Itinerary for mid April Scotland trip input

[davep043]

> @"El Gringo" said:

> > @Bbo569 said:

> > > @"El Gringo" said:

> > > It's difficult to add The New if you have to be somewhere else in the PM because most of the time you can't really book it as a solo game.

> > >

> > >

> > Others in the group will be playing so that is not an issue.

> >

>

> Sorry, not solo as in one person. Solo as in one round. The New is usually a walk up on the day and see what is available course.

 

I know that I've walked up and played the New, but I believe it IS available to be booked in advance:

 

>2020 Booking Enquiries

>From Thursday 7th November 2019 the Reservations Department are accepting bookings for 2020 via phone: +44 (0)1334 466718 and e-mail. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm (9.30 am – 5.00 pm on Thursdays).

 

That said, I'm not sure I'd want to book (and pay in full) too far ahead of time. You might check back in the week before you go, once you get an idea of the weather forecast.

[scott_Donald]

One thing to remember it is mid April and around that time the weather could be terrible. snow etc. likely not to have any and it could be 20*C but it also could be 7*C, 40mph wind.

 

I went home for May this year, which is normally nice settled month and it was one of the coldest ever. I was golfing in days I certainly would have not if I didn't feel I had to make full use of my membership.

[Bbo569]

> @scott_Donald said:

> One thing to remember it is mid April and around that time the weather could be terrible. snow etc. likely not to have any and it could be 20*C but it also could be 7*C, 40mph wind.

>

> I went home for May this year, which is normally nice settled month and it was one of the coldest ever. I was golfing in days I certainly would have not if I didn't feel I had to make full use of my membership.

 

Hopefully we get good weather. everything I have found about the weather in mid April said snow is basically outside of the question, but still could be very cold and windy. Either way we will grit through it!

[philsRHman]

> @Bbo569 said:

> > @scott_Donald said:

> > One thing to remember it is mid April and around that time the weather could be terrible. snow etc. likely not to have any and it could be 20*C but it also could be 7*C, 40mph wind.

> >

> > I went home for May this year, which is normally nice settled month and it was one of the coldest ever. I was golfing in days I certainly would have not if I didn't feel I had to make full use of my membership.

>

> Hopefully we get good weather. everything I have found about the weather in mid April said snow is basically outside of the question, but still could be very cold and windy. Either way we will grit through it!

 

LOL, same here. I was just thinking last night: If I prepay for $2000 worth of golf, will that force me to play through the potentially miserable weather, or will it make me resent it. That said, if we worried about that, we'd be booking Florida, not Scotland!

[davep043]

> @philsRHman said:

> > @Bbo569 said:

> > Hopefully we get good weather. everything I have found about the weather in mid April said snow is basically outside of the question, but still could be very cold and windy. Either way we will grit through it!

>

> LOL, same here. I was just thinking last night: If I prepay for $2000 worth of golf, will that force me to play through the potentially miserable weather, or will it make me resent it. That said, if we worried about that, we'd be booking Florida, not Scotland!

 

My first trip to Ireland we played through the remnants of a hurricane that had gone up the coast of the US and across the Gulf Stream to batter Ireland. Rain and heavy wind every day, and we still had a blast. ButI agree, that's why I suggest not booking too many 36-hole days this far out. 18 in miserable weather is more than enough for one day.

[jvincent]

> @philsRHman said:

> > @Bbo569 said:

> > > @scott_Donald said:

> > > One thing to remember it is mid April and around that time the weather could be terrible. snow etc. likely not to have any and it could be 20*C but it also could be 7*C, 40mph wind.

> > >

> > > I went home for May this year, which is normally nice settled month and it was one of the coldest ever. I was golfing in days I certainly would have not if I didn't feel I had to make full use of my membership.

> >

> > Hopefully we get good weather. everything I have found about the weather in mid April said snow is basically outside of the question, but still could be very cold and windy. Either way we will grit through it!

>

> LOL, same here. I was just thinking last night: If I prepay for $2000 worth of golf, will that force me to play through the potentially miserable weather, or will it make me resent it. That said, if we worried about that, we'd be booking Florida, not Scotland!

 

I've been to Ireland and Scotland in April for a combined 14 golfing days. I've brought two sets of rain gear both times.

 

We've had a total of 4 holes of rain. My lucky streak will end some day, but so far so good.

 

We always book one round per day in advance and then try to fit in replays based on weather/fatigue.

[Bbo569]

> @davep043 said:

> > @philsRHman said:

> > > @Bbo569 said:

> > > Hopefully we get good weather. everything I have found about the weather in mid April said snow is basically outside of the question, but still could be very cold and windy. Either way we will grit through it!

> >

> > LOL, same here. I was just thinking last night: If I prepay for $2000 worth of golf, will that force me to play through the potentially miserable weather, or will it make me resent it. That said, if we worried about that, we'd be booking Florida, not Scotland!

>

> My first trip to Ireland we played through the remnants of a hurricane that had gone up the coast of the US and across the Gulf Stream to batter Ireland. Rain and heavy wind every day, and we still had a blast. ButI agree, that's why I suggest not booking too many 36-hole days this far out. 18 in miserable weather is more than enough for one day.

 

Good advice. We are booked for our all our golf now with only 18 each day. Then will add 36 a day if it works out and where needed when there. May even play on our free day but going to play that one by ear. Decided this will be one of many trips so no need to try and force it all.

 

4/11 - arrive in early AM. Tour Edinburgh and travel to St Andrews. Got an Airbnb right next to the old course

 

4/12 - Castle Course

4/13 - The Old Course

4/14 - Carnoustie

4/15 - touring country on way to Ayr. Probably hit Stirling and Glasgow

4/16 - Turnberry

4/17 - Prestwick

4/18 - flying back

[davep043]

> @Bbo569 said:

 

> 4/15 - touring country on way to Ayr. Probably hit Stirling and Glasgow

 

Stirling Castle is really good, very similar to Edinburgh Castle in both its location atop a volcanic crag and its layout, but smaller, in a much smaller town.

 

[TrueBlue4Lyfe]

> @Bbo569 said:

> Ok, another round of questions to bounce off you fine folks

>

> - Setting up a morning tee time for the day we play Castle Course at 2:30pm. What is the better must play, New or Jubilee?

> - The only tee time on my itinerary that isn't confirmed is Royal Troon, but will likely lock that down today. Since we will already be in St Andrews, we could easily scrap that for Carnoustie. What is the better course or which one would you chose if you could only have one?

>

>

 

If you guys are good golfers (say 10 or better handicaps), you will love Carnoustie. It's a thinking man's course and each hole is interesting and distinct. It has an interesting routing, and the use of the bunker's is very memorable.

 

It doesn't have ocean views but its still scenic in its own grandiose way. Also has interesting terrain for the most part.

[El Gringo]

> @davep043 said:

> > @"El Gringo" said:

> > > @Bbo569 said:

> > > > @"El Gringo" said:

> > > > It's difficult to add The New if you have to be somewhere else in the PM because most of the time you can't really book it as a solo game.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > Others in the group will be playing so that is not an issue.

> > >

> >

> > Sorry, not solo as in one person. Solo as in one round. The New is usually a walk up on the day and see what is available course.

>

> I know that I've walked up and played the New, but I believe it IS available to be booked in advance:

>

> >2020 Booking Enquiries

> >From Thursday 7th November 2019 the Reservations Department are accepting bookings for 2020 via phone: +44 (0)1334 466718 and e-mail. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm (9.30 am – 5.00 pm on Thursdays).

>

> That said, I'm not sure I'd want to book (and pay in full) too far ahead of time. You might check back in the week before you go, once you get an idea of the weather forecast.

 

Yes, but then try to actually book the New...its tough and very hit and miss. The course is used for overspill for local clubs, so tons of tee times are reserved. Its not an issue for many, but for The New is comfortably the second best links in town. I strongly suspect that if it wasn't in St Andrews, The New would be more highly regarded. I reckon it would make my top 15-20 in Scotland.

[thecraw]

Personally I would drop Prestwick, just do not rate it at all.

 

I'd comfortably play Dundonald or on of the two Gailes tracks every day of the week ahead of Prestwick. Hugely overrated - of course that is just my opinion. Great history and that is about all it offers.

[davep043]

> @thecraw said:

> Personally I would drop Prestwick, just do not rate it at all.

>

> I'd comfortably play Dundonald or on of the two Gailes tracks every day of the week ahead of Prestwick. Hugely overrated - of course that is just my opinion. Great history and that is about all it offers.

 

I'd say I enjoyed Western Gailes more than Prestwick, although there are some brilliant and some frustratingly unusual holes at Prestwick. One thing of interest historically, though. If you play the Old Course at Musselburgh (with hickory clubs, of course) while in East Lothian, the Old Course at St Andrews, and Prestwick, you'll have played every course that hosted the Open Championship from 1860 to 1891.

[tiderider]

> @thecraw said:

> Personally I would drop Prestwick, just do not rate it at all.

>

> I'd comfortably play Dundonald or on of the two Gailes tracks every day of the week ahead of Prestwick. Hugely overrated - of course that is just my opinion. Great history and that is about all it offers.

 


 

[thecraw]

^^^^

 

It may have been more beneficial to everyone to add a bit of context to your disagreement. Its acceptable to disagree but at least try and back up your views.

 

The welcome at Prestwick is probably the best welcome that you'll get in Scotland, their staff are just brilliant. For me the first hole is the highlight of the day, brilliant hole. Then to counter that the last is probably the worst finishing hole I've ever experienced from a "top" track. Its just utterly dreadful and summed up such an anticlimax.