Scotland trip 2022 advice

[MongoSmash]

I’m planning a Scotland trip in summer 2022. I am flexible on the dates. I would like to play TOC, and the others in St Andrew’s. 
I’m thinking the best time to go would be August???? That way anyone who was there for The Open will be gone. 
And if I went in June it would be off mats.

 

any other considerations for planning a trip when The Open will be played that year? Thanks

[Hawkeye77]

Sounds like you have it figured out, or go in the fall.  August is a peak month as well, so other folks will be wanting to play regardless of The Open. 

 

My advice is just go!

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, MongoSmash said:

I’m planning a Scotland trip in summer 2022. I am flexible on the dates. I would like to play TOC, and the others in St Andrew’s. 
I’m thinking the best time to go would be August???? That way anyone who was there for The Open will be gone. 
And if I went in June it would be off mats.

 

any other considerations for planning a trip when The Open will be played that year? Thanks

You will be good by late August, but September is even better. St. Andrews Links should be opening the advanced lottery around the end of July. That is opened until the end of August. If you do win times they will let you know. If not, you still have two other option. If you don’t get a lottery time, you still have the 48 hour ballot. Out of 6 days you should have a pretty good chance. And last resort is walk up. Btw, when you enter the lottery be VERY flexible. Don’t limit yourself to only certain days or times. After you learn if you made the lottery plan around it. You can buy a 3 day or 7 day ticket for the other St. Andrews links courses. They are unlimited golf with one guaranteed tee time daily. They DO NOT include TOC. For the money, it’s a hell of a deal, and if you win the ballot for a TOC time you can move your time and don’t loose anything. The staff there are very helpful. Email or call them with any questions you may have. If you gave any other questions about the details, just send me a message and I’ll help you.

 

https://www.standrews.com/

Edited June 18, 2021 by hammergolf

[buckI]

There will be a lot of 2021 trips already rebooked to 2022.   We are on our second rebooking and now planned for next year.   I would suggest starting to book now and maybe look later in the year to get past peak season especially with The Open being at TOC.

[philsRHman]

Be careful with September, there are so many R&A events you need to keep an eye on the Busy Dates calendar, then you run into the Dunhill which shuts things down for another couple weeks. At least that’s what I found this fall, so I will spend the last week of Sept in North Berwick then arrive in SA after the Dunhill for two weeks.
 

I’ve done a ton of homework since my trip has now been postponed twice by covid, so if I can help with any questions let me know. 

[Emmitsburg]

We just had our July trip cancelled for the second year in a row. We are being told forget getting on the Old Course. With two years of cancellations, it will probably be backed up to 2023, at least in the summer months. For veteran Scotland players, what is your advice on rescheduling. Having never been over the pond we went with a trip planner (Pioneer Golf). All things considered, they treated us very well. Rolled over 2020 to 2021 and offered the same to 2022. Due to the age of our foresome and the uncertainty of Covid we opted to get our money back via insurance. However, now that we have learning the "lay of the land" and with TOC off the table, premium courses are no longer a priority. Any advice on planning the trip on our own? Would consider a few days in Berwick. Seems to be some good packages associated with hotels and small inns. Then onto St Andrews for the remainder of the week. 

 

Thanks

[Stetson]

A trip to Cambeltown seems like a great way to go

[jvincent]

4 hours ago, Emmitsburg said:

. Any advice on planning the trip on our own? Would consider a few days in Berwick. Seems to be some good packages associated with hotels and small inns. Then onto St Andrews for the remainder of the week. 

 

Thanks

 

I don't know if the other St Andrews Links courses are going to be as busy but the 3-day ticket is a great deal and the New, Jubilee, and Castle courses are all worth playing. In and around St Andrews are tons of courses. Crail, Elie, etc. 

 

So if it were me I'd book a nice AirBnB in St Andrews, get the 3 or 7 day ticket and go crazy.

[hammergolf]

17 hours ago, jvincent said:

 

I don't know if the other St Andrews Links courses are going to be as busy but the 3-day ticket is a great deal and the New, Jubilee, and Castle courses are all worth playing. In and around St Andrews are tons of courses. Crail, Elie, etc. 

 

So if it were me I'd book a nice AirBnB in St Andrews, get the 3 or 7 day ticket and go crazy.

Not to mention, you would still be able to put in for the ballot each day and maybe get lucky and get a tee time. I did it on my last trip and got one! 

[Stetson]

6 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Not to mention, you would still be able to put in for the ballot each day and maybe get lucky and get a tee time. I did it on my last trip and got one! 

 

The ballot is closed to singles and they do not have the waiting line due to covid

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, Stetson said:

 

The ballot is closed to singles and they do not have the waiting line due to covid

I was adding to Jvincent's post.

[Superbrit]

I go St Andrews every year in mid October, main reason is its my birthday, but also its not as busy as it is in june, july and august obviously, tee times are easier to get, restaurants easier to book, and ive never had really bad weather in october, well not bad enough to stop me playing a round, added bonus is hotels and golf is a bit cheaper as well

[hammergolf]

13 minutes ago, Superbrit said:

I go St Andrews every year in mid October, main reason is its my birthday, but also its not as busy as it is in june, july and august obviously, tee times are easier to get, restaurants easier to book, and ive never had really bad weather in october, well not bad enough to stop me playing a round, added bonus is hotels and golf is a bit cheaper as well

Shhhh, don't give away our secret.... 

[Superbrit]

4 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Shhhh, don't give away our secret.... 

lol well i thought i couldnt be the only one