From Nine Holes to 65 Courses: Ten Weeks of Links Golf Across Britain and Ireland

By Shari Harrison

I was a casual golfer, who only occasionally ventured onto the greens, usually for  a social nine holes, or a leisurely stroll with my husband and our dog. We lived beside a course for years and I still only played occasionally, though golf had always been a cherished thread in our three decades of travel together. My husband is a passionate explorer, who hunts down the hidden gem courses and quiet beaches. I started this trip playing off a 30+ index. I finished it at 24.8.

It started when I mentioned I'd like to see Ireland and Scotland. My husband's first thought was a guys' golf trip, and he asked, a little tentatively, whether I'd want to play. My enthusiastic “of course!” ignited what ten weeks later became a golfing odyssey across London, Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, with 65 of the world's most renowned golf tracks along the way. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the game, especially the windswept links carved into the oceanfront.

Play

Southwest Ireland was the week I'll never forget: seven courses in seven days. The cliff-top splendor of Old Head. Waterville and its timeless charm. The challenging dunes at Tralee. Doonbeg, which we played just before the Irish Open. At Lahinch, we teed off from mats mere days before the Walker Cup, with the Cliffs of Moher behind us. Both Ballybunion courses. And Adare Manor, the only non-links course we played, deep in Ryder Cup preparations.

Dining

Adare Manor has a one Michelin-star restaurant. But, the best thing I ate was the breaded shrimp and seafood chowder at Smugglers Inn, a small beachfront hotel steps from Waterville golf course. A simple pleasure that outshone the fine dining.

Stay

We booked all ten homes through ThirdHome, a club where members exchange time in their own second homes for stays in more than 30,000 properties worldwide. Picking a favourite is nearly impossible, but the Penthouse at Dollarbeg Castle came closest, with a rooftop terrace and views that ran for what felt like forever. It felt like a storybook came alive and I felt like a true queen. Adare Manor and Loch Lomond were close behind.

Most houses sat at or near the course. A few meant up to a two-hour drive, which turned into a newfound excuse to discover something hidden gem and welcomed stops along the way. What I underestimated was how relaxing it felt to return to a home away from home after a day of golf and exploring, with a hot tub, a grill, a big screen for whatever match was on, and the practical comforts of a garage, a washing machine, all in a safe community.

The people

We were often paired with a member host through Thousand Greens, a network where private club golfers host one another at their home courses. We met locals and international members, and a number of them have become real lifelong friends. We're already looking forward to returning the favour at our own home club.

How it came together

A trip this extensive and luxurious once seemed entirely out of reach. Tee times at world-renowned courses can require booking up to 18 months in advance. Thousand Greens connected us with hosts who graciously arranged tee times, and ThirdHome's portfolio made it possible to find ten homes perfectly situated near our golfing destinations. Together, they turned a dream into reality.

The sticks are still ready. New Zealand and Australia are on deck next.

GETTING THERE

Our secret weapon was two memberships working in tandem. ThirdHome handled the homes, each chosen for its proximity to the course, and provided us the opportunity to trade time for this once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip and feel like a true local with each incredible stay. Thousand Greens opened doors at private clubs along the way. My husband estimates that booking the same ten weeks the conventional way would have cost close to half a million dollars, nearly ten times what we spent. For golfers who own a second home, it's the closest thing to a cheat code.

thirdhome.com | thousandgreens.com