St Andrews

EauRouge79

Anyone been? Any suggestions re.time of year, accomodation etc?

Thinking of taking the father over for a few days as a retirement gift.

I have e-mailed them via their website but any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

denishurley

For Christmas I got my parents the winter package, £150 per person to play three courses on consecutive days, including the Old Course. Only drawback is that from October 1 until March 31 you must use mats on fairways but they still loved it, ould fella still boasting about the well-earned five he got on the Road Hold and finishing the Jubilee Course birdie-par!

Edit to say that PhilipMarlowe is probably best person to ask as he been over a lot, gave me good advice

EauRouge79

denishurley wrote: »

For Christmas I got my parents the winter package, £150 per person to play three courses on consecutive days, including the Old Course.

Thanks Denis,
Yes, I was aware of the issue with playing off mats alright. Winter package looks good value though in fairness. Could be a cold spot in October though!

Seves Three Iron

I walked, as opposed to played, Carnoustie and St Andrews on December 3 last. I have to say it felt like the coldest place on earth!! That said, Carnoustie was still full on the day, a Saturday. I think it was about 1 degree C with the wind coming in off the sea making it feel a lot less. But it was still buzzin with lots of fourballs. Drove on down to St Andrews then, it's about 30 miles down the coast, and really enjoyed strolling around. Couldn't believe you can just walk out into the middle of the 18th fairway (there's a path that links the road to the beach). What other world renowned sports arena could you just walk out on? Without getting too cheesy St Andrews is definitely a special place. I can see why all the pros are mad to play and win there.

Leslie91

I stayed in Carnoustie and played there, St Andrews Old and the Jubilee. We paid each green fee separately if I recall. We were blessed too, got great weather all 3 days in April I think it was. St Andrews is so easy with no wind.

ANXIOUS

Thought id bunt his rather than start a new thread. The draw for this year opens on te 5th of September. Hoping to get it for a mate as a wedding present. One thing I get EXTREMELY nervous with people watching me. I have a 17 odd handicap But if people are watching or I'm playing with people that I'm unfamiliar with I look like a 24 handicap.

So my question is besides on the first tee do I have much to be worried about? I've already decided I probably won't enjoy the game, it's more for him and for me to break a 100.

L.O.F.T

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Thought id bunt his rather than start a new thread. The draw for this year opens on te 5th of September. Hoping to get it for a mate as a wedding present. One thing I get EXTREMELY nervous with people watching me. I have a 17 odd handicap But if people are watching or I'm playing with people that I'm unfamiliar with I look like a 24 handicap.

So my question is besides on the first tee do I have much to be worried about? I've already decided I probably won't enjoy the game, it's more for him and for me to break a 100.

There will be groups waiting around the first tee to tee off and the starter will be present too but your saving grace is that the first fairway is massive. Tee the ball high and let it fly & use your driver as you want as big a club face as possible to hit the ball with! The course is not the most difficult links course and it all depends on the wind.

Have a look here to get a feel for the first tee: http://www.standrews.com/webcams/st-andrews-old-course

ANXIOUS

L.O.F.T wrote: »

There will be groups waiting around the first tee to tee off and the starter will be present too but your saving grace is that the first fairway is massive. Tee the ball high and let it fly & use your driver as you want as big a club face as possible to hit the ball with! The course is not the most difficult links course and it all depends on the wind.

Have a look here to get a feel for the first tee: http://www.standrews.com/webcams/st-andrews-old-course

Thanks for that so I don't have to worry about officials following me around all day. I'm looking forward to it just to actually cross the bridge play the road hole. Hopefully we get the days we want.

ANXIOUS

Oh so will my GUI card be enough or will I get a letter from the handicap secretary?

L.O.F.T

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Thanks for that so I don't have to worry about officials following me around all day. I'm looking forward to it just to actually cross the bridge play the road hole.

There is lots to enjoy before the road hole and crossing the Swilcan bridge. Spend some time on the small putting green and overlook the 18th green for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The place is soaked in history.

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Oh so will my GUI card be enough or will I get a letter from the handicap secretary?

I didn't need my handicap cert when I've played there but if you want you can go onto Golfnet and print your cert from there closer to the date.

ozymandias10

It is not the hardest course you will ever play but there is just something special about the place that consumes you.....enjoy...

Note on the 1st you can be as far left as you want as the fairway is effectively 100 yards wide

Also be brave on the road hole take it out over the hotel corner

Mushy

Just submitted for St Andrews there. Can't wait, if its successful.

Ceist_Beag

Just saw this thread and I'm lucky enough to be heading over for 3 rounds at the end of the month (old course, new and castle) so I just want to check one thing. My father is coming along and I heard you can't hire trolleys (but instead can hire a caddy to carry your bag if you want), is that right? He has his own trolley which we were planning to leave at home but will bring it along if needed.

ozymandias10

when we were there we took a caddy. No trolleys before 12 oclock as far as i am aware on the old course...no restriction on the others. If you are out in the am they try to encourage you to take a caddy but you don't have to but would need to carry your bag before 12. This was three years ago

TerryOC

A group of 4 went to St Andrews a few years ago (in April). We booked through the St Andrews Trust website (http://www.standrews.org.uk/). You need to download an application form, return it soon. They usually make offers of tee times in early December I recall. 50% of tee times are allocated in this way, the other 50% are reserved for locals, official tours and the "daily draw". By using the application form option you have to play at least 1 of the other courses along with the "Old Course".
If you are in the town you can enter a daily draw for tee times for the following day; the draw is done at 4.00 pm and results are posted on the web and around the town. Single players or pairs would probably get a tee time. Others might be split up.
We played the "New course" which is right beside the Old. We had a great time, both courses well worth the effort. We actually stayed in Dundee, about 20 minute drive, but there are plenty of small hotels and B&Bs in St Andrews. I would like to play off the mats in Winter, that's why we waited until April; even then it was a freezing day when we played the Old course. Also depending on the date chosen there are restrictions about using trollies; we actually had caddies, but this adds to the cost obviously. I would highly recommend playing St Andrews - the whole place has a great atmosphere. But do your research to pick a date which suits you.

TrapperChamonix

ozymandias10 wrote: »

It is not the hardest course you will ever play but there is just something special about the place that consumes you.....enjoy...

Note on the 1st you can be as far left as you want as the fairway is effectively 100 yards wide

Also be brave on the road hole take it out over the hotel corner

Ian Baker Finch managed to hit it out of bounds left on the 1st tee. I believe it was the trigger that made him give it up.