When to use a golf travel company for a Scottish golf trip?

Happy Father’s Day from Scotland. If like me you have your Dad to thank for taking up the game⁠, we’re the lucky ones. I’ve spent this Father’s Day morning playing nine holes at Cruden Bay with my brothers and our Dad. If you’ve been thinking of taking that trip to Scotland with your father or son, do it. Life is too short.

Golf travel agency - which one and when?

This newsletter hopes to entice you to come to Scotland, whether you come with a golf tour operator or do it yourself - I really don’t care just as long as you come!

I know dozens of golf travel companies offering escorted Scotland golf trips and spent a summer in St Andrews working for one. I understand their value and most will do a great job.

With the booking window for 2026 closing, many of the golf travel providers have little inventory remaining so if you’re thinking of a trip next year, I suggest booking sooner rather than later.

• A good operator will tailor the trip for your needs and ensure the trip flows well. They will also be able to ensure the courses match the kind of group you are.

• They will also ensure that the accommodation you are staying at works well and have a good guide on logistics and what is realistic to take on.

• Most established tour operators have access to guaranteed St Andrews Old Course tee times. These are bundled into premium packages and most will have these already allocated for the summer 2026 season.

• For large groups with lots of moving parts, a golf travel agent provides convenience. You make one phone call, agree the brief and they do everything else. There can be several months between different courses open for bookings and you won’t need to worry about messing up. They can often put requests into courses before they officially open their tee sheet bookings to the public.

• Peace of mind - a good operator will triple check everything and call every course and hotel shortly before you arrive just to be sure there are no issues, caddies are booked etc.

If you’re looking for a golf travel provider, I’ve created a typeform HERE.

Reads, Listens and Links

• St Andrews Links Trust revealed their new branding

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Cheers, Ru Macdonald