My first trip to Scotland, opinions pls.

[Ted Kramer]

It looks like I'll finally be able to make it to Scotland for my first overseas golf experience in May of next year.

Some of the strategy that went into the planning was:
*Royal Dornoch is an absolute must.
*TOC is an absolute must.
*We don't want to change our base camp more than 1x.
*We wanted to leave some downtime so we could go with the flow a little, maybe tack on another round, maybe just post up in a pub, maybe take a look around town, etc.

Here is the trip as it looks right now:

Friday (dates to be determined):  Depart.

Saturday:  Arrive Inverness, travel to Dornoch.  Play the Struie Course. Overnight per own arrangements.

Sunday:  Play Royal Dornoch.  Overnight per own arrangements.

Monday:  Play Brora.  Overnight per own arrangements.

Tuesday:  Play Royal Dornoch a second time.  Overnight per own arrangements.

Wednesday:  Play Boat of Garten.  Travel to St. Andrews.  Overnight The Dunvegan Hotel.

Thursday:   Play Carnoustie.  Overnight The Dunvegan Hotel.

Friday:  Play the Old Course and the New Course.  Overnight The Dunvegan Hotel.

Saturday:  Depart from Edinburgh.

The price for this trip, guaranteed for 2006 in US Dollars, is $3,250.00 per COUPLE (1 golfer/1 nongolfer), including the following:
*3 nights' accommodations in double occupancy (4 nights are per your own arrangements and are not included)
*Breakfast each morning
*8 rounds of golf per golfer
*All local taxes
*Transportation by Ford Galaxy minivan or similar, automatic transmission, insurance included, based on 4 traveling

I can't think of many better resources than the combined knowledge found on this website. I'd love to hear from any of you who wouldn't mind trying to help out a first-timer.

Thanks,
Ted

[Brent Hutto]

I'm looking into my own first pilgrimmage a little later that summer. As you are doing, I'll be limiting myself to two basic locations and one of them will be Dornoch but my second "base" will be somewhere other than St. Andrews.

I don't generally pay attention to other people's financial arrangements but I'm surely hoping to get by with a somewhat smaller per round, per day budget than you are expecting. At current exchange rates that's about 1,800 quid for (if I understand it) eight rounds of golf for one golfer, three nights in a hotel for a couple and a week of a rental car. My own budget is more like 1,000 pounds for nine rounds in six days, seven nights B&B (single occupancy) and a week of a rental car plus gas. That's for spending a whole week in Dornoch before moving elsewhere for a few days.

I'd suspect that my own figures are somewhat optimistic and that perhaps yours include some extras that are not in my specification. At any rate, it seems like a fun itenerary and I think you'll enjoy not spending 20-30 hours out of your week behind the windshield of a car moving around from place to place. I prefer getting more rounds in fewer courses but that's an idiosyncracy that few share. I'll be very interested to see how your final details fall out as your firm up plans over the next few months.

[Ted Kramer]

Why don't you go down the coast and play Royal Aberdeen instead of Boat of Garden?

Last weekend on TV, didn't that get you excited?

Royal Aberdeen did look great on TV.
But the guy who is helping me book the trip said that Boat of Garten was really something to see and based on my research I tend to agree.

We will have our wives with us too and BOG is supposed to be a magnificient property with great food/dining for our group of 2 couples.

-Ted

[Bob_Huntley]

Brent,

Whatever you think it will cost, add another twenty per cent.

I've always thought that an extra fiver tip here or there, made someones day happier and a year from now, I would not have missed it

Bob

[Mickey Boland]

For what it's worth, I'm in the midst of planning my own first trip to Scotland (with 3 buddies) for the last part of summer '06.  I'm planning an itinerary very similar, with first 3 - 4 days in the St. Andrews/Edinburgh area, followed by 3 - 4 days in the Dornoch area.  

I came across a fellow named Allan Ferguson who helps plan trips to Scotland, and has just released the third edition of his book "Golf in Scotland".  His services and his book were well recommended to me by others on this site.  I just received the book on Saturday, and it appears to be a wealth of valuable information.  All types of practical tips (take a couple of bungee cords to strap your bag to the trolley) as well as "Eight Ways to Get on the Old Course".  In my eyes, it was well worth the $25 purchase price, and can be ordered directly off his website.  

Courses that my group are looking at playing include The Old Course, the New Course, Lundin Links, Leven Links, Elie, Royal Dornoch (both courses), Tain, Nairn and Brora.  We won't be able to play all of these, and there are some other courses still to be discussed, but these are the ones currently under consideration.  We would really like to play Machrihanish, but haven't yet figured out how we can fit it in with our timeframe and travel plans.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Ted

I too thought that Royal Aberdeen was an exceptional golf course.

However,       to drive past Cruden Bay and not play a round of golf is simply a sin. It is the most fun you will ever have on a golf course (while standing up   ). It is truly a unique experience not to be missed. I have not seen or played BOG but I would find a way to add a round at Cruden Bay.

[Will Hubbard]

I went to Scotland last summer for the third time and have played Dornoch every time.  My advice would be to cancel the Struie course, and upon arrival play Nairn, which is just a short drive from Inverness airport. You can easily drive to Dornoch after a round at Nairn.

Never played B of G...

BTW, responding to another comment in this thread, Machrihannish is a LOOOOONNNGGG drive, But is well worth it if you can afford a couple days there. The area is quite remote but beautiful.

[Brent Hutto]

Mickey,

I've come to the conclusion that for any reasonable length vacation, Machrihanish+Dornoch=That's All She Wrote. I'm trying to convince myself that the Kintyre/Highlands hybrid is doable but it seems a bit of a stretch. I have the advantage, so to speak, of having decided up front to forgo the Old Course this time which makes Machrihanish practical. I may still fall back to Dornoch+Aberdeen which is a simpler combination.

Mr. Huntley,

Good advice. I've never understood people who are willing to undertake a $5000 golf trip which is ultimately an entirely unneeded luxury and then spend the whole time pinching their wallet to keep from letting a few extra bucks slip away. In the Ferguson book that people mention, I believe he says to take your basic airfare+lodging+car+golf total and factor in an additional one-third to avoid having to scrimp when you get there.

[Brent Hutto]

BTW, responding to another comment in this thread, Machrihannish is a LOOOOONNNGGG drive, But is well worth it if you can afford a couple days there. The area is quite remote but beautiful.

Will,

If one is passing through Glasgow on the way to and/or from the US the cheap Loganair flights to Campbeltown are quite attractive. But to actually drive from say Edinburgh or Inverness all the way down to the tip of Kintyre seems a major undertaking, albeit a beautiful and rewarding one.

[Andy Hughes]

Ted,
I'd like to strongly second Geoffrey's comment re Cruden Bay (though his 'standing up' comment revealed a striking lack of imagination ).
I can't imagine driving past there as you will be and not playing.  I have never been to Boat of Garten (what a great name!), so bear that in mind.  But I am not sure I can overemphasize the joy/thrill factor of Cruden Bay
I would easily jettison Carnoustie and add Cruden Bay. Of course, I would kick Carnoustie to the curb in a heartbeat and replay the Old Course.

Andy

[Ted Kramer]

Cruden Bay was on my list of courses to consider when this trip was taking shape . . .but it wasn't on my short list, or must play list.

It seems like we will be able to fit in and play 1 course during the drive from Dornoch to TOC. Boat of Garten intrigues me and seems like a cool place to check out, but if Cruden Bay would fit the bill as a course to play during our journey from Dornoch to TOC and it is really that special then maybe we will have to reconsider.

Boat of Garten has been described to me as " one of the most beautiful courses that you will ever see in the month of May".

Thanks for the suggestions/comments, pls keep them coming.

-Ted

[Geoffrey Childs]

Ted

If you can get a tee time on the big course then I would skip Struie as others suggested.

I can't speal to BOG not having been there but literally to a man/women Cruden Bay turns out to be a trip highlight.

I really enjoyed Carnoustie having played the day after the Scottish Open concluded in championship condition (A BSG experience if ever there was one   ) but it will not inspire the soul as did Cruden Bay.  Don't skip Carnoustie.

There are some REALLY nice places to stay near Aberdeen should you want to break up the travel a bit.

[Mike Benham]

While at St. Andrews, journey to Anstruthers for the best fish 'n chips anywhere.  It is a charming little fishing village.

[Brent Hutto]

On a day you're playing Royal Dornoch, you can add the Struie course for about 13 pounds. I'm not planning any Struie-only days but expect I'll play it an evening or two as part of a day rate.

[Ted Kramer]

It seems like Boat of Garten hasn't been played by many GCAers. Here are a few pics of the course for anyone who might be interested. The pics are from a great website dedicated to booking golf vacations across the pond www.hiddenlinksgolf.com



















-Ted

[Mike Erdmann]

Count me as yet another voice urging you to play Cruden Bay.  Cruden Bay is simply magical.  There's no way I could go anywhere near that part of Scotland again without playing it one more time.

I'd agree with Bill V that you should play Royal Aberdeen if possible.  Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay are only 20 - 30 minutes apart.  But, if you can choose only one, Cruden Bay would be my pick.

[Dan Kelly]

Ted --

Sounds as though you need a few more days!

[Ted Kramer]

Ted --

Sounds as though you need a few more days!

More like a few more $$$!!!

-Ted

[David Sneddon]

Cruden Bay was on my list of courses to consider when this trip was taking shape . . .but it wasn't on my short list, or must play list.

It seems like we will be able to fit in and play 1 course during the drive from Dornoch to TOC. Boat of Garten intrigues me and seems like a cool place to check out, but if Cruden Bay would fit the bill as a course to play during our journey from Dornoch to TOC and it is really that special then maybe we will have to reconsider.

We left the Eagle Hotel in Dornoch around 7:45am, arrived Cruden Bay around noon for our 1pm tee time.  We were in the Dunvegan by 8pm.

[Brent Hutto]

I would highly recommend The Boat.  It is a funky course with fantastic views and the price is right....Do stop and play.  I think it is a good addition when playing loads of links golf.  

And if I'm not mistaken, it's a James Braid course. So it has that going for it  

[Philip Gawith]

Ted - you are being too easy on yourself! Why go all the way to Dornoch and only play the course once? What are you going to do the rest of the day? You should book 36 both days you are in Dornoch - I am not sure if they offer a Day Rate, but even if they don't, you should be happy to pay twice. When you get home I promise you will not regret the extra pounds for the extra rounds.

Same advice goes for Brora - play it twice. And while the Struie is a fun course, I don't think it really has a place in an agenda of only a week.

I played BOG ten years ago and was not overwhelmed. I think I need to go back and give it a second chance.

[Ted Kramer]

Ted - you are being too easy on yourself! Why go all the way to Dornoch and only play the course once? What are you going to do the rest of the day? You should book 36 both days you are in Dornoch - I am not sure if they offer a Day Rate, but even if they don't, you should be happy to pay twice. When you get home I promise you will not regret the extra pounds for the extra rounds.

Same advice goes for Brora - play it twice. And while the Struie is a fun course, I don't think it really has a place in an agenda of only a week.

I played BOG ten years ago and was not overwhelmed. I think I need to go back and give it a second chance.

The point of playing the Strui for that first round is to get some golf in while the legs are still a little tight/weary from all the travel.

We plan to add on 2nd rounds at Dornoch and Brora. I just didn't see the benefit of being locked in. We were told that re-playing really wouldn't be tough if we wanted to head back out.

Thanks for the advice!

-Ted

[Evan Fleisher]

I will third (or forth or fifth...whatever we are up to now) the recommendation to play at Cruden Bay...it is absolutely a CAN'T MISS golf course.

During my pilgrimage back in 1998 I played it along with some of the other "big name" courses as well as Dornoch, Crail, Gullane, North Berwick, etc. and it was my favorite, hands down.

You'll be kicking yourself for passing it up, my friend...either scratch something else off the itinerary, or try to fit it into a 36 hole day, which is not much of a problem with the long days in Scotland.

[peter_p]

You have to do something during the trip which will let you go back time after time with your wife's blessing, or accompaniment. Put money down on a cottage, get a life membership, strike up new friendships. Too many courses, so little time.

[Ted Kramer]

You have to do something during the trip which will let you go back time after time with your wife's blessing, or accompaniment. Put money down on a cottage, get a life membership, strike up new friendships. Too many courses, so little time.

Now that is a GREAT idea!

-Ted

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