Solo Golf Trips - Anyone Taken One?

[Mike Hendren]

Two words:  automatic transmission.

[Richard Muldoon]

Look at the websites of the courses or areas you are visiting to see if they have any open competitions around the time you are going.
You get to play the courses for a lot less than the normal visitor green fee and you are guaranteed some playing partners, though they might not necessarily be locals.
Most Scottish and Irish courses have these opens throughtout the summer

[KJaeger]

Whenever I need to travel for business I take the opportunity to see if I can squeeze in some golf at a new and interesting place.

Last year I was able to spend 3 days in NW Ireland playing Carne and Enniscrone, and I had great fun even though I was traveling alone.  Most days I ended up finishing a round with a local or a two-some, and all were very friendly and as enthusiastic about the golf as I was.  I can't say that one would be that fortunate every time, but certainly in most of my trips to Ireland I have had a similar experience.

Then again, I am someone who actually finds it enjoyable to be out on a golf course late in the day, when there is a bit of chill gathering and it feels like you have the course all to yourself.  So your mileage may vary, as they say  

[SteveC]

I have soloed at Cruden Bay, North Berwick, Brora, and Macrihanish. Great experiences all, on the courses and in the pubs. Relaxation at its ultimate. You have time to really learn the courses, since you're not jawing with your pals. A caddie can be especially valuable in this regard and can provide a good bit of local color as well.

Just do it.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Turboe, Jack Willoughby (Sheena's husband of the Dunvegan) is going to pissed off when he finds out you referred to him as a Yankee!  That boy is a Texan, from Houston, Texas!  

I realize that but to someone over there we are all Yankee's.  I can't count the number of times someone refered "one of you Yanks" when I was over there.

In fact I played with a friend of Jack's completely by happanstance when I was playing Champions in Houston several years back.  I didnt know Jack was a member there.

[Jfaspen]

I came reasonably close to doing this at Bandon this year.  This thread convinced me that if it comes down to it, a solo golf trip would be ok.  
Good stories everyone.

jf

[James Bennett]

I've got one about to happen.

2-9 April flying in and out of San Francisco
then a few days in Vegas and NY with my wife
then 18-22 April in the Philadelphia/NY region
then 23-28 April around Leeds (some work)
then 29 April to 11 may with my wife again (ill get some games of golf - Scotkland and Dornoch look attractive) touring from London up to Scotland and back to Leeds

Golf itinerary to be developed shortly.  My wife and mother-in-law are entertaining themselves in Hawaii and on a bus from Rome to London during my solo golfing break.  

Anyone who wants to talk with an Ozzie about golf down under, or the experiences of a course chairman in developing firm and fast conditions is welcome (I am not turf qualified).

I expect I'll clock some car miles and will need a lot of disk space on the camera.  Plus two pairs of golf shoes, cheap balls from America, a better itinerary and don't bother with packing shorts!  Hope to see some of you.

James B

[ForkaB]

James

I may well be near Leeds at the end of April (and on business which might be of interest to a course chairman....).  Otherwise, I can be found in Scotland.  Fife or Dornoch.  Let me know if you want to get together and we can see what might be arranged.

Rich

[Sean_A]

James

Give me a shout once you are organized with dates and areas.

Ciao

Sean

[Ulrich Mayring]

I have the first three weeks in August for such a trip, how good is that? My girl friend is in Australia and I can go wherever I want. Really looking forward to that trip, might be Normandy, over to Kent, along the Southern coast, perhaps all the way to Cornwall. Or Denmark/Sweden, not decided yet.

Ulrich

[peter_p]

Ulrich,
    On my trip mentioned earlier I stayed in Dover and figured no weekend golf. Took the chunnel train to Paris, rented a car and made it to LeMans, Mont St Michel and Normandy over a hectic two days.
    After I made it to Cornwall later on, I golfed all the way up the Atlantic Coast to Royal St Davids. Recommended.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Ulrich - sounds a good trip - just leave yourself time for:

North Foreland, Princes, Royal St George's, Royal Cinque Ports, Walmer and Kingsdown, Littlestone, Rye, Piltdown, Crowborough, Royal Ashdown Forest, West Sussex, Worthing, Hayling, Stoneham, Ferndown, Parkstone, Broadstone, Isle of Purbeck.  You are then left with a bit of a hike, but as the next journey is substantial you may as well cross over to the West Coast of Devon, rather than the East and then you have Saunton, Royal North Devon, Bude & North Cornwall, St Enodoc, Trevose, West Cornwall, and finally down to Mullion.  Unfortunately, this way you miss out on Bovey Manor and Yelverton but perhaps you can negotiate a few days' sick leave!

[Tony_Muldoon]

Mark I see you directed Ulrich straight past the Isle of Wight.  However as I will be there for the Easter weekend is there a course on the Island you (or anyone else) can recommend?

[Ulrich Mayring]

Mark, I gather you have only listed the most important must-play courses, which I absolutely cannot live without. 25 in 21 days, plus Hardelot and Le Touquet on the French side, that should make for a very reposeful trip. It's very clever of you that you left the majority of time unassigned, so a couple of holes here and there and the rest just to relax

Ulrich

[Norbert P]

  "Nobody likes me
   Everybody hates me
   Guess I'll travel solo !!"

  I curse and thank my cheap cowardly friends when they say they can't go on a trip.  The way I see it, I'm on a mission to get away from the regularity of life, why bring along all that baggage.  

  A few years back, a friend and I were planning on going to Ireland. About a month before going, I realised that he wasn't really getting prepared and I decided right then, it's either go solo or don't go at all.  I've never regretted going by myself.  Besides, as someone already mentioned, if one extends a friendly hand, a patient ear, and a little smile, you won't be isolated for long.
   I enjoyed taking my girlfriend to Scotland, eventhough she is a non-golfer, we quickly got into our own elements, enjoyed our separate activities, and then appreciated our company over lunch and dinner, etc.  

  "... Do what you wanna
   Do whatcha like.
   Twist a big ol' number
   Ride a motorbike.
   It's all right!
   It's outasight"

  Tampico Trauma      Jimmy Buffet

[Jesse Jones]

Luckily I'm able to scout sites a year before the next "buddies" golf trip.
I enjoy checking stuff out on my own. I can take some risks with dining and play courses reccomended by some  of my suspect comrades.
As a single you get on courses quicker, meet new interesting people and sometimes create some personal memories of your own.
But nothing beats playing with the fellas..
Even if the fellas are beating you.  

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Tony, I have little knowledge of golf on the IOW.  Paul Turner posted some excellent photographs a year or two ago.  You may be able to search to find them.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Thanks Mark, I will search and hopefully report back later in the year.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Here are a few web sites.  Ventnor looks promising.

http://www.freshwaterbaygolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.cowesgolfclub.org.uk/
http://www.ventnorgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.ssgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.iwight.com/living_here/sport/ballsports/golf.asp

[Jim Adkisson]

I've taken a couple of trips only in the company of 14 of my most loyal friends...they travel in the luggage compartment...

Although not Scotland, I have ventured to St. George Utah, Reno, NV and San Diego by myself...

I enjoy playing single and meeting up with locals or other travelers...it also makes it easy to get hooked up with a group if you don't have tee times and play 36 per day.  The problem is when you get off the course and end up having a beer or two with dinner and heading back to the hotel to crash.

I play single while at Sunriver, Bend, OR area or the beach on trips with the family...I may not get 36 in each day, but I do get hugs from my daughters and wife upon return.

As far as MY experience with Scotland/England/Ireland going solo is not golf related but...In 1982 I spent 7 weeks bicycling from Heathrow to Edinborough, Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Allahies, and back to London by myself...I have NEVER met so many great local people who invited me into their homes, fed me and made me feel welcome.

I'd expect that you'd be made welcome after your rounds, especially if you spend time in the "local" pubs and smaller towns.

[Tommy Williamsen]

This is fascinating.  I have taken a half dozen trips alone.  I enjoy the company of good friends but when I can't get anyone to travel at a paarticular time I just pack up and go.  I have made friends in Ireland, England, and Wales in the US that I wouldn't have made had I been with my buddies.  I bacame a member of Royal North Devon on a solo trip.  Now When I go back (alone) I have friends to play with.

It seems to me that solo trips demand a few things.  You must enjoy your own company.  You should be a risk taker because you probably will be in unfamiliar places.  Don't plan.
Try unknown or obscure courses, you may find a gem.  In GBI you will more than likely be paired with someone else.  In the US you may play alone more.