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Scotland Golf Itinerary

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JohnnyO3478

JohnnyO3478

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We are planning our fist guy trip to Scotland - specifically the St. Andrews area. This is the proposed golf itinerary from the tour company:

Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society
Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Links
Dumbarnie Links at Dumbarnie Links
Kingsbarns Golf Course at Kingsbarns Golf Links
New Course at St Andrews Links

Should we ask for any substitutions - or is it a pretty solid grouping

7 nights - 5 rounds. Accomodations in St. Andrews. Driver included.
 
Looks like a fun trip. Wish I had thoughts for you but haven't been over there yet.
 
JohnnyO3478 said:
We are planning our fist guy trip to Scotland - specifically the St. Andrews area. This is the proposed golf itinerary from the tour company:

Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society
Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Links
Dumbarnie Links at Dumbarnie Links
Kingsbarns Golf Course at Kingsbarns Golf Links
New Course at St Andrews Links

Should we ask for any substitutions - or is it a pretty solid grouping

7 nights - 5 rounds. Accomodations in St. Andrews. Driver included.
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Sorry - is something missing? Going to SA and no Old Course?

I would definitely add Cruden Bay - that would be a huge miss.

The only other consideration (with area as a parameter) would be to include Ladybank.

Other than those - great trip.
 
Great itinerary; I would just maybe swap out Balcomie for the Castle Course.

I would strongly suggest getting at least a forecaddy for every round - they make the experience much more enjoyable.
 
lockstockrye said:
Sorry - is something missing? Going to SA and no Old Course?

I would definitely add Cruden Bay - that would be a huge miss.

The only other consideration (with area as a parameter) would be to include Ladybank.

Other than those - great trip.
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We've yet to find a tour company that has guaranteed Old Course Tee times on offer this far in advance. We will be entered into all the pathways to securing one once they are available and then swap it in if our number comes up.
 
JohnnyO3478 said:
We've yet to find a tour company that has guaranteed Old Course Tee times on offer this far in advance. We will be entered into all the pathways to securing one once they are available and then swap it in if our number comes up.
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Also remember, the daily ballot at the Old course is your BEST friend!!!!
 
I'd swap out Kingsbarns for almost anything else but that's personal preference. I hated that course, sure is pretty though.
 
Matthew said:
I'd swap out Kingsbarns for almost anything else but that's personal preference. I hated that course, sure is pretty though.
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What????? What didn't you like other than probably having your azz handed to you like I did. LOL
 
Deets said:
What????? What didn't you like other than probably having your azz handed to you like I did. LOL
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Young caddie, terrible of the tee, couldn’t read a green. He kept up though.
 
We've swapped Kingsbarns for Elie.
 
JohnnyO3478 said:
We are planning our fist guy trip to Scotland - specifically the St. Andrews area. This is the proposed golf itinerary from the tour company:

Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society
Championship Course at Carnoustie Golf Links
Dumbarnie Links at Dumbarnie Links
Kingsbarns Golf Course at Kingsbarns Golf Links
New Course at St Andrews Links

Should we ask for any substitutions - or is it a pretty solid grouping

7 nights - 5 rounds. Accomodations in St. Andrews. Driver included.
Click to expand...
I posted recently about a bud who has 4some and 2some back to back end of May. He has to package play at Kingsbarns, Castle and Carnoustie. I have posted about this guy previously here. Chris Toll of Gingerbeer Golf Travel. Reach out to him if interested in Old. It's not cheap though. [email protected]. If you stay similar to current trip I'd send Balcomie to sidelines and play Cruden. Lockstock suggested Cruden also which is one of my faves also but would require a one night hotel move to play Carnoustie and then Cruden and then a return to St Andrews area. Very doable. Good Luck.
 
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Ohhh be still my beating 💓 heart 💓 envy is a curse but hoping to see lots of Photos 😉
Enjoy whatever course you play ⏯️ lucky buggers 👏
 
Following. I just started looking at tour companies for Scotland for next year as well!
 
IMO Kingsbarns is a must play.

I played The Old Course, Royal Lytham & St.Annes ,And a couple other random courses in UK and Kingsbarns was by far my favorite of the ones we played.
 
Looks like an amazing trip! Enjoy
 
I have this exact thread going on another message board. The conflicting opinions are pretty amusing. I appreciate all the input.

Right now we have lodging quoted at the Ardgowan Hotel and an unnamed private residence that I think is Orchard Cottage - based on the map pin in the quote. Any experiences with either of these two lodging options?

We are trying to not change lodging while on this first trip. That's guiding some of the course selections.
 
I loved the Ardgowan!!!!! Was there for 2 of my weeks. Conveniently located in relation to the town of St. Andrews. Next to the Dunvegan as well as a short walk around the corner to the Old Course. I will stay there again when I go back.
 
Matthew said:
I mean, I broke 80 but.... ok cool.
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You know I'm just giving you a hard time. Man shooting 70's there GOOD for you. I wasn't that good with an 84 but I really enjoyed my round albeit a bit spendy.
 
I would play Kingsbarns over Carnoustie. Carnoustie is nice for the history but was ehhh in terms of views. Kingsbarns is an EXCELLENT course.
 
JohnnyO3478 said:
I have this exact thread going on another message board. The conflicting opinions are pretty amusing. I appreciate all the input.

Right now we have lodging quoted at the Ardgowan Hotel and an unnamed private residence that I think is Orchard Cottage - based on the map pin in the quote. Any experiences with either of these two lodging options?

We are trying to not change lodging while on this first trip. That's guiding some of the course selections.
Click to expand...
From the Ardgowan you have lots of AWESOME golf venues to choose from.

Heading south, Lundin Links & Leven Links are a mere 25 minutes or 12-15 miles away. From there up to St. Andrews you have Dumbarnie, The Golf House @ Elie, both Crail courses, Kingsbarns, as well as the Old, New, Jubilee, Castle & Eden @ St. Andrews.
Heading north, Carnoustie isn't a long drive 25 miles maybe but it does take 35-50 minutes because towns/bridges you must run through. However, once up that way you also have Panmure (Ben Hogan legacy, I loved this course) & Montifieth (Tom Watson legacy, this one was OK).

I can't wait to hear what your end result is for your trip.
 
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