Scotland vs Wales for Links
Two coasts, two very different links trips. Scotland is the home of the game, a country with more world class links than anywhere on earth, from St Andrews and Carnoustie to Royal Dornoch and Turnberry. Wales answers with a quieter, more compact and often better value coast led by Royal Porthcawl, Pennard and Royal St David's. Here is the head to head, verdict up front.
Photograph: Trump Turnberry Ailsa, Kolaz Golf, via Google
The verdict
For depth, history and the bucket list, Scotland wins, and it is not especially close. This is the country that invented the game, and its links coast runs from the Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie in the east to Royal Troon and Turnberry in Ayrshire, Royal Dornoch in the far north and Muirfield and North Berwick along East Lothian. No other country offers this many great links in this much variety, and a Scottish trip can be a week of nothing but world top 100 golf.
For value, calm and ease of access, Wales makes a genuine case. Royal Porthcawl is a true championship test on the Bristol Channel, Pennard is the romantic "links in the sky" on the Gower, and Royal St David's sits beneath Harlech Castle on the northwest coast. The fees are lower, the tee sheets are quieter, and the whole country is an easy drive or short flight from England. Pick Scotland for the depth and the famous names, Wales for an unhurried, better value links coast with fewer crowds.
Head to head
| Scotland | Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature links | St Andrews Old, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Turnberry Ailsa, Royal Troon, Muirfield, North Berwick, Kingsbarns | Royal Porthcawl, Pennard, Royal St David's, Aberdovey, Conwy, Nefyn and District |
| The headline | The home of golf, with more world top 100 links than any country on earth | Royal Porthcawl, a championship links on the Bristol Channel, plus a clutch of charming, quiet coast courses |
| Open Championship history | Hosts the Open at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Turnberry and Muirfield | Has never hosted the Open; Royal Porthcawl has staged the Walker Cup and Senior Open |
| Green fees, flagship | Indicative 2026 premium at the marquee links; the Old Course, Carnoustie and Turnberry are the priciest in peak season | Indicative 2026 generally lower; Royal Porthcawl is the top end, the rest of the coast offers strong value |
| Best season | May to September for the long days and firm turf; many links play well into October | May to September, with slightly milder shoulder months on the southern coast |
| Getting around | A larger country; clusters in Fife, Ayrshire, East Lothian and the Highlands, often with longer drives between them | Compact; south Wales and the north coast are each easy to base in, and close to England |
| Beyond golf | Whisky country, Edinburgh, the Highlands and the coast; a big, storied trip | Castles, the Gower and Snowdonia coast, Cardiff; relaxed and scenic |
| Who it suits | Golfers chasing the bucket list links and maximum depth over a week or more | Groups wanting value, quiet tee sheets and an easier, shorter trip from England |
Open Championship venues and course details verified June 2026; indicative fees and access vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Scotland if
You want the famous names and the deepest links coast in the world. A week can string together the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in the east, or Royal Troon and Turnberry in Ayrshire, or the pilgrimage north to Royal Dornoch. You are happy with longer drives between clusters and premium peak season fees in exchange for golf that simply does not exist anywhere else.
Plan a Scotland golf trip · St Andrews vs Carnoustie and Kingsbarns
Pick Wales if
You want a relaxed, well priced links trip without the crowds or the cost of the Scottish marquee. Base in south Wales for Royal Porthcawl and Pennard on the Gower, or the northwest for Royal St David's, Aberdovey and Conwy. It is an easy reach from England, the tee sheets are quiet, and the value across the coast is among the best in Britain.
Plan a Wales golf trip · Best golf for a buddies trip in Wales
Plan your links golf trip
Scotland, Wales or a combined British links tour. Tell us who is travelling and roughly when, and one concierge handles the tee times, the access introductions and the bases, costed to the head, with no obligation.
Scotland vs Wales questions
Is Scotland or Wales better for a links golf trip?
Scotland wins for depth and history. It is the home of the game, with St Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Turnberry, Royal Troon and Muirfield among dozens of world class links. Wales offers a shorter, quieter and often better value trip built around Royal Porthcawl, Pennard and Royal St David's. Choose Scotland for the bucket list links and the depth, Wales for a relaxed, less crowded coast that is easy to reach from England.
Is golf cheaper in Wales than Scotland?
Generally yes. Wales has a strong set of links at lower green fees than the Scottish marquee courses, with Royal Porthcawl as the priciest, and the rest of the coast offering excellent value. Scotland's flagship links, especially the Old Course, Carnoustie and Turnberry, carry premium peak season fees. Both are indicative 2026 figures that change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play links golf in Scotland or Wales?
May through September is the prime window for both, with the longest days and the firmest turf in June to August. Scotland's links play well into October, and Wales is slightly milder in the shoulder months. Both can be wet and windy at any time, which is part of the links experience.
Can you combine Scotland and Wales in one trip?
Yes, though they are not next door. A combined British links tour usually pairs one Scottish cluster, such as Ayrshire or Fife, with the Welsh coast via a short internal flight or a long drive. For most groups it is cleaner to give each country its own trip, but we can route a combined itinerary around the courses and the access.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Open Championship venues and course details verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.