The Best 2nd Courses in Scotland and Ireland

Many of the marquee golf clubs across the pond feature more than one course. These are sometimes referred to as the “Relief Course” or “2nd Course.” As the nickname suggests, these were usually added with the aim of providing relief to the championship course and an option for members when it is overcrowded.

Although they aren’t the primary reason to cross the Atlantic with your clubs, there are times when golf travelers may want to consider a loop on the 2nd course. Maybe you want to knock off the cobwebs after the transatlantic flight or take advantage of the long daylight hours with an Emergency 18.

No matter the reasoning, here are half a dozen 2nd courses that are worthy of play when you’re in the neighborhood.

Royal Portrush - Valley Links

The Valley Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club is perhaps the finest 2nd course in Great Britain & Ireland. Originally designed by Harry S. Colt, the Valley recently underwent an extensive renovation in preparation for the arrival of The Open Championship on the neighboring Dunluce Links. So enjoyable is the Valley side that many members of Royal Portrush actually prefer it for their daily golf. And while it’s the Dunluce Links which serves as headliner on Ireland golf packages, the Valley is the perfect choice for those looking to linger at Royal Portrush for just a little longer.

The Valley Links at Royal Portrush. Courtesy of Getty/Royal Portrush.

Royal Troon - Portland Course

Thanks to its place among The Open host courses, as well as famous holes like the Postage Stamp and Railway, Royal Troon is a mainstay of Scotland golf packages. Yet there’s a very good reason why some choose to also play The Portland Course during their visit: Alister MacKenzie. Before he ever laid eyes on Cypress Point, the Good Doctor redesigned what was originally known as the Relief Course at Royal Troon. It was renamed The Portland shortly thereafter, in honor of the local Duke, and is an enjoyable stroll provided you can keep it in the fairway and out of the abundant gorse.

New Course at St. Andrews

Only in St. Andrews could anything over 125 years old be classified as “new.” When The Old Course became overcrowded with visitors at the end of the 19th century, the R&A asked Old Tom Morris to build an additional course on the St. Andrews Links. In return for its payment of the work on the New Course, the R&A was granted perpetual rights to certain Old Course at St Andrews tee times. An arrangement which remains in effect to this day. The New Course is an enjoyable walk alongside the fabled fairways of The Old Course and sometimes comes packaged with a guaranteed tee time next door.

Royal Dornoch - Struie Course

As one of the top 10 golf courses in the world, Royal Dornoch has gone from a far-flung destination visited by only the most ardent of golfers to a fixture on bucket-lists around the globe. And while the championship course will be the highlight of your Scotland golf trip to The Highlands - and rightfully so - those looking to stretch their visit at Royal Dornoch will enjoy a stroll on the Struie course. In addition the delightful setting, the Struie is home to some of the original Old Tom Morris holes which were once part of the championship course.

Castle Course at St Andrews

Few courses have withstood the amount of controversy and divided opinions as the Castle Course at St. Andrews. When it debuted in 2008, the critics were many. Perhaps none louder than architect Tom Doak, who slapped David McLay-Kidd’s design with a 0 out of 10 in his book The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses. Subsequent changes have made the Castle a more playable and enjoyable experience and some have changed their tune on the course, if only slightly. In the end, those criticisms are usually offset by the biggest draw to the Castle: The views are arguably the finest in Scottish golf.

The H&B Forces from Ballyneal Hunt Club enjoying the stunning views from The Castle Course.

Ballybunion - Cashen Course

The Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club has been known to divide opinion. When he was tapped to design the course, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. called it “the finest piece of links land that I have ever seen.” What he did with that gift is a matter on which few can agree. The course plays through the same dramatic dunes as Ballybunion’s championship links and is certainly no less dramatic. But the lack of playability along the ground offsets the greatness of the scenery for many golfers, especially on windy days. There’s a good chance you’ll end your Emergency 18 on the Cashen wondering what might have been.

Although none of these courses will headline Ireland or Scotland golf trips, should you find yourself with a few extra hours, they’re a fine way to enjoy more time at the clubs that brought you across the pond in the first place.