ballot and Singles Draw. The odds are never certain, but they’re far better than they are during peak season.

Just keep an eye on the calendar. The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship usually takes over the area in early October. If you’re planning for the fall, aim for a trip after the tournament wraps and the town settles back down.

There's something magical about St. Andrews in the fall. The fairways are quieter. The light is softer. And the bridge is waiting, just as it always is.

Shoulder Season Golf Trips to St. Andrews

The Expedition led by Ryan Kartchner, PGA enjoys an unforgettable fall evening at The Old Course.

Let's Talk About the Calendar

One of the quirks of shoulder season travel is that not every club follows the same schedule. Some open later in the spring. Others wrap up visitor play earlier than you might expect.

In Southwest Ireland, for example, Adare Manor won’t begin welcoming visiting golfers in 2026 until late May. On the other end of the season, Ballybunion’s final visitor day that year is October 2nd.

These details are easy to miss, but they make a real difference when you’re shaping a trip around specific courses.

This is where an experienced guide makes a difference. Knowing when each course actually opens to visitors, and how that aligns with the rest of your itinerary, helps ensure that your trip flows the way it should and that nothing is compromised with your experience.

Spring and fall may not be the traditional choice, but for many of our members, they’ve become the right one.

The shoulder season offers fewer crowds, a gentler pace, and a side of Scotland and Ireland that feels more personal, more relaxed, and every bit as rewarding.