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John Hohman

Pilgrimage to Scotland
« on: February 21, 2006, 12:49:57 AM »
Well guys, this is obviously my inagural post on GCA. I figured I'd try to make it somewhat interesting. I've been having a great time lurking for the past 6 months, but I've now arrived to an issue that I'd like some thoughtful advice on. I know I've come to the right place.

I'm leaving for a two week jaunt to scotland with my buddy at the end of May. We'll be meeting up with a third guy for a week who is currently travelling around the globe. We will have a rental car for the entire time. We're all in our twenties and none of us have ever even taken a domestic golf vacation.

Places we've booked tee times for thus far:

-Musselburgh Old Course
-North Berwick
-Prestwick
-Royal Troon/Portland
-Carnoustie
-Royal Liverpool

We've allotted four days to spend in St. Andrews trying to get on TOC through the lottery. Muirfield appears to be out of the question this late in the game.

A few questions if any of you would be inclined to advise:

-Would you recommend any cheap, local treasures which we could play in a moments notice that are located within a reasonable distance of the "majors" I've listed? If so, what are they? Also, if you happen to live near one of these local courses and would like to meet for a round, please let me know.

-Assuming that we are in good physical condition, highly motivated and have semi-deep pockets how many holes could we expect to play per day? Could we possibly burn out? If so, what measures could we take to avoid burning out?

-How good is Kingsbarn? I don't see this trip as a once in a lifetime thing -- should we definitely see it or should we maybe play more locals or some of the "majors" more than once instead?

-Is there a book you would recommend I read before going which would enhance the experience? (I just finished 'Blessed Heaths and Blasted Greens,' BTW)

I hope this post doesn't sound silly, but I'd really like your guys' input.

Thanks!

John "Duke" Hohman
Tucson, AZ







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Doug Siebert

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2006, 01:13:53 AM »
Don't count yourself out for Muirfield just yet.  My dad and I got in courtesy of a cancellation, with the help of a very gracious gentleman I knew only through the Internet who was in the Royal Navy with the former club secretary.  It costs you only a stamp and a bit of time to write them a nice letter telling them when you will be there to inquire as to whether there have been any cancellations.

Sounds like you have a great selection of courses so far!  I'll leave it to the locals to recommend the local gems, because I just haven't seen enough of them yet.  Given your selection of courses, I think you'd really like the St. Andrews Jubilee course as a backup for a missed ballot at TOC.  If you are unfortunate enough to not manage to get on TOC at all, remember that you can still walk it since its public ground.  Don't miss the opportunity for a putting match on the Himayalas putting green.  There is no more fun putting green in the world!

You probably want to have more golf planned than you have courses planned, so that you can play courses you hear about from others during your travels.  Both times I've been there it was with my dad and was fairly structured, which kind of sucked when we'd hear about courses that sounded great but we couldn't fit them in.
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Brian Phillips

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2006, 02:29:17 AM »
John,

I hope you are good at driving!!  That is some amount of mileage you are going to do.

Troon - Carnoustie 130 miles
Carnoustie - North Berwick 100 miles
North Berwick - Liverpool 244 miles (if you are driving not flying)

Kingsbarns is an awesome experience.

Brian
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Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored - John Low Concerning Golf

Sean Walsh

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2006, 02:44:58 AM »
I greatly enjoyed Kingsbarns and despite its high cost would recommend playing it.  

I also played at Crail and that was a wonderful course.  Ideal if you are sitting at St Andrews with little else to do.

Also Re St Andrews if you don't succeed at the ballot on first try I would be lining up as a single the next morning.  One day playing a round a part shouldn't effect the dynamic of the group.  

Also of interest are the other courses on the Lancashire coast.  I haven't played any (except Hoylake) but many rate it as the best stretch of golfing coastline in the world.  
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ForkaB

Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2006, 04:21:41 AM »
Duke

All Sean's info is good.  If you had to add one course in each of the 4 areas you are going to be I'd choose Birkdale (NE England), Western Gailes (W Scotland), Gullane #1 (E. Lothian) and Kingsbarns (NE Fife/Angus).  Do try for Muirfield, and while in St. Andrews you must play the New and Eden courses (many like the Jubilee, but I don't).  I'd not do any more planning, but go by your feel of the lay of the land and the advice of locals. Maybe you might just want to play a "smaller" course every day (e.g. Crail). It's up to you.

Vis a vis how much golf to play, well at the end of May there is 17 1/2 hours of daylight in Edinburgh, and with you bieng young and fit you could squeeze in 90 holes a day if you can get around in 3 1/2 hours/18 (which should be your goal!).  More realistically, shoot for 36-holes/day and leave some time for sightseeing, driving and chasing women (they are not too hard to catch if you lay on the thick American accent.....).

Enjoy!

Rich
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Mitch Hantman

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2006, 07:21:45 AM »
Duke,

Royal Lytham is less than an hour's drive north from Hoylake.  

Also, if you're successful in getting on TOC, I would seriously try to play it at least one more time.
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Tom Roewer

Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2006, 07:48:31 AM »
I AGREE WITH SEAN.  WE COULDN'T GET ON TOC THE FIRST DAY IN ST. ANDREWS SO WENT DOWN TO CRAIL AND PLAYEED THE ORIGINAL COURSE.  WHAT A TREAT.  I PROMISE YOU'LL APPRECIATE IT.  THEY WERE JUST PLANNING THE NEW COURSE THERE SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT.
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Marty Bonnar

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2006, 01:03:18 PM »
John,
listen well to Brer Rihc. As usual, he is on the money with his expert choices. I, of course, second his and Brer Philips Kingsbarns nomination. As one who has walked it more than most (maybe a coupla hundred times!), I can vouch for it as excellent a class in modern links design as you will meet anywhere.
I'd also like to add Kilspindie into the East Lothian scenario. Just such a good laugh of a golf course!
If you'd like to play a Parkland (BOO!) course in Scotland, give me a shout. Always happy to host GCAers at Balbirnie Park.

FBD.
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Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

jg7236

Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2006, 03:31:04 PM »
My father and my self are going to Scotland from August 26th thru September 4th.  We are currently booked on Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Gullane, and the New Course.  We are still trying to get on the Old Course.  Probably will go into a lottery once we arrive.  We also plan to play with Martin Bonner (Fatbalddrummer) who frequents this site often.  He lives about 35 minutes from St. Andrews.  We are going to play with him on his home course, Balbirnie Park.  I can't wait....
« Last Edit: February 21, 2006, 03:31:43 PM by John N. Gunning IV »
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Bob_Huntley

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2006, 03:41:02 PM »
Quote from: John N. Gunning IV on February 21, 2006, 03:31:04 PM
My father and my self are going to Scotland from August 26th thru September 4th.  We are currently booked on Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Gullane, and the New Course.  We are still trying to get on the Old Course.  Probably will go into a lottery once we arrive.  We also plan to play with Martin Bonner (Fatbalddrummer) who frequents this site often.  He lives about 35 minutes from St. Andrews.  We are going to play with him on his home course, Balbirnie Park.  I can't wait....

John,

Make sure you play the New prior to September 4th. The Calcutta Cup starts on that day and the course is basically taken over by the R&A for that day. With over two hundred players entered it's a long day. Every day however sees the list halved .

Bob
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Jeff Goldman

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2006, 03:59:17 PM »
I have recently been on Muirfield's website, and they actually posted a calendar and whether there were any open tee times on various days.  See

http://www.muirfield.org.uk
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Robert Thompson

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2006, 04:24:55 PM »
Interesting to see there are available tee times at Muirfield through the year, outside of the peak summer months.

I would say be certain to play Kingsbarns. Pricey, yes. Great, indeed. It remains one of my favourite courses in the world.
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JSlonis

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2006, 04:49:59 PM »
John,

I'd definitely second the recommendation of Kingsbarns and Crail when you are in the St Andrew's area.

Also...Dunbar, located down the coast from N. Berwick was a lot of fun to play.  Some spectacular views along the many seaside holes.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2006, 04:52:49 PM by JSlonis »
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Tim MacEachern

Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2006, 05:01:46 PM »
If you do get to play Muirfield, stay for the lunch.  Oh, and when they mention no "trainers", they mean sneakers.  So bring a nice sports coat and shoes (applies to North Berwick as well).
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jg7236

Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2006, 10:33:43 PM »
Thanks Mr. Huntley.  I have a confirmed tee time on August 28th.  I will always remember you throwing my hat out the front door after our golf match at Barona (the GCA 1st annual golf tournament) a few  years back.  I want to let you know I will remember to take my hat off as I enter all the club houses in Scotland.  My  father also gets pissed when I where my hat in club houses after we play a round of golf.  I guess it is the age difference.  I am not trying to be rude, but some older adults see it as that.
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mike_beene

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Re:Pilgrimage to Scotland
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2006, 10:43:11 PM »
If I had four rounds of golf left in my life:Old Course,Kingsbarns,Muirfield,Gullane.
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