Would be better off staying 2 weeks after BUDA, or arriving a week prior, and staying a week after? Or, does it not really matter that time of year?
If you’re hoping to play the Old Course you should be aware that it’s closed for 2 weeks from 8th September for the R&A Autumn Meeting, so you might be better the week before. Have a look at the “busy dates” section on the links website.
Thanks!
My plan is to arrive on September 2nd and head straight to St. Andrews and try my luck as single in the daily ballot for 4-5 days before heading down to Gullane on the Sunday prior to BUDA. If I get shut out from playing TOC (and I will expect to be shut out so I am not disappointed; can you tell I served in the Army?) I'd like to play Eden and the New, Leven Links, Anstruther, and Crail.
There are some courses near Dundee and North of Dundee I would like drive North to play as well; Lundin Links, Panmure, Montrose Links, Monifieth, Kinghorn and Abendour.
Of course, I still need to see if all of these courses even allow public play....
I'll stay in North Berwick from the 10th to the 19th and play as much as I can in East Lothian. I would feel blessed if I could play N. Berwick, Longiddry, Goswick, Dunbar, Glen, Elie, Kilspindie, Winterfield, Eyemouth and Bamberg Castle.
I may even squeeze in a round around Edinburgh right before leaving; Braid Hills, Morton Hall, Royal Burgess, Merchants, and a few others.
Man, I am greedy!
I just cancelled a 10 day golf trip to Phoenix in April so I can spend more time in Scotland. I have yet to tell the wife that I'll be gone for at least 18-21 days. She never stipulated how long I could be away. I'll seek forgiveness later.
I'll probably fly back out on the 20th.