Underrated Golf Courses in Scotland, Ireland, and England

Where to Play off the Well Worn Path

Most golfers who are planning a trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England are naturally drawn to the Open Championship venues and other marquee golf courses.

But as any experienced golf traveler will attest, the fondest memories are often found on the proverbial road less traveled. Unknown golf courses, which are usually paired with little in the way of expectations, have a funny way of producing some of the best experiences.

Although we generally avoid using phrases like “hidden gem” or “diamond in the rough,” we’re willing to concede that such descriptions are accurate when it comes to the unheralded golf courses of the British Isles. These courses are usually overlooked, lesser-known, and under-visited by American golfers.

They’re also found in surprising abundance, and often just next door to one of the headliners that inspired a trip across the ocean.

There’s so many, in fact, that we’ve compiled them into individual guides by region at the links below.

Explore The Courses

England’s Golf Coast Off the Beaten Path

England’s Golf Coast Off the Beaten Path Lesser Known Courses that Belong on Your Itinerary With three Open Championship golf courses located within 20 miles of one another, the area of northwest England near Southport is a popular choice for traveling golfers for fairly obvious reasons. When choosing where to play golf in England, however,…

The Highlands of Scotland Off the Beaten Path

The Highlands of Scotland Off the Beaten Path Lesser Known Courses to Play on Your Golf Trip There was a time when The Highlands of Scotland as a whole was a journey off the well worn path for golf travelers. But golfers are an intrepid bunch, as proven by the number of far flung destinations…

Southwest Ireland Off the Beaten Path

Southwest Ireland Off the Beaten Path Overlooked Courses at Ireland’s Premier Links Golf Destination Southwest Ireland is home to some of the best links golf courses in the world. But like many of the golf rich regions across the pond, there are many lesser known courses in the area that are worthy of a place…

Aberdeen and Northeast Scotland Off the Beaten Path

Aberdeen Golf Off the Beaten Path Overlooked Courses that Belong on Your Golf Itinerary If you’re counting down to an Expedition to Northeast Scotland and the golf courses near Aberdeen, more than likely your itinerary includes the likes of Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay Golf Club. And rightfully so. For understandable reasons, most golf…

Scotland’s West Coast Off the Beaten Path

Off the Beaten Path Golf on Scotland’s West Coast Less Heralded Courses that Belong on Your Itinerary When it comes to exceptional courses and the heritage of the game, the lineup runs deep for golf trips to the west coast of Scotland. This is the birthplace of The Open Championship. The Champion Golfer of the…

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East Lothian Off the Beaten Path

Edinburgh & East Lothian Off the Beaten Path Underrated Golf Courses to Play Near Edinburgh Golf has been played in East Lothian for nearly five centuries. The original rules of golf were written in East Lothian, and The Open Championship has been contested along its shores some 22 times. The combination of rich history and…

St. Andrews Off the Beaten Path

St. Andrews Off the Beaten Path Less Heralded Courses for Your Trip to The Home of Golf When most travelers think of a golf trip to St. Andrews, three courses immediately earn a place on the itinerary: the Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, world ranked courses all. Other than the one additional round which…