First trip to Scotland - advice needed

My group is looking to book our first trip to Scotland. It is a dream once in a life trip we have been talking about for ages. Playing the Old Course is a must as we view this as our pilgrimage to the shrine. We want to build around St. Andrews. Thinking we will need to go through a travel agent to get guaranteed OC times, does anyone have recommendations for agents to speak with? We are not 2%s income wise but we are not looking to cheap out on a dream trip either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Timing of trip - summer/fall 2021 now that the open got moved back

Thanks

Not dodging your question and not suggesting you shouldn't start a thread, but there are several threads discussing the benefits of travel companies vs. other ways to do it so I'm just pointing you that way in addition to responses to this thread as sources for more information. Also you haven't provided the size of the group or much for details.

If it's the trip of a lifetime the issue may be patience vs. spend the money. Certainly agree you'll want guaranteed times and not chance walking up, especially with a larger group if it is a larger group, and if you all want to play together.

We aren't that far off from The Old Course lottery opening up and if it does, like it usually does, you enter per the website instructions and by early October you'll know if you have tee times and if not, can go from there with a travel company. If there are 4 of you much more likely based on all I've read than 2 or 3 foursomes getting on, but if tee times are being carried over to next year from this year who knows about your chances. I'd hazard a guess that's less likely to be a problem with a fall trip. I haven't kept up on reopening of courses, plans, refunds and the like.

If you can't wait until October or the group size is prohibitive for lottery chances, you could sure follow up and email travel companies and there are folks on here that can provide recommendations.

Just pointing out as you probably know it isn't necessary to book via travel company for guaranteed times, but if it has to be 2021 and not a later year, that may be what you need to do or end up doing.

You will have a great trip! I’ve been there several times. I’ve booked everything on my own for our group of 8 for each trip. Our last trip was in fall 2018. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to use a travel agency unless you just don’t want to spend the time to book everything. You will save about 30% - 40% by booking yourself. As far as The Old Course goes, they will be taking submissions for 2021 in August. If you are flexible with the dates of your trip I would submit an entry to play The Old Course with a broad timeframe. If you have something luck and get your reserved times you can build your trip around that day. But, don’t worry if you don’t get selected for a reserved time. You still have two other options to play TOC. Over half of the tee times are ballot times. The ballot is used to fill these times. Basically you apply for the ballot 48 hours before the day you play. And then the last option is walk up. Basically you go down to the starters shack the night before. It’s a first come first served deal. If you get there by 1:00 am you’re almost guaranteed to get on. I’ve got a reserved time on past trips and also got ballot times on trips. This past tip we played Craig, Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Castle Course, The Old Course, Jubilee Course. If you plan far enough in advance it is VERY easy to r trip and book your times. We stay in a house in St. Andrews about 150ys walk from TOC and The Dunvegan... Anyways, if you have any questions send me a pm and I’ll be more than happy to help. Btw, including airfare, tee times, food, and rental van it ended up being about $2500 per person last trip. We have a trip planned to Ireland in late September and are just hoping the travel situation is ok by then.

The thing about 2021 TOC lottery will be that there could be less times available as they are rescheduling people that had times this year for next. Our group had to reschedule.

i agree with the others. If TOC is an absolute must and depending on group size and if you want to play together then an agency might be the best option. We booked ourselves as a foursome and others have gone and got on via daily ballot or queue but that meant the group split up to play. That could be a decision you need to make.