Scotland 2023

[Neilvice]

My wife surprised me with a trip to Scotland fro our anniversary next year. She got my best friend and his wife in on it as well.  Both of us are golf nuts and are in reasonably good shape so walking 36 is doable and planned on some days.  
I’ve been doing a ton of research here and the info has been very helpful and appreciated. 
Here’s the macro itinerary I have planned so far. Any suggestions are welcome as to what to do while in the area or must play courses. (Btw I’ll be in Europe already so jet lag not an issue)

 

3 days in Inverness area

Day 1- Castle Stuart already booked. 18 holes. No caddie as of now

Day 2- Royal Dornoch awaiting reply for requested times. 18 holes.  Caddies requested. 
Day 3- Nairn already booked.  Planning on playing Nairn Dunbar afterwards. 36. Caddies requested. 
Day 4- Drive to Dundee area. 4 Golf days 

Day 5- Carnoustie already booked. 18 holes. Caddies requested. 
Day 6- St. Andrews. Nothing booked. Plan on purchasing 3 day ticket and entering lottery for OC. Caddies a must on OC but optional otherwise. 
Day 7- Same 

Day 8- Kingsbarns. Nothing booked. 18 holes. Caddie optional.   

St Andrews area golf will be fluid from what I gather because for OC lottery. 
I’m planning on playing New course, Castle course and Jubilee course if no OC, but I can play elsewhere if it’s a must. 
 

Observations? Suggestions?  
Suggestions for after the rounds?  
And while there is a budget, there is a reason we carry credit cards😛. 
I’m happy to pay a little interest on my bucket list trip. 
 

Thanks in advance. 
 

Neil 

[hammergolf]

Good itinerary! You may want to play Cruden Bay or Royal Aberdeen on your drive down to Dundee. Both are definitely worth the trip.

[buckI]

Not sure where you are staying for the second half but would stay in St. Andrews over Dundee.   Dundee is more of an industrial town.   Otherwise good looking itinerary.

[scott_Donald]

13 minutes ago, buckI said:

Not sure where you are staying for the second half but would stay in St. Andrews over Dundee.   Dundee is more of an industrial town.   Otherwise good looking itinerary.

 

St Andrews is the most amazing town, so weird how it has such a great atmosphere even in the middle of January! you will be missing out lots if you don't stay there for the second half! 

 

Rest of the itinerary looks great. what time of year there? I have already gotten a few booking for next summer already; even got one for 28 days straight in June(I was shocked) so certainly start thinking accommodation if you are wanting to stay in St Andrews.

[Chanceman]

12 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Good itinerary! You may want to play Cruden Bay or Royal Aberdeen on your drive down to Dundee. Both are definitely worth the trip.

Might be better to play Boat of Garten which is  closer to the inland route to Dundee, rather than go way east out of the way to Aberdeen..

[scott_Donald]

13 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Might be better to play Boat of Garten which is  closer to the inland route to Dundee, rather than go way east out of the way to Aberdeen..

you would save yourself 30 miles and a day or so but play an average inland course vs 2 of the worlds best links courses!

 

but right now his courses he is playing you can't complain at all!!!

Edited August 22, 2022 by scott_Donald

[El Gringo]

Definitely stay in St Andrews. 

 

Consider playing Elie instead of Kingsbarns. It's a proper club and terrific old school course. 

 

I assume there is no time to stop for a game on the drive to Dundee? If you are looking for another game with Carnoustie try The Burnside. Should be able to get a 36 hole deal. 

[Neilvice]

Thanks for the replies. 

We are going end of May. 
My wife has put us in some Airbnb’s. We’re staying in a farmhouse in Dundee area. Perhaps east of Dundee. Definitely nothing industrial in sight. 
 

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, Neilvice said:

Thanks for the replies. 

We are going end of May. 
My wife has put us in some Airbnb’s. We’re staying in a farmhouse in Dundee area. Perhaps east of Dundee. Definitely nothing industrial in sight. 
 

Over rule the Mrs, she will thank you. 

[McMunch]

Was there in May before the open. Played 8 times in 7 days. Crail, OC, NC, Jubilee, Kingsbarnes twice and drove north to play Carnoustie and Panmure one of the days. Loved Panmure and the clubhouse was beutiful.  We took caddies everywhere. Kingsbarns was half price if you played a second time in the same week. 

Seconding and thirding the suggestions to stay in St. Andrews. We rented a house just off North street. St Andrews is magic and once you see it you'll be pissed that you didnt stay there. Fun, walkable and easily navigated. I dont want you and the wife to fight seeing as she seems absolutly wonderful but you need to press on this one. Stay in St Andrews if at all possible.

 

[thecraw]

On 8/22/2022 at 9:16 AM, El Gringo said:

Definitely stay in St Andrews. 

 

Consider playing Elie instead of Kingsbarns. It's a proper club and terrific old school course. 

 

I assume there is no time to stop for a game on the drive to Dundee? If you are looking for another game with Carnoustie try The Burnside. Should be able to get a 36 hole deal. 

 

Elie isn't a patch on Kingsbarns though. 

 

In my opinion it's a shame you can't factor in another game while at Dornoch as it feels wrong to be so close to Brora and "ignore" it, however I appreciate it's all about making your itinerary work. Sounds like a lifetime of memories coming up. Enjoy.

[El Gringo]

22 minutes ago, thecraw said:

 

Elie isn't a patch on Kingsbarns though. 

 

In my opinion it's a shame you can't factor in another game while at Dornoch as it feels wrong to be so close to Brora and "ignore" it, however I appreciate it's all about making your itinerary work. Sounds like a lifetime of memories coming up. Enjoy.

Kingsbarns is the better course, but Elie is plenty good and a proper Scottish club and a more of vibe as an overall experience. Kingsbarns is a resort style place. 

[Chigolfer2]

St Andrews.   Great town