St. Andrews Links is reviewing their guaranteed tee time program—no one knows what 2027 looks like yet. The Old Course will close for most of July for Open prep, and September is a write-off thanks to R&A events that close the course repeatedly.

If The Old Course is non-negotiable, you need professional help and maximum flexibility. Red Stag Travel Co is expected to receive a limited number of 2027 bookings for the Old Course

Adare Manor closes to non residences most of the year. The marquee courses nearby—Lahinch, Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee—are seeing demand spike hard.

Books open around April and are expected to sell fast, with availability tightening by early summer. Avoid August—Lahinch remains closed most of the month.

You need early dates (before the Ryder Cup in September) and backup options.

Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were fully booked for 2026 before mid-April 2025. That demand will continue into 2027.

Royal Portrush has adjusted their booking policy, now requiring all visitors to play both The Valley and Dunluce courses.

Royal County Down remains more flexible in their booking process with no formal advance reservation system.

Tee times release spring 2026, so you want your dates locked before then.

Muirfield's summer dates disappear within hours of release (expected February 2026). Muirfield will once again use a ballot system for all 2027 bookings.

North Berwick West Links has reduced their visitor days, making availability even more scarce. Tee times book up shortly after Muirfield releases theirs.

Want these two on one trip? Get moving.

Royal Troon has minimal tee time availability throughout the week, with peak summer dates disappearing quickly. If you want the full Ayrshire experience, booking early is non-negotiable.

Turnberry will go to a fixed price all day, removing the reduced afternoon rates.

The trip nobody talks about. Combine three Top 100 heathland courses—Sunningdale Old & New, St. George's Hill, and Swinley Forest—then add a day trip to Kent for Royal St. George's and Royal Cinque Ports. That's five straight days of Top 100 golf. No other trip in the world offers this concentration.

Plan well ahead. Society bookings are common at these clubs and often lock up courses for entire days, making availability unpredictable.

Royal Birkdale hosts The Open in 2026—which means 2027 is your window before the post-Open takes availability away. This happens with every Open course the following year.

Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Lytham & St Annes—all within easy reach. Simple logistics, concentrated courses, one hotel base for your entire stay.

Best tee time access happens now, before everyone else figures this out.

Cabot Highlands just opened Old Petty, making this region even stronger as a standalone trip.

The core courses—Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn, plus both Cabot courses form a complete itinerary without needing to shift regions. Add in hidden gems like Golspie, Tain, and Fortrose & Rosemarkie, plus whisky distilleries and low tourist density, and you've got a full week of world-class golf without the chaos.

The Highlands is evolving into a standalone destination with new courses in development. Expect availability to tighten in the coming years.

Easy flights from the US and high-quality golf without leaving the region.

Portmarnock Golf Club may join The Open rota by 2027, and The European Club is reopening after a year long renovation. Throw in The Island and County Louth, plus Royal Dublin itself, and you've got a complete trip.

Tee time pressure is moderate—definitely bookable.

The most underrated region on this list and our personal favorite.

St. Patrick's Links is the region's first Top 100 course, and Carne, Enniscrone, County Sligo, Narin & Portnoo and even nine-hole Cruit Island deliver authentic, uncrowded, spectacular golf.

Availability is best in class.

While everyone's fighting over St. Andrews tee times, Portugal is wide open and playing 12 months a year.

Start in Lisbon with Oitavos Dunes, West Cliffs, Praia d'El Rey, and Terras da Comporta for stunning coastal golf, then head south to the Algarve where courses like Quinta do Lago, Monte Rei, and Els Club deliver consistently excellent conditions without the booking chaos.

The food and wine are exceptional, the pace is relaxed, and you can build an outstanding trip without 18-month advance planning requirements.

Another smart alternative when UK/Ireland availability dries up.

Valderrama remains the crown jewel, but Real Club de Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin, and La Reserva deliver top-tier golf with Mediterranean weather and Spanish hospitality.

Tee times are available, the infrastructure is easy, and the value compared to UK/Ireland is significant.