[Brian Potash]

Could someone recommend a reputable golf travel agency who could book me a trip from NY to stay and play at TOC for a few days later this summer? 

Also, is there a time during the summer when I would not want to go for any reason?

Thanks.

[Bill_McBride]

Brian, the agencies who can "get you on TOC" are limited and very expensive.  Best bet is to go over there on your own, stay in one of the B&Bs, and show up every day at 6 a.m.  I hear there are reduced numbers there these days and it's easier to get out on the Old Course.  The New and Jubilee next door are great courses too, and you can get on there easier should you not make the Old.  If there are two or more of you, the daily ballot is the best option.

Plus the Castle Course opens later this summer and should have available slots.

Lots of details here: http://www.standrews.org.uk/

Most fun is just being there in the home of golf. 

[Bart Bradley]

The two best "guaranteed" tee time outfits are Perry Golf and "The Old Course Experience".  I recommend the St. Andrew Golf Hotel as a great place to stay (not to be confused with The Old Course Hotel). 

This is an expensive option but they will guarantee you a tee time and you know your schedule ahead of time...I couldn't travel over to Scotland without knowing that I would play TOC and when  .

You will not be able to "play TOC for a few days" however...you will need to book on some of the others to get the package to include TOC.  Hit Kingsbarns while there.  Make a dinner reservation for the Seafood Restaurant (high priced but excellent..right on the Ocean).  Email me if you want more info.

Bart

Bart

[Brian Potash]

Thanks Bill/Bart.

This is definitely enough to get me started.

Regards,

Brian

[Tom Huckaby]

Bill is right that it can be done via serendipity... but if your time is tight, money isn't, and you want the sure thing, well....

http://www.wideworldofgolf.com/

Ask for Bill Hogan.  Tell him Tom Huckaby said hi.

They will make your golf dreams come true.

TH

[Brian Potash]

Thanks Tom.

Sounds like youre referring me to an escort service 

[Tom Huckaby]

Thanks Tom.

Sounds like youre referring me to an escort service 

Well... ask Bill nicely enough and it likely can BE that if one is so inclined.... but of course you didn't hear that from me.

 

[Bill_McBride]

Thanks Tom.

Sounds like youre referring me to an escort service 

Well... ask Bill nicely enough and it likely can BE that if one is so inclined.... but of course you didn't hear that from me.

 

Huh??  Don't start any unfounded rumors, things are bad enough!

[Tom Huckaby]

Bill:

Well.. I was hoping some sense of humor remained in this place.

But just to be safe - and I guess such is wise these days:

I WAS JUST KIDDING!  My friend's company will be able to set up whatever golf and lodging and travel reservations one needs. For illicit activities one remains on his own.

TH

[Bob_Huntley]

Could someone recommend a reputable golf travel agency who could book me a trip from NY to stay and play at TOC for a few days later this summer? 

Also, is there a time during the summer when I would not want to go for any reason?

Thanks.

Brian,

You should be aware that the Royal and Ancient's Autumn Meeting starts on September 1. The Calcutta Cup, a knockout tournament is played on the New Course and finishes on the 8th.

The Jublile Vase is played over the Old and Jubilee courses from 8th to 13th od the month.

The Bing Crosby Tournament is played over the Old on the 12th

The Town Match, a contest between the Town Clubs and the R&A is played over the New and Old on the 13th. This is a big deal. The Town have won umpteen times over the last umpteen years but  my partner and I won the deciding match about ten years ago.

The medal concludes the meeting and is played over the 13th thru the 18th.


As several hundred members are in town for part, or indeed, the whole of the Meeting, the pickings for the Old will be sparse.  

I hope this will be of some use to you.

Bob

[Kirk Stewart]

Carr Golf. I have used them twice--once for IRL and once for Scotland. Awesome group of people and very well respected.

[Reef Wilson]

show up every day at 6 a.m.

While I had heard mostly about people waiting in line super early for a single slot, TOC was easy to get on quickly for singles in the afternoons when I was there mid-July last year.

And don't forget the Eden course. Great value right next door to the Old.

[Pete_Pittock]

I used Intergolf for my early trips. I just checked their site and it is still a bargain. Your hotel choice also matters. I drove up to St Andrews on a whim
in 2000 and got the last room at Rusacks (The town was full for graduation or weddings) and they secured a tee time for me at TOC without me even asking. It is beside the point that I couldn't use it.
My biggest question is are you going as a single golfer? That affects you getting on the ballot or being a walk-up before 6am.

[Bart Bradley]

I used Intergolf for my early trips. I just checked their site and it is still a bargain. Your hotel choice also matters. I drove up to St Andrews on a whim
in 2000 and got the last room at Rusacks (The town was full for graduation or weddings) and they secured a tee time for me at TOC without me even asking. It is beside the point that I couldn't use it.
My biggest question is are you going as a single golfer? That affects you getting on the ballot or being a walk-up before 6am.

Pete:

I think a lot has changed since 2000...I was just there this past year and the hotels do not seem to have any ability to get a tee time ...they will be happy to help you get in the lottery(if you have a group) but no guarantees...You are right that he can show up as a single and get in line, but the groups with the tee times have the right to refuse adding singles if they wish...even if they only have 2 or 3 players.

The popularity of TOC has skyrocketed over the last half dozen years or so....anyone in St. Andrews now to give an update?

Bart

[Chris Kane]

I lived in St Andrews from August 06 to July 07.

The hotels are given a series of guaranteed tee times on each of the courses at the start of the season: these tend to be passed on to tour companies or given to important guests.  Unless you have heaps of the folding stuff, and don't mind giving it away, don't bother with tour companies.

Enter the ballot every day, and if unsuccessful, get to the starter's hut by 5am each morning.  You'll almost certainly be successful in getting on as a single or a two.  Pete, groups have a right to refuse singles, but in my experience that hardly ever happens.

I worked at Rufflets, which is where Nicklaus and Watson stay during the Opens.  Excellent hotel, and quite a different experience to what you'll get in the centre of town.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill:

Well.. I was hoping some sense of humor remained in this place.

But just to be safe - and I guess such is wise these days:

I WAS JUST KIDDING!  My friend's company will be able to set up whatever golf and lodging and travel reservations one needs. For illicit activities one remains on his own.

TH

Sorry, forgot to add the (obligatory) smiley!    Of course I knew you were kidding, these days I couldn't get any action in a brothel with a fistful of 50's.

[CJ Carder]

Enter the ballot every day, and if unsuccessful, get to the starter's hut by 5am each morning.  You'll almost certainly be successful in getting on as a single or a two.  Pete, groups have a right to refuse singles, but in my experience that hardly ever happens.

This is easily the best option out there.  We waited in the singles line last August.  It might be a bit chilly that early so bring layers, but we were in line by 4 am and were #'s 4,5,6, and 7 in line.  And despite a completely full tee sheet that day, all four of us were off by 7:20 am.

[Greg Ross]

Brian,
The last time we went to St, Andrews (first week of June), we got off the train in Kirkaldy, called to get in the next days' daily lottery by 2pm and by the time we rented a car and arrived in St. Andrews, we had a time on the Old Course for 4:50pm the next day. When we arrived at the starters' shack to check our time, we celebrated our time for the next day, then asked the starter if there was availability on any course that afternoon. He looked at the first tee of The Old Course and said, "If you can be ready in 10 minutes, you can tee off there." We pulled our credit cards out and said, "Let's go." The Old Course that afternoon, then the New Course the following morning and our celebrated time at 4:50 the next day (w/o any booking agency). Hope you have the same luck we did.
Aloha,
Greg

[Sean Walsh]

Reef,

You are my new best friend.  I frequently bore people with my high opinion of The Eden.  More enjoyable than either the New or Jubilee for half the price.

Last year it seemed that during the middle of summer there were few singles in the lines.  Later on Aug/Sept the lines were longer with fewer tee times available. 

I managed to play the group behind Ogilvy and Scott just before the Open after turning up less than half an hour before the tee time.  I think from memory the time behind us stayed vacant.  This was on a Saturday.

If you are going to rely on the ballot or single play make sure to check out thoroughly the local club events and also that no amateur events are on the course.  Nothing worse than turning up in St Andrews only to see The Links Trophy or the R&A have dibs on TOC for the next three days.

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()