Scotland Solo Trip - May 2023 - Too Late to Start Planning?

[dvq9654]

Hi All - Due to some recent life changes, I'm thinking of doing a solo trip to Scotland in May. I'm not so concerned about the concept of planning the trip (but definitely welcome input), but am wondering if it's too late to put together a good itinerary at this stage (i.e., will tee times be booked up)? For what it's worth, my initial plan would be to center my trip in and around St. Andrews. I'd probably get a car, as I've driven on the "wrong side" many times and don't mind one bit. I also like the flexibility. 

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on whether it's possible to book / plan at this point. 

[puttnforthe8]

Solo - you should be able to squeeze in well enough.  Although, I would start calling the courses and building your itinerary.  You won't be able to just say I want to play XX on XX and be assured.  You will need to call and see what is open at all the courses, then plan, then call back and book.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, dvq9654 said:

Hi All - Due to some recent life changes, I'm thinking of doing a solo trip to Scotland in May. I'm not so concerned about the concept of planning the trip (but definitely welcome input), but am wondering if it's too late to put together a good itinerary at this stage (i.e., will tee times be booked up)? For what it's worth, my initial plan would be to center my trip in and around St. Andrews. I'd probably get a car, as I've driven on the "wrong side" many times and don't mind one bit. I also like the flexibility. 

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on whether it's possible to book / plan at this point. 

You’ll have plenty of great options around St. Andrews, especially as a single. My advice would be to decide which courses are a priority and email them to see what days or times they may have. 

[thezinfan]

Email the clubs you want to play. As a single, they may even arrange for you to play with some members if you like. Parking is tough in St Andrews FYI so make sure the place you stay at has some arrangement. A car is nice though as its a quick drive from St Andrews to Carnoustie, or in the other direction, Muirfield/N Berwick

[dvq9654]

Thanks, everyone. I'll start sending out feelers this weekend. So far I'm thinking the first group of courses will serve as the backbone of the trip, depending on what is available and when, and then the second group can be considered to fill in any open times. I'll likely want to play 36 a day most days. Any other gems I should consider? 

 

"Backbone"

- St Andrews (TOC, New, Jubilee, etc.; realize I'll have to try and walk on TOC, I believe) 

- Carnoustie 

- Kingsbarns 

- Crail 

- Muirfield

- Gullane 

- North Berwick

 

 

"Fillers"

- Dumbarnie 

- Ellie

- Cruden Bay (may be too far north...)

- Lundin

- Dunbar

- Kilspindie

 

Side note: It's a bummer the 3 day pass at St Andrews isn't available to a single.

[hammergolf]

Cruden is one of my favs, but I would never drive by Royal Aberdeen and not try to play it… Muirfield will have to be on Tues or Thurs only so keep that in mind while planning. Wouldn’t be a bad plan to maybe spend 2 or 3 days in each place to reduce drive time and give you more time for golf…

 

2 nights/4 rounds  in Gullane (Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane) then Dumbarnie on the way to St. Andrews 

3 nights/6 rounds in St. Andrews (TOC, New, Jubilee, Kingsbarns twice) then Carnoustie on your way to Aberdeen

2 nights/4 rounds in Aberdeen (Royal Aberdeen, Trump International, Cruden Bay twice)

[dvq9654]

37 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Cruden is one of my favs, but I would never drive by Royal Aberdeen and not try to play it… Muirfield will have to be on Tues or Thurs only so keep that in mind while planning. Wouldn’t be a bad plan to maybe spend 2 or 3 days in each place to reduce drive time and give you more time for golf…

 

2 nights/4 rounds  in Gullane (Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane) then Dumbarnie on the way to St. Andrews 

3 nights/6 rounds in St. Andrews (TOC, New, Jubilee, Kingsbarns twice) then Carnoustie on your way to Aberdeen

2 nights/4 rounds in Aberdeen (Royal Aberdeen, Trump International, Cruden Bay twice)

 

Thanks for this. Very helpful. Emails are going out now, and we'll see how people respond. 

 

Perhaps a dumb question, but I noticed Royal Aberdeen requires "a letter of introduction from an accredited golf club." What exactly does this entail? I am just a humble public golfer, so wondering how I can provide such a letter. 

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by dvq9654

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, dvq9654 said:

 

Thanks for this. Very helpful. Emails are going out now, and we'll see how people respond. 

 

Perhaps a dumb question, but I noticed Royal Aberdeen requires "a letter of introduction from an accredited golf club." What exactly does this entail? I am just a humble public golfer, so wondering how I can provide such a letter. 

 

PM and I can hook you up with a member there, or if you know any PGA pro can send an email.

Edited November 5, 2022 by hammergolf

[buckI]

Very interested to see what you hear.   I checked about 6 weeks ago and Muirfield was fully booked.   Not sure if they had any cancellations or not since then.   North Berwick was tight also.

[hammergolf]

2023 is still tight due to so many times from 2020, 2021, and 2022 being rescheduled due to Covid.

[dvq9654]

57 minutes ago, buckI said:

Very interested to see what you hear.   I checked about 6 weeks ago and Muirfield was fully booked.   Not sure if they had any cancellations or not since then.   North Berwick was tight also.

 

I'm hoping for the best, but all good if it doesn't work out. I can always make another pilgrimage to Bandon. 

[hammergolf]

13 minutes ago, dvq9654 said:

 

I'm hoping for the best, but all good if it doesn't work out. I can always make another pilgrimage to Bandon. 

I wouldn’t get discouraged. There may be one or two courses on your wish list that are booked, but there are soooo many great golf courses to play. While Muirfield may be more popular, you can play the likes of North Berwick, Gullane, Dunbar, and Craigielaw are also great. Same could be said for Carnoustie, Panmure and Monifieth are also good. I think that’s one of the biggest mistakes so many people make when going to Scotland by only focusing on the more famous courses. Yes they may be more well known, but they are not necessarily better courses.

[dvq9654]

20 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I wouldn’t get discouraged. There may be one or two courses on your wish list that are booked, but there are soooo many great golf courses to play. While Muirfield may be more popular, you can play the likes of North Berwick, Gullane, Dunbar, and Craigielaw are also great. Same could be said for Carnoustie, Panmure and Monifieth are also good. I think that’s one of the biggest mistakes so many people make when going to Scotland by only focusing on the more famous courses. Yes they may be more well known, but they are not necessarily better courses.

great advice. I am getting some good responses so think I’ll be able to pull together a solid itinerary. 
 

unrelated and uninformed question - at St. Andrews, is the only option for a single to show up the morning of? I believe this to be the case for TOC, but what about the other courses? If so, are the odds of getting out reasonable? 

[hammergolf]

The other courses you shouldn’t have any issue getting on. You can go to the starter a day or so before and they will be able to tell what’s available. You only need to camp out for TOC.

[dvq9654]

51 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

The other courses you shouldn’t have any issue getting on. You can go to the starter a day or so before and they will be able to tell what’s available. You only need to camp out for TOC.

Perfect. Thanks. 

 

I'm should have a rough itinerary to share over the next couple days!

[Chanceman]

Also just send an email about now to the club secretary or pro shop and they will soon tell you what days are available for visitors. You can then plan the schedule and necessary  accommodation.

[dvq9654]

Alright, so I've gotten a lot of good responses and here is the basic itinerary. Still awaiting final confirmation on a few, but should look similar to this at end of day.

 

Day | Stay | Play

Day 1 | Land Edinburgh and head to St. Andrews 

Day 2 | St. Andrews | Try for TOC or two rounds at some combination of New / Jubilee / Castle

Day 3 | St. Andrews | Kingsbarns (AM), Afternoon TBD but either Dumbarnie, Crail, Leven, Lundin, or Ellie 

Day 4 | Aberdeen | Panmure (AM), Carnoustie (PM) (Timing a bit tight, but I'll make it work)

Day 5 | Aberdeen | Royal Aberdeen (AM), Cruden Bay (PM)

Day 6 | North Berwick | Morning Off, Gullane No. 1 (PM) 

Day 7 | North Berwick or St. Andrews | Dunbar or Kilspindie (AM), North Berwick (PM) 

Day 8 | Open to either try for TOC if not played earlier or spend day in Edinburgh

Day 9 | Day in Edinburgh

 

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread. It's been a huge help. 

 

I'll come back once the golf portion of itinerary is finalized. Also open to any hotel recommendations at any of the above locations. Since I'm going to be solo, I'll probably keep it pretty low key, but maybe I'll splurge a bit here and there.

 

[sabram]

7 hours ago, dvq9654 said:

Alright, so I've gotten a lot of good responses and here is the basic itinerary. Still awaiting final confirmation on a few, but should look similar to this at end of day.

 

Day | Stay | Play

Day 1 | Land Edinburgh and head to St. Andrews 

Day 2 | St. Andrews | Try for TOC or two rounds at some combination of New / Jubilee / Castle

Day 3 | St. Andrews | Kingsbarns (AM), Afternoon TBD but either Dumbarnie, Crail, Leven, Lundin, or Ellie 

Day 4 | Aberdeen | Panmure (AM), Carnoustie (PM) (Timing a bit tight, but I'll make it work)

Day 5 | Aberdeen | Royal Aberdeen (AM), Cruden Bay (PM)

Day 6 | North Berwick | Morning Off, Gullane No. 1 (PM) 

Day 7 | North Berwick or St. Andrews | Dunbar or Kilspindie (AM), North Berwick (PM) 

Day 8 | Open to either try for TOC if not played earlier or spend day in Edinburgh

Day 9 | Day in Edinburgh

 

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread. It's been a huge help. 

 

I'll come back once the golf portion of itinerary is finalized. Also open to any hotel recommendations at any of the above locations. Since I'm going to be solo, I'll probably keep it pretty low key, but maybe I'll splurge a bit here and there.

 

That's a lot of 36 hole days with a lot of rushing from course to course. On my trips I usually have more 18 hole days than 36 hole days as  it better allows some relaxed lunches, getting to know the clubs and some members and see the local towns and sites. Walking 36 every day especially with rushing from am course to pm course is exhausting. 

 

[dvq9654]

2 hours ago, sabram said:

That's a lot of 36 hole days with a lot of rushing from course to course. On my trips I usually have more 18 hole days than 36 hole days as  it better allows some relaxed lunches, getting to know the clubs and some members and see the local towns and sites. Walking 36 every day especially with rushing from am course to pm course is exhausting. 

 

 

It's a lot, but I'm ok with that. I work in an industry often requiring 80-120 hours a week, so I'm wired different. I'll also be alone, so rushing around will keep my mind at ease. Who knows when or if I'll be back, so I'd rather err on the side of too much than too little. Can always adjust next time if needed. 

 

[thezinfan]

1 hour ago, dvq9654 said:

 

It's a lot, but I'm ok with that. I work in an industry often requiring 80-120 hours a week, so I'm wired different. I'll also be alone, so rushing around will keep my mind at ease. Who knows when or if I'll be back, so I'd rather err on the side of too much than too little. Can always adjust next time if needed. 

 

At first I thought the Cruden to N Berwick drive was cutting it close, but you left that morning free.

[dvq9654]

56 minutes ago, thezinfan said:

At first I thought the Cruden to N Berwick drive was cutting it close, but you left that morning free.

 

Definitely. That would have been way too much. I can use that morning to rest up and enjoy the drive. 

[dvq9654]

Quick, probably unnecessary update:

 

In the afternoon of day 3, I decided to book Elie. I was considering Dumbarnie as well, but Elie was a bit cheaper and seems a bit more old school. Given Kingsbarns is a "modern" links, thought Elie would be a nice contrast on that day. 

 

For day 7, it's been surprisingly challenging to find an open time in the AM. I've booked Glen Golf Club, which looks like a fun course (if not world class), but also have feelers out to Dunbar, Archfield and maybe some others. 

 

Has anyone played Glen Golf Club? How was it? 

[El Gringo]

The Glen is ok. Some fine holes and views, especially the par 3 near the sea. Some dull holes as well. Did you try Gullane 2 or 3? Both are better than Glen. 

Edited November 15, 2022 by El Gringo

[sabram]

On 11/11/2022 at 1:05 PM, dvq9654 said:

Quick, probably unnecessary update:

 

In the afternoon of day 3, I decided to book Elie. I was considering Dumbarnie as well, but Elie was a bit cheaper and seems a bit more old school. Given Kingsbarns is a "modern" links, thought Elie would be a nice contrast on that day. 

 

For day 7, it's been surprisingly challenging to find an open time in the AM. I've booked Glen Golf Club, which looks like a fun course (if not world class), but also have feelers out to Dunbar, Archfield and maybe some others. 

 

Has anyone played Glen Golf Club? How was it? 

Elie is a very good choice. I agree with your logic in making that decision.

 

Do what you can to find an alternative the Glen. Hopefully, Dunbar will come through. As El G. suggested the Gullane courses would be good choices. If those aren't available, try for Kilspindie or Luffness.

[tad950]

Good to see that you aren’t playing Carnoustie. 

[scott_Donald]

wow its should drain very well, just what is left of sediment.

 

A lot of inland courses flooded the last few days!

[hammergolf]

I don’t think the heavy’s stuffs coming for a while….

[srs06d]

From Carnoustie's website:

"Tuesday 22nd November 2022 - The Championship Course: Holes open: 1st to 7th then 13th to 16th. Temporary greens on holes 2 and 7. The Burnside Course: Closed. The Buddon Course: Open with temporary greens on holes 4 and 10. Winter mats in play on all courses."

[dvq9654]

Quick update - I was able to get Dunbar in place of Glen, so my trip is fully set now. I did try Lufness New, Gullane No. 2 and 3, and Kilspindie, but timing was too tight with my afternoon time at NB. My itinerary is now as follows:

 

Day | Stay | Play

Day 1 | Land Edinburgh and head to St. Andrews 

Day 2 | St. Andrews | Try for TOC or two rounds at some combination of New / Jubilee / Castle

Day 3 | St. Andrews | Kingsbarns (AM), Ellie (PM) 

Day 4 | Aberdeen | Panmure (AM), Carnoustie (PM) 

Day 5 | Aberdeen | Royal Aberdeen (AM), Cruden Bay (PM)

Day 6 | North Berwick | Morning Off, Gullane No. 1 (PM) 

Day 7 | North Berwick or St. Andrews | Dunbar(AM), North Berwick (PM) 

Day 8 | Open to either try for TOC if not played earlier or spend day in Edinburgh

Day 9 | Day in Edinburgh

[hammergolf]

Enjoy!