#FreshAyr
Golf under the Sun on Scotland’s Championship Coast
LOCATION
Southwest Scotland
NIGHTS
5-7+
TRAVELLERS
4+
TIME OF YEAR
April- October
PRICE
From $2,350/ golfer*
The most concentrated collection of Open venues is actually in Scotland’s southwest, including the championship’s first host Prestwick, as well as its most sumptuous, Turnberry. We recommend spending several days experiencing the history of Ayrshire before journeying to the somewhat remote peninsula of Kintyre, where a magical golfing adventure awaits.
GOLF COURSES
Turnberry-Ailsa
Royal Troon-Old
Prestwick
Western Gailes
Machrihanish
Machrihanish Dunes
Turnberry-Ailsa
Compared to some of the other courses on the Open Rota, the Ailsa turns it up a notch in terms of scenery. The dazzling stretch of holes around the turn is iconic, with the signature lighthouse and distant Ailsa Craig headlining the show. Guests will notice a theme throughout the resort: Tom Watson, who battled to victory against Jack in the 1977 "Duel in the Sun" and then almost triumphed again in 2009 at age 59.Royal Troon-Old
Essentially a stepchild of neighboring Prestwick in its beginning, its Royal Troon's Old Course that casts a shadow these days. The eight-time Open host is especially memorable (and tough!) around the turn. After you try to hit the "Postage Stamp" green at the 8th and attempt to find the fairway on the "Railway" 11th, you will wonder how its possible that Henrik Stenson shot 20 under at the 2016 Open.Prestwick
Prestwick lacks the seaside vistas of some of its famous neighbors but the 24-time Open Championship host more than makes up for it with its history. The clubhouse is filled with relics from the club's significant past, and the course itself is a vestige of a bygone era that elicits curiosity throughout.
Western Gailes
Western Gailes
The genius of Western Gailes is in its simplicity. The circular layout is squeezed into a narrow strip of land between Irvine Bay and the coastal railway line, which significantly gave Glasgow-based members easy access to the club in its early days. It feels like the perfect amalgam of a bona fide traditional Scottish member's club and a gorgeous seaside links.Machrihanish
Getting to the village of Machrihanish on the remote Kintyre Peninsula takes some effort but oh is it worth it. The opening hole at the "Old Course" has been called the best in the world by the Golden Bear himself and the experience will heighten your senses throughout. Its quaint, natural, quirky, secluded and just pure magic.Machrihanish Dunes
To be frank, its a little tough to stomach the trip across to the Mull of Kintyre for just one world-class course, so the addition of Mach Dunes in 2009 was crucial. Since the course sits on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Designer David McLay Kidd simply laid the holes over the natural terrain as he found it and wandering sheep are an integral part of the course maintenance crew. Its a golfing adventure unlike anywhere else.
What’s Included?
All Cloud 9 trips start with a few key ingredients…
LET’S GET STARTED
We’ve made planning the perfect golf trip to Southwest Scotland easy…
Pick Your Trip Duration
Based on our own experiences and those of our past clients, we’ve built 2 bucket list golf trips which we think you will love:
Turnberry
Western Gailes
Royal Troon
Prestwick
5 Nights, 4 Rounds
What You Can Expect:
Only Ayrshire can claim three Open Championship host courses within 25 miles (Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick), so that lays the foundation for this great trip. There are several other worthy options to fill out a four-round itinerary based in Troon, but we prefer the classic layout at Western Gailes. If you find yourself wanting a 36-hole day: Dundonald Links, Turnberry’s Robert the Bruce Course, and Glasgow’s Gailes Links are all nearby and worthy additions to your itinerary.
From $2,350*
Turnberry
Western Gailes
Royal Troon
Machrihanish
Prestwick
Machrihanish Dunes
7 Nights, 6 Rounds
What You Can Expect:
We think the perfect golf trip offers variety and that’s why this somewhat unique itinerary is one of our favorites. You will start in the well-traveled Ayrshire, with the likes of Troon and Turnberry, but then we recommend a detour across to the Kintyre Peninsula with a few nights in Campbeltown. You will fill a bit detached from the world at Machrihanish and Mach Dunes, and that’s why you’ll love it!
From $3,050
*Pricing Subject To Change
*Prices are based on 8 participants staying in shared 4-star accommodations and using the service of a dedicated vehicle and driver for point-to-point transfers. Prices are subject to change based on exchange rate fluctuations.
Looking for something different?
If you like what you see above but want something slightly different, just let us know in the Important Trip Details section of the quote form below.
OR
If you are looking for something drastically different or just aren’t sure, set up a call with us to discuss so we can send you a custom trip proposal or view our other top trips.
Fill Out The Form Below For A Free Quote
We’ve sent thousands of golfers just like you on bucket list trips and been on the trips ourselves. The information you provide coupled with our own expertise and experience will give us everything we need to put together a free, no-obligations trip quote – a great starting point turn your golf trip dreams to reality.
Mid-April through Mid-October is peak travel season when the golf clubs are open and the weather is appropriate for golf (although perfect weather can’t be guaranteed!). July and August can be quite busy with tourists and September is a busy month at the golf clubs, so we recommend May and June if possible.
Our vehicles fit group’s of all sizes so there is no perfect group size. The larger the group, though, the earlier you will need to book your trip to ensure availability.
Absolutely. Your group’s driver will be available to the non-golfers while the golfers are at the course, meaning a fairly full sightseeing itinerary is feasible in conjunction with any golfing itinerary.
The easy answer is: the earlier the better. Let’s be a bit more specific though. Hotels and golf course tee sheets begin to fill up for the busy peak season 6-9 months in advance. To ensure optimal tee time availability, we recommend booking in the fall in the year prior to travel.
Our Process For Planning A Bucket List Trip
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Request a Quote
Fill out the form on this page for a free quote.
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Receive Proposal
Keep an eye on your email. You can expect to receive a custom proposal within 24-48 hours.
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Follow Up
Schedule a call or let us know via email if you want to make any changes to the itinerary.
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Book Your Trip
Pay your deposits and we'll get your trip planned!
Bill S. - Ireland 2023
What a great trip. Four of us - my son, son in law, nephew, and me, the old man. Everything was perfectly organized and ran like clockwork. Jonathan was great on the pre planning, with good suggestions and he was very flexible. The itinerary was exactly what we wanted, our driver Mick was perfect for our group and kept us on schedule and the hotels and meals were great. We discussed it afterward and would't have done anything differently. Thanks to all at Cloud 9 Golf and Travel.
Kris and Chuck R. - Scotland and Ireland 2023
We are back home and enjoying reminiscing our trip. Our accommodations were incredible! The tee times were great and the reservation you made for us at Tomatin was perfect. Thank you for your effort to get us on the Old Course. The drivers, particularly David in Scotland, were knowledgeable and accommodating, although the Irish accent was a little hard to get used to, and the vans were very comfortable. We would definitely recommend you to anyone we know that might wish to travel to the British Isles. Thank you.
Gary R. - Ireland 2023
Thank you and Cloud 9 Golf for arranging our golf trip to Ireland. Everything was perfect! We played six rounds of golf on the western coast and all the courses were excellent. Our tee times and caddie choices all measured up to what we had requested. The lodging choices also were excellent! The self-drive van easily accommodated the four of us, our golf clubs and luggage. We look forward to working with you again!
Jerry A. - Scotland 2019
"We took a “guys trip” to Scotland back in April, 2019 with the assistance of Jonathan and his company. It was an absolute blast a trip for the ages. We had 8 guys, stayed in 3 hotels and played 8 courses, including 5 courses that hosted The Open. Course list included Dundonald, Turnberry, Prestwick, Royal Troon, Muirfield, North Berwick, Carnoustie and the Old Course. We had a driver with us the entire time who got us where we needed to go and wasn’t late once. Trip was seamless and we will be using Jonathan again for a 2021 trip to Ireland."
Nancy J. - Scotland 2023
The trip was amazing!! Everything was great from the lodging, which was top notch, and the courses, which were amazing. We were so pleased that I have submitted an inquiry for our next trip. Here is our favorite pic from Scotland and you made it all possible. Thank you!!
Chris M. - Ireland 2022
Trip was fantastic. We lucked out with weather and the accommodations were great. Our driver, Donald, was such a pleasure. He really made our trip fun and went out of his way to make sure our non golfers made the most of their time while we were hacking away. It was a great trip, all that I expected and more. No doubt we will be working with you once more!
Paul B. - Ireland 2021
"It is hard to imagine a better group to hire for a golf trip to Ireland than Cloud 9 Golf and Travel. Not only did they get us on our preferred list of courses, but they helped us to do so during a challenging time to travel internationally. Excellent communication before, during and after the trip. Will definitely use them again for our next trip."
Yvette Z. - Scotland 2023
I was one of the 11 people from NYC that traveled to Scotland golf trip with the Zeng Group in July. We had a few drivers and they were all very good. I want to specially mention Aaron, who had been with us from St Andrews to Inverness and back to Edinburgh. He has very good driving skill, pleasant and patient, always on time, prepared water, soft drinks and snacks for us, even took a group photo and framed it as a gift to each of us. We had such a wonderful time in Scotland.
Thank you Jonathan as well, for the well organized trip.
Allan M. - Scotland 2022
"All I can say is “WoW” what a trip! Your itinerary of courses, hotels and transportation was perfect. We had a great time and our driver was amazing. We felt as if we gained a friend along the way. We also appreciate very much you providing the excellent weather ..lol. Thanks again."
John M. - Ireland 2023
I just wanted to touch base with you to thank you for our trip to Ireland. Everything you arranged came through perfectly. We had a wonderful week. The driver Brendan was magnificent and a joy to be around. Thanks again.
Marv F. - Scotland 2022
Sharon and I had a fabulous vacation to Scotland 🏴, including The Open at St Andrews ⛳️🏌🏻♂️and golf/sightseeing in The Highlands area. Thanks so much for your efforts with planning and booking this trip to make it a perfect “bucket list” experience for us both. We will be return customers in the future!!!
Brad D. - Ireland 2022
"We had an amazing trip! Loved the golf courses, hotels and our bus driver Eugene. Cloud 9 did a great job throughout the entire process."
Murray H. - Ireland 2023
Hi Jonathan, Thanks to you and the folks at your company, we had an amazing golf trip in Ireland. Everyone is still digesting all that we did, saw and ate during our holiday. But, it was a first-class experience that you set us up with. Well done!
Peach R. - Ireland 2023
Speaking for all four of us I want to thank you for doing such a great job setting up the details for our Ireland trip. I am sitting here in The Dublin Airport sifting through the photos and reflecting on how much fun we all had. I’m not sure there’s anything that we should’ve done differently.
Kathy F. - Scotland 2023
Our trip was fantastic! Every course we played was super challenging and fun, but the highlight was getting to play the Old Course at St Andrews. Our driver was awesome—very personable and accommodating. The locations of our two different accommodations were perfect. Chris did a good job communicating with everyone and did his best at the impossible task of making everyone happy 🙂
Nick H. - Scotland 2022
"The trip was great, to get an opportunity to play at the home of golf was a very cool experience. Between getting us set up for rental clubs the couple days my dad and I didn’t have clubs because of the airline hiccup to getting the last minute switch on the Kingsbarns tee time, everyone at Cloud 9 went above and beyond my expectations. Not to mention all the work with the numerous Covid related delays we had, we really appreciated all the additional work. Definitely hope to go back again someday in the future."
Nick B. - Ireland 2023
This trip to Ireland could not have gone any better. Jonathan and the Cloud 9 team did a great job organizing the trip and their communication throughout the process was outstanding. There was a great blend of golf and activities for the non-golfers. Our driver Matthew was great and a tremendous help in dining and activity recommendations.
Tom F. - Dominican Republic 2023
Thank you, Jonathan, for an excellent trip. Our final round we got 9 holes in at Punta Espada and then they had record rainfall for most of the afternoon and evening - then we got to finish the back nine early Friday morning before flying back. That may be one of the most beautiful and best maintained golf courses I have ever played. The boys and I had a great time and can’t thank you enough.
Terry M. - Ireland 2022
"A quick note to personally thank you on behalf of all of the guys for a phenomenal experience. Your team took our course choices and worked them in to an enjoyable rotation and I know that isn't easy, given all of the many factors that affect tee times, hotel availability etc. Your response times were amazing and all of the guys commented on their appreciation of the detail and helpful hints provided along the way. Our driver Sean became one of the group, he was always on time and blended professionalism with a great sense of humor. Thanks again for everything."
Gordon P. - Ireland 2022
"We had the best time ever. Every place we stayed was fantastic and golf was 10 times better than we hope for. It was planned out perfect. My wife even commented about how perfect everything was set up. I will recommend cloud 9 golf and travel to everybody."
Dan W. - Ireland 2023
Everything I needed to know about my trip to Northern Ireland was clearly explained and any questions were promptly answered. Cloud 9 Golf and Travel was very professional. Thanks for helping with a trip of a lifetime!
Marty S. - Ireland 2023
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had in Ireland. After our flight was cancelled, you came to the rescue and rescheduled our tee time at Old Head, which we got to just in time and finished all 18 holes before sunset. The restaurants were all excellent and the hotels were very nice! And our driver Mike was terrific! Thanks so much for all your work in planning what was a truly unforgettable trip; and in particular the work arounds given our flight cancellation. Thanks again for all your efforts. You did a great job!
Denny Z. - Scotland 2023
Jonathan, I am going to follow up with you personally to provide our feedback from the trip. I will say this, it was a great trip. I personally looked at the trip as a once in a lifetime, and Cloud 9 did not disappoint in providing a great golfing experience. All of the guys had positive comments on how much they enjoyed the trip. We were very lucky we found Cloud9 or Cloud9 found us. You made our trip complete, especially with the local transportation. We couldn’t have done this without your services. If only you could have influenced the weather a little more!
Kenna W. - Ireland 2023
What an awesome trip & adventure! Can’t thank you enough & Paul w/ Kerry coaches was top notch! The itinerary was phenomenal! The itinerary was wonderful & w/ lots of variety for the non-golfers! Castles, adventures & shopping were “LOVELY” & “GRIND”= Grand in English. Thank you Jonathan!
Tim S. - Scotland 2022
This photo says it all at The Open! Jonathan's planning was superb, the lodging and golf courses were all first class and the execution of the planning was flawless. I can't wait for my next golf trip through Cloud Nine Golf & Travel!!
Russ V. - Ireland 2023
Hey- just wanted you guys to know our trip went off without a hitch! We had a great time. Thanks for all your help in planning a great adventure... Cloud 9 seemed to have a great reputation everywhere we went! I’d definitely use you guys again!
Rich S. - Ireland 2022
"We got back home and I wanted to send a quick email to thank you for the coordination of the trip. The golf was amazing and accommodations were good. My wife enjoyed the site seeing as well. It was a great family trip and one that will be remembered for a long time."
Rosemary S. - Ireland 2023
Well, that was the best trip ever. :). I wanted to email you separately and say thank you for your help, quick responses to my questions, and all the planning we did to make this a memorable experience for the three of us. If we can ever be any assistance in promoting Cloud 9 , you have some very big fans here 🙂
Patrick G. - Scotland 2022
"Hi Jonathan. I just wanted to let you know that we absolutely loved our trip to Scotland! The weather was outstanding! The hotels you books were great. Our favorite was Rusacks in St. Andrews. All of the Golf Courses you selected were outstanding....especially North Berwick. The Caddies were awesome! Most of all, we loved our driver, Derek. He was so friendly and he took great care of us. He made reservations for dinner at some fantastic restaurants, made sure that our tee times and caddies were good to go, and he went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed Scotland. We had a "lovely" time with him! You did an fantastic job and I just wanted to that thank you!"
Peach R. - Scotland 2019
"Jonathan and his staff arranged what was definitely the best golf trip I’ve ever been on – to Saint Andrews, Scotland. Everything was taken care of – lodging, transportation, teetimes, caddies… even seemed like they took care of the weather too. The most complicated thing we had to figure out during the entire trip was where to eat dinner!"
Rusty C. - Ireland 2022
"We thoroughly enjoyed the Irish golf trip, Jonathan. From the courses you selected to the hotel accommodations, I thought it was very well planned. Killarney is a beautiful location and we enjoyed going back to our room each night, instead of constantly packing and traveling. Travel to our courses was not a problem and let us see the country. Finally, the European Club was a highlight. Glad you were able to help us out!"
Wally H. - Los Cabos 2020
"What can I say! Wow what a great experience. When I think of our golf in Cabo I think of the great views of the Ocean and the desert above and all I can think about is going back…If you have a group then Cloud 9 is the way to book. Thanks guys!"
Barbara B. - Ireland 2022
"Cloud Nine could not have planned a better trip for our family if they tried! They put together a great itinerary for us that included everything we wanted to do and more. Not a single detail was left unaddressed. We played some amazing courses, ate at great restaurants, and got to make memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Cloud Nine for all your work to make this trip special!"
Joe L. - Scotland 2022
"We enjoyed all aspects of the trip. Right amount of golf with some rest days. The hotels were great and the car service was really nice to have. Definitely want to book again for next year."
Brad G. - Ireland 2023
Thanks for helping us with our transportation and tee times for our trip to Ireland. Everything worked out great and Mick was excellent. We enjoyed his company, knowledge and his hospitality! I would highly recommend to other clients of yours. Thanks again and if we venture to Europe or another destination for a golf trip, I will definitely contact you.
Nathan L. - Scotland 2022
"The team at Cloud 9 Golf and Travel were exceptional. They handled everything and were first class. When we had a tee time changed, they set up new times and transportation in an instant. When we had questions, they were answered 24/7! I will recommend and use them from now on for all my golf travel. Our trip was everything and more! The only thing we had to do was have fun and relax."
Rob K. - Ireland 2022
"I would like to thank you for all of your efforts in putting together this trip. It truly was “a trip of a lifetime”. If you ever need a recommendation don’t hesitate to ask. Sláinte."
Robby A. - Ireland 2022
"Since I first started playing golf in my 20s, playing Ballybunion has been at the top of my “bucket list.” Now in my 60s, with the great help from Cloud 9, and Jonathan, my dream became a realty. Not only did he put together a great trip to play 4 magnificent courses, he took care of all the details for me to take my kids and grandkids so that the golfers and non-golfers all had the trip of a lifetime...Our driver, Martin, was fantastic with the non-golfers – which included a one year old and two year old....In short, Jonathan put together the trip of a life time, taking care of more than just the golfing details. I could not have asked for better service.
L. Hamilton - Ireland 2022
"Our trip was fantastic. Jonathan did a great job putting our trip together. He got us all the hotel and tee times that we asked for and gave us some very nice dinner recommendations. The entire trip from stat to finish was 5 stars. We were also very pleased with our driver Caroline. She turned out to be quite the tour guide and was extremely accommodating and delightful. We have ready shared the praises for Cloud 9 Golf and Travel with our friends. We look forward to our next trip!"
Mike P. - Scotland 2018 + Ireland 2019
"Jonathan was kind enough to arrange bucket list golf trips for my group, including my 83 year old father in law twice—first to all the great course in Scotland and the next year the Irish version. Although we will be arguing forever about which was better—Old Head or the Old Course (they are both amazing) the universal consensus was that this was Class A treatment at every step. From the driver who met us at the airport and stayed with us the whole trip to the hotels, meals, attention to detail and of course, the golf. We did five courses on each trip and cannot wait to go back for more. If you are thinking about a life time golf trip that was surprisingly affordable, don’t call anyone else but Jonathan."
McKensie K. - Ireland 2021
"We had the absolute best trip in Ireland, all thanks to Cloud 9! We got to play at some very famous courses that were super fun and challenging. We really enjoyed our hotels and the independence of driving ourselves throughout Ireland’s countryside. Cloud 9’s execution was flawless- From excellent communication throughout the planning process to the actual trip. We are already planning a golf trip for next year with Cloud 9!"
Greg P. - Dominican Republic 2021
"Thank you, Jonathan and Cloud 9 Golf & Travel. We had the most amazing family getaway in Punta Cana. The accommodations were great, very clean, comfortable with stunning views of the Caribbean from our balcony. The courses at Corales and Punta Espada were simply incredible! The Dominican people are truly kind and hospitable. Can’t wait to come back to play Teeth of the Dog!"
Charlie C. - Australia and New Zealand 2018
"Nash was so helpful as we constantly asked questions about tee times/hotel rooms/pickups/etc. and he was always incredibly patient and thorough with us. Definitely recommend!"
Marcos G. - Dominican Republic 2021
"Hi Jonathan! I just wanted to let you know that I am very happy with your service and how everything was perfectly organized. The golf package the you put together allowed us to enjoy this trip at its best. Thank you!"
