Solo Golf Trips - Anyone Taken One?

[SPDB]

Before anybody thinks I am an anti-social lunatic, hear me out.  There seem to a couple of lone wolves on this site (and not the type occasioned by a golf game with Bob Huntley, from what I hear ).

Out of curiosity, has anyone here taken a golfing trip alone? I was thinking today of possibly travelling alone to Ireland and Scotland. In my experience, when travelling with a group, I find you are less likely to 1) play with a local 2) experience the local environs, and 3) seek out and associate with townfolk.  I believe that the experience would be valuable for the reasons I cite above. A trip with friends and golfing partners to the same areas, would be equally valuable, albeit for different reasons. This idea intrigues me since it would seem to be an experience that transcends the golfing adventure. Do you agree?

I've never travelled alone, and I am by nature, rightly or wrongly, more comfortable in groups than alone so this trip is also a bit more than just a golf journey, but rather a test of my own personal boundaries and limitations.  Some relatively recent life events have indicated to me that there is some value in challenging myself in this manner.  I figured, however, that having golf as a daily excursion might grease the wheels of this process. Have any of you taken solo golf trips with some of these personal discoveries in mind?

I beg your indulgence on the introspection, but have any of you taken a trip like this, or considered it, for any of the same reasons? Please share your experiences.  

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

In a word....

All the time.  (OK thats three)

Based on our Emperors advice many years ago (pre-Atlas days) I took a 10 day jaunt around Scotland, and I must tell you to do it.  It was awesome.  I played with and made some nice contacts from back here in the states.  I played with lots of locals, which lead to many an evening in some out of the way pubs.  In fact that was the only tough part, getting away at some point to make sure I accomplished my goals the next day.

I had a great time and would love to go into more detail if you want later.  I made friends in Scotland (that I still get Christmas Cards from to this day 10 years later) that I never would have met if I would have been sitting at a table of four.  The fact that I was all alone at the bar everywhere I went made all the difference.  Suffice it to say that if you sit at a bar alone in Scotland, you wont be alone for long.

And I do it all the time here in the states too.  Many of my golf trips are junkets that I put together with a day or two of work, and then several days of golf whenever I can.  Again I have met some wonderful people that I never would have met if I was with someone else.

Have a go!!!!

[SPDB]

Turboe -
Great stuff. That's precisely the encouragement I'm looking for. If I know this group (and after 6+ years, I hope I do), I suspect we'll get some good responses. While I'm interested in getting back over there, I'm looking for a more profound experiential-type trip, that might not be achievable when travelling with a group of friends.

The thread might also make for some interesting discussion, as it is not I recall seeing a lot written on in my years on this site.

Thanks for the response.

[Mike Benham]

John Krystynak has perfected the art of getting kitchen passes for solo trips to Scotland ...

[Bob_Huntley]

Done it before, would do it again.

Not having to be beholden to anyone and doing exactly what you would like to do, is akin to winning the lottery.

Bob

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Sean,
After working my ass of on the runways of LAX for 8 months straight, taking every overtime hour I could get--some of the days going 36 hours straight, I would gaze at the Virgin Atlantic 747-400 taking off everyday at 3:00pm-sharp. I would tell the guys I was working with, "I'm going to be on that plane at the end of June!" I swore to myself I was going to do it, and I did.

Those three weeks in St. Andrews changed my life.

I had never been anywhere by myself ever. Including ever going to a foreign country. In fact, that trip was the first time I had ever been East of Phoenix.

[George Blunt]

I took off for 3 weeks to play Scotland solo, and met many great people.

I certainly "transcended the golfing experience" as follows.
I was walking down the first fairway at Dornoch, playing my second 18 for the day, when my new found Scottish friend asked me if I was married.  
I replied that I had a serious girlfriend.  
He asked me "is she a good one?"  I replied in the affirmative.
He said "You've got to marry the good ones, they're hard to find"
He was right, I did, and Laura and I have been married happily ever since.

Scotland can do that to you!!  Enjoy the beer, the opportunities for reflection and the golf - it is a great mix.

Regards,
George

[Dan King]

Tom Huckaby and I have this discussion almost every time someone asks for advice on traveling to Scotland and Ireland.

I always loved going on golfing trips solo, especially Scotland and Ireland. Like Turboe, I've made great friends while traveling without others. I think far too many people take three friends along on their trips, which is essentially just moving their regular game to a different local.

I'd also recommend making no plans beyond renting a car. If you find a good place to hang out, stay a while. Locals you play with might invite you to play in a match or tournament later in the week. As a single I almost never had any trouble getting on golf courses and had almost no difficulty finding a place to sleep.

Look for courses off the beaten track. It won't give you as nice of a collection of bag tags, but you'll meet more friendly locals on courses that are less about tourists and more about local play.

Dan King

There is no country where the golfers are more keen or more hospitable than in Ireland, and the friendliness with which the inhabitants welcome their guest in only equalled by the earnestness with which the endeavour, and very often successfully, to beat them.
 --Bernard Darwin (The Golf Courses of the British Isles)

[John Kirk]

I started taking solo golf trips a couple years ago, but generally I'm not well suited for it.  If I don't have people to play golf and hang around with, I get pretty lonely.

However, it is difficult for me finding friends here at home to travel and play golf.  Furthermore, I don't necessarily like keeping the same company day after day while on the road.

I've made it a goal to see America.  One of the great things about GolfClubAtlas is the chance to meet new friends along the way.  I'll pick a place to start, and work my way to a destination, a day or two at a time.  Last year I took two trips beginning in Richmond, VA, one ending in New Jersey, the other in Michigan.

That's cool, Turboe.  I have my share of memorable experiences I've collected on the road.  One night, I stayed up late drinking with a couple of Englishmen in a Glasgow airport hotel.  One of them had insulted my brother-in-law and made him so mad that he wanted to fight, but thought the better of it and went to bed instead.  I stayed and had a grand time with these tough characters.  Later that night, one of the men confided he had just gotten out of prison, after spending 19 years there for killing a man.

Ah, good times.  You just don't forget stuff like that.

By the way, Turboe, who's dunking the ball on the picture in your profile?

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

If you are going to reach a golf obsessive level on the trip it is usually extremely difficult to find friends who are likeminded.  I have ventured to Ireland twice solo and Scotland once, and would not have played so extensively with companions.  It is not possible to play Cruden Bay in the morning and Carnoustie in the afternoon with a group.  Also, if you are solo, you have a much better chance of getting on the Old Course !

[ForkaB]

Q.  How did you come to know and love Dornoch?

A.  I decided to spend three weeks golfing in Scotland in 1978, and in researching my trip (including buying the 'World Atlas of Golf') 'discovered' Dornoch. The party line at the time was 'Great course, but too far away from civilisation,' but as this appealed to my contrarian nature, I put it in the middle of the trip as a bit of a respite from the rest of the 'if it’s Tuesday it must be Muirfield' itinerary. I planned to stay for 3 days, but stayed for 4 (my diary reads 'seem to have lost a day somewhere….'). In those 4 days I played 7 rounds of golf, broke 80 for the first time in my life, partied until 7 in the morning at a Silver wedding anniversary, learned the difference between Macallan and Linkwood and met 5-10 people who have become lifelong friends. That was just the start…..

This is from my "Feature Interview" on this site.  The decision to go to Scotland in 1978 and go it alone was the best one I have made in my life (NB--in case my wife is lurking, she should know that if I hadn't done that I would never have met her!).

The freedom of action and the ability to connnect with a new culture and new people in some depth can only be meaningfully gained on a solo trip.  IMHO.

Just do it!........and feel free to keep in touch.

[Mike_Sweeney]

I had a shorter but similar  experience to Rich during a solo trip that included Enniscrone. As a result, I am an Overseas Member at Enniscrone so you can figure out my views on the subject.  

PS. Even in the real Irish Northwest, the membership prices have risen significantly in the past few years, but many still are just a one time payment with no annual fees.

[Kelly Blake Moran]

Sean,

I went solo to Scotland once and met Rich G., Brian Phillips, Steve Wilson, John K. and a few other dopes, so I timed it in accordance with an advertised gathering on GCA, and it was the best way to travel.  I got to go where I wanted and spend as much time at any course as I wanted without having to balance the desires of others.  Unless I had the opportunity to travel there with my family I would probably do it that way everytime and then try to hook up with locals you meet through this site, or on the spot.  I highly recommend it.  

[Dave Bourgeois]

I haven't taken a solo trip but I certainly plan to.  I often play my weekend rounds solo, and one of the great joys of the game to get paired with interesting people.  Sometimes you loose the pairing lottery, but often times it's a great experience.

I have planned trips for friends, and while it is fun there is also some bit of activation energy to get an entire group to move.  As the planner you also feel responsible for all of the choices and the enjoyment of the group.

I've got my 1st child on the way so I'm not sure when my next trip will be, but if I can go solo for a long weekend I'm gonna do it.

Cheers

[Matthew Mollica]

I travelled Scotland for three weeks by myself.
Also went solo from San Fran to LA playing a few courses.
I'd do it again.

You have total freedom in what you do, and company in foursomes, and in the bars at the end of the day too!

MM

[Bill Gayne]

I've done solo trips to Ireland and for the first time last summer I went to Scotland. For all of the reasons mentioned above I would say go. Don't worry you will not be lonely. In matter of fact you will feel obligated to talk to local people. The people of Ireland and Scotland are some of the wamest and freindliest people you will ever meet. They are also the most nosey and curious. Stay in a bed and breakfast and the women that owns will ask you the same question ten different ways. Take caddies because they will provide you with a lot of local info. Play out of the way courses at the end of the day. Have a drink in the clubhouse bar or local pub. A couple of years ago I was a solo player in an open competition at County Sligo. Had some great craic.

[Steve Lapper]

Sean,

    In my past, I've traveled solo to Scotland, Ireland, Spain (not solo for long!  ) and Australi and New Zealand. In each and every place, I found making friends (and some who I continue to talk with and periodically host in the US) so very easy. It's great to travel with friends who share similar tastes and appetites, but it's far more interesting and revealing to occasionally make the venture alone. Golf rapidly becomes another activity that is sometimes the key one's soul and it's alomost always easier to find it on the road!

[Rob_Waldron]

Solo? You must be crazy.

Traveling in a pair makes so much more sense, particularly from the economic standpoint.

[ForkaB]

Rob

By any chance, are you an economist?

[Jeff_Stettner]

I have traveled by myself extensively, with and without my clubs. I spent seven months wandering North America with my sticks at the age of 24 sleeping in a pickup truck, on floors, in youth hostels, on many a couch and in the occasional hotel. During that trip I played about 30 rounds of golf, almost entirely on public courses as a walk-on single. I met wonderful people.
I have also backpacked around Europe, Australia and New Zealand by myself, the longest trip lasting four months. I only played golf in Australia, a land where the golf clubs were so wonderfully accomodating and the golf was so delightful that I wish I had planned more that 4 rounds.
As John Kirk mentioned, travelling solo is not for everybody and I feel fortunate to have discovered that I enjoy it so much. I never planned to do it; my first solo trip was around Europe and the person that I was supposed to go with cancelled on me. For me, it was a wonderful stroke of luck. If you are an extrovert that likes freedom and don't care what lies around the next curve (at least I do), travelling solo is great, even if you don't play golf.
As for the economics, it all depends on your requirements. My wife and I spent almost as much on our one-week honeymoon and I did on my seven-month road trip.    

[Brent Hutto]

I had planned on making my first overseas golf trip this coming September. In the end, I decided that a solo trip just didn't make sense for me. A round of golf by myself or even a whole day can be fun as an occasional thing but ultimately golf is a game and as such is best played with an opponent.

It would come down to showing up at the golf course every day for a week or two and banking on finding someone to play with. After talking to Ed Getka and a few other folks who've been to Scotland solo I decided to wait until an opportunity for a non-solo trip arises.

I'd say the exception would be if I could really know in advance of several guys in various places I'm going with whom I could arrange a game in advance. A mixture of solo days and days meeting up with GCA acquaintances could make for an excellent trip. I also like the idea of attending one of the various GCA group outings for a few days and then striking out on some additional solo travels.

Failing anything like that, I'm with Rob Waldron. Two would seem to be the ideal number. If you can find one other person to share the driving and perhaps split double-occupancy rooms you can really trim the cost of the trip. Having a running game at various courses with a good friend would seem like the perfect way to experience new courses.

[JohnV]

In 1990 I took a trip to Ireland by myself.  I had intended to go for a month, but I got sick after two weeks and came home early.  It was going ok while I was feeling well, but there is nothing worse than laying around a hotel room, being sick with no one there.  My wife and I went back to Ireland 7 years later and I had a much better time.

I keep thinking that I'm going to hop on a plane to Australia and do that by myself someday, if I can only find the time.

Perhaps Peter Pittock will see this and comment as I know he has made a number of solo trips.

[Bill Weber]

I also went solo for three weeks to Scotland and would agree with the pro aspects listed here. A negative was that two times, once at Dunbar and another at Kilspindie I was nearly forced to play solo until I waited for an opening with a threesome for two hours. The problem at both was a club competition with twosomes going it alone and not wanting an outsider. Playing a links course without a caddy or playing partner with old guy eyes would have been a nightmare. Also Muirfield wouldn't entertain a starting time as a single. I would want a partner in future.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

I should certainly give it a whirl if you are content with your own company while travelling.  Otherwise you'll have been very unlucky if you do not come away having met many new friends.  If you want to guarantee to play certain top level courses you would be wise to book them in advance.  You stand as much chance as anyone else in the ballot for TOC and if your name doesn't come out of the hat on one day there are lots of other first-rate courses in the area, so you won't miss out while waiting for the next day's ballot.  

You would be wise to equip yourself with a golfing guide book or two which feature the lesser-known courses.  It might just influence the route you take between, say, Perth and Inverness.  I like David J Whyte's Globetrotter Golfer's Guide to Scotland (ISBN 1 85974 276 9) and Philip Reid's Globetrotter Golfer's Guide to Ireland (ISBN 1 85974 669 1), both published by New Holland.  There is a series of Golfers Guides published by Travel Publishing Limited, and I have the guide to Ireland here, written by Dermot Gilleece (ISBN 1-902-00749-2). There's not a lot of description but most of the vital information is present and he does feature many lesser-known golf courses that might well appeal to you in non-tourist areas - Heath in Co Laois, Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh, for instance.  Sadly, the Times Guide with which I used to be associated will not be republished.  THE AA Guide and Sunday Telegraph Guides are both still in publication and offer enough information to find off-the-beaten-track clubs and courses.

If you are taking a digital camera with you mark down each and every photo you take on the scorecard.  You'll never remember which hole was which afterwards.  

The advice to take a caddie may be sound, but you'll only get them at the big, famous clubs.  Very often, if you ring the professional a few days in advance, a caddie can be provided at a lesser course, but it will almost certainly be a junior member who wants a bit of extra pocket money in the summer holidays.  It is unlikely he or she will be any use in reading putts, advising on yardages etc.  And I have to say that there are quite a few lesser courses where it is not immediately apparent what the correct line is from the tee - Ardglass in County Down is an example.  It is great fun and very scenic, but definitely a course to play with a local, for the first time, anyway.

[Tom Huckaby]

As Dan King says, yes we do have this same conversation nearly every time the subject of a trip to Scotland comes up.  Dan takes the pro, I take the semi-con.  That is, I thinkl it CAN be fun, but I give warnings... most of which have already been stated in this thread.  Sure it CAN be great - but you have to have a pretty gregarious attitude.  There's no guarantee these wonderful times with locals will occur; Ed Getka can attest that all too often you are left waiting for a game.  And while it would be fun to not be beholden to anyone, go where the winds take you, etc., well... you have to have a lot of TIME available to be that free.  See, Rich mentioned three weeks in Dornoch.... Dan took a whole summer... with that kind of time available, either to spend at one place or to roam around, sure this could be great (remembering the caveats already given).  But most people don't have that kind of time... they have a week, 10 days, whatever... and it may be a once in a lifetime thing... so in that case, it's tough to just leave things to whim.

One other thing to remember to is these special places are REALLY cool to share with good friends.  You wouldn't be beholden to them, you'd be enjoying it with them.

It's all in attitude.

So anyway, I have done some solo gigs over there, and it was fun... but there are no guarantees.  Go with a golf buddy or two and the guarantee is yours.  How much risk do you want to take with this trip?

TH