Scotland/England Trip Dilemma

TIEfighter77 · July 30, 2012

So here's the deal. We are planning a family trip to Scotland and England for next July. It took much begging but my wife has agreed to release me for one day to play. So as a single, should I try and go early to Old Course to get on? Should I just play the New course, etc. instead where I know I will be able to play? We are not staying near any of the other Open courses and I really want to play an Open course.

MikeMcM · July 30, 2012

Head to the Old Course first thing in the morning 5 am and get in line. The starter will give you an idea by 7 whether you'll get on or not, if not play the New or Jubilee, both excellent layouts which unfortunately play a second fiddle to the Old. If you want a special treat and don't mind spending $250+ head south out of town 15 minutes and play Kingsbarns.

TIEfighter77 · July 30, 2012

Appreciate it. I guess the wise thing to do also would be to hire clubs since I am only playing once?

LDonald · July 30, 2012

Where exactly are you staying? because when you say you can only reach the Old Course then you can probably reach Carnoustie, Muirfield, etc. I stayed in St. Andrews proper when I went this year and it is only a small drive to Carnoustie and about a 2 hour drive to Muirfield.

TIEfighter77 · July 30, 2012

We will stay in St. Andrews but I believe when we are planning to go, Muirfield will be in Open mode before and after so I'm not sure I could get on. Carnoustie is an option but I'm trying to prevent driving anywhere since my wife and kids will be touring around St.Andrews. We are only going to be there for 2 days before moving on. Do you just show up at Carnoustie as a single like Old course?

truehack · July 30, 2012

Congrats on the Scotland vacation, I'm jealous. I went 10 years ago and will be going again in 2016 when it goes back to Troon. One of my golf companions is from Scotland and is a Troon member.

If your stuck for time while in St. andrews consider Crail just up the road 15-20min. Carnoustie is great but at least an hour away.
It has been said that the course in "Golf in the Kingdom" (Burningbush) is based on Crail. The Crail golf society was Established in 1786 and one of the oldest in he world. The original links "Balcomie Links" is short but quite a challenge, designed by Old Tom Morris!

Try the cue at the starters shack very early, first light, and if you get in the first couple of hours you will have plenty of time to go to Crail.

TH

kygolfer1980 · August 1, 2012

If u stay in Edinburgh, u have Muirfield about 20-30 min away. You would prob have to get a booking agency to get u a tee time but u get to play a morning round, have lunch, then play again. I played the Scottish Open Rota and Muirfield was my favorite. You won't be dissapointed with any of them though.

Colum · August 1, 2012

Muirfield is to be recommended, usually rated the best links course in the world, or in the top 3. The British Open is being played there next year.

sabram · August 2, 2012

[quote name='kygolfer1980' timestamp='1343859999' post='5392472']
If u stay in Edinburgh, u have Muirfield about 20-30 min away. You would prob have to get a booking agency to get u a tee time but u get to play a morning round, have lunch, then play again. I played the Scottish Open Rota and Muirfield was my favorite. You won't be dissapointed with any of them though.
[/quote]

The way to get on Muirfieldd is to go to their website and fill in the form. They are open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they only allow groups of four, so as a single you would be out of luck. They are closing in May of next year to prepare for the Open Championship. It is quite expensive.

If you will be near Edinburgh take a ride to St Andrews and try for the Old Course very early in the morning and they may be able to fit you in as a single. If you can't get on the Old, play the New. If you don't want to go as far as St Andrews, play North Berwick West

kygolfer1980 · August 2, 2012

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1343954431' post='5399098']
[quote name='kygolfer1980' timestamp='1343859999' post='5392472']
If u stay in Edinburgh, u have Muirfield about 20-30 min away. You would prob have to get a booking agency to get u a tee time but u get to play a morning round, have lunch, then play again. I played the Scottish Open Rota and Muirfield was my favorite. You won't be dissapointed with any of them though.
[/quote]

The way to get on Muirfieldd is to go to their website and fill in the form. They are open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they only allow groups of four, so as a single you would be out of luck. They are closing in May of next year to prepare for the Open Championship. It is quite expensive.

If you will be near Edinburgh take a ride to St Andrews and try for the Old Course very early in the morning and they may be able to fit you in as a single. If you can't get on the Old, play the New. If you don't want to go as far as St Andrews, play North Berwick West
[/quote]I went in 2006 and we played as a twosome. It was on a Tuesday but we had went through hiddenlinksgolf.com to set our trip up. I was thinking maybe they held spots for certain booking agencies. Coulda changed since I went though.

sabram · August 3, 2012

[quote name='kygolfer1980' timestamp='1343955439' post='5399162']
I went in 2006 and we played as a twosome. It was on a Tuesday but we had went through hiddenlinksgolf.com to set our trip up. I was thinking maybe they held spots for certain booking agencies. Coulda changed since I went though.
[/quote]

Until a year or two ago they did accept twosomes (or two balls as they say in the UK). For whatever reason, they now only accept groups of four. I belive the booking agencies simply book on the site in the name of the players and then charge the players a mark up for the service. You are better off doing it yourself IMO.

TIEfighter77 · August 5, 2012

Thanks for all the advice. I think I am just going to try as a single at Old Course, then play New or Crail if I can't get on. Muirfield is a no go since it will be closed while I am there for the Open. I just need to find a group later on that is going for golf only next time. My wife will eventually get good enough to want to play there too.

kygolfer1980 · August 5, 2012

Carnoustie is bout an hour drive from St. Andrews. Might be worth considering.

Shemp · August 5, 2012

Try the Old Course queue... If you don't get on New or Jubilee are your backup. Kingsbarns is spectacular, and worthy of an Open.

Bingo1976 · August 6, 2012

Pop into the Dunvegan pub round the corner from the 1st treat St Andrews and ask around - someone might be looking for a game.

hendersnb · August 8, 2012

The queue at St Andrews 100%. We lucked out last year and got to play twice in a week (once with a pre-arranged time and once through the ballot). Back-up is Kingsbarns. I played it the year it opened, and again last year, and it has grown into one of the most beautiful courses in the world.

Also, the Castle course is just outside of town as well.

All of these options are fairly pricey though.