5 Reasons to Hire a Golf Trip Photographer

Capture the Best Memories with a Professional Behind the Camera

The picturesque landscapes surrounding the golf courses of Scotland and Ireland provide a stunning backdrop for some unforgettable moments.

While smartphones have made it easy to snap photos on the go, hiring a professional golf photographer can take your trip – and your memories – to the next level.

In this article, we’ll share five reasons to invest in a professional golf trip photographer, as well as the ideal courses in Scotland and Ireland to do so.

Better Photos

The combination of smartphones and Instagram has turned us all into amateur golf photographers. Emphasis on amateur. When it comes to capturing the stunning views of Scotland and Ireland, there really is no replacement for a professional.

Not only do they have a better eye for the photo than most of us, but their equipment is usually of higher quality as well. This ensures that every shot, putt, and moment is snapped in perfect clarity and composition.

"My new recommendation to everyone I know traveling over to play is to hire a photographer! The ’this feels touristy and weird’ disappears quickly and the memories are so, so worth it."

Chris Gherlone, Friar’s Head Golf Club
Photo captured by Foremost Golf Photography

Group Pictures

“We were so wrapped up in the trip that we forgot to take a group picture.”

This statement is surprisingly common, especially since everyone carries a camera in their pocket these days. But in the flurry of excitement throughout a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland, snapping a group photo is easily forgotten.

With a golf photographer on hand, you’re guaranteed to return with a few captured memories with your entire group.

Best of all, you’re able to skip the awkward task of recruiting a stranger – whose finger may or may not end up covering the lens – to snap the photo for you.

Candid Shots

With no disrespect for the posed photo of your foursome on the 1st tee, the genuine emotions and interactions which make your golf trip truly special are found in candid pictures.

Professional golf photographers have a knack for capturing these spontaneous moments, whether it's your held finish on the Road Hole or a little needling of your friends after you’ve just blown it past them.

Not only do these images add depth and authenticity to your photo collection, but they’re rarely captured without the help of a professional.

Holing out from off the 1st green at The Old Course – captured forever.

Photo taken by Recounter

Fully Disconnect

In the quest to snap the perfect photo for social media, it's all too easy to miss out on enjoying the experience itself.

Enlisting a golf photography service to capture your round allows you to disconnect from your devices and focus on every shot, view, laugh, and memory.

When you think of the round for years to come, those special moments will be far more vibrant than if you’d spent them with your phone in your hand.

Lasting Memories

Ultimately, investing in a golf trip photographer ensures that your journey leaves a lasting legacy.

The images captured during your rounds are more than just photographs – they are tangible reminders of the unforgettable experiences you shared with friends and loved ones.

Whether hung on your office wall or posted online for all the world, the images reflect the joy, camaraderie, and beauty encountered during your time at some of golf’s greatest venues.

In the end, your investment in a professional photographer will pay dividends for years to come. From superior photos to candid moments and lasting memories, the expertise of a professional ensures that your special round is captured in all its glory.

Nevermind the selfies... Leave the memories to a professional.

Photo captured by Recounter

Suggested Courses for a Golf Photographer

A professional photographer is the perfect way to capture your bucket-list round at The Old Course at St. Andrews.

Note: If you’re playing The Old Course on a guaranteed tee time, either through a golf travel company or the Direct Application process, the official photography service for the St. Andrews Links Trust will capture photos of your group on the 1st, 17th, and 18th holes. The photos are available for purchase after your round. Learn more about the Featured Group at The Old Course service here.

The Old Course at St. Andrews

Old Head Golf Links

If any course in Ireland was made for a photographer, it’s Old Head Golf Links. The course is essentially one giant canvas for outstanding photos.

Turnberry Ailsa

The seaside stretch of golf on the Turnberry Ailsa course is perhaps the finest in Scotland. It may take a professional behind the camera to do it justice.

North Berwick Golf Club

This classic, beloved, and quirky links is ideal for a professional golf photographer. The long views out to Bass Rock and Fidra are, by themselves, worth the investment.

Royal County Down

The landscape at Royal County Down is unrivaled in Ireland. Depending upon who you ask, it’s also the #1 course in the world. Two great reasons to put your memories in the hands of a professional.