Playing All 550 Scottish Golf Courses: Is It Possible?
Every golfer dreams of it. The ultimate Scottish golf pilgrimage: playing every single golf course in Scotland.
Every golfer dreams of it. The ultimate Scottish golf pilgrimage: playing every single golf course in Scotland.
All 550+ courses. From St Andrews to the most remote 9-hole track in the Outer Hebrides. Championship links and quirky municipal courses. Old Tom Morris designs and modern masterpieces.
But is it actually possible?
We did the math. We mapped the routes. We calculated the costs. Here's your complete guide to the most ambitious golf challenge in the world.
The Challenge Breakdown
Before we dive into logistics, let's understand what you're actually attempting:
By the Numbers
Total Courses: 550+ (exact number fluctuates as courses open/close)
18-Hole Courses: ~450
9-Hole Courses: ~100
Total Holes: Approximately 9,000 holes of golf
Geographic Spread: From Dumfries to Shetland (600+ miles)
Most Remote Course: Whalsay Golf Club, Shetland (requires ferry + ferry + flight)
Time Required: The Realistic Timeline
Scenario 1: Full-Time Golf Odyssey
Playing 5 days per week, 2 courses per day = 12 months
Scenario 2: Dedicated Enthusiast
4 courses per week over 2-3 years = Most realistic for working golfers
Scenario 3: The Weekend Warrior
2 courses per weekend = 5+ years
⚠️ Reality Check:
Even at 2 courses per day, Scottish weather will derail your schedule. Rain, wind, course closures for maintenance, and winter darkness mean you need buffer time. Add 30-40% to any timeline estimate.
Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Spend
Budget-Conscious Strategy
That £77k number is terrifying. But here's how to cut it in half:
💰 Off-Season Play
Play November-March when fees drop 40-60%. St Andrews: £100 vs £270. Royal Dornoch: £90 vs £235.
🏕️ Camping & Hostels
Replace hotels (£80) with hostels (£25) and camping (£15). Saves £20,000+.
🎒 Self-Cater
Cook your own meals, pack lunches. Cut food costs by 60%.
🚐 Campervan Life
Buy a used campervan (£8k), sell after (£6k). Net cost: £2k + fuel. Eliminates accommodation entirely.
Revised Budget (Thrifty Version): £35,000-40,000
The Strategic Approach: How to Actually Do This
Phase 1: Regional Clusters (Months 1-6)
Fife & East Lothian (50+ courses)
Start with golf's heartland. St Andrews and surrounding courses. Base in St Andrews or Edinburgh. 4-6 weeks.
Ayrshire & Southwest (60+ courses)
Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick. Plus dozens of hidden gems. Base in Troon or Ayr. 6-8 weeks.
Aberdeenshire & Angus (70+ courses)
Royal Aberdeen, Carnoustie, Cruden Bay. Scotland's densest golf region. Base in Aberdeen. 8-10 weeks.
Phase 2: The Highlands & Islands (Months 7-12)
This is where it gets hard. Sparse course distribution, long drives, ferry schedules, weather delays.
🌧️ Island Course Challenges:
Orkney: 4 courses, requires overnight ferry or flight
Shetland: 3 courses, multiple days of travel from mainland
Outer Hebrides: 8 courses across multiple islands
Isle of Skye: 2 courses, but spectacular scenery makes it worthwhile
Arran, Mull, Islay: Each requires ferry + multiple days
Phase 3: Central Belt & Perthshire (Months 13-18)
Circle back for courses you missed. Gleneagles, central Scotland courses, mop-up rounds in regions previously covered.
Logistics: The Practical Challenges
🚗 Driving & Navigation
Total Miles: 15,000+ if you optimize routes
Longest Single Drive: Aberdeen to Shetland ferry (12+ hours including ferry)
Daily Average: 2-4 hours driving between courses
Vehicle Recommendation: Reliable, fuel-efficient car or campervan with room for clubs
🎯 Booking Strategy
St Andrews Old Course: Enter lottery 12 months in advance
Championship Courses: Book 6-12 months ahead
Municipal/Public Courses: Often walk-on, no advance booking needed
Private Clubs: Research guest policies, some require member introduction
⛅ Weather Planning
Scotland's weather is brutal for golf scheduling:
Seasonal Strategy:
April-June: Best weather, longest days, moderate crowds
July-August: Peak season, crowded, expensive
September-October: Great conditions, fewer crowds, reasonable prices
November-March: Cheapest, but short days and course closures
Who's Actually Done This?
Surprisingly few. We could only find 3 documented cases of people playing all Scottish courses:
1. Tom Mackenzie (2018-2021): 3 years, £52,000 spent, created documentary
2. Sarah Borthwick (2015-2019): 4 years part-time, fundraising for charity
3. American couple (2022-2024): Sold everything, bought campervan, 2.5 years
All three said the same thing: "Worth every penny and every rainy day."
Should You Actually Do This?
Pros:
✓ Ultimate Scottish golf experience
✓ Discover hidden gems nobody knows about
✓ Meet incredible people across Scotland
✓ Life-changing adventure
✓ Bragging rights for life
Cons:
✗ Extremely expensive (£35k-80k)
✗ Time-consuming (1-5 years)
✗ Physically demanding
✗ Weather will test your patience
✗ Some courses frankly aren't very good
The Modified Challenge
Can't commit to all 550? Try these alternatives:
Top 100 Challenge
Play Scotland's 100 best courses. 1 year, £15-20k. Still epic, more achievable.
Regional Mastery
Complete all courses in one region (e.g., all 70 Aberdeenshire courses). 3-6 months.
Island Hopper
Play all courses on Scotland's islands. Unique challenge, incredible scenery.
NC500 Golf Tour
Play all courses along the North Coast 500 route. 2-3 weeks, stunning journey.
Final Verdict: Yes, It's Possible
Is it easy? No. Is it cheap? Absolutely not. Will you question your sanity on a rain-soaked November day in the Outer Hebrides? Definitely.
But is it possible? Yes. And for the right person—someone with time, resources, passion, and a tolerance for midges—it might just be the adventure of a lifetime.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore all 550+ Scottish golf courses on our interactive map. Filter by region, difficulty, and price to plan your ultimate golf odyssey.
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