American Golfers Vote Scotland as Top International Golf Destination

American Golfers Vote Scotland as Top International Golf Destination

Anthony Webber. Editor-at-Large. iGTN. Scotland. You might think you’re a golfer but unless you’ve played on one of the courses in Scotland you could be missing out on the best round of your life.

At least, that’s what a large number of Americans think according to the latest survey created by high-profile media outlet USA Today.

When they asked their readers to vote for their top ten courses from around the world, almost all of the results were courses across the United States of America; the only international destination to feature was Scotland, and it appears it doesn’t really matter which course you choose in the ‘home of golf’, they’re all equally as sought after.

Liking the idea of playing golf in Scotland and actually making the trip are two very different things, but it seems the distance across the ‘Pond’ doesn’t deter keen American golfers from making the journey.

Luxury self-catering cottage provider, holidaycottages.co.uk, is an independent family-run British company that boasts a portfolio of outstanding self-catering cottages close to many of the most popular golf courses in the UK.

They have noticed a rise in their group bookings for 2014, with an added increase in travelers coming from abroad, and recognize that golf is one reason for the continued increase in tourism.

Managing Director James Morris, says “It’s evident from our most recent booking figures that group holidays are increasingly sought after this year. People appear to be taking advantage of the improving weather, as well as the important draw of international events, by booking cottage holidays from the tip of Cornwall to the peaks of the Scottish Highlands.”

If further proof were needed of just how attractive Scotland is to American golfers, just have a chat with Ken Goodwin, Club Secretary at Prestwick Golf Club which holds the prestigious title of being the first course to hold The Open back in 1860.

When asked about their overseas visitor rates, he responded “Over 80% of our visitors come from overseas (and North America in particular). When the Open is played at either Royal Troon or Turnberry we find that many of the competitors make the pilgrimage to see where it all started. Visitor bookings are up in the current year – a trend being experienced by other Ayrshire Clubs – and there seems to be more confident in the world economy which is encouraging more golfers to travel to Scotland.”

Prestwick isn’t the only golf course in Ayrshire, and despite its history, it’s certainly not the largest, but that doesn’t stop golfers attending from around the world. Other notable golf courses in Scotland include the dramatic fairways of Gleneagles – location for the Ryder Cup 2014 – Loch Lomond Golf Course, Carnoustie, and the famous Old Course at St Andrews. Elsewhere in the UK, high profile clubs include Ryder Cup favorite Celtic Manor Golf Club, Royal North Devon, and Saunton Golf Club to name only a handful.

Planning a Golfing Trip to Scotland? The UK’s holidaycottages.co.uk specializes in luxury self-catering holiday properties that can be found throughout the United Kingdom. With many of their holiday accommodations situated close to these popular golf courses, there is plenty of choice for sporting holidays in the British Isles.

A golf villa rental or a hotel room?

Places to stay range from quaint country cottages with idyllic views to dramatic stone-built castles with open fireplaces and wood burning stoves. You can enjoy seaside vistas with incredible sunsets or sip a glass of whiskey on the edge of a rugged mountain, enjoy a traditional Scottish welcome or live the royal lifestyle in old baronial homes.

Traveling to the UK to enjoy golf and leisure also open doorways to discover your heritage and ancestral roots, discover the dramatic landscape of this tiny island that’s so rich in history, and sample some of its unique cuisines from favorite dishes to popular beverages.

For more information on the award-winning self-catering holiday company holidaycottages.co.uk, and to explore their impressive range of cottages and holiday homes across the country, please visit their website at www.holidaycottages.co.uk.

  • Holidaycottages.co.uk – formerly known as ‘Farm & Cottage Holidays’ – features more than 1,800 self-catering properties in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, the Cotswolds, the Heart of England, the North of England, Wales and Scotland
  • The company was established as a family business in 1979 and remains independent and privately owned.
  • The company has been working with the Green Tourism Business Scheme – a nationally recognized scheme organized by Visit Britain – and achieved the Gold award in 2011.

Independent UK cottage agency holidaycottages.co.uk has seen a rise in group bookings across its entire portfolio as travelers take advantage of the plentiful sports and outdoor opportunities the UK has to offer.

Managing Director, James Morris, says “It’s evident from our most recent booking figures that group holidays are increasingly sought after this year. People appear to be taking advantage of the improving weather, as well as the important draw of international events, by booking cottage holidays from the tip of Cornwall to the peaks of the Scottish Highlands.”

Ken Goodwin, Club Secretary at the famous Prestwick Golf Course, had this to say: “Over 80% of our visitors come from overseas (and North America in particular). When the Open is played at either Royal Troon or Turnberry we find that many of the competitors make the pilgrimage to see where it all started. Visitor bookings are up in the current year – a trend being experienced by other Ayrshire Clubs – and there seems to be more confident in the world economy which is encouraging more golfers to travel to Scotland.”

It is clear that the Ryder Cup, along with other international sporting events taking place throughout the UK have helped to boost tourism to the region.