Climate
To a large extent, our perception of climate is going to be framed by whereabouts we’re from and what we’re used to.
Officially the climate of the UK is categorised as “temperate”, although the weather is often ‘changeable’. As golfers, our biggest enemy on a links course is likely to be wind, but that’s part of the challenge.
The best advice is to prepare for a bit of rain and have a waterproof contingency available. We shouldn’t hit a cold snap outside of winter. We can always buy something here and do our bit for Scotland’s woollen industry if we do, rather than burden ourselves with bulky items. Ultimately we are playing golf in low lying areas (links courses have to be at sea-level by definition) so shouldn’t encounter the worst of what Scotland is capable of.
The Spring
March can be quite a cold month still. We aren’t likely to experience difficulties ‘getting on’ any of the courses we wish to play though other than those which are closed to visitors (Royal Troon and Kingsbarns).
Towards the end of the month the UK adopts British Summer Time. This means an extra hours daylight. The sun sets at about 20.00. The first two weeks of April see most courses offering ‘shoulder season’ green fees. Typically 33% less expensive than the full peak season rate. April is the driest month of the year by rainfall in St Andrews.
May is a warmer version of April. Most courses are now on their full summer green fees. Royal Aberdeen and Turnberry hang onto their shoulder season until the middle month. Carnoustie hosts a series of traditional fixtures, and the St Andrews Old Course also has some significant block-out in the first week of the month
To learn more about specific issues in the Spring
The Summer
A day or so either side of June 20th is the years longest. This means the sun rises at approximately 04.00 and sets at 22.30 in the Highlands. We can work with 17 hours worth of useable daylight. This permits us to play two rounds should we choose, or use the daylight to travel between longer-range venues, or to open the whole country up for non-golf exploration. If we add what amounts to about 3 hrs a day to a weeks golf tour, we can manufacture what adds up to 2 extra days for free
July is the warmest month of the year in St Andrews. Play on the Old Course is busy. The middle of the month sees the school summer holidays begin which can start a ‘super peak’ season lasting into mid August. Anecdotally the St Andrews Links Trust have previously told us that they think the first week of August is their busiest of the year.
Warming summer air however has begun to introduce moisture into the atmosphere. Rainfall in August is surprisingly higher than you feel it ought to be.
To learn more about specific issues in the Summer
The Autumn
September is the wettest month of the year in St Andrews, as indeed the autumn season is. It’s also responsible for some of the most sublime playing conditions too, characterised by a warming sun and crisp fresh air. These conditions can be particularly prevalent in the Highlands, the more northerly latitude tends to move the changing seasons forward by about three weeks.
The first two weeks of September in St Andrews are clear, but after that the Old Course closes to visitors until the second week of October. The Dunhill Links Challenge (a European tour event) takes place in the first and also closes down Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
By the middle of October of a lot of courses move onto their shoulder season rates. Royal Troon closes for visitor play in early October. Kingsbarns follows a few weeks later at the beginning of November. At the end of October the UK adopts Greenwich Meantime. We lose an hour of daylight as the winter starts to come calling
To learn more about specific issues in the Autumn
The Winter
Winter golf seems to be in retreat over the last few seasons as increased demand has meant that golf clubs have been able to earn their corn in the summer and are increasingly choosing to protect courses in the winter.
The best draining courses tend to be the ones on the East Lothian Coast, they seem to offer the strongest winter season now
Green fees are usually half price. Significant savings can also be made on accommodation too. Our enemy to play is no longer availability in the tee-sheet, but rather the weather. February is actually one of the driest months of the year by rainfall. The cold air has sucked the moisture from the atmosphere.
Important – we will be required to observe ‘winter rules’ though. This usually means fairway mats, or preferred lies, (playing from the semi rather than the fairway). Winter rules are usually lifted on March 1st
To learn more about specific issues in the Winter
St Andrews
The university hosts their graduation week: ‘Grad Week’, anywhere between mid June or early July (it moves about the calendar). They compete with golfers for hotel space during this period when the town suffers a price spike, (and usually win). Having said that, fewer golfers staying in St Andrews means less competition for tee-times, equals better prospects of play. Even if it costs more to stay, and we might also get over-run a little bit by university activities, there is an Old Course upside to staying in ‘Grad Week’
The Old Course is closed from early to mid-September to early October for a combination of members play, and the Alfred Dunhill Links. If we’re looking at a year in which St Andrews hosts the Open Championship, the we need to consider it will close from mid-June to mid/ late July
Other windows best avoided are the first week of May which is subject to a traditional closure, and to a lesser extent, the first week of June which can also be tight
To learn more about specific issues in the Winter
A Few Other Tips
Although Turnberry’s position is a little bit in flux, it doesn’t look like re-joining the Open Championship rotation anytime soon. This means Scotland has four current courses (St Andrews, Troon, Muirfield and Carnoustie) and with St Andrews contracted to schedule once every five years (sponsors obligations) the likelihood is that one of the Scottish courses will be hosting every other year
A host course will usually close for play about a month before the Championship starts. They might also choose to restrict access in the lead up to this too as members who can’t now play in the mid-June to mid-July window seek alternative diary dates.
We tend to advise avoiding St Andrews in the two weeks after its hosted an Open. A lot of people stay on the belief they can play the Old Course, and whereas they can at one level, their chances of doing so are quite heavily reduced due to some heavily over-subscribed ballots
The Scottish Open takes place in early July, usually the week before the Open Championship itself.
In the last decade Castle Stuart, Renaissance, Dundonald, Gullane and Royal Aberdeen have been hosting it on rotation, but most recently it seems to have settled on the Renaissance Club (thankfully)
Renaissance is a private club and quite exclusive. It isn’t somewhere that typically appears in overseas visitors itineraries, so most Golf Tour Operators will be quite happy to see ‘the Scottish’ stay there
All golf clubs will host their own programme of club championships and tournaments. These tend to be more prevalent amongst the private members clubs than the public or commercial courses
Both Carnoustie and St Andrews have known block outs for the first week of May however that are best avoided
This needn’t be a seasonal consideration in the strictest sense, as it applies across the whole year
Twilight golf is a Scottish tradition. It can be a cathartic and serene experience of beguiling tranquillity. Try and include at least one round
Some courses will discount twilight rounds (Royal Dornoch, and Gleneagles) whereas others will protect the evening times for their members (North Berwick, Royal Troon, Royal Aberdeen, and Crail are a few that come to mind)
The Edinburgh Festival takes place in August. It’s a great time to visit, but expensive with hotels often sold-out.
Itineraries that feature the likes of Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, and Royal Burgess are the most likely to be affected, although it’s perfectly possible to launch applications for play at St Andrews from an Edinburgh base too
This needn’t be an ‘avoid’ notice though. We can just easily advocate the other way round. It’s more tantamount to a choice decision. In summary, it’ll cost more to stay in Edinburgh during the festival, but then there is a lot more going on and a better experience to be had for doing so.
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama & Pennsylvania
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”
Enquiry
We don't need to make this an ordeal by 101 filtering questions! In reality there are probably little more than half a dozen things we need to know to build out a proposal. The guidance below might help you frame answers
Duration - usually best expressed as a range up to a maximum
Time of year - can be anything from a specific date range to a named season
Travel class - Faraway Fairways uses 'Luxury', 'Premier' or 'Affordable' for generic purposes. You might choose to reference the international 'star' rating system. We're only looking for something to help steer us into the right sector
Self drive or hired driver - In broad terms, self driving is normally less expensive, and much more flexible, but some folk just don't want to do it
Must play courses/ must do places - a few name checks is all that's needed