The Open Championship returns to St. Andrews July 12-18, 2027 and it's reshaping the entire year.

The Old Course will close to visitors for most (likely all) of July for Open prep. September is a write-off due to R&A competitions that close the course repeatedly. That's two months of peak season gone.

St. Andrews Links is reviewing their guaranteed tee time program, and no details have been released on what 2027 looks like. The uncertainty makes early planning even more critical.

If The Old Course is non-negotiable, you need professional help and maximum flexibility. Red Stag Travel Co is expected to receive a limited allocation of guaranteed 2027 tee times, but these will be extremely limited given the supply crunch.

When to start planning: 18-24 months in advance (NOW)
Diaries Open: TBD - check back for updates

Muirfield remains one of the toughest tee times in Scotland. Visitor play is restricted to Tuesdays and Thursdays only, and Muirfield will once again use a ballot system for all 2027 bookings.

Summer dates disappear within hours once diaries open in February 2026.

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

Gullane Golf Club is another standout in this region and offers slightly better availability than the two headliners.

Want Muirfield and North Berwick on one trip? Get moving.

When to start planning: 18-24 months in advance
Diaries Open: February 2026

Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were fully booked for 2026 before early-April 2025. Royal County Down is opening their books early for 2027 travel next year. 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.

Once diaries open, both courses sell out within days - sometimes hours. Lock your dates before spring 2026 or accept you're not playing either course.

When to start planning: 18-24 months in advance
Diaries Open: February 2026

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 region also features Prestwick Golf Club and Western Gailes - both excellent options that fill more slowly than the two headliners.

Most travelers plan Ayrshire around St. Andrews or East Lothian dates, which means flexibility disappears fast once those anchor courses are booked.

When to start planning: 18-24 months in advance
Diaries Open: March 2026

The most popular region for links golf in Ireland and often the first overseas trip for many golfers. Demand has never been higher.

The 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor only amplifies the pressure. Adare Manor closes to non-residents most of the year, pushing demand onto the marquee courses nearby: Old Head, Lahinch, Ballybunion, Waterville, and Tralee.

Old Head typically sells out within days of opening. Lahinch, Ballybunion, and Tralee follow close behind. Books open around April and availability tightens 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.

When to start planning: 12-18 months in advance
Diaries Open: April 2026

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.

When to start planning: 12-18 months in advance
Diaries Open: Summer 2026 (rolling)

Royal Birkdale hosts The Open in 2026 - which means 2027 is your window before the post-Open demand takes availability away. This pattern repeats with every Open venue.

The lineup: Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Lytham & St Annes - all steeped in Open Championship history and within easy reach of each other. Simple logistics, concentrated courses, one hotel base for your entire stay.

Perhaps the best concentration of championship golf in the UK, with strong supporting courses nearby filling out a complete itinerary.

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

When to start planning: 12 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring/Summer 2026 (varies by club)

Cabot Highlands just opened Old Petty, and Royal Dornoch's new clubhouse opened in late 2025 making this region even stronger as a standalone destination.

The core lineup: Royal Dornoch anchors the trip, with Brora's authentic links charm, Nairn's championship test, and both Cabot courses rounding out a complete week.

Whisky distilleries, low tourist density, and dramatic scenery complete the experience (Isle of Skye).

Availability here is still better than most regions, but with new courses in development and growing awareness, expect that window to narrow in the coming years.

When to start planning: 9-12 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring/Summer 2026 (varies by club)

Perfect for shorter trips or as a jumping-off point for a larger Ireland itinerary. Easy US flights, minimal bus time between courses, and high-quality golf without leaving the region.

Portmarnock Golf Club may join The Open rota by 2027 and has limited visitor availability that fills quickly. The European Club reopens after a year-long renovation, bringing fresh energy to one of Ireland's most iconic modern links.

Add The Island, County Louth, and Royal Dublin, plus the city itself for exceptional off-course experiences, and you've got a complete trip.

Tee time pressure is moderate compared to Northern Ireland - definitely bookable with proper planning.

When to start planning: 12 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring 2026 (varies by club)

The most underrated region in all of Ireland - and our personal favorite. Pure, rugged Irish golf at its very best.

Still flying under the radar, Northwest Ireland rewards those looking for something authentic and off the well-worn path. St. Patrick's Links is the region's first Top 100 course, while Carne, Enniscrone, County Sligo, and Narin & Portnoo deliver thrilling, scenic links experiences that rival anything in Southwest Ireland - without the crowds.

Even nine-hole Cruit Island is enough to anchor a day you'll never forget.

Availability is best in class, but don't sleep on this region - word is getting out.

When to start planning: 6-9 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring/Summer 2026 (rolling)

Another smart alternative when UK/Ireland availability dries up.

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

Note: Most courses close in August to give members full access, so plan around shoulder months.

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

When to start planning: 9-12 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring/Summer 2026 (rolling)

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.

When to start planning: 6-9 months in advance
Diaries Open: Spring/Summer 2026 (rolling)