Three coasts. Nine itineraries. One trip to decide.
The Swilcan Bridge & R&A Clubhouse, St Andrews
4.5–5 full days on the ground
5–6 rounds, including one 36-hole day
Minimal transit times
At least one Open Championship or World Top-100 anchor course
Direct flights from ATL to Dublin and Edinburgh run daily or seasonally on Delta. Northern Ireland is reached by connecting into Belfast — or flying non-stop to Dublin and driving 90 to 110 minutes north on the M1.
Every itinerary is built around 4.5 to 5 days on the ground, minimal transit, and at least one Open Championship or World Top-100 anchor.
The Fingal coast, Wicklow and the M1 corridor
The Causeway Coast, County Down and the Two Kings
The Kingdom of Fife, East Lothian and the Firth of Forth
If targeting Northern Ireland, check direct ATL–DUB flights first. A luxury rental van (e.g., Mercedes V-Class or VW Transporter) rented at Dublin Airport and driven up the M1 is often faster — and significantly less prone to lost golf bags — than a tight regional connection through London Heathrow into Belfast.
All golfers must hold an official GHIN or CDH index. Muirfield, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush enforce caps between 18.0 and 24.0 and request digital certificate verification at the check-in desk.
Request caddies at least 6 months prior to travel, directly with the caddie master at the major championship venues. Bag fees average £70–£80 / €70–€80 per round, plus customary tips of £30–£40 / €30–€40.
Where the game was first played, the way it was meant to be played — on foot, in the wind, with friends.
Old Tom Morris won four Open Championships and laid out links across these coasts — Crail’s Balcomie and the New Course at St Andrews among them. Both are on the Scotland list.
Old Tom Morris, c. 1880
PhotographsThe Swilcan Bridge & R&A Clubhouse, St Andrews — Optograph, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Portmarnock peninsula, looking south to Howth — PGC, CC0 · Dunluce Castle, minutes from Royal Portrush — Iain Irwin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · North Berwick West Links from the Law — Scott Cormie, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Old Tom Morris, c. 1880 — Unknown photographer, Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons. Coastlines: Natural Earth.