Stay & Play: Best Golf Resorts in the UK and Ireland

When you think of UK golf resorts, the iconic links in Scotland are probably the first that spring to mind, but the UK has a variety of greens across the country and there are also some diverse courses in Ireland that you can enjoy on a golf tour of the UK. Here is our pick of the top 5 golf resorts in the UK and Ireland, which feature courses to suit a range of preferences.

1. Trump Turnberry

The exclusive resort of Turnberry in Ayrshire ticks all the boxes for a luxury golf vacation. It offers history, scenery and quality courses, and has hosted the Open Championship four times.

The Ailsa championship course offers variety and challenges so that you can hone every inch of your game, and the course also offers stunning views of the Ailsa Craig and Arran. You can also enjoy coaching with the Turnberry Performance Academy during your vacation, which offers expert tuition. The quality of the course is complemented by the idyllic setting of the hotel, which is one of the world’s finest establishments, with refined accommodation that was respectfully refurbished to be sleek and stylish in 2009. There are also a great number of on-site facilities that make Turnberry a good choice for those vacationing with non-golfers as there’s an elegant bar and lounge, a swimming pool with grand windows giving epic views of the Ailsa Craig, and a refined spa. You can also enjoy horse riding and outdoor pursuits on the hotel grounds.

2. Gleneagles Hotel

Staying with the Scottish golf resorts, the number 2 spot goes to Gleneagles, which is well known as one of the world’s finest golf resorts. It hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014 and has three 18-hole courses, offering guests diversity and esteemed links to enjoy. The hotel itself has a French chateau style and boasts luxury rooms and suites, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant. There is also a swimming pool and a relaxing spa offering a range of holistic treatments, and you can also enjoy fishing, falconry and cycling on the hotel’s extensive grounds, which are immersed in the relaxing Perthshire countryside.

3. Doonbeg

If you crave coastal views yet ruggedly beautiful greens in a remote location then Doonbeg in Co. Clare, Ireland is a good choice for your European golfing vacation. It is part of the Trump International Golf Links and although there is only one links course, it is actually quite thrilling and you can proceed with your game at quite a pace, while absorbing the fresh sea breeze and lapping up the glorious natural scenes. We will warn you that the final tee is somewhat nerve-wracking as it is alongside the Dough Mor beach!

The accommodation is first-class, with a range of room options available, including rooms with ocean views, and you can also enjoy casual meals at the informal bar or opt for a refined meal at the beautiful restaurant, which faces the Atlantic. The hotel also offers afternoon tea and has a luxurious spa to enjoy on days that you are not challenging yourself on the green.

4. The Grove

The Grove in Watford may not have made the top 3 but it is one of our favorite golf resorts in the UK and it is England’s only WGC venue. As the resort grows in maturity, it continues to impress visitors and is a good choice if you do want to enjoy your game in a remote location but also want to experience British life and culture. Its proximity to London means that it combines very well into a multi-stop UK vacation, with the thrill of a city escape in London and a tranquil golf experience in the countryside. The estate is a staggering 300 acres, offering a beautiful setting and luxury with its glorious restaurant and relaxing spa, as well as manicured grounds with, of course, its pristine golf course.

5. Mount Juliet House

Mount Juliet takes the final spot on our top 5 golf resorts in the UK and Ireland, and is a great choice for those seeking out history and quintessentially Irish architecture during their golf vacation. The hotel sits in a Georgian mansion that is, quite simply, stunning and the extensive estate offers the world-renowned Jack Nicklaus Signature course, which hosted the Irish Open between 1993 and 1995, and the WGC-American Express Championships in 2002 and 2004. The course is immersed in sublime parkland, with native ancient oak trees, beeches and limes, and you can also enjoy horse riding and clay pigeon shooting on the grounds. Plus, if you need to relax and recuperate after your day on the links, you can take time out in the hotel’s excellent spa.

If you’re thinking about a golf vacation in Scotland or Ireland, or a golf tour of the UK, and you would like us to create a personalized golf vacation itinerary for you, featuring the best links and additional tours or activities, contact a member of our team at 1-347-594-5500 or click here to send an online inquiry. You can also visit our page about golf vacations in Scotland or our recent blog about Scotland’s world-famous golf resorts for inspiration.