Scotland Golf Trip Advice

[sabram]

Prestwick or even Western Gailes or Dundonald over the Portland. I know at Troon it's an all-day ticket where you get both courses plus lunch, but really you're just paying for the Old- the Portland is nice, but Prestwick is amazing.

 

Yes, Prestwick Old is great and a true walk through history. Definitely need a caddy there otherwise you'd have no idea where to hit over the Alps and Himalayas. IMHO the most under-rated course I played was Western Gailes. What an amazing place. In the book referenced by a prior poster Finnegan calls it "the perfect seaside course" and I agree. Dundonald is a very good course but not on par (pun intended) with Prestwick or Western Gailes.

 

Here is a link to some of my photos from a recent golf trip to the Scotland Ayrshire Scotlad Golf Course photos

 

In any event, Johnny Longball has a great lineup of courses and will have a fantastic trip. The people I met in Scotland were warm and welcoming. The best tip posted is keep up the pace of play. The Scots are much better at that than are most Americans. The next best tip is be prepared for any weather. The weather can change every 15 minutes, from warm and sunny to cold, cloudy, windy and rainy... and then back again. Proper rain and wind clothing are a must. Here's a tip no one has mentioned - They have a soft drink called Irn Bru that I love and reportedly can mitigate the ill effects of too much whiskey. It's sweet, like Jamaican Cola. Try it.

 

When you are on the Old course at Royal Troon, across the railway tracks from I think the 11th fairway is the Sandhill House. It is one of the best B&B's in Scotland. If any of you are ever planning a trip to this area you must make arrangements to stay there.

[Purealive]

Yes, Prestwick Old is great and a true walk through history. Definitely need a caddy there otherwise you'd have no idea where to hit over the Alps and Himalayas. IMHO the most under-rated course I played was Western Gailes. What an amazing place. In the book referenced by a prior poster Finnegan calls it "the perfect seaside course" and I agree. Dundonald is a very good course but not on par (pun intended) with Prestwick or Western Gailes.

 

Here is a link to some of my photos from a recent golf trip to the Scotland Ayrshire Scotlad Golf Course photos

 

In any event, Johnny Longball has a great lineup of courses and will have a fantastic trip. The people I met in Scotland were warm and welcoming. The best tip posted is keep up the pace of play. The Scots are much better at that than are most Americans. The next best tip is be prepared for any weather. The weather can change every 15 minutes, from warm and sunny to cold, cloudy, windy and rainy... and then back again. Proper rain and wind clothing are a must. Here's a tip no one has mentioned - They have a soft drink called Irn Bru that I love and reportedly can mitigate the ill effects of too much whiskey. It's sweet, like Jamaican Cola. Try it.

 

When you are on the Old course at Royal Troon, across the railway tracks from I think the 11th fairway is the Sandhill House. It is one of the best B&B's in Scotland. If any of you are ever planning a trip to this area you must make arrangements to stay there.

If you think Irn Bru is a soft drink you have obviously not drank enough of it!! And it does cure any hangover, glass bottle of Irn Bru then a fry up can clear even the foggiest head. A round of golf then a skinfull of Best is the perfect way to spend a day.

 

You should love the trip, some of those courses are amazing to play but really the Portland is so far out of place in that list. there are about 20 - 30 (if not more) courses you should play instead of that one. Have a great time though.

[Aratan]

I was over last summer (frem Denmark) and only ran into one think I had not thought of: No casual shoes in the club house... (not sure if that is common, but it was at Blairgowrie)

 

The rest is just plain good manners and good behaviour, enjoy your trip...

 

Regards,

 

Aratan

[scotty01292]

Yeah, all great courses everyone has listed so far... If you decide to play Prestwick, and get a caddy, ask for Brian. Seriously, do... He's been a caddy for so long and knows the course better than anybody. He's a funny guy as well...

[Carl-T]

up on the north eastern border of england going up to sctoland is goswick, great track.

also rockburgh is a good one. :jester:

[jaskanski]

Try not to refer to the locals as "scotch". They are either scottish or a scot. Happy hunting.