First Scotland trip- June 2020. Advice appreciated!!!!

[golfinainteasy]

I am going to Scotland with my dad for the first time in june 2020. this is our plan at this time:

fly in saturday AM to edinburgh: play DUNBAR in the afternoon

day 2: gullane no. 1 and musselburgh

day 3: north berwick

---drive to St Andrews hotel

day 4: kingsbarnes and crail

day 5: carnoustie in the afternoon (2pm)

day 6: the old course at st andrews

day 7: fly home

 

a few questions:

we are scheduled to play dunbar on the first day. thoughts on dunbar? should we try to play archerfield golf club instead? or another corse in that area? i am excited to play musselburgh. should we rent hickories? if we do, should i buy gutties to play with the hickories? I am excited to play Crail, but is there another course that you would play near kingsbarns? I was thinking about Dumbarnie, but i like the idea of playing a Crail golfing society due to the history. I would really like to play another course on the same day we play carnoustie. thoughts about the course we should play? i was thinking about getting an early tee time at montrose?any other changes we should make?All help and comments are appreciated.

[jvincent]

I would highly recommend sticking with your plan to play Crail. I'm assuming you are playing the Balcomie, i.e. the old course. It's old school Scottish links. You'll have a blast. If you go for the green with your tee shot on 15 be careful!

If you're dead set on playing in the AM before you play Carnoustie, I'd suggest one of the other courses there, Buddon Links. That way you can get there early, play and have a nice leisurely lunch before the Championship course beats you up. Given that you are playing 36 the day before I'd actually recommend taking the AM off or just playing 9.

[babyfade]

1) Dunbar is a great course. Mostly straightforward links with just a few blind shots. All good holes. After the first three holes, your playing directly next to the sea and when you head back home, the town in the background is beautiful.

I never played Archerfield. But heard a lot of good things about it. The drive would be a bit shorter. But its a different experience, as its a new course and a private club.

2) I never played it, but from what I heard hickories are a must on that course.

3) I would rather play Elie than Crail. Better course, better backdrop. Elie is special to me. Dumbarnie looks beautiful on the pictures...

4) Panmure. Ben Hogen played there and loved it. Montrose is nice too though, but a longer drive. You also could play New Course in St Andrews. Or fit in Elie on this day. Or play inland golf.

5) Looks like a great trip to me. You really cant go wrong. You will enjoy your time, no matter what courses you choose.

 

[pendodave]

This post is full of good advice. I would play Dunbar over archerfield as it is much more of a traditional 'normal' Scottish club and will give you more of an appreciation of what golf in Scotland is actually like for the masses (most of the rest of your itinerary, while excellent, will not give you this).

The carnoustue advice in the post a couple up is also particularly sound. The other carnoustue courses (there are 2 iirc) are fine, and playing the same location for the day will give you the best chance of enjoying your round on the big course.

On your old course day, take your putters to the ladies putting club up to the right of the first green of the o/c. It's a blast, and again is a wonderfully Scottish experience watching the old and young negotiate the Himalayas.

[Hawkeye77]

Good plan, why second guess? So easy to start looking at the almost endless course options and think you are missing out if you don't play x or y. Been there, lol.

Only logistical issue - getting off a plane, jumping in a rental and driving to Dunbar is a big first day. Sun sets really late so daylight shouldn't be an issue, but you will be tired. Having said I wish we had been able to fit Dunbar in and wouldn't even think of Archerfield instead. Just give yourself plenty of time to get there and stretch a little, lol.

Crail is great, Tom Morris roots, wonderful links experience IMO. Some nice elevation changes, incredible views along the coast on many holes and fun routing. That's going to be a big day of golf. You'll need your rest before playing Carnoustie.

Can't imagine why anyone would play Musselburgh and not rent the hickories - would think it would be kind of a nothing to play except for that experience.

[tiderider]

wouldn't change a thing ...

[El Gringo]

If you find yourself knackered and just want to get out for a quick wake me up round instead of 18 on the first day consider Anstruther. Stay for fish n chips in town.

The day you play Carnoustie it makes sense to be on the property if an AM game is on the cards. The Burnside is very good and worth playing if you weren't there for the Champ course. Check into 36 hole deals for the day.

[babyfade]

Considering he will stay in East Lothian the first day (not in Fife) Gullane 2 or Gullane 3 or Kilspindie or The Glen would be better options than Anstruther. The drive to Dunbar isn't that bad though. I would go there. Cool place.

[SugarPenguin]

Great Great plan.

 

Woudlnt change a thing. Gullane no.3 is pretty poor so wouldnt recommend that.

Dunbar is a fun course with some good holes.

 

The castle course at St Andrews is worth a look. Fantastic views of the town and some really interesting holes as its not a typical links being so high up