mdannolfo

Hi Guys, Going to Scotland for 9 days in May and want the lightest setup possible. We are playing 10 to 11 rounds while there. I currently have a Titleist Lightweight Stand Bag and like it a lot. The strap system is good, but the shoulder straps aren't that comfy. Thinking the micro straps look a little wider and better. I'd like to know if you can fit full rain gear in the Micro and the Swift. I like the divider concept of the Micro a little better, but I've always been a big Sun Mountain fan and have had 3.5 and have a 4.5 now as well. Shoulder straps on the 4.5 are a little wider and have more cushion then the Titleist bag, but I like the weight of the Titleist bag, so I mostly use that. Also like the idea of a Swift Zero G, or even the regular Zero G. I am a carpenter and have had back problems when using suspenders on my tool belt if I loaded too much weight on my shoulders. I have gone back to regular tool belt on my waist and back problems subsided. I also go to the Chiro once a month for a "tune up" each month. Back problems are mostly gone unless I do something dumb while working. The Zero G's get great reviews. Thinking the Swift Zero G might really be the way to go. Nearest golf store is 40 minutes away. Thinking of ordering off Golfsmith. Have $20 off and free shipping on orders over $100. Thanks for any help in advance. Mike

We've changed the plans around... Now going May 13th thru the 22nd. Thought better to go earlier to try to avoid crowds. Saturday - fly into Aberdeen in the morning. Play Royal Aberdeen in afternoon. Stay in Aberdeen. Sunday - play Cruden Bay, drive to Nairn. Monday - Play Moray Old and Nairn. Tuesday - Play Royal Dornoch Wednesday - Drive down to St. Andrews, play one of Links Trust Courses. * Working on a connection to get us on the Old Course, or just enter the lottery. Were not going to pay the crazy fees to get a guaranteed tee time at this point. Thursday - Old Course, or Crail, or Lundin Friday - North Berwick Saturday - Old Course or Links Trust course Well, I think the courses up north are set. If possible, I'd like some feedback on the St. Andrews area courses. We are trying to play older courses, Morris and Braid courses, and not really interested in Kingsbarns. Although it looks amazing, 260 for a round is a little steep. Anyone have any opinion on the other St. Andrews courses? Jubilee, New, Castle, Devlin, Torrence? Thanks in advance. Mike

I've been storing up. I've bought a ton of Srixon Z star X's at Dicks since they are $25 per box. Usually play Nike Tour D and Pro V 1x in tourneys, but can't beat 25 for a "tour" level ball. Never played Srixon before. Hope I like them since I've picked up 5 doz! Thanks, Mike

Never been, so I don't really know, but we were thinking that they might all be down in England watching the open. Maybe hoping??

Ah, didn't think about the tournament at Castle Stuart. We were thinking of going the week of the Open actually. But we are flexible at this stage and maybe we should push it back another week to the week after the open? Thanks, Mike

I've read all the Scotland posts and I appreciate all the great advice. Researching using two books - Ferguson's Golf in Scotland and Where Golf is Great by Finegan. (drooling over the pictures) This is our first trip to Scotland. We plan on staying for 8 days on the ground, or 8 days of golfing. We are coming from Boston, so there will be a day of travel each way likely. We may take an overnight flight and make it a 9 day trip. Plan on flying into Edinburgh on a Saturday morning and leaving on the following Sunday morning. Our golf party. Three golfers, and maybe picking up a 4th. I would like to play multiple rounds some days, and they will probably want to play one round per day and do more sightseeing. My big questions are... 1) Should we keep moving around or 2) Concentrate on a couple of areas? (We are thinking St. Andrews and Inverness) 3) Is eight days on the ground enough time (small kids at home, don't think I could really go for longer) 4) Is playing the Old Course a must? We are undecided about this. I think it is, but trying to get on via the lottery will make having other plans and tee times difficult? Is it true that other courses in the St. Andrews area are alright with rescheduling or canceling a round there if we get accepted to play the Old Course? Part of me would love to keep moving around and play all the courses I'd like to play in different areas. I'd prefer to play the Old Course, another St. Andrews course (New, Castle, or Jubilee), Cruden Bay, Royal Dornoch, and North Berwick. Then mix in maybe Moray Old, Brora, or Lundin. Maybe Pitlochry or Boat of Garten or another inland course. Ok here is what I am thinking of trying to do. Please tell me if we're nuts and this won't work. Saturday AM - arrive. Pick up rental car. Drive to St. Andrews. Get on Old Course List for Monday. Play Jubilee Course or another St. Andrews Course. Explore St. Andrews. Sunday - Play Crail or Lundin or another St. Andrews Course. Monday - hopefully play the Old Course. If not, play Crail or Lundin. Tuesday. Travel up to Pitlochry and play. 1.5 hrs. Continue up to Inverness on highland route - 1.5 hours. Stay in Inverness area. Either Nairn to the East, or smaller town to the West? Wednesday. Play Royal Dornoch - 1 hr from Inverness. Thursday. Play Cruden Bay - 2.5 hour drive. Or play Moray Old - 1 hour. Then maybe drive back on Coastal route and stop in Aberdeen area or further south in Carnoustie. Cruden Bay to Carnoustie is 2 hours. Friday - play Montrose or Carnoustie (if we can get on this late). Drive south to North Berwick - 2 hours. Saturday - Play North Berwick in the afternoon. Explore Edinburgh in the morning. Sunday - depart in the AM. Thanks in advance for any help or advice you might be able to offer. Also, any must see sightseeing attractions that you enjoyed or heard about would be a very welcomed suggestion as well. Thanks, Michael