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Welcome to Talking Golf Travel: February 2025.
Just so you know:
This is the last edition before the 2026 visitor tee sheets open for blue-ribbon golf courses in Ireland and Scotland. Get all the details from our team.
Because you’ll be ready to book flights after reading our top stories!
Talking Golf Travel issue #5 is a doozy.
Prepare for a rollercoaster 11-hole round at mouthwatering Irish and Scottish destinations.
LINKS Magazine claims to have designed the ultimate ranking system for the world’s greatest golf courses.
What makes The Links 100 so definitve?
The rankings are exclusively based on the votes of elite golf architects from America, Europe and Australia.
Touché.
As you probably guessed, Ireland and Scotland performed particularly well, with 4 courses in the top 10:
Steve Carroll certainly makes a compelling case for The Bothy in this National Club Golfer article.
You’ll encounter the iconic white house between the 9th green and 10th tee at Nairn Golf Club in the Scottish Highlands.
At The Bothy, expect drams of whisky, roaring fires, flagstone floors, and old-school golfing memorabilia.
It’s the perfect spot for your breather on a championship links crafted by Old Tom Morris and James Braid.
Don’t worry if Seapoint Golf Links has flown under your radar.
You’re not alone.
But that’s about to change.
Because World’s Best Golf Destinations gives you a behind-the-scenes look at this contender for Ireland’s finest modern-day links course.
In a nutshell, Seapoint offers the complete Irish golfing experience.
From the award-winning championship layout to the world-class clubhouse and top-tier facilities.
Explore our East Coast golf tour to find out more.
Thinking about an adventure in the birthplace of the game?
Then subscribe (for free) to Linksland.
It’s the newish must-read newsletter for travelling golfers from Ru Macdonald. And when it comes to golf in Scotland, this local knows more than most.
Unlock issue 1.0 to see for yourself.
Inside, you’ll discover a priceless step-by-step guide to planning your dream Scottish golf trip for 2026.
What’s the main takeaway?
Start now.
Finally, Golf’s Greatest Holes is back.
And Season 3 will definitely whet your appetite for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The Open Special is a 6-episode tribute to the illustrious Dunluce Links.
Hosts Paul McGinley and Chris Hollins are joined by well-known faces as they navigate the 1st, 4th and 6th holes.
Specifically, local legend Darren Clarke.
See how the honorary club member and 2011 Open winner fared.
Generally, rustic seaside resorts are your gateway to links golf regions.
But you can also find yourself on the doorstep of a lively metropolis.
TimeOut included 3 in this 50 Best Cities in the World list.
How much golf is too much golf?
Rob Smith of Golf Monthly put that question to the test in 2024.
Incredibly, he played 78 golf courses in 8 countries. Just imagine racking up rounds everywhere from Dominican Republic to Czechia and Wales.
And, of course, Ireland and Scotland.
Bucket list stuff.
So, what layouts stood out the most? Rob highlighted Murcar Links Golf Club and St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna.
Speaking of Rosapenna.
Traditionally, Northwest Ireland has been a private paradise for links purists.
However, as Golf Travel Wire learned from a local industry insider, the secret is out.
Like Rosapenna, Ballyliffin Golf Club rests on the rugged Atlantic coast of Donegal.
And like Rosapenna, it features 3 exhilarating links courses with out-of-this-world scenery.
John Farren, the club GM, revealed travelling golfers are flocking to the region more than ever before.
Finally.
Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian is genuinely unique.
Firstly, golf has been played on the seaside property for over 350 years.
Secondly, this dramatic stretch of linksland features 3 world-class courses.
Thirdly, its special location, microclimate and turf make Gullane perfectly playable year-round.
Discover all this and more in the enthralling video the club released alongside its brilliant new website.
Notably, the narrator is Scottish rugby hero Gavin Hastings.
There’s nothing ordinary about Carne Links.
For starters, this venue boasts Ireland’s most mind-blowing dunescape and 27 holes of exhilarating golf.
Fittingly, the 18-hole composite course is called Wild Atlantic Dunes.
Then there’s the location.
County Mayo is not a historic hotpot for visiting golfers.
But many make an exception for Carne, including Sports Illustrated writers and Hollywood directors.
Although, as Golf Aficionado discovered, its story is stranger than fiction.
Last time, the honour went to Lahinch in Southwest Ireland.
This time, your destination is east Scotland, where another Old Tom Morris masterwork has captivated golfers since 1895.
Balcomie Links is your Course of the Month.
You play this short but sweet layout at Crail Golfing Society. Located on the easternmost edge of Fife, Crail is the world’s 7th oldest golf club.
But Balcomie Links offers you timeless golfing experiences.
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