After thumbing through the pages of the February issue of Golf Digest and finding nothing of value from Phil Mickelson’s latest bomb your driver tutorial, or Billy Horschel’s lesson on twisting and contorting your 20-year old body into the purest iron shots, I stumbled across the latest rankings for the World’s 100 greatest golf courses. Wow! With 32 of these residing in the U.K. or Ireland, that’s a mighty tempting target and I’ve decided to start planning the golf trip I’ve always dreamed about.
I’m reaching out to my readers for help on this one because while I’ve got significant experience traveling for golf in the United States, the British Isles is brand new to me. I haven’t traveled to the U.K. since 1983 and that was not for golf. In an earlier trip as a teenager, I actually had the pleasure (torture) of playing Carnoustie as a beginner. My sole recollection was shooting something over 130 and getting yelled at by some elderly ladies for playing too slow. In retrospect, seems like a waste, but the thought of a rematch is intriguing.
I will assume this trip of a lifetime will take careful planning and am thinking the summer of 2015 is a good target. I’ve just changed jobs and cannot dedicate that much time to travel this year, and would guess that to get on the greatest courses in the world you may need to book tee times over a year in advance.
So where to start. Key questions: Do I book this myself or through a tour operator? What is the ideal number of players for such a conquest? How about the ideal length of a trip? How much should I expect to spend? Do I keep it on the mainland or travel to Ireland? The Old Course at Saint Andrews is THE bucket item; is that a must have for any trip and if so, what are the constraints?
Any guidance you can provide is welcome, thanks!
All About Golf 
Brian
Awesome bucket list! My friend plays in the UK and played the new St Andrews course, he loved it. I would be interested to hear which courses you choose.
Cheers
Jim
Jim, would love to work in some stops at The Open rota venues that are well regarded but not sure if that’s practical. This will require some extensive research. You ever played in the U. K. ? Thanks. Brian
Brian
I have never played in the UK. However, I have a friend there and we have plans to play in the fall or early next in 2015. I am looking forward to it!
Cheers
Jim
I have never been there myself, but a good friend played King’s Barn last year and raved about it over the Old Course at St. Andrews. If you can make it happen within your travel plans that is the one suggestion I can throw your way. Also, I’m extremely jealous you are putting this together. Can’t wait to see which courses you pick.
Thanks for the tip. Got a long way to go before this becomes a reality!
Sounds like a great trip, never played St Andrews so that on my list. So is Wentworth. When I lived in the UK I was just down the road from Wentworth, but never played the course, (too much money, I was broke then)
Yes it will not be a cheap trip. Started saving my pennies now. Thanks!