The Intentional Golfer

We didn’t set out to take a once-in-a-lifetime golf trip — we just had a window. My brother’s wedding was happening in April in the UK, and since we work seasonal jobs, having that month off is pretty routine for us. Instead of flying in and out just for the wedding, we asked, What if we turned this wedding trip into a golf adventure that took us all over the UK? From there, the planning began. We started mapping out courses, researching routes, and figuring out how to make it work on a budget. Soon enough, we were packing our clubs, renting a car, and getting ready to play 24 rounds in 29 days — walking every single one across England, Wales, and Scotland.

How a Wedding Invite Turned Into a Golf Marathon

We’re active people — always have been. We live for days spent outside, whether it’s riding singletrack, skiing powder, or walking 18 holes. In the summer, we both work and play at a golf course, and in the spring, we always try to hit the road for a bit of adventure. April is our season for camping and mountain biking… but this year was going to look a little different.

Last mud season’s spring trip didn’t quite go as planned — we brought bikes and golf clubs but didn’t get to use either because I hurt my foot. So when we got the invite to my brother’s wedding in the UK, it felt like the universe was giving us another shot. And this time, we knew exactly how we wanted to spend it: golfing. A lot.

Scotland is the home of golf — where St. Andrews sits at the heart of the game, and where legends like James Braid and Alister MacKenzie left their mark on the land. As golfers, we couldn’t pass up the chance to play the courses we’ve only ever read about or seen in photos. One round turned into a few. A few turned into a wild idea: What if we played every single day?

Before long, we were planning a full-blown golf odyssey. We joked that it felt like pointing our skis down a double -black diamond run for the first time — thrilling, intimidating, and a little crazy. It was our first international trip, and we were going all in.

We spent weeks piecing together a route that would take us across England, into Wales, and then up the rugged and remote coastlines of Scotland — from London to the countryside, from ancient seaside links to highland gems. The miles added up quickly. It wasn’t until we saw the pins stretch across our map that we realized the scale of what we were about to do. This wasn’t just a golf trip — it was a full sweep through some of the UK’s most iconic and off-the-radar landscapes, all driven by the simple goal of walking one round at a time.

And yet, all of that — the hours mapping out golf breaks, hunting down courses tied to the architects we admire, recalculating our route over and over again — was part of the fun. It was part dream, part spreadsheet, and 100% fueled by our love for the game.

THE LOGISTICS: Making it all work

As much as we wanted to focus on the adventure, we had to face the reality of getting all our gear across the UK. Two 50-pound golf bags, suitcases, backpacks — we had a lot to manage. Renting a car was the best option for flexibility and access to courses off the beaten path. We needed the freedom to explore at our own pace, without the hassle of dragging our bags on and off trains.

Now, driving a manual isn’t a problem for either of us — it’s what we drive every day. But navigating the narrow, unfamiliar roads of the UK was a whole different story. Add in a right side drive car and put us on the left side of the road and suddenly shifting gears while trying not to miss a turn became an extra challenge. We definitely had our share of stalls, especially in front of confused pedestrians. But after a few bumps and laughs, we got into the rhythm of it — feeling a little like race car drivers zipping through the winding roads, figuring out the perfect balance of speed and gear shifts. By the time we hit the open road, we were cruising like we’d been driving on the left our whole lives.

Along with the car, we had to figure out where to stay every night. The hotel situation was a whole other puzzle. We weren’t booking fancy resorts — just enough to get a good night’s sleep before the next round. From budget inns to charming B&Bs, we switched hotels nearly every night. Every time we arrived in a new city, we were practically unpacking, just to repack again the next morning. But somehow, the unpredictability of it all added to the adventure — making each stop a new chapter of the journey.

We didn’t have a round booked every single day, but we set out with the goal of playing as often as possible — and we came close, logging 24 rounds in 29 days. From navigating long drives between courses to making sure we had enough time to enjoy each one, it was a challenge. But chasing tee times day after day became part of the thrill. Every course we walked, every green we reached, added another layer to the experience.

Still, we made time to soak up the places in between. Whether it was exploring a quiet town for an hour, taking a detour for breakfast in a new village, or stumbling upon a charming café on the road — each stop gave us a glimpse of the UK beyond the course. Even the briefest moments made the journey feel bigger than just golf.

The Trip Begins

We kicked things off in London — navigating jet lag, train lines, and our oversized golf bags through the city. Just as soon as we finally felt like we were getting the hang of it — using the Tube, finding decent coffee, learning how to maneuver our gear without blocking every doorway — it was time to switch gears.

We picked up the rental car and pulled out of the city, and everything shifted. The pace, the landscape, the sense of freedom — it finally felt like the trip was truly underway. With our full route ahead and golf booked nearly every day, we were officially on the move. Every morning brought a new destination, a new course, and a fresh stretch of road.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

What started as a simple idea — stretch a wedding trip into a golf adventure — had quickly turned into something so much bigger. By the time we left London, we weren’t just traveling; we were living the kind of trip we used to only talk about.

We had no idea what the rest of the month would hold, but we knew one thing for sure: we were all in. Golf was the reason, and everything else — the landscapes, the people, the unexpected moments — would become part of the story.

This is just the beginning.

If you’re into golf, travel, or just the idea of living life with a little more intention — stick around. I’ll be sharing the full story of our 24-round journey across the UK, one stop at a time. Subscribe, follow along, and let’s see where this game takes us.