UK and Ireland Cruise July 2024 + Scotland Trip

[karlos923]

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning.   I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions.  I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.   

 

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports:  Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and  Cobh/Cork.  My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

 

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh.  I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster.   Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses.  I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations.  A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip. 

 

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days.  On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives.  I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

59 minutes ago, karlos923 said:

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning.   I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions.  I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.   

 

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports:  Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and  Cobh/Cork.  My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

 

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh.  I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster.   Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses.  I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations.  A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip. 

 

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days.  On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives.  I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

 

 

 

For the most part transport won't be too challenging.  But you will have (and need to plan) for an hour each way in most cases.  Here are my opinions

 

Holyhead,

Greenock/Glasgow,- Western Gailes, Gailes Links, Troon, Prestwick > Long trips

Belfast -  County Down of course

Liverpool,

Dun Laoghaire/Dublin:  Portmarnock, Druids Heath/Glen; European Club 

Cobh/Cork.  Fota Island; Old Head might be too far...but obviously most want to play there.

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, karlos923 said:

Looking for advice and insights as I complete my golf trip planning.   I will taking a Carnival Cruise in late July, but they do not appear to offer any golf excursions.  I will have 8-10 hours in port each day, and as a single golfer I have flexibility in my plans.   

 

I am not familiar with port locations or areas and would appreciate any recommendations regarding day tour operator or golf course recommendations near these city ports:  Holyhead, Greenock/Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Dun Laoghaire/Dublin and  Cobh/Cork.  My biggest concern is reliable transportation to/from port and I do not need to play in every port.

 

After the cruise, I am planning to stay another 7-10 days exploring the golf from Inverness to Aberdeen to St Andrews and departing from Edinburgh.  I have read many trip reviews and plans on this board and so I have a very deep course roster.   Since I will be traveling as a single, I have a lot of leg work to do contacting courses, etc. to secure tee times in advance at the major courses.  I would appreciate any recommendations people have from past trips as a single, hidden gems that can serve as course back-ups and even lodging recommendations.  A pint, a bed and my clubs are about all I require on a golf trip. 

 

I plan so stay 2-3 nights in each city/region and play 36 most days.  On days I reposition to the next city I plan to play 18 to break up the 2-4 hour drives.  I look forward to sharing itinerary updates as plans are finalized but currently planning on: 3 nights Inverness Region, 2 nights Aberdeen region, 3 nights St Andrews.

 

 

Holyhead -  Holyhead Golf Club

https://www.holyheadgolfclub.co.uk/course-flyovers
 

Greenock -  Gourock Golf Club

https://www.gourockgolfclub.com/

 

                     West Kilbride (40 minute drive). This would be my choice.

https://www.westkilbridegolfclub.com/

 

Belfast -    Royal County Down (45 min drive)

 

                  Ardglass (45 min drive) If RCD is booked this would be my choice

https://www.ardglassgolfclub.com/

       
                 Holywood Golf Club (Where Rory grew up)

https://holywoodgolfclub.co.uk/visitors/course-guide/hole-one

 

Liverpool - Royal Liverpool

https://www.royal-liverpool-golf.com/

             
                   Walessey Golf Club

https://www.wallaseygolfclub.com/

 

                  West Lancs

https://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/

Dublin - Portmarnock

https://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/

 

              The Island

https://www.theislandgolfclub.com/

 

            Corballis (best value in Ireland. It’s a par 66 but so much fun to play. At €30 it can’t be beat)

https://corballislinks.com/
 

Cork - Old Head (1hr drive, breathtaking scenery)

https://www.oldhead.com/

 

Cork Golf Club (Alister MacKenzie design)

https://www.corkgolfclub.ie/

 

           Fota Island

https://www.fotaisland.ie/championship-cork-golf-club/

 

Inverness

Royal Dornoch

Castle Stuart

Nairn

Tain

Fortrose & Rosemarkie

 

Aberdeen

Royal Aberdeen

Cruden Bay

International Golf Links

Fraserburgh

Murcar

 

On the way to St. Andrews

Carnoustie 

Panmure

Monifieth

 

St. Andrews

TOC

New

Kingsbarn

Castle

Jubilee

 

 

 

 

 

 

[El Gringo]

For Liverpool I think the dock is the city side of the Mersey. So best to go north toward West Lancs and Formby. Formby is outstanding. Of course Birkdale is just up the road. 
 

backups/add ons

 

Inverness to Aberdeen

 

Covesea

Moray Old

St Olaf 9 at Cruden Bay

 

Aberdeen to Fife

 

Carnoustie Burnside

Kinghorn

Elie

Eden

 

[karlos923]

Thank you all for the replies.  
 

For the week I am on cruise I will be taking advantage of Holyhead Golf Club and then Cork Golf Club or Fota Island.   Love that these are close to port.  
 

I would love to venture out to the many other courses mentioned above but scheduling 2-3 hours for transport and a 4-5 hour round would almost have to be perfect timing it would seem.
 

My plans for Scotland the second week are coming together.  
 

Arrive is St Andrews on a Sunday and will do Ballot Buddy for Mon-Wed.   Thursday Cruden Bay.  Friday will hopefully will get to Fraserburgh and/or Moray.  And then Saturday thru Tuesday will be exploring the many courses around and north of Inverness.  
 

Hotels and tee times are starting to be confirmed with a bit of flexibility to allow for the unexpected. 
 

 

[hammergolf]

On 2/14/2024 at 11:35 AM, karlos923 said:

Thank you all for the replies.  
 

For the week I am on cruise I will be taking advantage of Holyhead Golf Club and then Cork Golf Club or Fota Island.   Love that these are close to port.  
 

I would love to venture out to the many other courses mentioned above but scheduling 2-3 hours for transport and a 4-5 hour round would almost have to be perfect timing it would seem.
 

My plans for Scotland the second week are coming together.  
 

Arrive is St Andrews on a Sunday and will do Ballot Buddy for Mon-Wed.   Thursday Cruden Bay.  Friday will hopefully will get to Fraserburgh and/or Moray.  And then Saturday thru Tuesday will be exploring the many courses around and north of Inverness.  
 

Hotels and tee times are starting to be confirmed with a bit of flexibility to allow for the unexpected. 
 

 

Great plan! Looking forward to hearing about it.

[karlos923]

I am finalizing my last hotel stay for this trip- any strong opinions on Dornoch Castle Hotel vs. Golspie Inn?   I will be staying three nights.  
 

 

[Tanner25]

@karlos923 Have fun! Which cruise ship are you on? Did you use a golf tour operator? 

[karlos923]

Carnival and booking golf my self. 
 

During cruise I currently plan to play 3 days: Holyhead, Hollywood and either Cork GC or Fota Island.
 

The following week current plans are:

Day 1-3 - St Andrews ballot buddy + single ballot

Day 4 - Cruden Bay x2

Day 5 - Fraserburgh and Moray Old

Day 6 - Covesea and Tain

Day 7 - Royal Dornoch both courses 

Day 8 - Brora and Golspie

Day 9 - Fortrose and Nairn

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, karlos923 said:

Carnival and booking golf my self. 
 

During cruise I currently plan to play 3 days: Holyhead, Hollywood and either Cork GC or Fota Island.
 

The following week current plans are:

Day 1-3 - St Andrews ballot buddy + single ballot

Day 4 - Cruden Bay x2

Day 5 - Fraserburgh and Moray Old

Day 6 - Covesea and Tain

Day 7 - Royal Dornoch both courses 

Day 8 - Brora and Golspie

Day 9 - Fortrose and Nairn

Awesome trip!