Holiday in Britain this summer

While the weather is overcast it’s often easy to forget that Great Britain is considered to be one of the greatest golfing destinations in the world. Every year players from all over the planet descend on the British Isles for a ‘once in a lifetime’ golfing trip.

Steeped in history, including the sport’s origins, and littered with championship courses from north to south, there is plenty on offer for any golfer. After your round there are a variety of activities to occupy your time with including world-renowned culture and sporting events, historical sightseeing and the classic British summer pastime – the beer garden. So, before you start planning your excursion to the Algarve take a look at what’s on your doorstep and consider the reasons to stay here this summer.

The Open, St. Andrews Scotland

This year the 144^th British Open will be played at St. Andrews between 16^th and 19^th July. Weekly tickets (that include the practice rounds taking place on 14^th and 15^th) are available at £240 and will give you access to the course for the entire week that the tournament takes place. However, if you’re looking to holiday on a budget, tickets for the practice rounds are £10 each and junior tickets are free.

At the time of writing Rory McIlroy is the bookie’s favourite to retain the Claret Jug and join the illustrious list of players that have won back-to-back Opens. Tiger Woods, who won the event at St. Andrews in both 2000 and 2005, is scheduled to appear along with all the biggest names in golf.  

As well as the Open; a visit to St. Andrews is not complete without a trip to the British Golf Museum which exhibits many of the artefacts that document the beginnings of the sport. Amongst their collection of around 16,000 items are balls and clubs that date back as far as the 17^th century, as well as items that belonged to Tom Morris, the first ever golfing professional.

One More Round

Despite the fact that almost every pub that you drive past has seemingly shut its doors forever, British beer or ‘Real Ale’ has never been more popular as according to CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale,) more breweries continue to open year-on-year. What better excuse to combine your golfing holiday with sometime in the beer garden, enjoying traditional British ale? After all, a sunny August afternoon spent in the beer garden beats the poolside every time.

England’s Golf Coast

The Wirral’s Golf Coast is not just one of the best locations in Britain for golf, but one of the best in the world with a higher concentration of championship links courses than anywhere else on the planet. This includes three Royal Links Courses; Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool – the second oldest course in England. Between the three courses they have hosted the British Open 32 times. The region is also home to one of the best collections of golfing artefacts outside of St. Andrews.

The Economy

Employment is up, inflation is down and Britain’s economy is now officially on the mend. Deciding to holiday and spend your expendable income within the shoreline is a nice way to contribute to the national well-being. Find your patriotic spirit and send some postcards to your friends and family from within the UK this summer.  

Royal Cinque Ports, England

Set on the coastline of Sandwich Bay in Kent, Royal Cinque Ports is British seaside golf at its very best. In every sense it is the classic British golf course.

It tests a player’s patience and creativity yet every hole remains true to its natural surroundings. Having hosted the British Open twice in its 130 year lifespan, the club is bathed in history and a trip around the clubhouse museum is almost as exciting as the round itself.

Holidaying in Britain may not seem as glamorous or exciting as taking a trip elsewhere on the continent might be, but for a golf fan there is always a lot on offer.

Scott Beaman is a content writer for The Golfers Club; who have been providing premium golf insurance to suit the budgets and requirements of all golfers for over 15 years.