Golf and the Good Life - Your Guide for Golf Trips Across the Pond: Recent Episodes
Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions
Your guide for golf travel to the great courses of Scotland, Ireland, England, and Beyond.
Produced by Haversham & Baker Expeditions. The leading provider of international golf travel to America's private clubs and their members.
Golf and the Good Life offers insight and expertise for your time both on and off the great golf courses of Scotland, Ireland, England, and Spain.
With the 2024 golf travel season half complete, Connor & D.J. recap some valuable tips and advice shared by recent H&B travelers.
The insight covers everything from planning to packing and is essential listening for anyone counting down to a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
Join us for a visit to Royal Troon Golf Club – Host of the 2024 Open Championship.
From the club's rich history and notable holes to the Good Life nearby and who takes home the Claret Jug, Connor and D.J. offer some essential listening for The Open.
Additional Resources
-The Complete Guide to Royal Troon Golf Club
-Scotland's West Coast Off the Beaten Path
-7 Things to See at Prestwick Golf Club
-The Complete Guide to Turnberry
For small groups, the task of planning an overseas golf trip brings a unique set of hurdles, some significant advantages, and a few key considerations for the planning process.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share some important tips and advice for small group golf trips across the pond.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide for Small Group Golf Trips Across the Pond
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share some essential tips for traveling with your golf clubs.
Stay tuned until the end for unbelievable story related to the topic from a recent H&B Expedition.
Whether you're headed on a golf trip to Scotland or somewhere nearby, this is essential listening.
Join Connor and D.J. as they continue talking their favorite par-3s – this time from Ireland.
The picks range from the famous to the infamous and come from every marquee region for golf in Ireland.
Which par-3s in Ireland would have made your list?
Mentioned in this Episode
- Royal Portrush Golf Club
- Castlerock Golf Club
- St. Patrick's Links
- Cruit Island Golf Club
- Narin & Portnoo Links
- Lahinch Golf Club
- Doonbeg Golf Club
- Ballybunion Golf Club
- Portmarnock Golf Club
- Ardglass Golf Club
- Waterville Golf Links
- Royal County Down
Join Connor and D.J. as they explore some of their favorite par-3s from the great golf courses of Scotland.
From the famous to the off the beaten path, the list touches every corner of golf in Scotland.
Did your favorite make the list?
Mentioned in this Episode
- Prestwick Golf Club
- Cruden Bay Golf Club
- Brora Golf Club
- The Old Course at St. Andrews
- Turnberry
- Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club
- Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands
- Royal Dornoch
- Crail Golfing Society
- Western Gailes Golf Club
The Channel Coast of England has long lived in the shadow of the other marquee regions for golf travel in the U.K. and Ireland.
But as Connor & D.J. discuss in this episode, it deserves more attention from the traveling golfer.
By the end of the episode, you'll learn:
- Where to Play
- Where to Stay
- Notable sites to see off the golf course
Additional Resources
Where to Play Golf on the Channel Coast of England
7 Things to See at Royal St. George's
Mentioned in this Episode
- Royal St. George's Golf Club
- Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
- Prince's Golf Club
- The PIG at Bridge Place
- Bell Hotel, Sandwich
- Dover Castle
- White Cliffs of Dover
Our Legendary Links series returns with a visit to Lahinch Golf Club.
Join Connor & D.J. for an in-depth exploration of one of the most beloved courses in Southwest Ireland.
Along the way, you'll learn about its rich history, the famous goats, and why it belongs on every golf trip to this corner of Ireland.
Additional Resources
- Golf & the Good Life in Southwest Ireland
- 7 Things to See at Lahinch Golf Club
Mentioned in this Episode
- Lahinch Golf Club
- Vaughan Lodge
- Doonbeg Resort
- Adare Manor
Join Connor & D.J. as they return to The Home of Golf to share some of their favorite off-the-course spots in St. Andrews.
From restaurants to 19th holes to coffee, they've covered all the bases for your time in St. Andrews.
Additional Resources
10 Things to See in St. Andrews
The Best 19th Holes in St. Andrews
Mentioned in this Episode
18 St. Andrews
Tailend St. Andrews
Jannetta's Gelateria
Fisher & Donaldson
The Jigger Inn
The Dunvegan
Black Sheep Coffee
R&A World Golf Museum
St. Andrews Cathedral & Cemetery
The Old Course at St. Andrews Ballot and the brand new Singles Daily Draw are two of the most common ways to score tee times at The Home of Golf.
But they also provide countless questions from golf travelers with St. Andrews on their itinerary.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. explain how The Old Course Ballot works and how to boost your odds of finding a slot on the tee sheet.
They also walk through the process for the new Singles Daily Draw, which recently replaced the Singles Queue.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to Old Course at St. Andrews Tee Times
St. Andrews Links Ballot Site
St. Andrews Links Singles Daily Draw
Our Legendary Links series returns with a visit to Prestwick Golf Club.
Join Connor & D.J. for an in-depth exploration of The Birthplace of The Open Championship.
Along the way, you'll learn about its rich history, unique course, and why it belongs on every golf trip to Scotland's west coast.
Additional Resources
7 Things to See at Prestwick Golf Club
When it comes to Golf and the Good Life, Dublin has it all.
From the renowned golf courses, rich history, and notable sites to its lively pubs, vibrant culture, and a famous export.
Join Connor and D.J. for an in-depth exploration of the capital of Ireland.
Mentioned in this Episode
Golf
- Portrmarnock Golf Club
- Royal Dublin Golf Club
- The Island Golf Club
- County Louth Golf Club
- The European Club
- The K Club
- Carton House
Good Life
- The Merrion
- The Fitzwilliam
- The Marker
- Guinness Storehouse
- Teeling Distillery
- Murphy's Ice Cream
- Trinity College Library
- The Little Museum
- John Kavanagh, The Gravediggers
- The Hairy Lemon
Northern Ireland is home to many outstanding golf courses beyond its famous headliners: Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. explore several of the courses that are worthy of a spot on your itinerary in Northern Ireland.
As for the Royals... Revisit Episode 10 for an in-depth look at the dynamic duo.
Additional Resources
7 Things to See at Ardglass Golf Club
6 Things to See at Portstewart Golf Club
5 Things to See in Belfast
Mentioned in this Episode
- Ardglass Golf Club
- Portstewart Golf Club
- Castlerock Golf Club
- Ballyliffin Golf Club
- Royal Portrush - Valley Links
- The Bushmills Inn
- Galgorm Resort & Spa
- The Slieve Donard
This episode of Golf and the Good Life marks the launch of a new series: Legendary Links.
Throughout the series, Connor & D.J. will take listeners on an in-depth visit to some of the best golf courses in Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
The series begins at a Top 10 course in the world that's beloved by golfers around the globe... Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Podcast: The Highlands of Scotland
Although the off season for overseas golf travel is when our industry tries to catch its breath, there is no rest for the weary for the H&B team.
Once the travel season draws to a close, members of our team fan out across Great Britain and Ireland to have a look in on things and, if we’re lucky, discover a few new options in the process.
After spending many weeks across the pond between them, three members of our team have recently returned with numerous new recommendations for the upcoming travel season.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. explore a few of their favorite new discoveries for the 2024 golf travel season.
Additional Resources
New Golf and Good Life Discoveries for 2024
Mentioned in this Episode
- Royal St. George's Golf Club
- Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
- Prince's Golf Club
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club
- Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
- The Grand - Southport
- The Marker - Dublin
- The PIG at Bridge Place
For golfers hoping to play the great courses in Scotland and Ireland, it's time to start planning for trips in 2025.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share some essential information for 2025 golf trips and explain why the time to begin planning is already here.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to 2025 Golf Trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond
Each year, numerous H&B travelers embark on self-drive golf trips to the U.K. and Ireland.
Although the service of a professional Driver-Host is lost in the process, there are a number of benefits to the self-drive option.
Not the least of which is the flexibility to chart your own course.
On the other hand, self-drive golf trips can also present a unique set of challenges along the journey.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share a few helpful tips and best practices before you get behind the wheel.
Additional Resources
Helpful Tips for Self-Drive Golf Trips
The average golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or beyond requires numerous tee times, reservations, and other arrangements. Each of them is an opportunity for something to go sideways.
To ensure your journey stays in the fairway, Connor & D.J. share the most common golf travel mistakes and important tips to help you avoid them.
Additional Resources
10 Golf Travel Mistakes to Avoid
The First Timers' Guide to Golf Travel Across the Pond
After all of the planning and preparations, your flight is the last big hurdle to clear before you can enjoy your golf trip across the pond.
Although it is largely out of your hands, there are many choices that you can make that will increase the odds that you, your luggage, and your clubs, all arrive as scheduled.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share some essential flight tips for golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
Additional Resources
Flight FAQs for Golf Trips Across the Pond
Packing Tips for Golf Trips to Scotland & Ireland
Once considered a far flung destination, The Highlands is now one of the most popular regions for golf trips to Scotland
By the end of the episode, you'll learn...
- Where to Stay.
- Where to Play.
- What to See.
- Plus numerous other important details for golf travelers.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to Royal Dornoch Golf Club
7 Things to See at Cabot Highlands
7 Things to See at Brora Golf Club
The Highlands of Scotland Off the Beaten Path
Mentioned in this Episode
Golf
- Royal Dornoch Golf Club
- Cabot Highlands
- Nairn Golf Club
- Brora Golf Club
- Tain Golf Club
- Golspie Golf Club
- Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
- Moray Golf Club
Accommodations
- Ness Walk
- Kingsmills Hotel
- Links House Dornoch
- Royal Golf Hotel
- Dornoch Station
Sights to See
- Loch Ness
- Dunrobin Castle
- Culloden Battlefield
- Glenmorangie Distillery
- Dornoch Cathedral
When your golf trip calls for a little sightseeing, there are an abundance of must-see stops in Scotland, Ireland, and England.
Join Connor and D.J. as they explore some of their favorite places to enjoy the Good Life across the pond.
The highlights include a climb to the top of a 1000 year old tower, a stroll through the ancient streets of Scotland's capital, and a visit to the club that gave us the most famous band in the world.
Mentioned in this Episode
Titanic Belfast
The Cavern Club
Windsor Castle
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Cliffs of Moher
When planning a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland, understanding the total cost of your trip can be a challenge.
In this episode of Golf and the Good Life, Connor & D.J. offer some clarity to the topic of price for golf trips across the pond.
By the end of the episode, you'll learn...
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The key decisions that drive the price of golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
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Why some itineraries appear similar on paper, but are quite different in terms of cost and the overall experience.
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The benefits of leveraging the expertise of a golf travel company.
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Overlooked costs to factor into your planning.
Additional Insight
How Much Does a Golf Trip to Scotland Cost?
How Much Does a Golf Trip to Ireland Cost?
12 Important Decisions for Planning a Golf Trips to Scotland
When golf trips call for a little time off the course, whisky tours are the most requested activity by H&B travelers.
In this episode, Connor & D.J. explore some of our favorite pairings of golf and whisky in Scotland and Ireland.
The two greatest exports from both countries are the very definition of a Perfect Pairing.
Additional Resources
Golf & Whisky in Scotland - 7 Perfect Pairings
Golf & Whiskey in Ireland - 5 Perfect Pairings
Mentioned in this Episode
Ireland
Teeling Distillery
Bushmills Distillery
Jameson Experience
Scotland
Glenmorangie Distillery
Kingsbarns Distillery
Laphroaig Distillery
Springbank Distillery
Connor and D.J. recap the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, and offer a detailed look at the future host courses for The Open Championship.
Additional Resources
Future Open Championship Venues You Can Play
The Complete Guide to Royal Liverpool
6 Things to See at Royal Troon Golf Club
The Complete Guide to Royal Portrush Golf Club
Come along as we explore Royal Liverpool Golf Club - host of the 2023 Open Championship - and the exceptional links courses of England's Golf Coast.
This appropriately named region is often overlooked by those planning golf trips across the pond.
But with three members of The Open rota, plus the best collection of 2nd tier courses in Great Britain and Ireland, England's Golf Coast deserves more of the spotlight.
The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool promises to supply just that.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to Royal Liverpool
The Complete Guide to England's Golf Coast
England's Golf Coast Off the Beaten Path
Downloadable Guide to England Golf Travel
Future Open Championship Courses You Can Play
Mentioned in this Episode
Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club
Hillside Golf Club
Formby Golf Club
The Vincent Hotel - Southport
The Beatles Story
The Cavern Club
Content for The Open Championship
Royal Liverpool on Instagram
The Open on Instagram
Story of a Golf Club, Royal Liverpool - Cookie Jar Golf
Every Hole at Royal Liverpool by Golf Digest
Gary Lisbon Golf Photography
Join us for the conclusion of our in-depth visit to the great golf courses and stunning sights in Southwest Ireland.
This episode features "the world's most scenic golf course" plus Payne Stewart's favorite links in Ireland.
Additional Resources
7 Things to See at Old Head Golf Links
7 Things to See at Waterville Golf Links
Mentioned in this Episode
Old Head Golf Links
Waterville Golf Links
Hayfield Manor Hotel
Ring of Kerry
The Jameson Experience
Come along as we continue exploring the exceptional Golf and the Good Life in Southwest Ireland.
From a Top 25 course in the world to the unforgettable towns and scenery, it's no wonder why the courses and sights in this episode feature in most Ireland golf trips to this region.
Additional Resources
7 Things to See at Ballybunion
7 Things to See at Tralee Golf Links
Southwest Ireland Off the Beaten Path
The Best 18 Holes in Southwest Ireland
Mentioned in this Episode
Ballybunion Golf Club
Tralee Golf Links
Dooks Golf Club
Killarney Golf & Fish Club
The Killarney Park Hotel
Killarney National Park
The Great Southern Hotel Killarney
Dingle Peninsula
Murphy's Ice Cream
Southwest Ireland is the crown jewel of golf on the Emerald Isle.
The area is home to four courses ranked in the Golf Digest World Top 100 – no other region in Great Britain and Ireland has more.
There's also a future Ryder Cup venue and some of the finest natural wonders across the pond.
Join us for the first episode of this two-part podcast, as we explore the exceptional Golf and the Good Life of Southwest Ireland.
Additional Resources
10 Things to See at Adare Manor
7 Things to See at Lahinch Golf Club
Mentioned in this Episode
Adare Manor
The Burren
Cliffs of Moher
Doonbeg
Lahinch Golf Club
Vaughan Lodge
The average golf trip to Scotland or Ireland requires the planning and execution of 40-50 individual reservations, tee times, and other arrangements.
With that comes plenty of opportunities for stress to creep in and attempt to take hold of your trip.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. share 10 best practices to ensure a smooth, memorable, and stress-free golf trip across the pond.
Additional Resources
10 Tips for Stress-Free Golf Trips to Scotland and Ireland
Who to Invite on Your Overseas Golf Trip
The Benefits of Hiring a Driver-Host
Caddie FAQs for Golf Trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England
How to Play Links Golf Shots
Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are the two hottest tee times for Ireland golf trips.
The former is the #1 ranked golf course in the world by Golf Digest. The latter is the newest host course for The Open Championship.
If you're planning a golf trip to this corner of Ireland or counting down to tee times already on the books, Connor and D.J. share everything you should know about these iconic courses.
Additional Resources
The Complete Guide to Royal County Down Golf Club
The Complete Guide to Royal Portrush Golf Club
Join us for a visit to some of the best 19th holes in golf.
This episode of Golf and the Good Life was inspired by a recent article at LINKS Magazine covering four memorable golf bars across the pond.
Connor and D.J. took the liberty to expand the list by sharing their favorite 19th holes in Scotland, Ireland, and England plus one extra for good measure.
Did you favorite make the list?
Additional Resources
LINKS Magazine - 4 Memorable Golf Bars in Scotland and Ireland
The Best 19th Holes in St. Andrews
Mentioned in this Episode
Ireland
- The Harbour Bar - Downings
- The Terrace at Old Head Golf Links
- Bill Chawke's Bar - Adare
Scotland
- The Jigger Inn
- Scotch at The Balmoral Hotel
- The Red Lion - Prestwick
England
- Gloucester Arms - London
- Clubhouse Patio at Sunningdale Golf Club
Connor and D.J. share everything you need to know about caddies for golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
By the end of the episode, you'll know everything from the suggested gratuity to how to boost the odds that the best caddie ends up with your bag.
Additional Resources
Caddie FAQs for Golf Trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England
Connor & D.J. share everything you need to know about packing for a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, and Beyond.
By the end of the episode, you'll know what to bring, what you should leave behind, and how a common packing mistake could even affect your scorecards during the trip.
Additional Resources
What to Pack for a Golf Trip to Scotland, Ireland, and England
5 Reasons to Ship Your Golf Clubs Across the Pond
How to Pack Your Golf Travel Bag
Tee times at The Old Course at St. Andrews are a coveted part of many golf trips to Scotland. But despite being a truly public course, landing a tee time in The Home of Golf is not as simple as booking online or calling the pro shop.
In this episode of Golf and the Good Life, Connor and D.J. provide an in-depth look at the four ways to book a tee time at The Old Course at St. Andrews. They also share some valuable advice to help boost the odds that your group finds a place on the tee sheet.
For additional insight, visit the resources below:
The Complete Guide to Tee Times for The Old Course at St. Andrews
The Old Course at St. Andrews Singles Queue
Do I Need a Guaranteed Tee Time at The Old Course?
Thanks to the current unprecedented demand for travel, many golfers have already started to look ahead to 2024 golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England.
If early inquiries and bookings are any indication, 2024 will once again see a record number of golfers visit the great links courses overseas.
In this episode of Golf and the Good Life, Connor and D.J. provide an in-depth look at planning for 2024 golf trips across the pond, as well as some of the important dates and other information to keep in mind along the way.
For additional reading, visit the link below for our complete guide to 2024 golf trips.
https://www.haversham.com/bakers-blog/best-golf-trips-2024/
Transportation is often an overlooked part of planning a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, and beyond. But as any experienced golf traveler will attest, it has the ability to make or break your entire journey.
In this episode, Connor and D.J. discuss the reasons to hire a private driver-host for your golf trip across the pond and the benefits you'll realize along the way.
Visit the link below, to learn more about hiring a driver-host for golf trips to the U.K. and Ireland.
https://www.haversham.com/bakers-blog/the-benefits-of-a-driver-host-on-an-overseas-golf-trip/
The conclusion of our two-part podcast dedicated to the great golf courses of Northwest Ireland.
In this episode, Connor and Daniel venture off Ireland's well worn path to play some of the rugged golf courses of Donegal. From a 9-holer at the edge of the earth, to the first Top 100 ranked golf course in Northwest Ireland, the key takeaway from the journey is clear...
If Northwest Ireland isn't already on your golf travel list, it should be.
➡️ Additional Resources
10 Golf Courses You Should Play in Northwest Ireland
The Complete Guide to the Rosapenna Resort and St. Patrick's Links
⛳ Golf Courses Mentioned in this Episode
Narin & Portnoo Links
Cruit Island Golf Club
Rosapenna Resort (Old Tom Morris Links, Sandy Hills Links, St. Patrick's Links)
Ballyliffin Golf Club
🥂 Good Life Mentioned in this Episode
Rosapenna Resort
Crolly Distillery
The Harbour Bar Downings
The steady rise in demand for Northwest Ireland golf trips has been one of the most interesting developments in golf travel of late.
Although one course in particular has inspired much of the interest in the area, the region is no one hit wonder.
In this episode of Golf and the Good Life, Connor and Daniel explore this long overlooked region that's finally getting its deserved turn in the sun.
For additional insight on the golf courses in Northwest Ireland, visit the links below.
Golf Courses Discussed in this Episode
Carne Golf Links
County Sligo Golf Club
Donegal Golf Club
Enniscrone Golf Club
Good Life Discussed in this Episode
Connacht Distillery
Harvey's Point
Lough Eske Castle
Mount Falcon Estate
Welcome to Golf and the Good Life – Your guide to golf travel across the pond.
In this new podcast, presented by Haversham & Baker Expeditions, co-hosts Daniel Jones and Connor Evers provide a valuable resource for golfers planning or counting down to golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and beyond.