When you travel a long way, pay considerable $£$£ and your stay-time is limited it is only natural to play the best courses you can. I totally understand that.
However, as a kinda academic exercise, I thought where could you play if you went to the locations of the best or Open venue courses but just played what I may describe as their near neighbours, but still high quality courses, instead.
Here goes for a few selected parts of the mainland UK -
North of Scotland
instead of Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart play Brora, Golspie, Tain, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Nairn, Nairn Dunbar plus Moray Old and New.
Aberdeen area -
instead of Trump (it's now £215 each at a w/e!) play Murcar, Fraserburgh, Newburgh, Montrose. Still play Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay.
Dundee area -
instead of Carnoustie play Carnoustie-Burnside, Monifeith, Downfield, Panmuir, etc
St Andrews/Fife etc area -
instead of TOC, Gleneagles and Kingsbarns play Eden, Jubilee, New, Castle, Blairgowrie, Scotscraig, Leven, Lundin, Crail, etc
West Coast/Ayrshire area -
instead of Turnberry Ailsa, Royal Troon and Prestwick play Turnberry Kintyre, Western Gailes, Irvine, Barassie, etc
Lancashire area -
instead of Hoylake, Birkdale and Lytham, play Wallasay, West Lancs, S&A, Hillside, Formby, etc
London/Surrey/N Hants area -
instead of Wentworth, Sunningdale and Walton Heath play The Berkshire, Hankley Common, New Zealand, Westhill, N. Hants, Blackmoor, St George's Hill, etc, etceven Swinley Forest or Queenwood (if you know someone)
This totally academic exercise has highlighted to me how many absolutely cracking courses we actually have, and I've only analysed some small areas of a small island. Where have I missed out then? Bound to be quite a few.
Anyway, whoever comes to the UK and Ireland this year have a thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful time.
All the best