Question:
I played 13 rounds in two weeks, and uniformly the Scottish links courses had a feel unlike any course I’ve played in the US (I haven’t made it down to Bandon Dunes yet). Rugged natural beauty, hard tight fairways, extremely penal bunkers, rock-like greens, and wind. Once you’ve been over there you’ll never look at the British Open the same way again. Here in the Pacific Northwest, every course that lacks trees calls itself a links course. The next time one of these poser links courses plays up the Scottish theme, you’ll quietly snicker to yourself while thinking about real links golf.
Being a Vancouverite I know of what you speak. I think we get wind and hard fairways about 3 days a year out here. Thx for the help. BT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rich Johnson Seattle, WA
Response:
I played the old course three years ago. I set my time up four months in advance through Francine Atkin’s travel service (www.spectravel.com/atkins) along with the rest of my travel arrangements. I gave her a wish list of courses and a budget, and she worked with me to set up an absolutely fabulous trip. I have crossed paths with several others who have used her service, and all have had good luck. I’m not sure if her prices are the best but her service is A1 and she provides what she promises. I paid the equivalent of about $60 to play the Old Course, but I understand the price has taken a big jump in the last couple years. I’ve heard the lottery system works well. If you don’t get picked one day just go play any of the numerous other great courses within a half-hour drive, and try again the next. As others have mentioned, you will need proof of your handicap, and at the time I played, I believe it had to be less that 24. Troon Championship was even more strict, with a requirement of 18 or 20 I recall. At the time I did not have a GHIN card, so my pro wrote me a letter of introduction on his letterhead. They did ask to see it, so don’t leave home without one. I still love the biting comment I read on a rules and regulations sheet: "You must provide documentation that you are indeed a golfer". However you decide to set up your trip, do yourself a favor and read up on the history and courses before you go. There are several good books on the subject. This will allow you to more fully appreciate your surroundings. Also, budget in an extra $50 and hire a caddy. Besides giving you the time to soak in the ambiance, they will be a great tour guide, and probably shave 10 strokes off your first trip around the links. If you get out to the west coast, my vote is for Western Gailes. I recently read Tom Watson thinks of this as his favorite Scottish course, and I can understand his fondness. It’s like Troon without the trailer park, seaside links golf at its finest. I played 13 rounds in two weeks, and uniformly the Scottish links courses had a feel unlike any course I’ve played in the US (I haven’t made it down to Bandon Dunes yet). Rugged natural beauty, hard tight fairways, extremely penal bunkers, rock-like greens, and wind. Once you’ve been over there you’ll never look at the British Open the same way again. Here in the Pacific Northwest, every course that lacks trees calls itself a links course. The next time one of these poser links courses plays up the Scottish theme, you’ll quietly snicker to yourself while thinking about real links golf. Rich Johnson Seattle, WA
Response:
<< Anyone who has managed to play the old Course, let me know how you did it. 1. To get into the lottery you need at lest two players. If you have two, give St. Andrews a ring or write and they’ll tell you all about it. 2. A tour operator can guarantee you a tee-time. 3. Otherwise, players with no tee-times line up at the crack of dawn at the starter’s booth (I was there at 6 am in September and was 11th in line. I teed off before noon). Good luck.
Response:
Hi I’m planning a trip to Scotland next June and was wondering how to guarantee a tee time at St. Andrew’s Old Course. I know there is a lottery system but i wonder if advance reservations are possible or if you need to hook up with a golf tour agency to be assured a spot. Anyone who has managed to play the old Course, let me know how you did it. Thx in advance.
Go to http://www.standrews.org.uk/booking They have an online booking system there and are taking bookings for next year now. I’m sure Barrie’s advice is well meaning, but note that the R&A don’t own any course. St Andrews is a muni!! Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
Response:
I was just there and played on June 3. Guaranteed times are available through the ‘Old Course Experience’ (see the Links Trust web site), but cost 995 GBP per person for 2 nights at the Old Course Hotel and 1 round on the Old Course and 1 round on a different course. I feel that this is basically paying $800-$1000 to play the Old Course. I think that you can write to the Links Trust for advance booking; see the web site http://www.standrews.org.uk/booking/booking.html What we did was to enter the lottery (ballot). I called the day before we wanted to play (you must call before 2:00 PM on the day before or on Saturday if you want to play on Monday). You must enter either 2 players or 4 players, and you are not allowed to make up names! We had a 2-ball, and we got in! There were a number of singles on the tee when we arrived, and we were paired up with 2 of them. If you are by yourself, or you don’t mind not playing with your travel partners, then just get to the starter as soon as he opens shop and put your name on his list of singles. Also, you WILL need a handicap card! This was the only course which asked us for it, and I saw one person without one turned away very very disappointed. By the way, the Old Course is closed every Sunday. It is closed quite often for tournaments also. Call them when you are making plans to see which days the course will be open for general play. I can’t stress this enough. If you can, try and plan on staying in St. Andrews during a time when there are several days possible to play. I recommend playing the Old Course more than once. I wish I had been able to. It is a fun course to play for the first time, and would be much better the second time. There are a number of courses in St. Andrews to play on for any days you don’t get on the Old Course. There is the New, Eden, Jubilee, … and several others. Nearby is Crail and Carnoustie. Down by Edinburgh is North Berwick, Gullane, and Muirfield. Any of these can be done on a day trip from St. Andrews. Try and play Troon and Turnberry if you can. They are fun also. I’ve heard that the courses in the north are excellent (eg. Dornoch, Nairn, Cruden Bay). For St. Andrews information go to: http://www.standrews.org.uk/main.html There is a newsletter on this site with course open/close dates for the upcoming couple of months. It’s got the phone number for the Links Trust also, so call them if you can’t find what you need. They are very nice and helpful. By the way, I lined up all of my trip with the exception of the St. Andrews tee time with: http://www.teetimescotland.com Douglas McKenzie was extremely helpful and set us up with a great trip. Good Luck.
Response:
There was an article on this very subject in the most recent issue of Golf Magazine that give a preview of the British Open (or just plain Open depending on your state of mind). Hi I’m planning a trip to Scotland next June and was wondering how to guarantee a tee time at St. Andrew’s Old Course. I know there is a lottery system but i wonder if advance reservations are possible or if you need to hook up with a golf tour agency to be assured a spot. Anyone who has managed to play the old Course, let me know how you did it. Thx in advance. BT — Press any key to continue or any other key to quit…
– John Pflum, Jr. PKG Consultants, Inc. 5533 Fair Lane Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Web: http://www.pkgconsult.com
Response:
Hi I’m planning a trip to Scotland next June and was wondering how to guarantee a tee time at St. Andrew’s Old Course. I know there is a lottery system but i wonder if advance reservations are possible or if you need to hook up with a golf tour agency to be assured a spot. Anyone who has managed to play the old Course, let me know how you did it. Thx in advance. BT — Press any key to continue or any other key to quit…
Response:
reservations are only guaranteed if you go through a tour group. If you know anyone within the club, they’re an avenue. You could try getting a letter from your club president, and forwarding it to the secretary of the R&A, but its a long shot. I played St Andrews twice, and made arrangements when I landed in the UK. Got on both times, once had to use an artificial mat rather than the fairway, due to problems with the grass. And remember, the course is closed on Sundays – public access for walkers. Dunlop
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m planning a trip to Scotland next June and was wondering how to guarantee a tee time at St. Andrew’s Old Course. I know there is a lottery system but i wonder if advance reservations are possible or if you need to hook up with a golf tour agency to be assured a spot. Anyone who has managed to play the old Course, let me know how you did it. Thx in advance. BT — Press any key to continue or any other key to quit…