Cloud 9 Golf & Travel

19/07/2024

All eyes on the stunning Royal Troon for The 152nd Open 🏆

📸: Gary Lisbon Golf Photography

03/06/2024

“We had a fantastic time in Ireland…what a trip! All of the golf courses were spectacular, and we really lucked out on the weather, with only about six holes of rain.”
-Trey M., Ireland 2024

18/05/2024

There is a reason the Costa del Sol is known as the Costa del Golf. Due to its high concentration of over 70 golf courses and roughly 320 days of sunshine per year, this region in southern Spain is one of Europe’s top golfing destinations.

14/05/2024

Day 1 is well underway at the IAGTO European Convention in Malaga. Meeting with amazing partners in the heart of one of Europe’s top golf destinations!

11/05/2024

What a round today at Finca Cortesin! World-class golf, top hospitality and loads of sunshine ☀️

10/04/2024

04/04/2024

Ben Crenshaw perfectly described Montrose’s Medal Course as a “magnificent stretch of marvellously natural ground which depicts how the game was born.” The ancient old links was laid out along the edge of the North Sea and dates all the way back to 1562, making it one of the world’s oldest golf courses. With proper links challenges, stunning coastal views, a rich history and an unpretentious welcome, it truly epitomizes the idyllic Scottish links experience.

26/03/2024

We had the privilege of visiting Inverness in the Scottish Highlands to represent our company at the 2024 Scottish Golf Tourism Week convention.

Here are 5 takeaways from the event:

1. The North is Coming.
2. Thinking Green.
3. Bucking the Status Quo.
4. Embracing History.
5. Huge Demand.

Read full article on our website!

  5 Aside: Takeaways From SGTW 2024 By C9 Team  Posted March 26, 2024  In Golf & Travel, Scotland 5 Aside: Takeaways From SGTW 20242024-03-262024-03-26https://cloud9golfandtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logo_cloud9.pngCloud 9 Golf & Travelhttps://cloud9golfandtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/...

22/03/2024

Had a great time at Scottish Golf Tourism Week, meeting with some of our valued partners. Special thanks to all the organizers and hosts who took care of us all over the country!

08/03/2024

Records indicate golf was played at Musselburgh Links as early as the 16th century, making it one of the oldest playing golf courses in the world. The 9-hole course has a unique layout, with a few holes located within the Musselburgh racetrack.

05/03/2024

The decision to hire a caddie depends on several factors, including your preferences, course policies, and your budget.

Advantages:
✅Course Knowledge - Caddies have valuable knowledge, including yardages, hazards and can help read the greens.
✅Physical Assistance - Caddies will carry your golf bag.
✅Pace of Play - With a caddie to assist with yardages and searching for balls, golfers can play more efficiently.
✅Companionship: Most caddies are also locals and can give you recommendations, like the best pubs and restaurants in town.

Considerations:
💡Cost: Caddie fees vary by course.
💡Course Policies: Some courses require caddies and some may not offer caddies at all.
💡Physical Fitness: A caddie helps reduce physical strain.
💡Personal Preference: Some golfers prefer independence and focusing on their game alone.�

Alternatives:
⭐️Forecaddie: Share a forecaddie among your group.
⭐️Golf Cart: Helps pace of play, especially on courses with longer distances between holes.
⭐️Push Cart: Great for those who enjoy independence and want some exercise.

16/02/2024

Why use a tour operator instead of booking a golf trip myself?

⭐️ Expertise: Tour operators know the best courses, accommodations and activities. We also know the best sequence of your itinerary and have trusted transportation partners to help make it happen.

⭐️ Time-Savings: Coordinating various elements like tee times, accommodations, and transportation takes time. We streamline the process, saving you time and effort.

⭐️ Exclusive Packages: Tour operators have access to exclusive deals that may not be readily available to individual travelers, offering added value to your trip.

⭐️ Vetted Options: Tour operators give you peace of mind with a curated selection of offers. Our packages meet high quality standards, including vendor reputation and customer satisfaction.

⭐️ 24/7 Support: If any issues arise during your trip, we can assist in resolving them and offer support and solutions.

⭐️ Local Knowledge: With local connections, tour operators can provide insider information such as hidden gems, local traditions, and the best times to play.

⭐️ Convenience: Tour operators handle logistics such as transportation and pick-up times, providing a hassle-free experience.

⭐️ Customization: We allow you to customize your golf trip based on your preferences, including course selection, accommodations, and additional activities.

Using a tour operator can enhance the overall quality of your golf trip, particularly if you want an stress-free experience.

13/02/2024

Estimates suggest that Old Tom Morris contributed to the design or renovation of over 60 courses. His works include some of the most iconic and historic golfing venues in the world, such as:

⛳️ The Old Course at St Andrews (Scotland)
⛳️ Muirfield Golf Links (Scotland)
⛳️ Prestwick Golf Club (Scotland)
⛳️ Royal County Down Golf Club (Northern Ireland)
⛳️ Carnoustie Golf Links (Scotland)
⛳️ Western Gailes Golf Club (Scotland)
⛳️ Cruden Bay Golf Club (Scotland)
⛳️ Moray Golf Club (Scotland)
⛳️ Nairn Golf Club (Scotland)
⛳️ Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Scotland)

His contributions to golf course design continue to be celebrated and admired by golf enthusiasts around the world.

09/02/2024

Cruden Bay is our pick for the most underrated course in Scotland. The club itself is authentic and welcoming. The scenery is stunning with views of the North Sea from elevated coastal terrain. And most memorable is the layout itself, which is quirky and tons of fun.

29/01/2024

Access your trip itinerary anytime, even offline, and message our team directly through the app. These are just a few benefits of traveling with us!

25/01/2024

Who else is at the PGA show this week? Let's meet up!

19/01/2024

The great Eddie Hackett had a hand in the course's design, which is challenging but absolutely breathtaking! When you aren't amidst the course's towering namesake Dunes, through which many of the holes wind, the views of the River Moy Estuary and across Killala Bay are on full display.

08/01/2024

“Our trip was fantastic! Every course we played was super challenging and fun, but the highlight was getting to play the Old Course at St Andrews. Our driver was awesome—very personable and accommodating. The locations of our two different accommodations were perfect. Chris did a good job communicating with everyone and did his best at the impossible task of making everyone happy :)”

Kathy F. - Scotland 2023

03/01/2024

Spotted on the billboards of Times Square on NYE 🎇What a way to ring in the new year!

02/01/2024

2024 is already looking bright ✨Looking forward to a great year with the best clients and partners!

15/12/2023

La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort is in one of the most enviable locations along the Coast del Sol, with views that stretch to Gibraltar and Africa. The property's premier course, The Links, descends across rolling clifftop terrain in an amphitheater-like setting with the Mediterranean on full display throughout. The course originally opened in 1990 but an extensive refurbishment has just been completed, creating a luxury golf experience that rivals the best in the region.

11/12/2023

The local Highlands Council has voted to approve a new golf course at Coul Links, located just 5 miles north of Dornoch. Since its original plans were revealed in 2015, the project has seen pushback from environmentalists, while others say it would revive the region’s economy. The fate of the course now rests in the hands of the Scottish government.

08/12/2023

Still looking for a Christmas present? How about a good read? Here are some of our favorites! 📚

See the full list here: https://cloud9golfandtravel.com/5-aside-great-reads-to-inspire-your-next-golf-trip/

06/12/2023

Don't miss this stop on your next tour of northwest Ireland!

Ireland and whiskey go hand in hand and the Crolly Distillery is the perfect spot to experience the art of Irish whiskey-making. After a warm welcome, take a tour the facility’s unique direct fired Cognac stills and learn about how the Maillard effect is used to develop a distinctive depth of flavor in the Crolly single malt. Most memorable, though, will likely be the guided tasting, enhanced by spontaneous and “spirited “hospitality.

01/12/2023

“Thank you and Cloud 9 Golf for arranging our golf trip to Ireland. Everything was perfect! We played six rounds of golf on the western coast and all the courses were excellent. Our tee times and caddie choices all measured up to what we had requested. The lodging choices also were excellent! The self-drive van easily accommodated the four of us, our golf clubs and luggage. We look forward to working with you again!”

Gary R. - Ireland 2023

27/11/2023

Whether you have come to Islay for a sip of whiskey or a round of golf, one thing is for certain – the views across Laggan Bay from Machrie Golf Links are unlike any other. Despite multiple modernizations and course re-designs, Machrie’s roots trace back to the 19th century, and its old-fashioned design is amongst Scotland’s great old links.

23/11/2023

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

21/11/2023

Northern Scotland and the Scottish Highlands is home to enough great golf to fill just about any length itinerary and this trip that our clients booked for May 2024 incorporates all that is great about the area. Big name courses like Royal Dornoch and Cruden Bay are no-brainers. However, it’s just as important to include some lesser-known hidden gems like Moray, Fraserburgh, and even the nine-hole Covesea links, to ensure a complete, all-encompassing golf experience. Likewise, no trip to the area is complete without some non-golfing adventures, and whisky-tasting (in Scotland’s primary Scotch-producing region!) plus a few castle visits (in Scotland’s “Castle Country”) surely add to the experience. This is a trip we were excited about that has it all!

Read more here: https://cloud9golfandtravel.com/trip-of-the-month-nov-23/

12/11/2023

“I was one of the 11 people from NYC that traveled to Scotland golf trip in July. We had a few drivers and they were all very good. I want to specially mention Aaron, who had been with us from St Andrews to Inverness and back to Edinburgh. He has very good driving skill, pleasant and patient, always on time, prepared water, soft drinks and snacks for us, even took a group photo and framed it as a gift to each of us. We had such a wonderful time in Scotland.”

Jenny Z. - Scotland 2023

10/11/2023

Founded in 1889, Dooks is one of Ireland's oldest clubs and also one of it's most beautiful. The course sits along the Ring of Kerry between the McGillycuddy Reeks mountains and Di**le Bay and its distinct, quirky layout is an absolute joy to play.