Scotland trip vs. Dunhill Cup activity

[PJ Blake]

Flying into Edinburgh 9/23 and flying out 10/3. As of now have a hotel booked in St. Andrews from 9/24-10/1. When I booked I wasn't aware that the Dunhill Cup was starting 10/3. I can't get a sense of how being there the week before and week of the tournament will affect overall tee times (even more), restaurant availability, etc. I had hoped to play Balcomie, but it appears booked the whole time we're there. Tee times are available prior days in Sept, which makes me wonder about our timing with the Dunhill. Not sure about all the St. Andrews courses.  It will just be my son and I. Anybody have thoughts about this?

 

Also, thinking about trains, etc. to get from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and back. Taxi or whatever to outlying courses like Crail and/or Kingsbarn. Will I regret not renting a car? I just don't see a need for it most of the time so seems like a waste. That is unless we can't get near St. Andrews area courses during that period.

 

Much appreciated 

[hammergolf]

It will very very busy and crowded since the pros and amateurs will be playing practice rounds starting on Sept. 30th with most of the amateurs getting into town before that. Given that many of the amateurs are “A” listers the restaurants will definitely be booked solid. I would recommend either contacting a transportation service now to reserve the days you’ll need a driver or rent a car so you have piece of mind traveling to other courses. As far as tee times, I would highly recommend you book your times now and don’t wait any longer. Since you’re a twosome, you can do the 3 day advanced ticket for the St. Andrews courses (except TOC) and save a few bucks and gives you one guaranteed time for 3 days of your choice within the 7 day window.   

[PJ Blake]

Thanks hammer

[scott_Donald]

This is an interesting one; right now for October the only booking I have in one of may places is Wednesday until Sunday for the Dunhill. Last two years we have had last minute(month away) bookings by players of caddies(Harry Diamond was one of the bookings).

 

I have been down the last two years on the Thursday or the Friday to watch and have dinner after; hotels are full like Russaks etc for dinner. On the day of I booked my favourite Indian Maisha for dinner. The Open it was months out for booking for dinner and still hotels were not allowing bookings if you were not staying. .

 

I have a second place in St Andrews now and I don't think I will have the licence by then so looking to use It myself for the Women's Open and you now have me thinking about booking dinner. I do have a good babysitter there and hope she is not booked yet. 

 

St Andrews has a wild range of different places for dinner - depends what kind of food you are wanting to eat at?

 

Golf - I really think most of the spectators are Scottish so not such a demand locally. I could be completely wrong as I have never tried to book golf then. 

[PJ Blake]

We bumped it up a couple days and it's working out fine. The issue we ran into is on Sept 28 they are merging Jubilee/Castle and Eden/ Strathtyrum in preparation for the Dunhill. The hotel was able to accommodate 2 days earlier, tee times have been made, and we are good to go. Now I just have to ready up for links golf 🤣. Come on wind HAH! Any good restaurant/pub recommendations that are off the main touristy path in St. Andrews?

[scott_Donald]

Nothing off beaten track. I have posted the below before on here. I do edit it as I go along.

 

personally -

 

burgers at Blackhorn(was originally eating lunch there today but didn’t head down)

Indian at Maisha

Steak at Rogue

italian at the more casual restaurant at Rusacks

steak at Rusacks fancy restaurant

gyozas takeaway at combiniCo

 

both steak places are supplied by my good friend who sells amazing dry aged beef to some amazing restaurants around the UK.

 

• Rufflets out of town but looks gorgeous. 
• The grange, closed this week annoyingly but looks good. 
• North point cafe for light stuff, end of north street and dog friendly. 
• The vic; studenty but food looks great and well priced. 
• Seafood ristorante - amazing fish restaurant but expensive
• Rogue steak place. Very good.
• Maisha Indian is my fave after trying all three. 
• Vine leaf; website says it’s closed with covid but gets amazing reviews. 
• Haar; guy who won master chef, taster menu too fancy for me not too expensive though for what it is. Dad loved it. 
• Rusacks hotel very like the Marcliffe had a great meal. 
• Cafe in the square seems a great cake place. 
• The rav; looks awesome. 
• Restaurant at the Russel seems nice but again a hotel restaurant. 
• Fairmont has a lovely situated restaurant with amazing views and then an Italian. Hit or miss. 
• Old course hotel famous restaurant; road hole, seems fishy and meaty but would not be cheap. 
• Playfairs; local looks lovely and fancy.
• Blackhorn burgers is awesome.
• Forgans, hit or miss for me. Dad loves it but for me over priced. Venison pie was good. 
• saint- next to new house, nice atmosphere for decent food and drinks. 
  farm shop as you drive in to St Andrews is great but super busy so time it well.

Edited March 13, 2024 by scott_Donald

[PJ Blake]

Thank you for re-posting that scott_Donald! There's probably been some good posts like that over the years, but I didn't feel up to doing a deep search. 

[italianstallion]

It’s not a fine dining establishment, but Saints Sizzle. My wife and I got burgers and fries after we finished walking the course and maybe we were just hungry but we swear they were the best burgers we’ve ever had. 

[PJ Blake]

Have another question: we are considering Elie at 2:40 (14:40) in the afternoon on Saturday Sept. 21. It's the earliest tee time they have for non-members. Anyone ever play Elie and do you think we could get 18 in at that time of year on that particular course? Thanks again.

[McMunch]

I've played Elie. Great Course. Probably the most quirky of all the Scottish courses I've played so far but beautiful all the same. The first hole is a hoot. Blind tee shot over a post on a hill and there is a WW 2 periscope on the top of the starters hut for him to let you know when it's clear for you to tee off.

Cant speak to if you have enough daylight in September..Hope you do.

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, PJ Blake said:

Have another question: we are considering Elie at 2:40 (14:40) in the afternoon on Saturday Sept. 21. It's the earliest tee time they have for non-members. Anyone ever play Elie and do you think we could get 18 in at that time of year on that particular course? Thanks again.

Forecasted sunset in Elie on that day is 7:21, so that gives you 4.5 hrs. Of course the actual amount will vary with cloud cover. 

[PJ Blake]

Just now, hammergolf said:

Forecasted sunset in Elie on that day is 7:21, so that gives you 4.5 hrs. Of course the actual amount will vary with cloud cover. 

Yes but just not sure what to expect at a course in Scotland on a Saturday, walking. I know it's not one of the bucket list destination courses, but no idea how much play it gets and how busy it is with members in the morning we might run into

[scott_Donald]

58 minutes ago, PJ Blake said:

Yes but just not sure what to expect at a course in Scotland on a Saturday, walking. I know it's not one of the bucket list destination courses, but no idea how much play it gets and how busy it is with members in the morning we might run into

wouldn’t worry about it. Normal pace 2 ball in Scotland is just under 3 hours, 3 ball just under 3.5 and 4 ball under 4 hours. Saturday are mainly 2/3 balls. Visitors are normally far slower than members.

 

 

[PJ Blake]

🤣 I didn't mean to imply local members are slow; just figuring it might be all four-balls right up until the non-member tee times. And as a twosome, or if we're out with two other visitors, was speculating whether it could be potential for a 5 hr round (like it is on a Saturday where I live 😁). Thanks for the info though...I won't worry about it. Much appreciated.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, PJ Blake said:

Yes but just not sure what to expect at a course in Scotland on a Saturday, walking. I know it's not one of the bucket list destination courses, but no idea how much play it gets and how busy it is with members in the morning we might run into

The Scottish are not slow. In fact they despise slow play. As long as you don’t have too much cloud cover you should be fine. It’s not an overly long course so 4.5hrs should be doable 

[PJ Blake]

🤣 It must be in my Scottish DNA, because I'm not very patient with slow play either. Thanks for the input guys. I won't fret over it.

[McMunch]

Agree. They move you along over there. This Yank loves that.

[scott_Donald]

23 hours ago, PJ Blake said:

🤣 It must be in my Scottish DNA, because I'm not very patient with slow play either. Thanks for the input guys. I won't fret over it.

I am playing as a 3 ball with a 12.30 time tomorrow; normally done at 3.45. Drink and head to pick up my little dude from nursery. 
 

worst I had it last year was tee off 90 minutes before a group, caught them on twelve and 2 hours to finish it from then. Worse bit was one of them got lost and heading to the neighbouring golf course clubhouse and got a coffee and came back and joined them.

[El Gringo]

On 4/14/2024 at 4:24 PM, PJ Blake said:

Have another question: we are considering Elie at 2:40 (14:40) in the afternoon on Saturday Sept. 21. It's the earliest tee time they have for non-members. Anyone ever play Elie and do you think we could get 18 in at that time of year on that particular course? Thanks again.

Elie is a quick game. I would be shocked if it took you anything close to 4.5 hours.