Buddies Golf Trips to Scotland
For a buddies trip there is nowhere like the home of golf. Scotland strings together more great links than any country on earth, from the Old Course at St Andrews to Carnoustie, North Berwick, Turnberry and Royal Dornoch, all walkable, all playable by visitors and all built for a group of friends chasing the real thing.
Photo: The Old Course, St Andrews via Google.
Who it suits
A Scotland buddies trip is the one serious golfers plan for years. The appeal is the density and the authenticity: you can build a week of world famous links inside one region, walk every one, and finish in a clubhouse or a pub that has seen the game for a century. It suits groups of four to twelve who care about the golf first, are happy to walk and carry or take a caddie, and want the bucket list names on the card.
The regions make the itinerary. Fife is the classic base for the Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie nearby; East Lothian packs North Berwick, Gullane and Muirfield along one coast near Edinburgh; Ayrshire holds Turnberry and Royal Troon; and the far north rewards the drive to Royal Dornoch. May to September gives the firm turf and the long northern light that lets a group play 36 in a day.
Courses to build around
The Old Course, St Andrews
The most famous links in the world and the heart of any Scotland trip, public but balloted, with the Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole and shared fairways. Enter the daily ballot or secure a time through a package.
Carnoustie
Often called the toughest of the Open rota, a relentless links on the Angus coast with the brutal closing stretch over the Barry Burn. A must for a group that wants a real test.
Kingsbarns
A modern links south of St Andrews running along the sea, dramatic and immaculate, one of the best new courses anywhere and an easy pairing with the Old Course.
North Berwick
A quirky, joyous old links in East Lothian full of stone walls, blind shots and the original Redan, beloved by everyone who plays it. The fun round of any trip.
Turnberry, Ailsa
A spectacular Ayrshire links along the cliffs and lighthouse facing Ailsa Craig, multiple Open host and one of the most scenic rounds in golf.
Royal Dornoch
Worth the drive north, a sublime natural links rated among the world's very best, remote, pure and unforgettable for a group that makes the trip.
Course facts verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized rankings. The Old Course is public but allocates many tee times by daily ballot; Carnoustie, Turnberry and Royal Troon are Open rota venues. Visitor access, ballots and green fees change, so always confirm with each club before booking.
A sample trip, day by day
Arrive in Fife
Fly into Edinburgh, drive to a St Andrews base, and loosen up on one of the town's other links or the practice ground.
Kingsbarns
Open on the modern seaside links south of St Andrews, dramatic and immaculate, to find your links legs.
The Old Course
The marquee round, by ballot or package, over the Swilcan Bridge and the Road Hole, the day the trip is built around.
Carnoustie
Cross to Angus for the toughest test on the rota, the Barry Burn waiting on the closing holes.
North Berwick
Head to East Lothian for the quirky, joyous old links, then a night near Edinburgh.
Ayrshire or the north
Add Turnberry and Royal Troon in the west, or make the drive to Royal Dornoch, then fly home.
Indicative costs and when to book
| Item | Indicative 2026 |
|---|---|
| Old Course green fee | peak rate, ballot or package, confirm |
| Carnoustie green fee | championship rate, peak, confirm |
| Kingsbarns green fee | premium, peak, confirm |
| St Andrews hotel, per night | indicative, confirm |
| Caddies, per round | indicative, confirm |
| Package per head, links week | indicative, confirm |
Best time to book: plan 9 to 12 months ahead for the Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, and target May to September for firm turf and long daylight. Enter the Old Course ballot or secure a guaranteed time through a package; the marquee rounds dictate the rest of the week. Tee times via our trip enquiry; where to stay via our recommended hotels and resorts.
Plan a Scotland buddies golf trip
Tell us the group, the dates and the courses on the list, and a concierge will sort the Old Course time, the links rota and a Fife or East Lothian base, costed to the head, with no obligation.
Scotland buddies golf questions
Which courses should a buddies group play in Scotland?
Build around the Old Course at St Andrews, then add Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Fife and Angus, North Berwick and Gullane in East Lothian, and Turnberry or Royal Troon in Ayrshire. Royal Dornoch in the far north is the great addition for a longer trip.
How do you get a tee time on the Old Course?
The Old Course is public but allocates many tee times through a daily ballot, entered two days ahead, or you can secure a guaranteed time as part of a stay and play package. Singles and groups can also try the queue. Plan well ahead and have a backup.
How much does a Scotland buddies golf trip cost?
Championship links green fees are premium and peak in summer, and a week with the Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns plus a hotel, caddies and transfers typically runs into the low thousands per head. Figures are indicative for 2026; always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time for a Scotland golf trip?
May to September gives the firmest turf, the warmest weather and the long northern light that lets a group play 36 holes in a day. Shoulder months are quieter and better value but cooler and wetter, with shorter days.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified June 2026; green fees and package figures indicative for the 2026 season, always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.