Congratulations! You have decided to take a friends golf trip. First of all, you and your friends should probably get some credit to line up all your schedules so you can escape those desk jobs for a few days. It’s almost as tough as fighting the Scottish winds. Almost
And if you decide to play golf in the South West of Scotland – a good choice! – so here are a bunch of bucket-list courses to visit. But act fast, some of these tee times are not as easy to get as others. Here are six places we recommend.
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
The show of every trip in this area, the Corso Ailsa to Trump Turnberry rated 18 in The best 100 GOLF courses in the world. Martin Ebert led renovations in 2016 and again in 2025, making better use of the coastline, adjusting the route around the iconic lighthouse and adding several holes, changing the fairways and tees. Trump Turnberry has hosted four Open Championships and several prestigious amateur events, and last week was host to the Bridge Cupan elite mid-amateur competition.
Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce)
If you are in Trump Turnberry, you can also double up and play the brother course (and can also stay on site). The King Robert the Bruce course, formerly known as Kintyre, reopened in 2017 after a substantial Ebert renovation and name change. Several changes have been made throughout to give Trump Turnberry a dynamic 1-2 punch.
Courtesy Trump Turnberry
Prestwick Golf Club
It hasn’t hosted an Open Championship since 1925, but has held 25 of them and still has the history and championship-caliber golf course. It boasts dunes and blind shots and provides the exact type of experience you want to play golf links, and its par-4 17th is famous for being the first and original Alps model hole.
Royal Troon (Old)
You probably remember Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson battling it out here in 2016, but if you played it yourself, you might think the most memorable part would be the short, par-3 8th hole dubbed the Postage Stamp, one of the most famous holes in golf.
Western roosters
One of the most unique courses you will find – a long, tight and continuous loop from the clubhouse – there is no shortage of memorable holes and views along the sea. It is private, but visitor times are available, which is what you will find with many overseas courses.
Machrihanish
It’s not easy to get to – you can take a boat, car or take a short flight – but that’s part of the charm. It has one of the most terrifying opening tee shots in golf – a long drive on the beach – but Machrihanish is considered a favorite of many travelers for a reason.
Experience it all with 8AM Travel
8 AM Travel make this dream a reality. Our network is global; our knowledge is local. We have spent years building relationships in Spain, the Algarve, Lisbon and beyond, learning the subtle differences that separate a good experience from an exceptional one. Our travel specialists prepare your tailor-made itinerary – the elegance of Puente Romano, the ordeal of Valderrama, a spa day for those who prefer not to play. Together, we create a journey that is entirely yours. Once your itinerary is set, the planning ends and the service begins. We arrange accommodation, ensure departure times, arrange luxury transport, arrange dinner and provide concierge support throughout. You just love it.
