Scotland May 2024

[flognut]

Starting to think about planning trip to Scotland for May 2024.  planning to stay in St.Andrews and stick to mostly courses close. ideally want to play TOC 2 times. possibly will play others close via public transportation. Going with non playing spouse only. i like to play early so there will be plenty of time to see the sights and explore with the wife rest of the day.  Are there any packagers that can accommodate a single golfer better than others? as a single is my only choice to play TOC the ballot or camping out night before? thanks in advance

[El Gringo]

There are no singles allowed in the ballot. You have to do the stand in line approach. However, there is an independent ballot buddy website that pairs people together for the ballot. 

 

[hammergolf]

Unfortunately you cannot make tee times on St. Andrews links courses as a single. However, you should not have an issue getting on any of the courses besides TOC by just showing up at the course in the morning. They will just pair you with a twosome or threesome. If you want to play TOC you will need to do camp out. But once again, if you get there early enough as a single you’ll get on. There is ballotbuddy which allows singles to pair up so you can enter the ballot. 

[flognut]

16 hours ago, El Gringo said:

There are no singles allowed in the ballot. You have to do the stand in line approach. However, there is an independent ballot buddy website that pairs people together for the ballot. 

 

thankyou

[flognut]

16 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Unfortunately you cannot make tee times on St. Andrews links courses as a single. However, you should not have an issue getting on any of the courses besides TOC by just showing up at the course in the morning. They will just pair you with a twosome or threesome. If you want to play TOC you will need to do camp out. But once again, if you get there early enough as a single you’ll get on. There is ballotbuddy which allows singles to pair up so you can enter the ballot. 

thankyou

[Chanceman]

I rocked up to the Old Course late one morning around 10am and was on by 1pm. Paired with some St Andrews University lads. Spent the time putting on the Himalayas and looking around the place. Its all very interesting.

[scott_Donald]

10 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I rocked up to the Old Course late one morning around 10am and was on by 1pm. Paired with some St Andrews University lads. Spent the time putting on the Himalayas and looking around the place. Its all very interesting.

 

University golf team get a brilliant slot for the old Course, always befriend one!

[Chanceman]

3 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

University golf team get a brilliant slot for the old Course, always befriend one!

They were awesome. Acted as my forecaddie and allround tourist guide. Especially when I visited some of the less frequented parts of the Old Course.

[scooterhd2]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:26 PM, hammergolf said:

However, you should not have an issue getting on any of the courses besides TOC by just showing up at the course in the morning. They will just pair you with a twosome or threesome. 

 

I'm going to St Andrews with a large group in may 2023 and we have pre booked one round each day, but I'd like to play more courses as a single.

 

One of the days we are playing the New Course at 12:56. I'd like to play Castle or Jubilee that morning. Is it really possible to just walk up to the clubhouse at 7AM and get on within the hour? Otherwise I can make a tee time for 2 people and hope to have a member of our group join or say he cancelled and just showed up as a single?

 

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, scooterhd2 said:

 

I'm going to St Andrews with a large group in may 2023 and we have pre booked one round each day, but I'd like to play more courses as a single.

 

One of the days we are playing the New Course at 12:56. I'd like to play Castle or Jubilee that morning. Is it really possible to just walk up to the clubhouse at 7AM and get on within the hour? Otherwise I can make a tee time for 2 people and hope to have a member of our group join or say he cancelled and just showed up as a single?

 

I would say your chances are pretty good. My recommendation would be go to the starters building the day you arrive and see what the tee sheets look like for each course each day. That will give you an idea of what days will be best for the courses. One thing I can say without a doubt is that everyone I have ever had interaction with at St. Andrews has been very nice and very helpful. Tell the starter what you would like to do, and they will do whatever they can to help you. Definitely DO NOT make a twosome tee time if you don’t have two people committed to playing. 

[flognut]

is a USGA handicap card good for proof of ability for TOC ??

[scott_Donald]

7 hours ago, flognut said:

is a USGA handicap card good for proof of ability for TOC ??

yes. 
 

 

[flognut]

thankyou sir

[ousuxndallas]

On 5/2/2023 at 7:55 AM, flognut said:

is a USGA handicap card good for proof of ability for TOC ??

Yes, they check it when you "check in" and pay for your round at the starters' shack.  As a single, you should have no problem getting in if you show up at 5 or 6 am.  Advice above is solid - check the tee sheets in advance at the starter shack - they have them for 2 days out.  They'll highlight the open slots (i.e. cancellations) and the "possible" openings of people that have indicated they may not show up.

[flognut]

On 5/11/2023 at 11:53 PM, ousuxndallas said:

Yes, they check it when you "check in" and pay for your round at the starters' shack.  As a single, you should have no problem getting in if you show up at 5 or 6 am.  Advice above is solid - check the tee sheets in advance at the starter shack - they have them for 2 days out.  They'll highlight the open slots (i.e. cancellations) and the "possible" openings of people that have indicated they may not show up.

thankyou

[flognut]

has anyone traveled from Edinburgh airport to St. Andrew's by bus or train? if yes, how was these options. or is a cab for hire the fastest and best move? i assume it is the most expensive option. thanks

[italianstallion]

1 hour ago, flognut said:

has anyone traveled from Edinburgh airport to St. Andrew's by bus or train? if yes, how was these options. or is a cab for hire the fastest and best move? i assume it is the most expensive option. thanks

 

I did it last month. Super easy, although it’s kindof a long walk from the arrival gates to the tram that takes you to the train station. 
 

At the airport you board the tram (light rail) and take it two stops to Edinburgh Gateway station (approx a 10 minute ride). The day I traveled trains were running every hour from Edinburgh Gateway to Leuchars station (closest station to St. Andrews). Once you board the train at Edinburgh Gateway, it’s an hour and 15 minute train ride which is quite scenic. From Leuchars station it’s a 15 minute cab ride into the town of St. Andrews. Tram ticket was £7.50, train ticket was £15.50 (booked in advance, can be more day of), cab ride was £18. I’d highly recommend traveling this way, pretty low stress and the train conductors were really helpful with my baggage. 

 

To get a cab leaving St. Andrews, there’s a cab stand outside Holy Trinity Church you can just walk up to and they’ll bring you back to Leuchars no problem. 

[flognut]

1 hour ago, italianstallion said:

 

 

I did it last month. Super easy, although it’s kindof a long walk from the arrival gates to the tram that takes you to the train station. 
 

At the airport you board the tram (light rail) and take it two stops to Edinburgh Gateway station (approx a 10 minute ride). The day I traveled trains were running every hour from Edinburgh Gateway to Leuchars station (closest station to St. Andrews). Once you board the train at Edinburgh Gateway, it’s an hour and 15 minute train ride which is quite scenic. From Leuchars station it’s a 15 minute cab ride into the town of St. Andrews. Tram ticket was £7.50, train ticket was £15.50 (booked in advance, can be more day of), cab ride was £18. I’d highly recommend traveling this way, pretty low stress and the train conductors were really helpful with my baggage. 

 

To get a cab leaving St. Andrews, there’s a cab stand outside Holy Trinity Church you can just walk up to and they’ll bring you back to Leuchars no problem. 

Thankyou very much, sounds great to me

[flognut]

anyone have a idea how in advance reservations should be made for the popular restaurants in St. Andrews?

[scott_Donald]

3 hours ago, flognut said:

anyone have a idea how in advance reservations should be made for the popular restaurants in St. Andrews?

unless there is special events on then you are fine a week or so.

 

i couldn’t get the russcks 18 restaurant 3 months before the walker cup but got the old course fancy one and rogue fine. 
 

I walked in to janghir yesterday. Maisha is better imo.

 

where you wanting to eat?

Edited November 1, 2023 by scott_Donald

[flognut]

15 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

unless there is special events on then you are fine a week or so.

 

i couldn’t get the russcks 18 restaurant 3 months before the walker cup but got the old course fancy one and rogue fine. 
 

I walked in to janghir yesterday. Maisha is better imo.

 

where you wanting to eat?

Rusacks 18 for sure, that nice seafood place. other than that the usual spots are fine. i'll reread old posts here with all the names as i get closer. thks

[Chigolfer2]

Scotland Weather in May.  I've been to Scotland twice, both times in June.  We are looking at a 2025 trip with the first round of golf May12.  I'd prefer to push out a few weeks but we have some schedule conflicts.  Is May 12 vs June 1 a big difference in weather?  

Edited January 20, 2024 by Chigolfer2

[Chanceman]

1 hour ago, Chigolfer2 said:

Scotland Weather in May.  I've been to Scotland twice, both times in June.  We are looking at a 2025 trip with the first round of golf May12.  I'd prefer to push out a few weeks but we have some schedule conflicts.  Is May 12 vs June 1 a big difference in weather?  

Could be superb, could be horrible. Its Scotland.

[scott_Donald]

19 hours ago, Chigolfer2 said:

Scotland Weather in May.  I've been to Scotland twice, both times in June.  We are looking at a 2025 trip with the first round of golf May12.  I'd prefer to push out a few weeks but we have some schedule conflicts.  Is May 12 vs June 1 a big difference in weather?  

 

May is normally nice and great month for golf but a lot depends where in Scotland you are.... 

[flognut]

gents, pls help calm my anxiety. As a single i cant make a tee time on the links trusts courses till i get to town minus TOC.  i will buy the 3 day pass when i get there and adjust accordingly around what ever day i do the que walkup or miraculously get lucky in the Ballot which i have been matched  with others in the ballot buddy thing to do this.  pls reassure me as a single most should go my way. thanks

[Chanceman]

You are on a winner, floggy. Relax.

[sheppick.dan]

9 hours ago, flognut said:

gents, pls help calm my anxiety. As a single i cant make a tee time on the links trusts courses till i get to town minus TOC.  i will buy the 3 day pass when i get there and adjust accordingly around what ever day i do the que walkup or miraculously get lucky in the Ballot which i have been matched  with others in the ballot buddy thing to do this.  pls reassure me as a single most should go my way. thanks

from everything I’ve read you should be good. We are in the same situation for our trip too. 

[flognut]

15 hours ago, Chanceman said:

You are on a winner, floggy. Relax.

ok, thanks much

[flognut]

12 hours ago, sheppick.dan said:

from everything I’ve read you should be good. We are in the same situation for our trip too. 

ok, thanks much

[srs06d]

21 hours ago, flognut said:

gents, pls help calm my anxiety. As a single i cant make a tee time on the links trusts courses till i get to town minus TOC.  i will buy the 3 day pass when i get there and adjust accordingly around what ever day i do the que walkup or miraculously get lucky in the Ballot which i have been matched  with others in the ballot buddy thing to do this.  pls reassure me as a single most should go my way. thanks

I was there as a 2-ball the last week of April 2023 and had no issue switching between courses when needed. On a Saturday morning we were able to pivot from the Castle Course to the New course and play as a 2-ball. Also played Jubilee one morning as a 2-ball. The gentleman I dealt with at the starters hut under the Links clubhouse was very helpful and accommodating. Enjoy your time in the Auld Grey Toon!

Edited February 2, 2024 by srs06d