Had drinks 2 different days last week with both Sheena and Jack. They are still part owners

I didn't know they were still around. Good to hear.

Thanks again for the reply. Some good info there! Especially about keeping things dry, and being able to have dry socks and shoes! Nothing better than warm, dry socks!

I'm pretty sure we have caddies lined up, but I'm not opposed to pulling a "trolley" and having a forecaddie. Good info for tipping as well.

Thanks so much. If you think anything else, I'm all ears.

You might have seen this but below is an article that you might find interesting. About camping out at the Old Course the same night I think you were there.

https://golf.com/travel/u-s-open-looked-like-from-st-andrews-scotland/

That's awesome! I was reading the article and thinking I already know all of this from reading TexAgs.

Lol, that's awesome
None if us got interviewed or knew that anyone was writing the article though

Lol that dudes face

OP…did you use a travel service or book on your own? If you didn't use a travel service, what did you do for transportation?

Our golf group has decided we are doing Scotland in 2024, so I'll be planning one of these in about a year.

We used Perry Golf this trip, they were great. Previously we have used Haversham and Baker, they were a bit more expensive but were great too.

Was Haversham and Baker worth the extra $$ or was the extra $$ spent in upgrading accomodations/etc.?

Accommodations and a little bit better service/experience

Haversham might get a bit better tee times too

If you book early enough the golf will be the same though

Awesome, thanks!

The more information you can give on air line travel tips, flying with clubs or shipping them ( I have flown/traveled in the US a couple of times with clubs), packing clothes for random weather, hotel, travel in Scotland by car, taxi, uber....?

Where do you exchange money? Do you have to carry cash? Will your cell phone work overseas, or is it an extra charge?

I really have no idea outside the US.

I am really looking into this trip but not setting a hard timeline yet....kind of thinking summer of 2023 but really need to get a grip on how to make this happen.

I have never traveled outside of the US and this golf trip would probably happen alone.

CAR96 said:

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The more information you can give on air line travel tips, flying with clubs or shipping them ( I have flown/traveled in the US a couple of times with clubs), packing clothes for random weather, hotel, travel in Scotland by car, taxi, uber....?

Where do you exchange money? Do you have to carry cash? Will your cell phone work overseas, or is it an extra charge?

I really have no idea outside the US.

I am really looking into this trip but not setting a hard timeline yet....kind of thinking summer of 2023 but really need to get a grip on how to make this happen.

I have never traveled outside of the US and this golf trip would probably happen alone.

---

As far as the cash, you'll want to have some for when you arrive for cabs, tips or other things where you'll have to have cash. Otherwise use a credit card. You'll get the best exchange rate there. For any additional cash, just use an ATM. Once again, you'll get a better exchange rate. Don't wind up with a whole lot of cash you have to exchange at the horrible airport rate.

LHIOB & C-Jack sighting

Just got back yesterday from my Scotland trip! Wow, what an experience. Went with 3 friends from New England who had this trip planned for 2020. Then the Covid explosion shut that year down as well as 2021. Our trip was put together by Concierge Golf Ireland, a guy named John Dooley. I'll give the man credit, he stayed on top of things with regular communication throughout. When we had to postpone last year, he asked if we could come this year, and of course we all said yes. We were originally booked for late July, and he asked us to move our trip back two weeks because of the Open. He honored our deposit and original quote for the whole trip.

Arrived in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, and played Jubilee that afternoon. Worked out well, our "Condo" was just down North St. Played with a forecaddie, and the wind was brutal. Believe it or not, it rained on us for about 10 minutes and that was it for the ENTIRE trip! Thanks to Aggie369 for the travel tips. Brought all of the necessary foul weather gear, and never took it out.

Traveled to Carnoustie on Friday, (this was my bucket list course), and played in perfect weather. Shot a smooth 79, and missed a 3 footer on 18 for birdie. Oh well, you couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

We had such a difficult time getting on the Old Course. Ended up getting dark times with two locals, and teed off at 5:00 and 5:10 (2 threesomes).Wind howling, cool, but not cold. Played 17 in the dim light and 18 basically in the dark. Finished at around 9:30 or so.

Sunday played Kingsbarns. What a treat. Great weather, good caddies

Monday we played Crail (Balconie Course). Now that was a different experience. Had a local woman for a forecaddie, she was great. Played well there, 76. Short course even from the back tees.

Lastly, we played the Castle Course. What a grind, but the views of St Andrews were the best. Had a younger guy as a forecaddie. He told us he missed qualifying for the Open by two strokes. I was so worn out that day, the only thing that kept me upright was the wind!

We had planned on using caddies for all 6 rounds, but there weren't enough to go around, so we got the forecaddies and used push carts. Thanks again Aggie 369, the bungee cords came in handy. I know I missed a lot, and I do have pictures to post, so when I get them uploaded I'll post them.

Bungee cords ? Glad your trip was great! Would love to know more and see some pictures.

Great trip. Sounds a lot like mine. We too finished in the gloaming on TOC after getting the last tee time. Played Carnoustie as well.

Your phone probably auto-corrected, but it was the Crail Balcomie course, which I played also.

That was me with the bungee cord tip. It was a great tip I got from our trip planner and I always pass it along.

what do golf trips like this normally cost all in (flights, food, hotel, golf, transportations, etc)?

You are correct Duck, it was you with the advice about the bungee cords! They came in very handy when we didn't have caddies and had to use "Trolleys". The original plan was to have caddies at every course, and our contact supposedly lined them up when he made our tee times. But on 3 occasions, the starter told us there were not enough available, so we hired a forecaddie and used the carts.

Just an aside, if anyone in your group needs to use a regular golf cart because of mobility issues, most of the clubs required a doctors note. One of our guys had a bone spur on his heel, but he walked the first 4 days. He did end up using a cart the last 2 rounds, but didn't have a Dr. note. They asked, he begged, and they gave hime one.

I'm still trying to post photos. I'm not very computer savvy, but I'm trying.

Edit to add: Not sure who mentioned using a forecaddie, but on most of those courses, you might not get around without one!

Test run. R&A Clubhouse
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need help!

Plan for about 1,000 per day

That's averaging out your golf, flight, food, caddy, and for the company that plans it all....

Thanks

R&A from the 18th fairway. We finished at 9:45!

Carnoustie! Me and my caddy Alex. He was awesome.

St. Andrews view from the Castle Course.

Had to do our Swilican Burn photo on Sunday. It was too dark when we finished Saturday night.

18th green at Kingsbarns.

Kingsbarns! Typical weather for our trip.

St. Andrews at dusk.

Played the Old Course with the guy that owns this bar. Had a few pints after our round, well into the night.

The Spectacle Bunkers at Carnoustie.

Keeping this thread alive as I'm headed over a week from today. I've been to Scotland a few times and the ONLY course I've played previously is The Old Course - so it's not in the lineup. Only two I wish I was playing also is Kingsbarn and Dornock but just not enough time.

Blairgowrie Rosemount
Carnoustie Championship
North Berwick West Links
Gullane #1
The Renaissance Club
Prestwick Old Course
Royal Troon Old Course
Trump Turnberry Ailsa
Western Gailes
Muirfield (36 Holes)

I'm an 8 hdcp and I'd be tickled pink to stay out of the 90's for the whole trip but that's probably not gonna happen. Would love to post one or two rounds in the 70's.

I'm not a huge picture taker and these guys have already posted pics of most of these places, but I'll post anything I think is worth it.

Great line up

How did u get on Renaissance? Curious if they are moving to more public play or if they are remaining fully private