Scotland Trip Suggestions??

[Kevin Robinson]

I'm taking my women's college golf team to Scotland in early June. We have decided to stay in St. Andrews, and will not be competing, just playing 3-4 of the best course we can get on, and then spending the remainder of our 8-day trip sightseeing - I'm sure a couple of us will play more.
Most of these girls and their families have never played what I would consider to be a "great" course here in the states,so I would like to play historically or architecturally significant course that are a reasonable (group travel by bus) distance from St. Andrews - and would appreciate any suggestions from the more well-traveled folks around here.
I think the two that are a lock are (the lottery for) the Old Course and Carnoustie...


Thanks!

[Brad Tufts]

Sounds like a great trip.


I would do a round (or two) at one of the "local clubs" to give the flavor of a more low-key quintessential Scotland experience you might not find at TOC or Carnoustie.


Maybe a day at Crail, or Lundin/Leven?


My other recommendation in Fife would be to do Kingsbarns, as it's an example of the best of modern man-made links, but it is of course very pricey, and equal fun can likely be had playing another good local course.


Of course, if the trip was to take you north...there are fun combos to be had like Cruden Bay/Royal Aberdeen, or if way north, the old and new combination of Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart is spectacular too.

[Mark Chaplin]

Kevin,

I'd be really tempted to buy a 3 days links ticket and play all the St.Andrews courses, ballot daily and choose one day at Carnoustie.

Logistics will be easier as you won't be travelling on a bus everyday and the New, Jubilee and Eden courses are all excellent. Plus visit the putting course each day for some serious competition.

Also consider writing to the St. Rule Club and St.Andrews University and seeing if you can get an informal match, that would be fun and they may have better access to tee times.

The girls will love the whole St Andrews vibe.

[Niall C]

Kevin


Mark's ideas are excellent.


If looking for other local clubs with interesting courses try Scotscraig (10-15 min drive north of St Andrews) is closer than Crail and at least the same quality I'd have thought. As it's the first visit for most I'd suggest sticking to the older traditional links but that probably betrays my own preferences.


Niall

[Rich Goodale]

In addition to TOC and Carnoustie, consider in rough order of the quality of the course and the experience:

--Elie
--Panmure
--St. Andrews New
--Leven Links
--St. Andrews Eden
--Carnoustie Burnside
--Monifieth
--Scotscraig

[Martin Lehmann]

I would go for Mark's suggestion.


If the weather is really bad and when the winds are strong (even in June quite possible in Scotland) you could consider to find shelter and play inland courses. For instance Ladybank or The Duke's (owned by The Old Course Hotel). Both are nice and close to St. Andrews.

[Mark Pearce]

Difficult to argue with Rich's suggestions, not least as he puts Elie top of the list!  Seriously, most of these suggestions are sensible.  I'd probably go with one the New and Elie and add the Eden or Lundin if the ballot didn't work out.  Whilst some of these get very busy in the Summer holidays you should be OK getting on Elie, Lundin and the New at (relatively) short notice.  Carnoustie and TOC are a different matter.

[K Rafkin]

If you want to make this trip an unforgettable expirence take then to Kingsbarns.  It may not be the best course in the area or the most architecturally significant, but it is the most scenic.  I would bet that these kids haven't spent much time playing close to the ocean and at kingsbarns you get tons of play down by the water.  People here may shrug kingsbarns off as being "too American" which isn't untrue, but American tourist is love kingsbarns for a reason.  The course is wildly popular with the locals as well although many don't get to play that often due to how expensive it is.  All things being considered I'd place money on your team loving kingsbarns.  It's not exactly cheap, but it is close to St. Andrews.  Kingsbarns will also provide the best instagram pictures...


Personally I like Elie a good bit more than Kingsbarns.  You also do get close to the water for a few holes, and it's an absolute blast to play.  If you mix in a bit of authentic links golf such as Elie and the New in with the "Americanized" Kingsbarns I think you all will really enjoy the trip.


All things considered try and play the old if you can even though it is a bit of a long shot with a group.

[Bill Crane]

Played Elie in June - simply delightful.   Super setting and wonderful clubhouse.  Great pictures of American - Bill Campbell who played his college golf at Princeton, and I caddied for him once in the early 1970s.    Wonderful setting playing down to the Firth of Forth along the Escarpment.  My son and I found the members quite friendly.
Crail is also a great setting, but much more of a primordial, raw course.   Kingsbarns is very expensive.
Last two trips I tried to play the little 9  holer in Anstruther, but it was booked both time competitions when I was there.  Charming fishing village with a famous fish n chips shop - only about 20 minutes from St Andrews.
2 hrs 5 minutes to North Berwick with no traffic, and 2 hours 11 minutes to Royal Aberdeen or Murcar.  No Berwick is excellent and historic. 
Don't forget to play the New and Eden.
 
Wm Flynnfan
 

[David_Tepper]

Kevin R. -

Several years ago, Stan Dodd took the high school boys golf team he was coaching in California to Scotland. I know one of the clubs they visited was Panmure, which is close to Carnoustie and was where Ben Hogan practiced before playing the Open at Carnoustie. Panmure is one of those courses, like Crail & Elie, which lives a bit under the shadow of its better known neighbor, but is still very much worth playing.

As I recall, Stan arranged for a match against the locals there and they had  wonderful visit.

http://www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk/

DT   

[Ed Brzezowski]

Since cost may be a factor I think Crail can fit the bill. Yes it is a bit rustic but the views are without parallel. The food is good and at a reasonable price.

[David_Tepper]

Kevin -

One further thought. Contract one of the clubs your group would like to visit and see if you can arrange a match between your group and the local members. Whether the local members are men or women or seniors, it should not matter. It is a nice experience to play and interact with locals at least once or twice rather than your group of women golfers playing among themselves every day. It could be best-ball or alternate shot format or some combination thereof (maybe greensomes?).

Most Scottish clubs are generous and hospitable in this regard and will likely arrange for some sort of refreshments and social hour following the match. I can promise you it will enhance your team's experience in Scotland.

DT

[Stan Dodd]

During the Buda Cup at Lundin and Elie the Cal Women's Golf Team was playing Elie.  You might want to contact the Cal coach for suggestions.
Echo David's comments.  Many clubs would be thrilled to set up a match.

[Casey Wade]

Just got back from Scotland myself!  I love hearing the courses I picked, with help from y'all.  We started at Elie, which was so much fun!  Next to Carnoustie.  Noth Berwick, Gullane #1, Trump Scotland, and finished at Crail.  I wish I could have stayed for another two weeks but those courses were absolutely amazing and so much fun!

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Rich Goodale's suggestions regarding golf in Fife and Angus  are spot on.


Try a "Chippie" in Anstruther if you can. Since you have a group and can't all fit into the famous Anstruther Fish Bar, try the "Wee Chippy" instead. It has no seating so is easier to get served. You can sit outside as long as the weather cooperates.


Make sure to get battered and not breadcrumbed. Best Fish and chips in the UK!

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Also check into teeofftimes.co.uk for discounted greens fees.


Leven often available at 20 Quid, Crail/ Craighead links at 25 quid, Elie at 75 quid etc, etc.

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Since you are going through effort to get to Scotland, try to play REAL links land courses as much as possible!!


In Fife, that would be TOC but also Leven and/or Lundin at a fraction of the price.


Rich, help me out here. What other courses in St Andrews  are routed on links land?

[cary lichtenstein]

Muirfield, Troon, Royal Dornoch

[Jon Wiggett]

Muirfield, Troon, Royal Dornoch

Cary,

all very good if rather pricy courses but not the best itinerary unless you like spending lots of hours in a car between courses. Plenty of very high quality links golf around St. Andrews.

Jon

[Mark Chaplin]

The team will have far more fun staying in one area and hopefully playing a match or two. Cary EDI-Troon-Dornoch-Muirfield is 14.25 hours of driving....nice!

[cary lichtenstein]

For a short trip, Royal Dornoch is probably too remote, i spent 3 days there, playing twice per day, just fantastic. I wanted to learn these courses, so I played Turnberry 5 times, Troon twice, St. Andrews Twice, ditto Muirfield, Carnoustie and Ballybunion 3 times.

[John Crowley]

Kevin,
David T presents a great idea for you. Also I second Rich G's suggestions.


The Old Course experience should be top of the list in case some of you never get back.


Put in for the ballot each day but, don't stop there. If you don't get in, stand in the queue - your chances may be better than most people think. Mid-summer is more crowded but if you study the potential openings in the ballot on a given day, you can calculate your odds of getting on. Also you need not be there at 3 a.m. depending on the number of potential openings, you could arrive no earlier than 6 a.m. and have a good chance.


Good luck,
John

[David Davis]

Definitely take Mark's advice. On top of that definitely contact the University of St. Andrews and set up a game against their women. Talk to the coach, explain your situation. I agree that the clubs in Scotland will very likely be extremely welcoming especially to students. The University might even be able to set up a couple different matches, maybe at Kingsbarns as well. Don't leave St. Andrews on such a short trip.


Another option is to even request that the team be hosted by the University, team members on the women's team there can volunteer to take care of 1 or 2 students if they have space. (just saying) We use to do that type of stuff all the time and it was wonderful. (even though I'm talking tennis and not golf).

[Jason Chambers]

For a unique experience, try the 9 holer at Musselborugh.  History..and they could play 9 with hickories and 9 with their tools...just a fun time.

[Tim Gallant]

One of the best things is to spend a morning or afternoon putting on the himalayas putting green near the St Andrew's Links Trust clubhouse. The whole team can tackle the best putting green in the world and have a blast doing it!