Northern Ireland/Scotland Covid updates?

[johnspies]

Playing there October 16-26 and curious to hear reports. I see the Ireland version of same question so hopefully can get same intel for UK? I know the rules re: entry are more stringent....or at least last I reviewed, and hope for further relaxation between now and departure date. Playing Portstewart, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Turnberry, Carnoustie, Old Course, Kingsbarns, Crail (or other SA course, still not sure) and Muirfield if that info helps at all. Cheers.

[hammergolf]

23 hours ago, johnspies said:

Playing there October 16-26 and curious to hear reports. I see the Ireland version of same question so hopefully can get same intel for UK? I know the rules re: entry are more stringent....or at least last I reviewed, and hope for further relaxation between now and departure date. Playing Portstewart, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Turnberry, Carnoustie, Old Course, Kingsbarns, Crail (or other SA course, still not sure) and Muirfield if that info helps at all. Cheers.

Great trip and collection of courses. My group is heading to Ireland Spt. 29th. i will let you know how it is in Ireland after we arrive. From messaging with Copacetic it seems ireland is doing great getting the vaccines out and the only restriction is showing proof of vaccination for indoor dining and pubs. I'm not sure about Scotland as I know they have been much more strict.

[AlwaysLayUp]

It depends what country you are from (assuming US) and if you are vaccinated. Assuming you are vaccinated the rules for EU are easy and not may restrictions on the vaccinated. However, UK (including Northern Ireland which it sounds like where you are trying to go) is a lot stricter. Test prior to getting in and a test on day 2, which must be booked prior to entering the UK. Big fines for non-compliance. Definitely do your homework on any UK territories and read the fine print or it can cost you. 

[johnspies]

Copy and thanks. One of us traveling is a Scot so between him and my tour operator guy, we’ll get it sorted. Supposedly, some of this will relax 1 October unless something hits the fan. Fingers crossed!

Now I’m on the search for a Stiff Arm....or alternative.

[johnspies]

As of reading today, it looks like as of 4 October some of the restrictions are relaxed. Namely, in Ireland no contact tracing nor the 2-day advance test are required. In UK, no advance test needed but still need contact tracing and a test taken 2 days after arrival.

We don't go for another  3 weeks so hoping some of this will relax even further. We've since added Muirfield to the itinerary (and another day) and really looking forward to getting on with it!

[johnspies]

Long and short, the restrictions were less of a hassle than previously thought and now that season is winding down, will likely be a non or less of an issue next.

Staff and Caddies were happy to see Americans again there spending money and having a good time; the hospitality everywhere was great and felt genuine. Strangely only had a total of about 14 holes of rain out of 180; rain and sleet on our last 2 holes of course!

If you've never been, you MUST do what is needed to get there and see these courses. Having worked with Caddies at clubs I've managed but never actually using one, they are also a MUST in my opinion. Nearly worth the cost in potential lost golf balls alone ;)....but seriously, they add to the experience more than I would have imagined.

[Chilidog]

3 hours ago, johnspies said:

Long and short, the restrictions were less of a hassle than previously thought and now that season is winding down, will likely be a non or less of an issue next.

Staff and Caddies were happy to see Americans again there spending money and having a good time; the hospitality everywhere was great and felt genuine. Strangely only had a total of about 14 holes of rain out of 180; rain and sleet on our last 2 holes of course!

If you've never been, you MUST do what is needed to get there and see these courses. Having worked with Caddies at clubs I've managed but never actually using one, they are also a MUST in my opinion. Nearly worth the cost in potential lost golf balls alone ;)....but seriously, they add to the experience more than I would have imagined.

Playing Portstewart Nov 14th, Royal County Down the 15th and Portmarnock on the 17th. How cold did it get to sleet? Weather right now is showing mid 50s for highs and mid 40s for lows. 

[johnspies]

I’d guess it was very low 50’s or high 40’s. We watched it come across the water but had to finish the round! But that was at Muirfield and at least during our trip, N. Ireland was warmer in the mid-50’s.

Best of luck on the trip; I loved Portstewart and RCD. If you can, pop over to Portrush as well. If you make it there, visit Rathmore next door for a friendly pint. Small club but awesome place and people.
If the group is so inclined, get to each early for pro shop shopping because when you come in, they’ll likely be closed.

Lastly.....get the Caddies! They’re like 55-60 pounds each plus a 20 pound tip and well worth it. The experience will much, much better.

Keep the camera handy, they are amazing places and pics just do justice.

[johnspies]

If you dress warm (3 layers) it’s all good. Woolie hat and neck gaiter a must, winter gloves or waterproof at least (I lost one so played without gloves) and rain suit of course being one of the layers in the bag. I am a HUGE Galvin Green fan now. Not that FJ isn’t good but I had one set fail on me a couple ears ago. My GG’s held up very nicely this trip.

i carried a short sleeve and long sleeve top and wore one depending on weather, the other in bag. You’ll be surprised how much you’re taking off/putting on clothes.

I took 4 dozen balls as I’m a high-handicapper but only lost 6 balls the entire 10 rounds.....due to Caddie excellence. Your mileage may vary.

[Chilidog]

2 hours ago, johnspies said:

I’d guess it was very low 50’s or high 40’s. We watched it come across the water but had to finish the round! But that was at Muirfield and at least during our trip, N. Ireland was warmer in the mid-50’s.

Best of luck on the trip; I loved Portstewart and RCD. If you can, pop over to Portrush as well. If you make it there, visit Rathmore next door for a friendly pint. Small club but awesome place and people.
If the group is so inclined, get to each early for pro shop shopping because when you come in, they’ll likely be closed.

Lastly.....get the Caddies! They’re like 55-60 pounds each plus a 20 pound tip and well worth it. The experience will much, much better.

Keep the camera handy, they are amazing places and pics just do justice.

Thanks! That helps. We plan to eat at the Shack right below Portstewart for lunch and then find a drink at a pub afterwards so that helps. Won’t have time for Portrush unfortunately. I’ll have to catch it on the next trip. I have a caddy at each of the courses. Any time I play a course with a caddy, I always get one. I agree, it makes the experience so much easier. Last question: did you get a Covid test at the airport before leaving on the way back?

[johnspies]

I did not. We all had them mailed to us here in the US, took them with us and did the self-test there via proctor. It was easy. We had a group of 8 and a little unsure if it was available at EDI early enough for flights home. Still unsure as I didn't notice anything like that but wasn't looking either. 

 

Unless things have already changed, you'll need a 2-day test while there to meet UK requirements; do you have that sorted?

[Chilidog]

17 hours ago, johnspies said:

I did not. We all had them mailed to us here in the US, took them with us and did the self-test there via proctor. It was easy. We had a group of 8 and a little unsure if it was available at EDI early enough for flights home. Still unsure as I didn't notice anything like that but wasn't looking either. 

 

Unless things have already changed, you'll need a 2-day test while there to meet UK requirements; do you have that sorted?

Are you saying I need a 2 day test after I land in Ireland? I don’t know anything about that. I thought I could move freely within Ireland but needed one to get back into the States. 

[johnspies]

You do not need one in The Republic of Ireland but most certainly do in Northern Ireland as its part of the UK. We all used Covguard and had it shipped to hotel; 10 minutes to take the self test and mail it in and it must be mailed within 3 days as they count the first day as Day Zero. Still, I’d take no chances and do it within 48 hours of hotel arrival in NI.

Ironically, because of politics NI/UK doesn’t really know you’re there until you check-in at the hotel since there’s no border control.

Caveat; all this is based on the assumption you are staying in NI. Post full itinerary and I’ll help you get sorted.

[Chilidog]

8 hours ago, johnspies said:

You do not need one in The Republic of Ireland but most certainly do in Northern Ireland as its part of the UK. We all used Covguard and had it shipped to hotel; 10 minutes to take the self test and mail it in and it must be mailed within 3 days as they count the first day as Day Zero. Still, I’d take no chances and do it within 48 hours of hotel arrival in NI.

Ironically, because of politics NI/UK doesn’t really know you’re there until you check-in at the hotel since there’s no border control.

Caveat; all this is based on the assumption you are staying in NI. Post full itinerary and I’ll help you get sorted.

Our plan is to fly into Dublin and go around the south and west over 4 days before making our way up into Northern Ireland. It sounds like we need to get tested while we are in Ireland. 

[johnspies]

Remember, we are talking about two different countries. In Dublin and Ireland you are good to go with only your vaccination card (to get on the plane) and to return to US, you need the test you’ve already arranged. In Northern Ireland, they have a 2-day test you need to take. Take the test in NI at your hotel on the 2nd day there....so probably about 5-6 days into your total trip?

If you’re flying back out of Dublin and only in NI 3 days, you might be able to get away without doing it but I wouldn’t roll that dice. The test is like $75 and super easy (I took it in our van) and it gets mailed. By the time you get results, you’ll probably have already left NI anyway.
The test to return to US is much more a pain but still pretty easy; it gets proctored by a faceless human watching your steps and not touching the card for 15 minutes; no way to cheat. 
Best of luck, looking forward to a trip report! The rugged beauty of Portstewart will blow your mind....did mine anyway. Forgot to ask, playing the Strand course?

[Chilidog]

On 10/31/2021 at 7:58 AM, johnspies said:

Remember, we are talking about two different countries. In Dublin and Ireland you are good to go with only your vaccination card (to get on the plane) and to return to US, you need the test you’ve already arranged. In Northern Ireland, they have a 2-day test you need to take. Take the test in NI at your hotel on the 2nd day there....so probably about 5-6 days into your total trip?

If you’re flying back out of Dublin and only in NI 3 days, you might be able to get away without doing it but I wouldn’t roll that dice. The test is like $75 and super easy (I took it in our van) and it gets mailed. By the time you get results, you’ll probably have already left NI anyway.
The test to return to US is much more a pain but still pretty easy; it gets proctored by a faceless human watching your steps and not touching the card for 15 minutes; no way to cheat. 
Best of luck, looking forward to a trip report! The rugged beauty of Portstewart will blow your mind....did mine anyway. Forgot to ask, playing the Strand course?

Yeah, playing the Strand Course. We get there in Saturday 2 weeks and then we leave Monday so I think I won’t even bother with the test there. I will get a test at the airport or hospital or somewhere like that before leaving to come back to the US. 
 

Oh, and I’ll definitely share a trip report!

Edited November 1, 2021 by Chilidog

[hammergolf]

6 hours ago, Chilidog said:

Yeah, playing the Strand Course. We get there in Saturday 2 weeks and then we leave Monday so I think I won’t even bother with the test there. I will get a test at the airport or hospital or somewhere like that before leaving to come back to the US. 
 

Oh, and I’ll definitely share a trip report!

We found it cheaper and much easier to get our tests done at a pharmacy. Was cheaper and much quicker. Went there the evening before our flight and it worked out great.

[johnspies]

Fair enough. Since you're going out/back into Ireland, you should be good. Have fun!

[Chilidog]

2 hours ago, johnspies said:

Fair enough. Since you're going out/back into Ireland, you should be good. Have fun!

Just found out that since I am connecting through Heathrow, I have to have a negative Covid test 2 days prior to being there. Another pain in the arse. 

[johnspies]

Jesus....it's like the dog's breakfast; all over the place! Can't remember if I took one prior to departing for Dublin but don't think so; the UK is much more stringent than the EU I guess. Well, it's worth it....best of luck Mate.

[philsRHman]

I heard on the news this morning that American is taking routes to Edinburgh off its plans for 2022. It wasn't necessarily Covid related, but something to do with availability of large jets in their fleet. That could create some hoops for anyone headed that way and hoped to go direct. Similar happened to me this Sept., but with United not flying direct to EDI. I went Aer Lingus through Dublin and it added significant time to the trip.

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, philsRHman said:

I heard on the news this morning that American is taking routes to Edinburgh off its plans for 2022. It wasn't necessarily Covid related, but something to do with availability of large jets in their fleet. That could create some hoops for anyone headed that way and hoped to go direct. Similar happened to me this Sept., but with United not flying direct to EDI. I went Aer Lingus through Dublin and it added significant time to the trip.

Just looked on kayak, delta, and United. They all show non stop flights available. 

[philsRHman]

1 hour ago, hammergolf said:

Just looked on kayak, delta, and United. They all show non stop flights available. 

Found the link to the story (won’t let me link though). It’s on CNBC:

 

American Airlines trims 2022 international flights due to Boeing Dreamliner delay

PUBLISHED THU, DEC 9 202110:58 AM ESTUPDATED THU, DEC 9 202112:37 PM EST

 

 

American won't serve Edinburgh, Scotland or Shannon, Ireland. Soft demand in Asia led it to discontinue Hong Kong service, it said.

 

 

[hammergolf]

15 hours ago, philsRHman said:

Found the link to the story (won’t let me link though). It’s on CNBC:

 

American Airlines trims 2022 international flights due to Boeing Dreamliner delay

PUBLISHED THU, DEC 9 202110:58 AM ESTUPDATED THU, DEC 9 202112:37 PM EST

 

 

American won't serve Edinburgh, Scotland or Shannon, Ireland. Soft demand in Asia led it to discontinue Hong Kong service, it said.

 

 

I think we flew American on our last trip to Scotland from JFK to Edinburgh non stop, but we flew Aer Lingus in October from Chicago to Dublin non stop and we all liked it much more. Hopefully losing American on these routes wont cause the rates to increase too much. I'm thinking about going back to Scotland late summer for a week.

[johnspies]

Tee Times over there are tighter than a prom queen's thigh at the moment. While I was there, I was trying to grease the skids for another group trip in 2022 but every course made it clear that they were already 3 deep, not to mention The Open being at SA. If I were you, I'd try Ireland and then go in 2023; that's what we're doing anyway. Maybe you'll get lucky, never know!

[Mostly]

One of my golfing buddies caddies at Muirfield and North Berwick - he says that he’s been told that both have now had all their visitor times booked for 2022.  He’s delighted after having hardly any caddy work for two years!

[scott_Donald]

2 hours ago, Mostly said:

One of my golfing buddies caddies at Muirfield and North Berwick - he says that he’s been told that both have now had all their visitor times booked for 2022.  He’s delighted after having hardly any caddy work for two years!

 

I was in St Andrews on Monday checking in on my place there and it was way busier than I thought it would be, lots of foreign accents and course looked busy!

[hammergolf]

9 hours ago, Mostly said:

One of my golfing buddies caddies at Muirfield and North Berwick - he says that he’s been told that both have now had all their visitor times booked for 2022.  He’s delighted after having hardly any caddy work for two years!

That is so good to hear.  Many areas that rely on travel have been shut down for two years. Hopefully things get back to normal for everyone soon. 

[johnspies]

On 1/13/2022 at 5:09 PM, hammergolf said:

That is so good to hear.  Many areas that rely on travel have been shut down for two years. Hopefully things get back to normal for everyone soon. 

I'd say that when we were there in October, everyone treated us extremely well and were so gracious. It was clear by actions and comments that they appreciated some business after the long, arduous layoff. When we returned home, I had a LOT of Club Members asking for a trip in 2022 and while I was able to arrange the same clubs (in different order), the courses wanted a commitment straight away and I couldn't get it done fast enough. I'm sure those tee times are loooonnnggg gone by now.

2023 here we come, although I'll be visiting SA in June and again in October with no planned golf.....regretfully.

[johnspies]

On 1/13/2022 at 7:43 AM, Mostly said:

One of my golfing buddies caddies at Muirfield and North Berwick - he says that he’s been told that both have now had all their visitor times booked for 2022.  He’s delighted after having hardly any caddy work for two years!

My Caddie at Muirfield was a young guy named Stewart who was infinitely better at that than I am at golf. We are from Arkansas and small world, a relative of his works on one of the Walton's yachts in the Caribbean.