My Scotland golf trip! 2010

[The Duck]

East coast pleasure

Hey All,

THe wife and I just got back from Scotland last week. We played 7 courses in 8 days and had a day in Edinburgh for the Festival. Missed out on tickets to the Tattoo. Not sure how to post pictures on this forum yet. If someone leads me I can post some stunning shots and even some non golf photos.

We used Hidden Links HIDDENLINKS.com to help us plan the trip and they reall were spot on in descriptions and suggestions. I would reccommend them to anyone wanting help in planning out a travel to Scotland.

Anyway we played the following courses:

North Berwick:

We stayed in The Marine that overlooks the 16th hole. WOnderful vista and easy walk down the fairway in to town.
The course is an Open Qualifier and plays fairlydirect in front of you except for a few holes. I would play it again.
A classic course that extends out and back along the coast. THe wife really enjoyed it.


Muirfield:

We played it in 20mph winds and a bit of rain. I can see how the scores can rocket if you miss the fairway. A beast of a track. Wife called it Murderfield as the ladies got ZERO distance help from the Tee boxes. The Wispy grass you see there is a b**** to advance the ball . Punch the ball out and accept your punishment. Did it once, not again. A very Sexist club still. Heard the Jack Nicklas is still on the waiting list to join. Saw a members/guest Lunch sign in book that dates to 1900 that is still in use. Tradition in full effect. Had to have Coat and tie to enter the clubhouse.


Jubilee:

Got a perfect day to play here. If you had your driver going you could score here. We had Caddies and they really helped in club selection. Still a Big Rip course. We both had good days shooting. Nice 39 on the back nine. Run between the Beach Road and the Old Course. Much harder than the Old Course and prefered it over the Old Course.


Old Course:

THe bucket List has a check mark now. THe morning we played it rained HARD and then stopped 10mins before our tee time. THey were finally finishing the OPEN stand removal. Caddies again and boy you need them the first time out. No real landmarks to shoot at except that bush or that building the distance. Draw the ball and your fine, A Grip and Rip Course all the way around. If you can punch the ball out 270+ it sets up as a managable track. THe Road Hole is a true beast long hole. Accept it as a par five. Had my moment in the group , Birdied the Home Hole!


Kingsbarns (2x):

A must play, would go back and play it for a week in the row, and never tire of this course. Get Caddies as they are the best we had the whole trip. THey know the course and have less of the St. Andrews influence of the R & A.
First day was fine weather and the course mae you work for every shot but is fair about it. A links course that rewards shot-making and length. The final 4 holes are just tough but rewarding. All distances and clubs are used. THe warm up range was a welcome sight to us as this seems to be a non-item in scottish courses. THe 2nd day dawned windy and stayed that way most of the day. Got told later that 40+ wind and gusts to 60! Still shot a 38 on the front in those conditions. Gotta play this again.....

Ladybank:

A Heartland course that was again an OPEN qualifier course. THe front nine is a tree lined flat parkland that resembles a lot of upper midwest tracks and was a bit weak in distance. THe Back nine makes you want to rip up your card as it takes skill to score. Not a links seaside course but worth the drive to try a different style of scottish golf. No caddies but buy a course book. THe Skycaddie was not able to lock on very well with all the trees.



THe town of St. Andrews does indeed breathe golf. During my time there, American must have been 70% of the tourist. The Pubs and Restruants have adapted the menus toward the free-spending USA crowd. Park the Car and walk this town to understand the age that surrounds the life here. THe Scottish people are just great and friendly. You can ask anyone question and they answer and take the time to get you sorted out with extra knowlegde and suggestions.

One final comment:

Drinking is a pasttime that you need to enjoy. Take the time to just sit in a pub and offer drinks to your new friends. The social climate of St Andrews is to be drawn in a breath at a time and exhalled slowly on that long plane ride home.

One caddie we had a great dinner with said they have a saying:

You need one for the Road before you go, and one for the Lightpost, and one for the Curb, and one for the dog that is gonna piss on your coat.

Are we gonna go back, not much can stop us unless the UK sinks in the the NOrth Sea.

Mark...

[Dr_evil]

My bro is on the golf team at Lorretto and they have full access to the Miurfield course, good to hear his wayward tee shots will be punished

Glad to see you had a good time up there, golf in Scotland is awesome, I'm just lucky I'm going to be a member of the Home of the Open within the next few years

[The Duck]

Pics of the WIfe and I in front of the R & A just before we tee'd off