Advice needed... 2-3 days in scotland

[Mark Johnson]

Hey Folks,

Just found out that I will be going to a company meeting in glasgow in a few months (late Sept).

Obviously, I plan to bring my clubs.    Looking for advice on which course or courses to play.   Keep in mind I will be there as a single which I know can often inhibit the ability to book anything in advance.

I will have a rental car and am open to any reasonable drive.    Is driving to st. andrews and taking my chances with the ballot a no brainer?


thanks for any help.

[Eric Strulowitz]

Hey Folks,

Just found out that I will be going to a company meeting in glasgow in a few months (late Sept).

Obviously, I plan to bring my clubs.    Looking for advice on which course or courses to play.   Keep in mind I will be there as a single which I know can often inhibit the ability to book anything in advance.

I will have a rental car and am open to any reasonable drive.    Is driving to st. andrews and taking my chances with the ballot a no brainer?


thanks for any help.

Sure, you could  try the ballot at SA old, and if you fail to get on, the New course is usually pretty easy to get on.  And Crail is nearby, as is Elie, a wonderful little known links course with views that I feel rival Pebble Beach.    Another hidden  gem, not all that far from SA,  Royal Montrose  is a wonderful hospitable links.

You could also condsider Carnoustie  , the Championship course and the Burnside course makes for a great 36 hole day.  And Panmure just a short drive away, another little known hidden gem.

I have golfed the entire country, my favorite area is East Lothian.  Gullane is IMHO one of the great walks in golf, and North Berwick also nearby.  And I also recommend Longniddry,  a wonderful local gem.  I also love Dunbar, a links right on a narrow strip of land along the sea.

So many choices, so little time.  Don't discount the local hidden gems.  You would get more than your money's worth, and the quality of the courses will be every bit as good as the big name courses.

Is there a particular area of Scotland you are interested in?  . It would be easier to recommendations, there is so much good golf to be had.

Have a great trip!

[Adam Lawrence]

Have you played much UK golf before? If it's your first trip I think you go to St Andrews and remain there. As a single, if you get up early and wait in line, you'll get on the Old Course each day,and if you want to play a second round you have plenty of choice.

But Brian's suggestion of Machrihanish is a brilliant one too. 15 minute flight from Glasgow too, so you don't even need to drive, and the service at Mach Dunes is top notch, which will make organisation much less hassle for you.

[Mark Johnson]

Have you played much UK golf before? If it's your first trip I think you go to St Andrews and remain there. As a single, if you get up early and wait in line, you'll get on the Old Course each day,and if you want to play a second round you have plenty of choice.

But Brian's suggestion of Machrihanish is a brilliant one too. 15 minute flight from Glasgow too, so you don't even need to drive, and the service at Mach Dunes is top notch, which will make organisation much less hassle for you.

Thanks adam.   I wasnt aware that there was a queing process for tee times as well.   Realistically, how early do you have to get in line.  Are people camping in their cars like bethpage black?

[ed_getka]

Mark,
    You can make tee times in advance as a single unless something has changed since I went to Scotland. I never made it to that side of the island on my maiden voyage over, but if I had the courses I was going to see in order were Prestwick, Machrihanish, and probably Western Gailes. St Andrews is certainly worth the drive and I would be there between 5am-6am next to the starter shack and keep your fingers crossed. Since the summer rush will be over I would think you would have a good chance of getting out. I used the above strategy on my trip in mid-June and I ended up playing 2 rounds on the same day!
     The other thing that will help with giving advice is knowing what types of courses you like to play. Have a great trip.

[Bart Bradley]

For the courses other than St. Andrews you can certainly book tee times even as a single.

Bart

[Jon Wiggett]

Mark,

Niall Carlton is one of the best on here to advise you about golf around Glasgow. Hopefully he will chirp in and offer some wisdom

Jon

[Rich Goodale]

Mark

If you are meeting in Glasgow and are relatively time constrained golf-wise fuggedabout driving east to St, Andrews and focus on the west coast.  Depending on your budget and your preferences, pick and choose from (starting south) Turnberry, Prestwick, Royal Troon, unRoyal Troon (Lochgreen, Darnley, etc.) Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes, Barassie, Irivine, West Kilbride, the list goes on and on....).  And, as Jon said, get in touch with Niall Carlton.  The Old Course can wait.

Rich

[Tony_Muldoon]

Have you played much UK golf before? If it's your first trip I think you go to St Andrews and remain there. As a single, if you get up early and wait in line, you'll get on the Old Course each day,and if you want to play a second round you have plenty of choice.

But Brian's suggestion of Machrihanish is a brilliant one too. 15 minute flight from Glasgow too, so you don't even need to drive, and the service at Mach Dunes is top notch, which will make organisation much less hassle for you.

Thanks adam.   I wasnt aware that there was a queing process for tee times as well.   Realistically, how early do you have to get in line.  Are people camping in their cars like bethpage black?

In September you'll walk on as a single.


Get there at 6 the starter will tel you what time  to come back.  Go back to your B&B, have 40 winks and breakfast. Sorted.
All the other course there will take you as a walk up.

Enjoy the trip whichever direction you choose.

[Jud_T]

Prestwick is the must play IMO. Play 36.  Personally I'd skip Turnberry but others would disagree.  You could tack on Western Gales and Troon.

[Mark Chaplin]

I'd always say St.Andrews BUT you have virtually nil chance of playing TOC in late September due to the Autumn Meeting of the R&A and the Dunhill Links.