What airports should I plan to fly in and out of?

You’ll want to schedule your flight to arrive into Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and depart from one of the Belfast Airports: Belfast City (BHD) or Belfast International (BFS). You can also consider Derry Airport as they have some favorable connections through London.

Your first stop on this Experience is The Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow, which is about 1.5 hours drive from Edinburgh Airport. If the Group should decide to all fly into Glasgow, we can alter the transportation.

The included airport transfers for this Experience will be from EDI to The Blythswood Hotel on July 30th and From the Ebrington Hotel in Derry to one of the Belfast Airports on the 8th August.

Please contact the Concierge Team if we can be of assistance with arranging alternative airport transportation or assist with booking flights.

What will the weather be like during our stay?

A typical day in Northern Ireland and Scotland in August could bring sunshine, clouds, mist, rain, and wind. The average temperatures for May through mid-October typically range between 55-75 Fahrenheit. Extremes are rare in both regions, as it tends to not be overly warm or cold.

What currencies are used in Northern Ireland and Scotland?

The currency utilized in both Scotland and Northern Ireland is the British Pound. The Pound is currently trading at 1.27 USD to 1.00 GBP.

The only course on this itinerary that is actually located in the Republic of Ireland is Rosapenna. This Caddie Fee and any F&B Purchased on site would be as EUROS, currently trading at 1.07 USD to 1.00 EUR.

Will I be able to get cash and use credit cards while in Northern Ireland & Scotland? 

You will find that most major credit cards and debits cards are nearly universally accepted in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The same is true of Travelers checks, which should be in Pounds to avoid extra exchange rate charges. ATMs are ubiquitous throughout both regions so you will have easy access to cash. It should be noted that American Express is not as widely accepted in Europe as Visa and MasterCard.

How much cash should I bring?

We recommend bringing minimal US dollars, i.e. $100, with you and then accessing the local ATMs. Upon arriving in Northern Ireland or Scotland the ATM’s will dispense the local currency and your bank will automatically calculate the exchange rate. Your own bank will typically provide the most favorable exchange rate available to you.

How many meals are included?

A full breakfast will be served every morning as part of the Experience. The Garmany Golf  Concierge Team can assist with making any reservations and recommendations for the group for additional meals not included in the Experience.

What is the cancellation policy for this Experience?

Garmany Golf strongly recommends for your protection that you take out insurance to cover you in case of forced cancellation, loss or damage of luggage, personal injury, accident, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, none of which Garmany Golf can be liable for.

Garmany Golf is a licensed representative of Travel Guard, the recognized leader of travel insurance options. A Garmany Golf Concierge will be happy to provide a quotation or you are welcome to explore a quote below.

What if I want to play additional and optional golf?

There are plenty of championship links courses in each of the areas that you’ll be staying! If any Guest wants to play additional golf, even at the spur of the moment, a Garmany Golf Concierge can arrange optional golf for you. Optional golf can be arranged well in advance of your departure as well. Please consult the Concierge Team for golf options.

Can I play 36 holes a day if I want to?

Absolutely! Please let a member of our Concierge Team know and we will be happy to set up additional tee times for you.

How do I arrange for a caddie and how much do they cost?

The experience that comes from walking the course with a caddie cannot be overstated. The local caddies will not only be more adept at keeping you out of more trouble than a seeing eye dog, they will also regale you with great stories about the history of the areas and the courses. They are without a doubt, some of the best entertainment value you can experience in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

All caddie fees are due at the course on the day of play and each Guest will be responsible for caddie fees and gratuities. Caddie gratuities are payable in cash, preferably in the local currency.

We highly recommend arranging caddies with our Concierge Team prior to your departure to ensure the maximum availability.

Caddies fees range from £55-60 for the base fee plus gratuity. A typical gratuity for good service might be £20-25.

Are golf carts available?

The golf courses in Northern Ireland and Scotland, for the most part, tend to be shorter and flatter than the courses you’re likely used to playing. In other words, they were built for walking.

Some courses have carts, or buggies as they’re known in Scotland, but they have a limited number of them and they can be a bit more expensive than what we’re used to in America, running £30 or more.

Buggies are not guaranteed to be available due to the limited supply and strict requirements to reserve one; all requests should be made well in advance in order to be able to reserve one.

If you wish to request a cart, please know that a medical certificate may be required. Some courses tend to have a limited number of carts so in order to give you the best chance to reserve one, please provide Garmany Golf with your cart request at the earliest possible time.

Can I ship my golf clubs?

Yes! We partner with Ship Sticks, the leading club shipping provider for the PGA TOUR, and can easily arrange to have your clubs shipped directly to Northern Ireland prior to your arrival and back home, so you can travel with ease and without hassle or worry of your clubs being lost or delayed due to the airlines.