Question:
Anyone made this trek solo? I’ve no problems travelling alone (business trips are good practice) and I’ve a friend there that I should be able to hook up with for some touristy-type things, but they don’t play golf. How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been to Ireland (and a couple more since I’ve been to Scotland) but I’ve done what you are suggesting several times. I think you’ll find that it’s very feasible, and in fact, has several advantages over travelling in a group. In most cases, you’ll find it easier to get on the famous courses as a single than it would be to book a tee time. Twice I have set out across the Atlantic for Ireland solo without a single tee time, and without a single reservation for accomodations. It’s just not a problem. In Ireland especially, there are bed & breakfasts *everywhere*, so lodging is no big deal. And as far as tee times go, I just called a day (or two or three) in advance to make sure I could get out. In two trips, comprising four weeks, there was only one course I was not able to get on (County Louth). And we are not talking second-rate courses — I played Ballybunion, Lahinch, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, and Portmarnock, just to name a few. Only Ballybunion was any problem at all, when they told me there were no spots for a week! All I did was show up at 6:30am one morning when the visitors’ tee times began, and waited for an opening. It only took an hour to get a spot. In Scotland, I would not expect to walk onto Muirfield or Royal Troon, but I suspect that most of the other courses won’t be a big deal. There’s a well-established procedure for getting a spot at St. Andrews, but even there you shouldn’t have a problem if you are willing to wait a few hours. A big advantage, in my mind, of going alone is that you will be paired up with all sorts of interesting folks, from all over the world. I have played with numerous folks from Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as players from Belgium, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Of course, sometimes you travel across an ocean and end up playing with someone who lives 20 miles away back in the States, but that’s just the luck of the draw. Inevitably, the best rounds are when you get paired up with members. You learn about the course, the club, the town, and the country, and sometimes you even get to pay the sponsored guest green fee rate, which is ridiculously cheap (5 pounds at Royal Dornoch in 1996!). Good luck!
Response:
I took a two-week solo trip to Scotland in summer of 1997. Played St Andrews Old and New, Troon (both courses), Carnoustie, Old Prestwick, and a number of other outstanding courses. In my case I went with a travel agent (Francine Atkins Scotland Ireland out of Texas). She set up my entire itenerary which made everything smooth as silk. It turns out for a number of my rounds I was paired with three other Americans who used Francine’s service as well. We became fast friends. I still recall one was a surgeon from Texas (very good player), and the other two were a husband and wife from California who owned of all things a talent agency. They were nice as all get out and struck me as the type who could easily hobnob around the Bel Aire Country Club. He was a great player, but she was iffy at best. She played fast though, and would simply pick up her ball if she started to get frustrated on a hole. It blew me away seeing someone do that on the Old Course. It was fun for the other rounds to hook up with locals for a bit of that flavor. We often tipped back a pint after the rounds together. All the people I met on my trip were simply delightful. While playing Crail, I went out as a single, but hooked up with a group of eight on a 5-day golf safari from England. It was funny to see them play all the same competitions I’m used to playing with my stateside golf league. Anyway going with an agent may not have been the cheapest way to go (I recall the whole trip airfare, decent rooms, car rental, greens fees, costing about $4000) but it sure was nice. I just gave her my "wish list" of courses and she took care of the rest. What a pro. Her agent even met me at the gate in Glasgow (sp?) to make sure I had my car, clubs, and maps. She provided awesome directions on how to drive to each destination. Having been there, I’d recommend going with an agent if you want to get on the really prominent courses. Otherwise you could probably just head over and wing it. There’s certainly no shortage of fine places to play. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy your trip. There are many course here in the states that call themselves links, but very few (Bandon Dunes comes to mind…) that are really like the Scottish links. The truly penal bunkers, hard ground forcing runup shots, and barbwire-like gorse make for a sound test of your game. Throw in some wind and things get really interesting. I know I’ve viewed the (British) Open in a whole different light since playing over there. I can’t wait to make it back… Rich J. Camano Island, WA P.S. Go ahead and spring for a caddy on the special rounds. It will net you many strokes and add immensely to your enjoyment of the round. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone made this trek solo? I’ve no problems travelling alone (business trips are good practice) and I’ve a friend there that I should be able to hook up with for some touristy-type things, but they don’t play golf. How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Response:
Anyone made this trek solo? I’ve no problems travelling alone (business trips are good practice) and I’ve a friend there that I should be able to hook up with for some touristy-type things, but they don’t play golf. How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Here is a good routine to follow. Decide on the course that you want to play and get all of your gear ready to play. Go along to the first tee where you will usually find the Pro’s shop and putting green as well. Get out for a putt and keep your eyes open for other odd numbered groups going out. Walk up, introduce yourself and ask if you might join them. Your US accent will accentuate the possibility of them agreeing to take you along. Now here is the mercenary bit. Ask them if they will sign you in. If they are members then you will get on at member’s guests rates which are far less than a straight visitor. So they think that you are a cheeky so and so. You can always be first to the bar after the game and buy them a drink! JPW
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone made this trek solo? How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Here is a good routine to follow. Decide on the course that you want to play and get all of your gear ready to play. Go along to the first tee where you will usually find the Pro’s shop and putting green as well. Get out for a putt and keep your eyes open for other odd numbered groups going out. Walk up, introduce yourself and ask if you might join them. Your US accent will accentuate the possibility of them agreeing to take you along.
I would suggest as a first step introducing yourself to the Pro, make them aware of your circumstances – they may well be able to assist in finding a suitable partnering for you.
Response:
Anyone made this trek solo? I’ve no problems travelling alone (business trips are good practice) and I’ve a friend there that I should be able to hook up with for some touristy-type things, but they don’t play golf. How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Response:
It all depends on which courses and when. Avoid peak times like Sat and Sun mornings and afternoons. Avoid ladies day etc. Avoid the ‘big’ popular courses (St. Andrews, Muirfield, Ballybunion, K Club etc.). You should be able to get a slot on most courses during the week and there are a lot of good but quiet courses (and they are cheaper too). You can pay around $100 plus for the top courses but they are usually very difficult to get onto unless you are prepared to play late in the evening. You can get some very good courses for about $30 to $50 and even cheaper if you can get a member to play with you. These are the ones that I would go for as they will be quieter if you pick the right time. My own course is a very good (but not championship standard) and we have two courses – one is about $25 and the other $35 per round. For Irish coures look at http://www.golfingireland.com http://globalgolf.com/Ireland http://www.gui.ie/Clubs/index.htm If you decide on some courses then post to uk.sport.golf for comments.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone made this trek solo? I’ve no problems travelling alone (business trips are good practice) and I’ve a friend there that I should be able to hook up with for some touristy-type things, but they don’t play golf. How feasible is this to plan, and in general, how accomodating are the courses in Scotland and Ireland to single players? Thanks in advance for any feedback.