Scotland last week of June 2024… advice needed

[Golfnuck]

13 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

That’s awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I’ve got a time at kingsbarns. 

 

We were super impressed and in fact we got a better tee time at Kingsbarn than we originally booked.

 

I think that it is in the best interest of the other courses to co operate with the "big dog" there which is the Old Course.

 

I'm sure we are not the only ones who would drop a booked round at the other courses to play the Old Course and those courses certainly know that.  They probably also know that many go to St. Andrews just hoping they could get onto the Old Course and book to play all the other courses around there.

 

This way I am a very a happy customer and will give glowing reports to everyone about Kingsbarn.

 

Actually when we had to rebook our 2020 Scotland trip due to COVID the only course that did not allow us to rebook the tee time was Carnoustie who simply forfeited 100% of the prepaid tee fees.

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Golfnuck said:

 

We were super impressed and in fact we got a better tee time at Kingsbarn than we originally booked.

 

I think that it is in the best interest of the other courses to co operate with the "big dog" there which is the Old Course.

 

I'm sure we are not the only ones who would drop a booked round at the other courses to play the Old Course and those courses certainly know that.  They probably also know that many go to St. Andrews just hoping they could get onto the Old Course and book to play all the other courses around there.

 

This way I am a very a happy customer and will give glowing reports to everyone about Kingsbarn.

 

Actually when we had to rebook our 2020 Scotland trip due to COVID the only course that did not allow us to rebook the tee time was Carnoustie who simply forfeited 100% of the prepaid tee fees.

Carnoustie is about the only course that isnt as flexible or helpful with tee times.  

[sheppick.dan]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Carnoustie is about the only course that isnt as flexible or helpful with tee times.  

They seemed like the hardest ones to deal with so far!

[hammergolf]

1 minute ago, sheppick.dan said:

They seemed like the hardest ones to deal with so far!

Yeah, that’s my experience every time I have been there. Not unpleasant, but not near as nice as other courses. Almost like they are doing you a favor by letting you pay £300 to play their course.

[buckI]

When we needed to rebook with Covid they were the most difficult.   All others including Muirfield who I think gets a bad rap about being not welcoming were much easier.    In all the times I have dealt with Muirfield and all others it was very easy except for Carnoustie.   

[sheppick.dan]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Yeah, that’s my experience every time I have been there. Not unpleasant, but not near as nice as other courses. Almost like they are doing you a favor by letting you pay £300 to play their course.

Very true

[sheppick.dan]

1 hour ago, buckI said:

When we needed to rebook with Covid they were the most difficult.   All others including Muirfield who I think gets a bad rap about being not welcoming were much easier.    In all the times I have dealt with Muirfield and all others it was very easy except for Carnoustie.   

Muirfield wasn’t very friendly when I asked about a tee time for a single!

[Golfnuck]

While Carnoustie may be difficult to deal with I really enjoyed my round there.  Just a word of warning for those that need to warm up on a driving range, they do not have one (at least when I was there Sept 2022).  You go into a hitting simulator booth inside the golf shop.  Get there a bit earlier because it got very busy when I was there and I was only able to get a few swings in before my tee time.

Edited November 30, 2023 by Golfnuck

[hammergolf]

16 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

Muirfield wasn’t very friendly when I asked about a tee time for a single!

Interesting, I’ve always worked with Anne there and she’s been very nice.

[buckI]

56 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Interesting, I’ve always worked with Anne there and she’s been very nice.

Same here whether calling them or via email.  Matter of fact but very nice.

[sheppick.dan]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Interesting, I’ve always worked with Anne there and she’s been very nice.

I’m hopeful that maybe one of the days I have open they’ll have a cancellation and I can squeeze on

[sTmGolfer]

On 11/29/2023 at 8:16 PM, hammergolf said:

Yeah, that’s my experience every time I have been there. Not unpleasant, but not near as nice as other courses. Almost like they are doing you a favor by letting you pay £300 to play their course.

Yeah, they are definitely the least flexible.  We had to reschedule our trips several times due to the COVID travel restrictions. Carnoustie did not have any refund policy but allowed to be rebooked at a later date.  Unfortunately, they were unable to get us a tee time booked for when we were finally able to make our trip.  And it was many many months in advance.  Wasn't great that they just hang onto your money for several years and don't allow any refunds.  

[NDSwim]

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone done the Prestwick Experience?  Golf and lunch in the members Clubhouse.  I didn’t get drawn for Muirfield so have two extra days at the front end of the trip and thinking Prestwick and Turnberry.

[hammergolf]

21 minutes ago, sTmGolfer said:

Yeah, they are definitely the least flexible.  We had to reschedule our trips several times due to the COVID travel restrictions. Carnoustie did not have any refund policy but allowed to be rebooked at a later date.  Unfortunately, they were unable to get us a tee time booked for when we were finally able to make our trip.  And it was many many months in advance.  Wasn't great that they just hang onto your money for several years and don't allow any refunds.  

Definitely no class to keep peoples money and take advantage of the covid situation. I’ll never give that place another dime of business. 

[hammergolf]

16 minutes ago, NDSwim said:

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone done the Prestwick Experience?  Golf and lunch in the members Clubhouse.  I didn’t get drawn for Muirfield so have two extra days at the front end of the trip and thinking Prestwick and Turnberry.

Prestwick is a fun experience for sure. Lots of history in the clubhouse, but not sure it’s worth the premium to have lunch there. Turnberry is also great, especially since the remodel.

[sheppick.dan]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Prestwick is a fun experience for sure. Lots of history in the clubhouse, but not sure it’s worth the premium to have lunch there. Turnberry is also great, especially since the remodel.

Is turnberry worth the money? The price tag seems awful high compared to others. Would you recommend caddy for turnberry?

[scott_Donald]

8 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

Is turnberry worth the money? The price tag seems awful high compared to others. Would you recommend caddy for turnberry?

 

Turnberry is gorgeous and is it worth the price; for a one off yes to me. I was staying in the hotel so got a discount. My day was perfect with weather and it was my wedding morning. 

 

I was planning on heading back but the increase in price has put me off.  I now they are struggling for money for both the hotel and course. 

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

Is turnberry worth the money? The price tag seems awful high compared to others. Would you recommend caddy for turnberry?

I didn’t notice the large price increase. It’s a great course, but hard to justify £495. Just for reference, I played his Doonbeg course in Ireland that was really good for €95. There are other great options in Ayrshire as well. If you do decide on Turnberry, a yardage book will be fine. Not many blind shots or quirky holes so no need for a caddy.

[NDSwim]

On 12/1/2023 at 8:17 PM, hammergolf said:

Prestwick is a fun experience for sure. Lots of history in the clubhouse, but not sure it’s worth the premium to have lunch there. Turnberry is also great, especially since the remodel.

Thank you.

 

depending on the day might just have to do the lunch.  The price for Turnberry is definitely a bit hard to swallow.

[sheppick.dan]

On 12/2/2023 at 8:49 AM, hammergolf said:

I didn’t notice the large price increase. It’s a great course, but hard to justify £495. Just for reference, I played his Doonbeg course in Ireland that was really good for €95. There are other great options in Ayrshire as well. If you do decide on Turnberry, a yardage book will be fine. Not many blind shots or quirky holes so no need for a caddy.

Will the USGA handicap app work as proof of handicap?

 

added a second to the trip. Any secret advice to get on the old course?

 

I was able to add my dad to all the reservations except carnoustie. They are allowing him to walk the course with me though!

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

Will the USGA handicap app work as proof of handicap?

 

added a second to the trip. Any secret advice to get on the old course?

 

I was able to add my dad to all the reservations except carnoustie. They are allowing him to walk the course with me though!

Really good to hear you were able to add your dad. Who knows, maybe the day you play Carnoustie they will have a no show or cancellation and he can play.

Yes, the usga app will work, but the only golf course that has ever asked for my hdcp was TOC.

 

There’s no secret to getting on TOC. You have three options: The first is using an authorized provider. This will be expensive, (probably around $2,000 each) but it’s the only way to get a guaranteed time. The second option is the 48hr ballot, which you can apply on the app 2 days before your day of play. TOC reserves a set amount of times every day for this, with Thursday being the day that usually has the most ballot times available. It’s very easy to apply on the app, and most courses in the area are good about rescheduling tee times to another day if you are selected. The third way is the walk up que. Essentially you just go to the starter shed and wait outside all night until the starter shows up to let you know if there are spots available. It’s first come first served, so you need to get there early and camp outside for the night. 

‘If you have any other questions let me know.

[EricWGolf]

 

47 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

There’s no secret to getting on TOC. You have three options: The first is using an authorized provider. This will be expensive, (probably around $2,000 each) but it’s the only way to get a guaranteed time. The second option is the 48hr ballot, which you can apply on the app 2 days before your day of play. TOC reserves a set amount of times every day for this, with Thursday being the day that usually has the most ballot times available. It’s very easy to apply on the app, and most courses in the area are good about rescheduling tee times to another day if you are selected. The third way is the walk up que. Essentially you just go to the starter shed and wait outside all night until the starter shows up to let you know if there are spots available. It’s first come first served, so you need to get there early and camp outside for the night. 

 
4. Direct Application to the St. Andrew’s Links Trust under the annual Advance Reservation program (minimum 2 players, must also commit to a sound round at one of the other St. Andrews courses).  But OP missed that window, with the initial reservations handed out in September 2023 for his trip in June 2024. 

[hammergolf]

1 minute ago, EricWGolf said:

 

 
4. Direct Application to the St. Andrew’s Links Trust under the annual Advance Reservation program (minimum 2 players, must also commit to a sound round at one of the other St. Andrews courses).  But OP missed that window, with the initial reservations handed out in September 2023 for his trip in June 2024. 

Yeah that’s why I didn’t include that. 

[sheppick.dan]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Really good to hear you were able to add your dad. Who knows, maybe the day you play Carnoustie they will have a no show or cancellation and he can play.

Yes, the usga app will work, but the only golf course that has ever asked for my hdcp was TOC.

 

There’s no secret to getting on TOC. You have three options: The first is using an authorized provider. This will be expensive, (probably around $2,000 each) but it’s the only way to get a guaranteed time. The second option is the 48hr ballot, which you can apply on the app 2 days before your day of play. TOC reserves a set amount of times every day for this, with Thursday being the day that usually has the most ballot times available. It’s very easy to apply on the app, and most courses in the area are good about rescheduling tee times to another day if you are selected. The third way is the walk up que. Essentially you just go to the starter shed and wait outside all night until the starter shows up to let you know if there are spots available. It’s first come first served, so you need to get there early and camp outside for the night. 

‘If you have any other questions let me know.

thanks hammer! You said app? I will look for that and download. I’ll put in Saturday am on way to airport from Paris and Sunday prior to prestwick. If not Sunday night we camp out. 
 

you think we will have a fairly easy time getting on another of their courses if we don’t get on or do I book times and they let you cancel if you get in?

[hammergolf]

12 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

thanks hammer! You said app? I will look for that and download. I’ll put in Saturday am on way to airport from Paris and Sunday prior to prestwick. If not Sunday night we camp out. 
 

you think we will have a fairly easy time getting on another of their courses if we don’t get on or do I book times and they let you cancel if you get in?

Yes, the staff at St. Andrews are fantastic and very helpful. When you arrive in St. Andrews, just go to the starter hut and they can let you know what times are available on all the other courses. Keep in mind that TOC is closed on Sundays, but the other courses are open. Just search for the St. Andrews Links app. Really easy to use and lots of info.

[sheppick.dan]

8 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Yes, the staff at St. Andrews are fantastic and very helpful. When you arrive in St. Andrews, just go to the starter hut and they can let you know what times are available on all the other courses. Keep in mind that TOC is closed on Sundays, but the other courses are open. Just search for the St. Andrews Links app. Really easy to use and lots of info.

Thank you! I appreciate all of your help so far!!

[sheppick.dan]

On 1/17/2024 at 9:33 AM, hammergolf said:

Yes, the staff at St. Andrews are fantastic and very helpful. When you arrive in St. Andrews, just go to the starter hut and they can let you know what times are available on all the other courses. Keep in mind that TOC is closed on Sundays, but the other courses are open. Just search for the St. Andrews Links app. Really easy to use and lots of info.

Any courses in the stirling area that anyone would recommend?

[hammergolf]

56 minutes ago, sheppick.dan said:

Any courses in the stirling area that anyone would recommend?

Gleneagles is 30 mins from Stirling and has 3 outstanding courses. The Kings is my personal favorite but The Queens and Centenary course are very good too.

[sheppick.dan]

21 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Gleneagles is 30 mins from Stirling and has 3 outstanding courses. The Kings is my personal favorite but The Queens and Centenary course are very good too.

we are playing kings!

 

we will be driving to Loch Lomond for Saturday night. Need to find a course between there and gleneagles!

[jasona93]

On 11/30/2023 at 5:59 PM, buckI said:

Same here whether calling them or via email.  Matter of fact but very nice.

Matter of fact indeed! I wrote Carnoustie looking to get on the waitlist for a time, provided them my preferred date and the response was, ‘sir, I can assure you there is no waitlist availability on that date, as we will be hosting the Senior Open’. My fault for not checking the calendar. I considered writing back ‘well, assuming I don’t qualify for that…’ but left that part out. They were helpful with follow up questions and I did end up getting on the waitlist for a couple days later.