Scotland Golf Vacations

[zipazoid]

First off, if this is in the wrong forum or is a duplicate, please let me know...I did a quick navigation & couldn't find something already existing...

I have a Bucket Item (not a list). Since I have played golf for 43 years now, it is time for me to play the Old Course at St. Andrews. I wanted to try to get out of Hell (bunker) and avoid the Beardies. Wouldn't mind getting over to Carnoustie too.

I am looking for feedback on reputable Scotland golf tour companies. The internet is full of them and it's kinda hard to sift through them all. Does anyone have personal experience with this & can share?

Much appreciated.

[mvmac]

I haven't been across the pond yet.  But this looks like a good company http://www.scotlandgolftours.com/

[canadianpro]

I just returned from Scotland and had the opportunity to play the Old Course with a member of the R&A; and we were invited inside the clubhouse for a couple of beers and I sat beside the Claret Jug and the belt that was played for before they had the jug! Unbelievable to see everything and the oldest golf clubs and balls on display. To see the lockers with names like Palmer, Nicklaus etc. was the greatest!

Highly recommend Susan of golf vacations-Ireland and Scotland. We played Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Crail, Brora, Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Turnberry and Royal Troon

email: susan@golfvacationsireland.com

[rustyredcab]

The Muirfield golf experience (two-somes in the morning, lunch with coat and tie, alternate shot in the afternoon) was a highlight right up there with the Old Course. Actually cooler.

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by rustyredcab

The Muirfield golf experience (two-somes in the morning, lunch with coat and tie, alternate shot in the afternoon) was a highlight right up there with the Old Course. Actually cooler.

Got a website? That does sound cool.

[Hairy Feet]

Sorry I can't help you with companies as I just went online and booked the courses direct. St Andrews is as good as all the reports. The atmosphere of the town, and the whole experience just blows your mind. All the different features on the Old Course, Hell bunker & the Road Hole etc are fantastic. Don't forget to take a camera and get your photo of you stood on the bridge on the 18th - I have one of me and my son.

Carnoustie is a stunning links course, and probably the best I've played. I've had quite a few trips north of the border and never had a bad course.

I hope your plans come to fruitition... but don't forget to bring a decent sweater coz it sure is cold up there sometimes.

[Linksview]

Hi Ziapazoid

I hope thisdoes not sound too commercial for the forum but we have some experience with incoming tour operators.

We run a guest house down by the championship course in Carnoustie and have had guests from the States come to us as part of tours organized by two tour companies based in the States.

1. Hidden Links at http://www.hiddenlinksgolf.com/

Contacts are Jeff Flynn (CEO), Laurie Carr (VP) or Debbie Grogan

2. Grasshopper Golf Tours. I dont have a web address but they are in Illinois.

Contact is

Another one you could try that is based in Scotland, just an hour away from us is

http://www.golfparteetours.com/testimonials.cfm

The contact at this one is Dawn Tinker

Both the first two seem really concerned for the quality of the experience for clients and will mix and match accommodation/courses to suit what you want.

Hope you make it as far as Carnoustie too.

If I can help with more local info then let me know.

Cheers

Phil

[zipazoid]

Phil, that is perfect! Thanks so much for the information! As I get closer to actually doing this (2013) I will keep you in mind. Thanks again.

[rustyredcab]

Grasshopper ((630) 858-1660) did our trip a few years ago. My buddy worked with them. They did a very good job getting us on most everywhere we wanted to play and with setting up us with good and appropriate lodging. The only hitch was that on a few days we had to scramble for caddies and could not get four caddies on several of our rounds. So, one guy, out of four, had to pull, or carry his own bag those days. Playing 36 a day in the rain made that more of a chore than one might expect. I'm not sure if that was something Grasshopper could have helped us avoid or if it is just part of playing the courses we played in Scotland. They said they were sending confirmation faxes every day, but alas, we'd show up, have a reservation for the tee time, but no caddies.

[Linksview]

That's a really good point for trip planning,rusty.

I know that here at Carnoustie when booking tee times online there is a question and drop down for "How many caddies do you require?"

There are still an awful lot of Scottish courses that do not do online booking, even for tee times, yet however.

The tourist board has identified this and I hope they take notice of golfers (modern) desire to book online.

If anyone ever wants the Carnoustie links management (3 courses) booking site then it is

https://www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk/OnlineBooking2/#

Phil

[rustyredcab]

IMHO, caddies are a must in Scotland. Our caddies helped make the trip much better. Aside from helping with the golf, it was interesting to meet locals and learn about the towns and history. Most were great ambassadors of their towns, their country and their game. Learned some local terms that I still use today: when a caddie asked "Away?"  it was a question about tending the pin and not about playing order.

[zipazoid]

Thanks everyone for posting, please keep them coming!

I received a PM from a poster with some really good tips, and he mentioned something that I want to toss out there -

He said if the choice is between Ireland & Scotland, the golf is slightly better in Scotland but Ireland is a lot more fun.

Thoughts? Cuz I could certainly eschew St. Andrews for Ballybunion.