Our Most Popular Golf Vacations
Trying to find the Touch Alchemy
Where 'Good' becomes 'Special'
Harry Colt is the name that links Pine Valley with Royal Portrush. Weaving its way through high dunes the Irish links is often described as his ‘masterpiece’.
It used to be said that Royal Portrush featured “seventeen world class holes, and the eighteenth”. This changed ahead of 2019 when the Open Championship returned to the exposed north Antrim Coast. Two stunning new holes were added and the numbering moved up.
The new 7th cuts through a valley of dunes whist the 8th comes back the opposite direction on an exposed ridgeline.
The new 18th now became the only dog-leg closing hole on the Open’s roster, and the treacherous par 3, 14th assumed an even more perilous point in the round at 16
That the R&A went back to Portrush just six years after 2019 should tell us all we need to know about how well received it was
Royal Portrush appears in the following itineraries >>>>>>
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It’s probably the case these days the Scotland Ireland combination has become our most popular. Of the portfolio that we offer, it’s usually the longer duration options that we see most interest for. People often view this as a ‘trip of a lifetime’ and don’t want to rush at it
Duration
Typically about 11 nights
Features
St Andrews, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Muirfield, Royal Dornoch, Turnberry, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, North Berwick, Kingsbarns, Portmarnock, Castle Stuart, & Gleneagles
A lot of golfers first exposure to Scotland is through the Open Championship. Playing the courses you see on television is a natural enough ambition, and that’s before we encounter any box ticking ‘mission’ that a visitor wishes to accomplish
Duration
Typically about 9 nights
Features
St Andrews, Muirfield, with (Musselburgh?) Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick, Kingsbarns, North Berwick, and the St Andrews New and Jubilee Courses
As more and more non-golfers are joining golf parties (about 40% of enquiries now) we’re seeing greater interest in those itineraries that can provides us with a strong non-golf offer to run alongside the golf. The combination of Edinburgh, The Highlands, and St Andrews is notably better than some of the others, and this particular tour is certainly growing in popularity
Duration
Typically about 10 nights
Features
St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie, Muirfield, North Berwick, Gleneagles, with the St Andrews New and Castle Courses
For golfers who wish to focus on St Andrews and maximise their chances of playing the Old Course, this tour is probably the most popular now. Featuring near neighbours such as Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie it has a bit more class than the courses in the town of St Andrews itself (though obviously costs more as a consequence of playing these).
Duration
Typically about 7 nights
Features
St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie, Gleneagles, with the St Andrews New Course, Castle Course & Jubilee Course
This is another relatively older tour and a legacy of choices made once visiting golfers began to expanded their dragnet beyond Fife. Whereas staying in Fife will keep us in the St Andrews zone, some golfers are prepared to compromise on a few days in exchange for playing big names outside of the region. Muirfield and North Berwick is one option (particularly as it involves Edinburgh) but for now at least the combination that involves Troon and Turnberry linked by Gleneagles at the halfway point, probably holds sway
Duration
Typically about 9 nights
Features
St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie with Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick & Gleneagles
The traditional ‘St Andrews golf week’ which set the whole thing off and is based largely in the town itself with some of the less expensive supporting links of Fife. It might be in retreat somewhat from the days when it was the staple of the industry, but it still has a loyal following amongst those whose ambitions don’t extend too far beyond the St Andrews Old Course, and who might not to be observing a budget
Duration
Typically about 7 nights
Features
St Andrews Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course, Castle Course, with Crail, Elie, and Lundin
Solving the ‘Irish question’ has never been a straight-forward task, but luckily when it comes to golf there is probably no wrong answer. The question revolves around which is best, the South West of Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville and Old Head, or the North of Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, and Rosapenna. Both options offer Portmarnock. Most golfers choose to settle this debate by adopting an itinerary that features both
Duration
Typically about 11 nights
Features
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Rosapenna, Portmarnock, Waterville, European Club, Old Head, Porstewart and County Louth
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
“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