Scotland Transportation advice

[Mark Pearce]

Bill,

Listen to the locals here.  If you are doing this with wives your proposed itinerary is simply mad.  You are spending a lot of time driving through the dullest parts of a spectacular country.  In Scotland for views you go to the highlands (Dornoch, Broara, Goldpie and Boat of Garten) which are miles from your route.  For culture you stay around Edinburgh.

As to which of Elie or Crail you play, I'm a member of both and couldn't choose, either is a filling day's golf.

[Bill Brightly]

OK, OK, I TRULY appreciate all the comments, but I have to make a couple of points.

It is 9 days, not 7.

I will drop the long drive to Mach in favor of the ferry from Troon. Thanks.

I already decided to fly in a day early with my wife to see Edinburgh, and will suggest that to my group. (That also gets me to North Berwick a night earlier for a possible round before the others get in, but don't tell my wife that  )

I kept deleting North Berwick from my itinerary, but it kept working its way back in... It is the number one course I want to play in Scotland, and I could not justify replacing it with another course to save an hour of driving time. (Unless it was the Old Course, which can't be guaranteed.)

We cannot play Muirfield that week.

Two of the couples live outside of NYC, one outside of Philadelphia, one outside of Pittsburgh. You Scots don't know what a difficult drive is unless you've driven there on a regular basis!

I have been to Ireland three times and twice I did all the driving. This time we are hiring a driver.

I probably will drop Machrie in favor of Mach Dunes, because it seems rather expensive and time consuming to get there.

If I give the wives in this group a free day, I'm gonna be biking my ass off somewhere, or on a kayak on some damn firth ruining my golf swing muscles!

Anyway, thank you all for your comments and private messages!

[Tony_Muldoon]

Bill have you considered staying in Edingburgh and taking the train from Edinburgh Waverley (very central) to North Berwick? 
33 minutes and a 10 minute dawdle to the club.
Cost about £6 return.


It might allow you to fit more in.

On the other hand North Berwick is one of my favourite places.  Choices, choices.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill, one last suggestion.  If the wives are playing, be sure they get caddies at least once or twice.  After her rounds at North Berwick and Crail, my wife loves Scottish caddies!

[Eric Smith]

Bill, one last suggestion.  If the wives are playing, be sure they get caddies at least once or twice.  After her rounds at North Berwick and Crail, my wife loves Scottish caddies!

Yes - I wholeheartedly agree with this. See if that Simon Holt fella is available when @ North Berwick. Helluva caddie!

[Fred Gray]

I did the train from Waverly station to North Berwick summer 2011. You get on the train where it starts and get off where it ends. It was easy, short walk down the hill to the course.

Hook up with Simon if you can, he is a quality gentleman. One word of warning though, subtract 4-6 from whatever he tells you his handicap is. While I am certain it is honest, it must be based on rounds from the tips, in 45 degree weather, with 35mph winds. 

Fred

[Bill Brightly]

I am a huge fan of taking caddies. Do they carry doubles in Scotland or single like Bandon Dunes?

If I had to pick two courses to take a caddy, would you suggest Prestwick and North Berwick? (Assuming Simon is not available

[Eric Smith]

Bill,

I took caddies at Prestwick and Turnberry. Both were great guys. The one at Turnberry is the club champion! [Sorry, forgot his name]. Maybe David Nelson will chime in with it. As for N. Berwick, you'd be extra lucky to snag that Simon fella.

[Bart Bradley]

I am a huge fan of taking caddies. Do they carry doubles in Scotland or single like Bandon Dunes?

If I had to pick two courses to take a caddy, would you suggest Prestwick and North Berwick? (Assuming Simon is not available

Bill:

Ask for Lee at Turnberry.  Best caddy I have ever used anywhere.  Has been working Turnberry for 30 years.  Knows every inch.  Was the only local caddy to be used in the last Open (Ryo Ishikawa). 

They generally carry singles.

Bart

[Mark Chaplin]

Heard a great story from a GCA'er who took a caddie at Royal Aberdeen, turned out he was a local lad and a decent player. The GCA'er gave him a generous donation towards the lads forthcoming US trip where he went on to win the US Amateur!!

[Simon Holt]

And now that lad is a multiple winner on the European Tour, a member and friend of mine at Renaissance!

[Rich Goodale]

Bill

You have chosen a brutal trip, but it is your trip.  Do hire transportation (from the many good recs above) and bone up on the tunes and lyrics to "99 bottles of beer on the wall, ........" "The wheels on the buss go round and round....." and "I spy with my little eye, something starting with the letter 'J'", etc. etc.

Most importantly, Enjoy!  You'll be back.

[Bill Brightly]

Well, Rich, at least I have your book, Experience The Old Course, to tide me over on those long drives

[Rich Goodale]

Well, Rich, at least I have your book, Experience The Old Course, to tide me over on those long drives

Jeez Bill, if I knew my books were to be used for this purpose I would have written more words!

Rich

[Jud_T]

I say sack the golf altogether and just drive around the f*(^ing country for 9 days...