There are golf trips, and then there are golf trips. The ones that seep into your bones, the ones that leave a mark long after the final putt drops. When The Links Diary rolls out an event, you know it’s going to straddle that fine line between sheer joy and competitive insanity. Their trips have become the stuff of legend and this year promises more of the same madness. They have released their full itinerary and I’ve secured a coveted spot at one that already feels like it’ll be something out of a fever dream: The Matches on Arran.
Event Overview: The Matches on Arran
The Isle of Arran, a place that’s been dubbed “Scotland in miniature” crams every jaw-dropping element of the Highlands into a single, rugged landscape. Where the greens and the wild, unpredictable sea blur into one. And come next year, it’ll set the stage for an event that promises to be less of a golf outing and more of a clash with the elements, the course and yourself.
This isn’t just any gathering of golfers—it’s a war with smiles, where stories will be swapped, rivalries will brew and laughter will be shared over pints that taste like victory or defeat, depending on your day. The Links Diary’s mastery lies in their ability to coordinate these kinds of events, where every participant feels like they’ve stumbled into a secret society of golf romantics. They’ve planned a slate of matches that will test your nerve, skill and how well you can fake confidence when things go sideways. Because here’s the thing: on Arran’s legendary courses, things will go sideways.
Why It’s Special
The beauty of The Matches on Arran isn’t just in its setting, though the backdrop alone is enough to make you consider quitting your day job. It’s the people—the golfers who come not just to play, but to experience the game. It’s rounds punctuated by laughter, shared stories, and that uniquely Scottish blend of brutal honesty and good-natured ribbing. Arran’s courses, with their rugged, unpredictable challenges, are the perfect stage for this communal chaos. You’ll hit shots you swear will be talked about for years and miss others so badly they’ll be retold at your expense, and it’s all part of the show.
Arran’s courses offer a range of challenges that test your entire game, and The Links Diary ensures that each day unfolds like a chapter in a tale you can’t put down. This isn’t just another golf event; it’s an entry into a community that knows golf is about more than numbers on a scorecard.
Our Personal Connection
I missed out on The Links Diary’s other outing for 2025, The Stand on Solway. When I heard about The Matches on Arran, I knew I couldn’t miss this one as well.
We know a bit about what’s in store. Last year, we joined The Links Diary on their Matches at Machrihanish, a trip that included three unforgettable rounds at Machrihanish Golf Club, Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty in partnership with the Fliers Club. Those rounds were a mix of challenge, pure fun and stories that practically wrote themselves. If you’ve followed my blog, you’ll know how honoured I was that The Links Diary team wanted to include my little write-up about their trip in their 10th edition.
Being part of that experience means we know just how special Arran will be. The Matches at Machrihanish were filled with moments that still draw a smile, from battling the fierce winds off the dunes to swapping stories over pints late into the night. And now, The Matches on Arran feels like a continuation of that legacy, an opportunity to dive into the spirit of golf where it’s at its most raw and most real.
What’s Next
This is just the first page of a much bigger story. I’ll be bringing you along for the ride, documenting everything from the build-up, our first chaotic steps onto Arran’s storied landscape, to the final dramatic moments of the matches. The goal isn’t just to tell you about golf. It’s to take you into the soul of it, to make you feel the tension, the laughter and that rare sense of belonging you only find in places like this.
Stay with us as we break down more details about The Matches on Arran, prep for the trip, and share what makes us excited and nervous about the whole affair. Whether you’re thinking about jumping into one of The Links Diary’s future adventures or just love a good golf story, we hope you’ll come along for the ride.
More posts and updates are on the way, so keep an eye out. This is one golfing adventure you won’t want to miss, and we can’t wait to bring you along for every birdie, bogey, and pint in between.
And for those ready to follow the journey, keep an eye on the blog. We’ll be sharing updates and stories leading up to Arran, capturing the highs, the challenges, and every moment that makes golf more than just a game.