Headed to Scotland next month...name 1 Thing you wish you had brought and one thing you wish you left at home...

[Shagginballs]

8 hours ago, ousuxndallas said:

You're going to have a blast, I'm envious!  We went last summer, so here's my $0.02.

 

Wish I'd taken: more balls, lol.  Unlike those above, I lost a s*** ton of balls over there.  I'm a single digit, but balls in the gorsch are gone, might as well be the bottom of a lake.  We played 13 rounds in 8 days so it added up.  Troon and Western Gailes gobbled up the most.  N. Berwick wasn't too bad.  St. Andrews Jubilee was like pacman - waka, waka, waka, waka...Over here in Texas, I'll lose one ball about every 2 rounds.  Over there, it was brutal.  I'd plan on 3-4 balls per round. 

 

Wish I hadn't taken: I took too many insulated vests and jackets.  It's relatively warm in the summer.  Rain gear over a polo is all you need.  Just take one light vest as a layer if you need it, no more. Definitely don't need an insulated or fleece jacket.  The only thing I used my fleece for was the overnight line at TOC (actually came in handy).

Thanks! I'm like 1 ball per round on my home course here in FL and I'm a 12hcp so for 8-9 rounds thinking I bring 4dozen should be safe?  As for weather I'm a lightweight so I was planning on a polo with a quarter zip over and a vest in the bag if the wind picked up.  I leave in 2 weeks and it looks like highs of 60, that's pretty cold for me.  I do have a puffy jacket packed just for my TOC overnight line should I not get on using the ballot.

[Mullenboy]

On 4/30/2023 at 11:31 PM, El Gringo said:

Dump about 5-6 clubs, especially if carrying is part of the plan. 

 

No umbrella. If there is a day when it's useful, buy one. 

 

Bring rain gloves. 

 

 

This is all right on.  For sure dump the LW.  There is never a reason for it.  

[scott_Donald]

3 hours ago, Shagginballs said:

Thanks! I'm like 1 ball per round on my home course here in FL and I'm a 12hcp so for 8-9 rounds thinking I bring 4dozen should be safe?  As for weather I'm a lightweight so I was planning on a polo with a quarter zip over and a vest in the bag if the wind picked up.  I leave in 2 weeks and it looks like highs of 60, that's pretty cold for me.  I do have a puffy jacket packed just for my TOC overnight line should I not get on using the ballot.

 

Haha, just avoid the gorse and rough. Some courses are much easier than others. Old Course I think have only ever lost a ball and I think the record on my home course is about 7 in a round!

 

52 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

This is all right on.  For sure dump the LW.  There is never a reason for it.  

 

I use my Lob wedge every round and I never use it in the bunker unless right against the side. 

 

Just heading down to chip practice now - 4x20 with 46*, 4x20 with 55* and 4x20 with 60* then I will play a few holes. Gorgeous evening and no wind!

[Mullenboy]

Where do you play?  What type of grass and how firm?  Sure you use your LW at home.  So do I.  But it's generally soft grass.

 

Over there it's nothing but very very tight lies.  LW is a low percentage play every time.  Putting from anywhere one can is the best play.

 

I just returned from a trip to Ireland and UK.... used my LW exactly once in 9 rounds.

 

But to each his own.

 

Have fun!

[scott_Donald]

3 hours ago, Mullenboy said:

Where do you play?  What type of grass and how firm?  Sure you use your LW at home.  So do I.  But it's generally soft grass.

 

Over there it's nothing but very very tight lies.  LW is a low percentage play every time.  Putting from anywhere one can is the best play.

 

I just returned from a trip to Ireland and UK.... used my LW exactly once in 9 rounds.

 

But to each his own.

 

Have fun!

Royal Aberdeen.

 

pics from this evening. First pic is chipping practice area.

 

You have to just play the shot in front of you. Firm lies to me are the easiest to play from, just hit the ball first; same as any other shot. 
 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by scott_Donald

[kobe123]

I just got back and here is what I think is super important.

 

A great base layer and lots of socks. You don't need need a ton of clothes, most hotels will do laundry for you. 

[Shagginballs]

1 hour ago, kobe123 said:

I just got back and here is what I think is super important.

 

A great base layer and lots of socks. You don't need need a ton of clothes, most hotels will do laundry for you. 

What kind of base layer did you bring?  Also how many gloves do you bring?  Here I go through gloves like water with the heat and sweat.  I rotate through about 4 on a normal round and a glove last me maybe 6-8 rounds tops (using the footjoy weathersof as those are the only ones that can handle a good amount of sweat).  Not opposed to buying a premium glove (I love wearing them) but they just don't hold up here.    

[Shagginballs]

1 hour ago, scott_Donald said:

Royal Aberdeen.

 

pics from this evening. First pic is chipping practice area.

 

You have to just play the shot in front of you. Firm lies to me are the easiest to play from, just hit the ball first; same as any other shot. 
 

 

 

 

This is beautiful.  We were trying to get up to Aberdeen this trip but everyone said just keep it small and you'll make it back and then can go further next time.  I already have my next trip planned....Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh, Moray, Nairn, Brora, Dornoch,  Golspie and Cabot...  Any other suggestions?

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, Shagginballs said:

This is beautiful.  We were trying to get up to Aberdeen this trip but everyone said just keep it small and you'll make it back and then can go further next time.  I already have my next trip planned....Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh, Moray, Nairn, Brora, Dornoch,  Golspie and Cabot...  Any other suggestions?

Take the time to play Covesea. It's very close to Moray. Funky 9 holer that is the salt of golf. 

[hammergolf]

8 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

Royal Aberdeen.

 

pics from this evening. First pic is chipping practice area.

 

You have to just play the shot in front of you. Firm lies to me are the easiest to play from, just hit the ball first; same as any other shot. 
 

 

 

 

Wow! I knew there were some changes made in the winter, but didn’t know they turned a hole upside down….. lol Course looks awesome!

[scott_Donald]

21 hours ago, Shagginballs said:

This is beautiful.  We were trying to get up to Aberdeen this trip but everyone said just keep it small and you'll make it back and then can go further next time.  I already have my next trip planned....Aberdeen, Cruden Bay, Fraserburgh, Moray, Nairn, Brora, Dornoch,  Golspie and Cabot...  Any other suggestions?

you are not a tru mp supporter then!

 

all depends on where you want to base yourself.

 

19 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Take the time to play Covesea. It's very close to Moray. Funky 9 holer that is the salt of golf. 

 

never heard of it.

 

15 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Wow! I knew there were some changes made in the winter, but didn’t know they turned a hole upside down….. lol Course looks awesome!

 

so weird I deleted them twice. Also why do the pics go upside down on here?!

 

course is good now. 10 days above 10*C  works wonders!

 

shame it got cold on me; ball was going no where…. Shorts and light jersey was not enough.

Edited May 13, 2023 by scott_Donald

[hammergolf]

Just now, scott_Donald said:

you are not a tru mp supporter then!

 

all depends on where you want to base yourself.

 

 

never heard of it.

 

 

so weird I deleted them twice. Also why do the pics go upside down on here?!

 

course is good now. 10 days above 10*C  works wonders!

 

shame it got cold on me; ball was going no where….

I’ve had it happen before. Must be a glitch, but if you go edit the pic and make it upside down on your phone then edit it back to normal it shows right side up. Crazy….

[El Gringo]

32 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

you are not a tru mp supporter then!

 

all depends on where you want to base yourself.

 

 

never heard of it.

 

 

so weird I deleted them twice. Also why do the pics go upside down on here?!

 

course is good now. 10 days above 10*C  works wonders!

 

shame it got cold on me; ball was going no where…. Shorts and light jersey was not enough.

If you are inclined toward short, funky and cheap courses, give Covesea a go when next in the area. 

[scott_Donald]

22 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

If you are inclined toward short, funky and cheap courses, give Covesea a go when next in the area. 

I played at hopeman on Friday in an outing. 40 for bacon roll, scramble golf then two course lunch! Cant be beat. 

[hammergolf]

28 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

I played at hopeman on Friday in an outing. 40 for bacon roll, scramble golf then two course lunch! Cant be beat. 

That’s a hell of a bargain. 

[Mullenboy]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:59 PM, hammergolf said:

Wow! I knew there were some changes made in the winter, but didn’t know they turned a hole upside down….. lol Course looks awesome!

 

Scott_Donald - ok fine, you're used to the tight lies.  Sure YOU can hit LW from anywhere and often do.  My son (young, nerves of steel) does also.  But the question was for visitors - who I assume are NOT used to the tight lies.  For us, LW remains useless.  I'm not kidding I hit it exactly twice in 9 rounds - once from a very deep bunker.  The percentage play is damn near always putter.  Only if something is in the way does it make sense to loft it.  Again, for us not used to the tight lies.  As most visitors will be.

 

BTW LOVE the Royal Aberdeen pics and I LOVED LOVED LOVED playing there.  It was the unsung relatively hidden gem of a trip a few years ago (hitting all the big names with mostly first time visitors). It was my favorite course and club of the trip.  They treated us very nicely there.

 

And I never hit one LW.  🙂

[kobe123]

On 5/12/2023 at 5:54 PM, Shagginballs said:

What kind of base layer did you bring?  Also how many gloves do you bring?  Here I go through gloves like water with the heat and sweat.  I rotate through about 4 on a normal round and a glove last me maybe 6-8 rounds tops (using the footjoy weathersof as those are the only ones that can handle a good amount of sweat).  Not opposed to buying a premium glove (I love wearing them) but they just don't hold up here.    

 

I ended up buying a Galvin Green Mock over there, it is the best base layer I've ever had. I really only played in one glove, I bought a new FJ Rain Glove and it lasted me the whole time.

[roboref]

I have not taken heavier rain pants after 1st trip, just go with unlined rain pants, other rain pants too hot. Also went with unlined rain shirt, the nicer heavier rainsuit was just 2 heavy even when cold. 

I also bought a water proof bag cover for the rainy days, it keeps everything dry.

 

[cradd10]

I had 2 things i wish I didn't take on my 1st trip.  Noise Maker Fan.  I forgot that UK runs on 220V.  That little motor burned up in 1 minute and smoked the condo out.  2nd was my push cart.  It was super difficult to pack, tote through airport and load in fan (was nice on the course though)  Should have just rented the trolly there.

 

 

[dwboston]

We had incredibly good weather on our Ayrshire trip so I never needed the rain gear.  I packed way too many clothes for the trip - our lodge at Dundonald had a washer/dryer so I could have gotten away with less clothes and done laundry while I was there.  I would have brought one or two more base layer/long sleeve shirts, both for weather and SPF purposes, and left a couple of pairs of pants and shorts at home.