Welcome to Talking Golf Travel: No.14.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the season was still in full swing with all the recent golfing goings-on across Ireland and Scotland.
Great content just keeps arriving to inspire your next adventure.
So, without further ado, let’s get this unmissable issue underway.
Impressive.
Despite only opening in August, the New Course at Trump International, Scotland, just won World’s Best Golf Course 2025.
Clearly, those who voted for the World Golf Awards agree with critics about this modern marvel.
As for the other winners…
Best Course: Royal County Down (Northern Ireland), Ballybunion (Ireland), and the Ailsa (Scotland).
Best Hotel: Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland), Portmarnock Resort (Ireland), and Dundonald Links (Scotland).
Learn more here.
Speaking of the mind-blowingly brilliant Ballybunion Golf Club.
Member for a Day, the nonprofit that has raised almost $14M for charity, visited the legendary links during an epic journey across the Emerald Isle.
As you’re about to see, CEO Eric Sedransk had quite a time among the gigantic dunes along the wild, windswept Atlantic coast of Kerry.
At Ballybunion, you experience an unrivalled combination of staggering beauty and thrilling golf.
Championship golf. Stunning scenery. Award-winning accommodations. Sumptuous cuisine. Rich history.
And a 10-minute drive from the iconic Royal Troon and Prestwick.
The only downside is that you don’t want to leave.
This is Dundonald Links.
Mike Fore of Break80 Golf sampled every bit of the sublime stay-and-play resort in Southwest Scotland and couldn’t get enough.
Furthermore, he uncovered an amazing story that dates back to 200 B.C.
Read it here.
‘Among the many blessings of Ireland is the sense of happiness that comes with each visit.’
For years, Ron Green Jr. waxed lyrical about the Emerald Isle to his wife.
Tamera had never been. But it was on her bucket list.
So, together, they embarked on a romantic adventure that combined everything great about Ireland, including Lahinch, Portmarnock and Jameson Golf Links.
Global Golf Post has the whole story here.
How do you improve perfection?
Keep an eye on The Home of Golf.
An extensive mix of additions, restorations and tweaks has begun on the Old Course at St Andrews ahead of The Open in 2027.
Tees will be realigned. Bunkers will be added.
Holes will be lengthened. Historic routes will be restored.
Soon, the hallowed links will play 7,445 yards.
Get all the fascinating details from The Quadrilateral here.
Of all the ways to grade a golf course, chemical elements probably belong in the ‘Unlikely’ category.
But that’s how Destination Golf certified Ireland’s top 150 courses for 2026, from Platinum to Gold and Silver (like albums).
You only want to play the best, so we’ll focus on the first.
Among others, this illustrious list features Carne, Royal Dublin, Tralee, Royal Portrush, Sligo, Ballyliffin, and Waterville.
Explore the guide here.
2 golfers | 9 rounds | 12 nights’ B&B
It began where Scottie Scheffler captured the Claret Jug.
It ended on a 220-acre diamond 300 feet above the Atlantic.
Between Royal Portrush and Old Head, our Smith group embarked on a tailored luxury adventure through the lush landscapes and rugged coasts of Ireland’s golfing heart.
Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Castlerock, and Waterville delivered savage beauty and pure links exhilaration.
Clifftop Ardglass, beachside Tralee, and quirky Ballycastle topped off a perfect cocktail of captivating courses for an unforgettable Golfer Journeys.
This might be a first for Talking Golf Travel.
Watching an Irish golfer, in Scotland, test his skills on an Open Championship icon.
Still, as Timmy Jordan discovered, there’s nothing glamorous about being buffeted by 30mph winds and incessant sideways rain!
Even on the astounding Ailsa at Trump Turnberry.
However, for you, this video is packed with invaluable tips when it’s your time to recreate the Duel in the Sun.
At No.25, North Berwick – the jewel of East Lothian – jumped five places.
Also up five spots, to No.44, is the sensational St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna.
Read the full list here.
Yes, you’re already back in North Berwick.
No, you’re not about to watch Tiger get bested on the windswept Firth of Forth.
Instead, you’ll hear from the man who shocked golf by pipping him to the 2002 PGA Championship.
Rich Beem joined On the Road with Iona to share stories and a round on the historic, thoroughly enjoyable West Links.
Incidentally, the course will soon receive the Gil Hanse treatment.
Ireland’s courses have a serious rival for the attention of visitors.
As Irish Central reports, over one million visitors have toured local whiskey distilleries in the past year.
Topping the list are Jameson in Dublin and Bushmills in Antrim.
The latter is beside your hotel on this Northern Ireland golf tour.
Read more here.
Meanwhile, Panda & Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland, was voted world No.1 by Top 500 Bars, here.
James Braid led quite the golfing life.
Born in 1870, the Scotsman won five Opens between 1901 and 1910 and entered Championship folklore as one of the Great Triumvirate.
Between collecting Claret Jugs, Braid found time to design some of the greatest links courses on earth.
Though lesser known, Brora Golf Club in the untamed Scottish Highlands ranks among his greatest creations.
And that’s where you’ll meet GolfMagic right here.
What a time to be a travelling golfer!
From China to the Caribbean, there are countless thrilling tee times in jaw-dropping places with amazing accommodations.
Yet, according to industry experts, Ireland and Scotland remain top-10 destinations.
Forbes, with insights from Golfweek, recommended building your next trip around Royal Portrush, St Andrews or Royal County Down.
Or the mythical Royal Dornoch – only 20 minutes from breathtaking Brora.
Read the list here.
Just beyond thrumming Dublin, in the most spectacular isolation, an age-old links hides among otherworldly dunes.
Imagine the surface of the moon infused with brown and green, set against a sweet soundtrack of singing skylarks, floating on an endless ocean…
Now, picture 18 sensational championship holes that weave above, through and to the edge of this epic setting.
Intrigued?
Then explore our Course of the Month, The Island Golf Club
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Author: Tom Rooney
