Planning Scotland for 2024

coolcucumber_1 · August 18, 2022

Hi All, after having a blast this year in Ireland we are planning our Scotland trip in 2 years time.

Main questions I have are around the courses to play and whether to do the bookings on own or get help from travel agents. I managed Ireland on my own (13 courses in 10 days) but that was a s*** ton of work.

Currently thinking @ TOC, Muirfield, Kingsbarn, Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick, Carnoustie in a 10 day period. Is there any other courses not to be missed in the area.....

Folks who have got tee times on their own, how easy or hard is it ...same with accommodations and cars. Since this is out in 2024 i am hoping it's enough time to get the courses we want.

-Z

hammergolf · August 18, 2022

It’s very easy to get tee times on your own with the exception of The Old Course. Also very easy to find your accommodations and rental vehicles. The only course that will have a restriction on tee times is Muirfield as they only allow visitor play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everywhere else will be easy. My only advice would be start as early as possible with your planning, and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE connect through London on your flights. At the best of times it’s been 50/50 there whether your golf clubs arrive or not. This year it’s been an absolute nightmare. There are many stories on the board of guys not only having to use rental sets for their trip, but still not having their clubs even two weeks after they’ve returned home. It may cost more, but make sure to fly direct into Edinburgh from a US city. If you have any other questions, PM me and I’ll be happy to help.

Chanceman · August 19, 2022

13 hours ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

Hi All, after having a blast this year in Ireland we are planning our Scotland trip in 2 years time.

Main questions I have are around the courses to play and whether to do the bookings on own or get help from travel agents. I managed Ireland on my own (13 courses in 10 days) but that was a s*** ton of work.

Currently thinking @ TOC, Muirfield, Kingsbarn, Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick, Carnoustie in a 10 day period. Is there any other courses not to be missed in the area.....

Folks who have got tee times on their own, how easy or hard is it ...same with accommodations and cars. Since this is out in 2024 i am hoping it's enough time to get the courses we want.

-Z

Well I would just add North Berwick onto your list. Its just next door to Muirfield and would be a great pity to miss it.

scott_Donald · August 19, 2022

13 hours ago, hammergolf said:

It’s very easy to get tee times on your own with the exception of The Old Course. Also very easy to find your accommodations and rental vehicles. The only course that will have a restriction on tee times is Muirfield as they only allow visitor play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everywhere else will be easy. My only advice would be start as early as possible with your planning, and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE connect through London on your flights. At the best of times it’s been 50/50 there whether your golf clubs arrive or not. This year it’s been an absolute nightmare. There are many stories on the board of guys not only having to use rental sets for their trip, but still not having their clubs even two weeks after they’ve returned home. It may cost more, but make sure to fly direct into Edinburgh from a US city. If you have any other questions, PM me and I’ll be happy to help.

As I have said before, I have never had a bad experience through London; this year I have not risked it but I would hope by 2024 the lack of staff is addressed!

For the OP; all the courses look great; seems you are picking St Andrews and Ayr'ish for your two bases but with Muirfield you will have to use Edinburgh or locally in Gullane. St Andrews to Ayr is about 2+ hours apart for travel time by car.

As said check times and days that the courses allow visitors; this year my home course has allowed more visitors than normal with the extra demand and carryover rounds from the last two years. I think they are being reduced for next year; remember most of the clubs are private!

coolcucumber_1 · August 19, 2022

On 8/18/2022 at 10:05 AM, hammergolf said:

It’s very easy to get tee times on your own with the exception of The Old Course. Also very easy to find your accommodations and rental vehicles. The only course that will have a restriction on tee times is Muirfield as they only allow visitor play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everywhere else will be easy. My only advice would be start as early as possible with your planning, and DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE connect through London on your flights. At the best of times it’s been 50/50 there whether your golf clubs arrive or not. This year it’s been an absolute nightmare. There are many stories on the board of guys not only having to use rental sets for their trip, but still not having their clubs even two weeks after they’ve returned home. It may cost more, but make sure to fly direct into Edinburgh from a US city. If you have any other questions, PM me and I’ll be happy to help.

Oh i know as i experienced in Dublin already for the Ireland trip...we will be flying direct to Edinburgh.

We got back July 10th and one of our guys who lost his clubs has not even hear da word back from the airlines....so i know what you mean.

on another note, since we just played Lahinch, bally, Tralee, old head, k club....how different are the Scottish courses from the Irish ones ?

hammergolf · August 19, 2022

2 hours ago, coolcucumber_1 said:

Oh i know as i experienced in Dublin already for the Ireland trip...we will be flying direct to Edinburgh.

We got back July 10th and one of our guys who lost his clubs has not even hear da word back from the airlines....so i know what you mean.

on another note, since we just played Lahinch, bally, Tralee, old head, k club....how different are the Scottish courses from the Irish ones ?

Sorry to hear that about your buddy’s clubs…. The biggest difference in my opinion between the links courses in Ireland and Scotland is the terrain and the size of the dunes. Most of the Scotland links courses tends to not be as hilly and with smaller dunes.I think Ireland’s link courses tend to require more of the ball played in the air on approaches where Scotland tends to allow the ball to played more on the ground if preferred. They are both great, just a little different.

Chanceman · August 20, 2022

53 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Sorry to hear that about your buddy’s clubs…. The biggest difference in my opinion between the links courses in Ireland and Scotland is the terrain and the size of the dunes. Most of the Scotland links courses tends to not be as hilly and with smaller dunes.I think Ireland’s link courses tend to require more of the ball played in the air on approaches where Scotland tends to allow the ball to played more on the ground if preferred. They are both great, just a little different.

And I would say that because of the dune size, Irish courses tend to be a little more spectacular with views over the ocean. Tralee, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Carne, Enniscrone all have plenty of speccy holes. Scotland's beauty is a little more understated.