Beat summer crowds with off-season golf packages to Scotland

For many, a golf trip to Scotland is the ultimate dream vacation. Most, however, wouldn't imagine that a great time to go is the late winter. Traveling golfers can still find late-winter golf vacation deals on gems such as the Old Course, Balcomie Links and the New Course through packager Perry Golf. The prices are much lower, and the crowds of tourists are much smaller, so maybe the time for that Scotland golf trip is right now.

Photo gallery: The Old Course at St. Andrews
Travel tip: Planning a Scotland golf vacation? Drumgolf can help

COURSE REVIEW

Wales' Pennard Golf Club: Old school links golf in the sky

Experiencing the one-of-a-kind links of Pennard Golf Club near Swansea, Wales toes the line between driving you mad and blowing you away. On one hand, you've got a century-old links golf course with rugged, uneven fairways that generate plenty of bad bounces, lost balls and miffed golfers. On the bright side, you'll suffer whiplash from all the spectacular views. Dubbed the "Links in the sky," Pennard has a stunning theater on the clifftops of the Gower Peninsula.

Reader: Amsterdam's Waterlandse Golf Club a Dutch treat in Holland

I have played here only twice in six years. The first time it was in poor condition but the second time, which was recently, it was in great condition. I can't believe its par of 70, as I am a 3 handicap and I got nowhere near my playing handicap - and I played well that day. The course layout is a real test of golf! Take plenty of golf balls! Water comes into play on every hole!

Scotland and Ireland feature some of the best par 3s in all of Europe

From No. 11 on the Old Course at St. Andrews to other remarkable par 3s, good things come in small packages at Scotland and Ireland's most legendary par 3s. Some of these famous - and infamous - short holes have been immortalized in the British Open. Others have earned their reputation as original and influential holes to be duplicated all over the world. In the end, it's easy to see that Scotland and Ireland boast many of golf's most influential par 3s.

Seapoint and Baltray: Two good Irish links are neighbors near Dublin

With fewer than 200 true links golf courses worldwide, it's amazing to find two good ones in close proximity. But that's exactly what you get with Seapoint Golf Club and Baltray Links in County Louth, Ireland. Seapoint has one of the finest trio of finishing holes in golf, and Baltray has arguably the best seaside run in Ireland. If you're looking for excellent links golf, you won't want to miss these two Irish gems.

Portugal vacation guide: Lisbon's 'Golf Coast' off-course

With around 30 golf courses lining its beaches, the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain is getting known as the Costa del Golf. This sunny area underwent a course-building boom in the late 1980s, and more tracks are going up every year to keep up with the demand. Indeed, Costa del Sol has become a year-round golf destination, making it an excellent place for people seeking surprisingly good deals on luxury golf-real estate.

Costa del Sol: Despite rapid growth, luxury real estate abounds

With around 30 golf courses lining its beaches, the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain is getting known as the Costa del Golf. This sunny area underwent a course-building boom in the late 1980s, and more tracks are going up every year to keep up with the demand. Indeed, Costa del Sol has become a year-round golf destination, making it an excellent place for people seeking surprisingly good deals on luxury golf-real estate.

Off-course from St. Andrews to Dornoch: Castles, whiskey and the Loch Ness Monster

The drive from St. Andrews to Dornoch through the Scottish Highlands takes about four hours without stops. But if you're driving through the Highlands without stopping, you're a fool. The northern region is incredibly beautiful, filled with little gems all along the A9 and A96 highway begging you to pull over and have a look. So on your next golf trip to Scotland, make sure to take a day off for a leisurely drive up to the Highlands.

Client Feature: Lifting The Mists of St. Andrews

Headfort Golf Club's new course: Christy O'Connor brings forth an Irish beast

Most golfers who've played Christy O'Connor Jr.'s new course at Headfort Golf Club in Kells, Ireland, agree it's his best work. Nearly as scenic as it is difficult, the design is the example to which all his other efforts will be compared. But be warned: You might need to stiff a 2 iron like O'Connor to tame this beast. With water on 11 holes and several intimidating carries, O'Connor's new course could hand your game a reality check.

Czech beer and Golf Park Plzen: A perfect pilsner match

Golf then beer or beer then golf? That will likely be the main question on your mind as you travel the 50 miles from Prague to Plzen, Czech Republic, home of the new Golf Park Plzen and the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell. Opened in 2004, Golf Park Plzen is a narrow, tree-and water-filled golf course where trouble lurks on nearly every hole, so you'll probably want to postpone your rounds until after your round.

Oitavos Golf Club highlights Lisbon's "Golf Coast" in Portugal

Visible in the distance from the 10th tee at Portugal's Oitavos Golf Club, the Cabo de Roca lighthouse has stood for centuries, a signal to ships that they've reached continental Europe. Since 2001, it's also been a beacon for one of Europe's hottest golf regions, the Portuguese Riviera, where Oitavos is arguably the king. Host of the European Tour's 2005 Portuguese Open, Oitavos has gained reputation as the top course on Portugal's 'Golf Coast.'

Also: Golf Resort Karlstejn the best of Prague

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