Last minute trip to Scotland....what say ye?

[Chilidog]

So, I just learned that I have to be in London July 19th, 20th, 23rd and 24th. So, I thought I would skip over to Scotland and play Saturday and Sunday. I had a round at Kingsbarns on credit that I had to cancel last year, so I am playing there Sunday morning at 9:40. Trying to decide where to play Saturday. Here is my dilemma:

 

*I would like to play the Old Course but feel like I should do that with someone else I know which would make it more special...plus, the ballot system uncertainty turns me off.

*I've heard Carnoustie is a great test of golf, but lacks views and can be unfair.

 

I'm actually leaning towards being one of the first to try Trump's new course in Aberdeen....what do you guys think? Also, the earliest I could get off is noon and the latest I could get off is 2:45 pm....any chance I could figure out how to get 36 in that day and where would be the other course I should play close to there?

[knothead63]

It will probably be logistically impossible for you, but Royal Dornoch was my Scottish favorite.

[MoaningM]

as a single you wouldn't be able to enter the ballot system, your only option is to join the starter early in the morning and join a group, but there is no guarantee.

Carnoustie is a cracker of a course.

[Chilidog]

Royal Dornoch would not be possible. So, are you guys saying try Trump's new course given the option between that and Carnoustie. The photo gallery looks ridiculous.

[MoaningM]

We're it me I would choose Carnoustie over trump all day, if you are up in Aberdeen what about Royal Aberdeen where the walker was held recently or even Nairn where the Curtis cup was last week.

[Chilidog]

Nairn I believe is too far away.....Royal Aberdeen I would love to play....I guess the question becomes could I get off at Trump's course at noon and Royal Aberdeen at 5:30 and still get in 18 holes at Aberdeen before it gets too dark?

[Chilidog]

Also do you say Carnoustie over Trump's course because Trump's course has his name on it?

[Shemp]

Aberdeen is a bit of a haul from St Andrews, so if you head up there you'll have quite a bit of driving both ways. . The New Course and the Jubilee are great courses. Carnoustie is an amazing course, but not particularly "scenic" unless you enjoy history.

[MikeMcM]

Gleneagles is just an hour west of St Andrews, you can play the Centenary where they'll play the 2014 Ryder Cup, or the Kings Course, both excellent tracts. If you're flying in/out of Edinburgh, you'd be close to North Berwick to play on your way out of town.

[scott_Donald]

i live in aberdeen... and if i wasn't in Calgary on vacation i would help you...

If it was me i would play Royal Aberdeen and Trump in the day...

st andrews to Aberdeen is a 2 hour drive max... Royal Aberdeen to Trump is 20 minutes... Just up the coast...

Royal Aberdeen is still one of my favourite courses and i get membership this time next year, dad was captain for the Walker cup there last year and played there on Tuesday with a nice 30mph wind into faces for first 9 and downwind for second 9... dam hard as the course is in awesome condition... just don't miss a fairway!!!

Can you get a time at Trump... as far as i can tell - entire aberdeen is playing it as it just opens round the tenth...

Assuming you are flying - can you not just get the last flight Aberdeen to Heathrow at night...

[Golfbug22]

Cruden Bay if you can get there (it is near Aberdeen). It was my second favorite to Royal Dornoch. There are fun courses closer to St. Andrews area, like Elie, North Berwick, and the other courses at St. Andrews.

[callawayjay]

Carnoustie. My favorite golf course in the world. A blast to play

[dowsa]

Kingsbarns is the real deal, an absolutely outstanding course!! True class and a course that everyone enjoys and you are lucky to be playing that one,.. but let me throw something in the mix that might just tempt you away from some of the big names, there is a course up that way called the Rosemount course at Blairgowrie golf club,.look that up on the internet and I will guarantee that it will be one of the best courses you will ever play.

[Chilidog]

I scheduled Royal Aberdeen, Trump's course and Kingsbarns. I'll try to take pictures for you guys so you can see the views.

[scott_Donald]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1339777696' post='5100072']
I scheduled Royal Aberdeen, Trump's course and Kingsbarns. I'll try to take pictures for you guys so you can see the views.
[/quote]

lets hope you get good weather... 45 degrees and pouring rain right now!!! had to abandon the kids softball tournament today!!!

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

We got pelted with stinging sleet in 20mph gusts of wind about this time of year during a round at Golspie GC. Three hours later at RDGC it was 19C, dead calm and not a cloud in the sky. Go figure.

[callawayjay]

Why do you have to be in London right before the Olympics?

[Chilidog]

Meeting with Marks And Spencer.

[vericksen]

Carnoustie and/or North Berwick...

Just make sure you hire a caddie at Carnoustie.

[Shemp]

[quote name='vericksen' timestamp='1339960583' post='5114298']
Carnoustie and/or North Berwick...

Just make sure you hire a caddie at Carnoustie.
[/quote]

I hire a caddie on all of them, essential unless you've played (and remember) them.

[tw422]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1339609963' post='5085358']
So, I just learned that I have to be in London July 19th, 20th, 23rd and 24th. So, I thought I would skip over to Scotland and play Saturday and Sunday. I had a round at Kingsbarns on credit that I had to cancel last year, so I am playing there Sunday morning at 9:40. Trying to decide where to play Saturday. Here is my dilemma:

*I would like to play the Old Course but feel like I should do that with someone else I know which would make it more special...plus, the ballot system uncertainty turns me off.
*I've heard Carnoustie is a great test of golf, but lacks views and can be unfair.

I'm actually leaning towards being one of the first to try Trump's new course in Aberdeen....what do you guys think? Also, the earliest I could get off is noon and the latest I could get off is 2:45 pm....any chance I could figure out how to get 36 in that day and where would be the other course I should play close to there?
[/quote]

Old Course is only worth the nostalgia - not that great of a course IMHO. I disagree with you on Carnoustie - a much better course than it gets credit for. The last two holes are gimmicky but I think it's better than the Old Course. If you have to play in St Andrews try Jubilee or New Course.

[eers2u]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1339613995' post='5085820']
Nairn I believe is too far away.....Royal Aberdeen I would love to play....I guess the question becomes could I get off at Trump's course at noon and Royal Aberdeen at 5:30 and still get in 18 holes at Aberdeen before it gets too dark?
[/quote]

It won't get dark until around 10:30 PM or so, so you should have no trouble getting in 18 if you go off at 5:30. My brother and I teed off at Royal Dornoch at 7:00 PM and finished as it was getting dark at 10:45PM!

[scott_Donald]

[quote name='eers2u' timestamp='1340330586' post='5145822']
[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1339613995' post='5085820']
Nairn I believe is too far away.....Royal Aberdeen I would love to play....I guess the question becomes could I get off at Trump's course at noon and Royal Aberdeen at 5:30 and still get in 18 holes at Aberdeen before it gets too dark?
[/quote]

It won't get dark until around 10:30 PM or so, so you should have no trouble getting in 18 if you go off at 5:30. My brother and I teed off at Royal Dornoch at 7:00 PM and finished as it was getting dark at 10:45PM!
[/quote]

thats highly dependent on the weather... last night if it was sunny you could have played till 11pm... but with the awful wintry weather it was dark at 7pm i had my lights on for eating dinner!!!