Trip to Scotland

[gyippie]

Hi All,

I am in the process of planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland for (hopefully 5 weeks - $$$ permitting). I've read all the threads regarding tips, clothing, BB, hotels, courses, etc,...but I didn't come across one point - Laundry.

Since I plan to stay for such a long time (most of the threads are from people who've stayed 7-10 days & not going to bring 5 weeks of clothes!) has anyone had experience with this potential dilemma? Do they have this service in the hotels? BB's?

Thanks

[Darin322]

In Ireland, most are drop-off rather than self-serve. Drop off facility in morning, pick up in afternoon. Price is 9 euros per loan, up to possibly 15 euros in smaller towns.

[lwildernorva]

I've done five trips to Scotland and Ireland in the last twelve years. You'll be able to get laundry handled through hotels. I've generally dropped off laundry at the front desk of a hotel and gotten it back the same day or the next morning, but on a trip to Scotland two years ago, a friend actually got the hotel maid to do the laundry at the hotel's facility. She didn't charge, and he gave her a nice tip that was still less than I paid to have much less laundry done. I've never had my laundry done at a B&B, but given the friendliness and service I've encountered at most of them, I wouldn't be surprised if they would do your laundry too for an added charge (keep in mind that just like hotels, many B&Bs launder a lot of sheets daily).

Let me add this advice, though--don't pack five weeks worth of clothes. Pack as if you're staying for four or five days, coordinating clothing to make the same pieces work in several different outfits. I'd also definitely take advantage of high tech fabrics as much as possible--they're lighter and won't require as much laundering (or you can launder them in your hotel sink and have them dry by the next day). Ex Officio makes highly recommended underwear that can reduce the amount you'll need to take. If you've been to Ireland and Scotland, you know that you'll have to pack for all sorts of weather (I've layered two cashmere sweaters with a Gore-Tex rain shirt in northern Scotland while wishing I had packed shorts while playing in southwest Ireland). I've found that shopping in hiking and outdoor stores may prepare you for such a trip as much as shopping in golf stores. In fact, it was through REI that I discovered Rocky Gore-Tex socks (expensive--$48, even on sale, but durable, and you'll never have to worry again about whether you're wearing waterproof shoes). If you haven't read Tom Coyne's "A Course Called Ireland," get a copy. He actually backpacked through Ireland while playing the great links courses there, and he talks a good bit about the stuff he bought and the stuff he jettisoned after getting to Ireland. Another resource: websites like [url="http://onebagger.squarespace.com/"]One Bag, One World[/url]. You'll get a wealth of ideas on how to reduce your load.

Keep in mind that even packing light, you'll haul around one or two bags of clothing as well as your golf clubs and travel bag. Assuming even that you're staying in one place for a number of days or a week and then moving to your next location, you'll have to pack, repack, and haul your stuff at least four or five times during your trip. Figure at minimum, you've got to carry your belongings through an airport four times during your trip (departing here, arriving there, departing there, arriving here), in and out of a rental car, and given that you apparently want to travel between Ireland and Scotland, once or twice more on a ferry or airplane. You'll soon find messing with all that stuff a hassle plus it can be difficult to cram your stuff into the smaller rental cars that you'll find over there. When I went to Ireland this past June, I packed fairly lightly and still found hauling all that stuff around burdensome. I was by myself in a small rental car and nearly filled up the car with my luggage, clubs, and travel bag. By the way, although I get the argument for hard cases versus soft cases, if you're using a rental car, you'll soon regret bringing a hard case with you so I strongly recommend a soft-sided case with a Club Glove Stiff Arm or homemade equivalent.

Within reason, try to cut down on the amount you pack. I've read that as a rule of thumb, you should pack no more than 10% of your body weight. I've also heard that if you want to see how burdensome carrying heavy stuff gets, pack up a case and walk around your hometown for an hour. If you're not comfortable carrying that amount, you're carrying too much. That advice makes sense because at least once during your trip, you're likely to have to haul all your stuff around for that length of time. For me, that occurred on this trip to Ireland on my return to JFK when our entire plane was delayed clearing customs, and I missed my flight home. I had to haul my stuff from the Delta international arrivals terminal to the domestic terminal I was using to get home, clear security, go the gate only to learn that the flight had already left, get a rebooking on another flight that day leaving LaGuardia, leave the domestic terminal, get a cab, ride to LaGuardia (Friday afternoon of the Fourth of July weekend!), clear security again, find out again that I'd arrived too late to board the plane and had lost my seat, make reservations in New York that night at a nearby hotel, haul my stuff back through the terminal, hail a cab, and get to the hotel. That's a frustrating experience by itself, and I guarantee you that every leg of the way, I felt that my luggage and clubs had gained five pounds of weight.

Have fun. My longest trip to date has been 17 days, but I'm hoping to put together a trip as long as yours in a year or two.

[smigin]

There are two ways to do laundry - in the hotel delivered back to you in the evening (at a premium) or the next day at a cost, they'll come back all nice and pressed either folded or on a hanger (your choice) but over 5 weeks that'll add up.

In most towns there will be a coin operated laundrette where an hour spent means its all done and dried and they often have someone there who'll do it for you at a small charge, you can then press it as you need it in the hotel room using the hotel’s iron. This is good for small to medium loads of similar coloured stuff but can be a bit hit 'n' miss.

taking Iwilder... 's points into account (and because I travelled a lot for long periods in Europe and the Far East) I would really pack minimally. Polo shirts can be bought over here for £10 to £15 (€12.50 to €20), socks are cheap from sports shops and shorts are about the same - IF you're not into branding. Even underwear can be bought pretty cheaply all of which may only need washing a couple of times in 5 weeks if you buy a few and will cut down on your laundry bill + should they be a little 'weary' at the end - leave them and save yourself the effort of hauling them around.

just my thoughts

[gyippie]

Very insightful! I'm in the process of reading Tom Coyne's book and I've already planned to do some of the tips given. Merci for all the advice...keep them coming if you guys have more!!!!

[Gwrxace04]

Be sure and pack some silk long underwear just in case it gets blustery and a stocking cap. The other posters are correct laundry can be done for you while you are playing golf and you need to think in terms of layers and things that are easy to wash out and dry overnight. I pack 5 or 6 pants, 2 short sleeve and 4 long sleeve silk or microfiber shirts, a ZR wind vest, a good rain suit that is lightweight. I make sure that I can mix and match about everything. Black wind vest and rain suit and 3 pairs of golf shoes. I have a pair of spikeless "teaching shoes that can double as street shoes that work great. Make sure you can layer up or down and toss in a pair of shorts or lightweight pants. (I have a pair of easy to hand wash shorts that I wear under my rain pants so if it is cool in the AM I am comfortable and as it gets hotter, I just take off the rain pants and I comfy.

[gyippie]

This is what I'm packing in terms of golf wear (since the trip is one year away, plenty of time to edit) so far:
2 rain suits top and bottom (sunice gore-tex)
2 under armour cold gear long mock necks
?? microfibre underwear and socks
4 pairs of microfibre pants (dark colors)
?? shirts
tuque, winter gloves, rain hat.
Any additions to quantities or items?
Thanks

[ramsey_steve]

wow, a LOT of great advice here, very little to add..

Last summer at St Andrews I just wore ZR traveler pants with the bottom halves zipped off (ie wore them as shorts) straight over boxer shorts. I had the bottom halves in the bag in case temperatures dropped, but even on the cooler days I was plenty warm, and very comfortable. Walking briskly with a caddy helps, much warmer than sitting in a cart. Even on the good weather days we still saw an occasional rain shower. Although I do have the ZR Traveler jacket, I found Sun Mountain's Rainflex vests and jackets to be a better compromise.

Steve

[gyippie]

[quote name='ramsey_steve' timestamp='1281101974' post='2622357']
wow, a LOT of great advice here, very little to add..

Last summer at St Andrews I just wore ZR traveler pants with the bottom halves zipped off (ie wore them as shorts) straight over boxer shorts. I had the bottom halves in the bag in case temperatures dropped, but even on the cooler days I was plenty warm, and very comfortable. Walking briskly with a caddy helps, much warmer than sitting in a cart. Even on the good weather days we still saw an occasional rain shower. Although I do have the ZR Traveler jacket, I found Sun Mountain's Rainflex vests and jackets to be a better compromise.

Steve
[/quote]
Hi Steve,
I am fortunate enough to work in a big golf retailer in Canada (employee pricing!!) and wonder how you find the SUMO rainflex clothing. I decided to go with sunice because of the gore - tex -100% waterproof AND lifetime warranty. I know the rainflex is supposed to be quieter but only 4?? years warranty. Did you encounter any serious rain storms? If yes, how did the rainflex hold up?
Thanks

[dlsinct]

Heading over myself in September...after reading this got an email from TGW and the Sunice Gore-Tex Jackets are on sale for $99 if you are on their mailing list!

[gyippie]

[quote name='dlsinct' timestamp='1282219364' post='2648696']
Heading over myself in September...after reading this got an email from TGW and the Sunice Gore-Tex Jackets are on sale for $99 if you are on their mailing list!
[/quote]

Dear dlsinct,
You'll love the sunice gore-tex (make sure it's the Hurricane series - the top tier). They are a little on the 'stiff' side and a little noisy. but they are Bomb proof when it comes to rain.

[dlsinct]

[quote name='gyippie' timestamp='1282266135' post='2650155']
[quote name='dlsinct' timestamp='1282219364' post='2648696']
Heading over myself in September...after reading this got an email from TGW and the Sunice Gore-Tex Jackets are on sale for $99 if you are on their mailing list!
[/quote]

Dear dlsinct,
You'll love the sunice gore-tex (make sure it's the Hurricane series - the top tier). They are a little on the 'stiff' side and a little noisy. but they are Bomb proof when it comes to rain.
[/quote]

It is Hurricane...Pac Lite Half Zip...thx for the info

[sanddog28]

Dont know how much you have thought about towel, gloves etc but when I was stationed in england and we made our anual trips... Van full of guys and nothing but golf and pubs great trips but back to the little tip. Before our first trip our local pro a wonderful guy from Ireland told us to hit a normal towel sale and purchase at least 6 good size hand towels and then the at least that many gloves and then pack them individually in zip lock bags that way no matter what the weather you will have some go to dry towels and gloves, then just hang the towels up to dry in the evening and back in their baggy. Have a great time.