Conference 7.286::golf

    
    
     Linda,
    
          The weather in September is normally very variable, ie it ranges
     from warm and sunny to cold and wet. It also depends on where you
     intend playing. The further north you travel, the more extreme the
     weather becomes. Regarding dressware, shorts/slacks are appropriate
     for most courses.
    
          If you are intending to play the bigger private courses, you
     should be aware that some of these clubs still have weird and wondeful 
     rules about women playing, ie they can't or if they can there not
     allowed into the club house!!!
    
     Danny

Linda,

Glad to hear that you are going to Scotland to play golf.  
Unfortunately, its difficult to be specific without knowing where 
in Scotland you are going.  Its like saying your going to 
America.  Do you have a particular area in mind, or are you 
touring around ?

With regard to the weather, although Southerners i.e. English 
people, say that Scotalnd is cold, September is an ideal time to 
play golf.  Not too warm, and not much rain nor wind.  I'm not 
sure shorts are appropriate, but smart casual slacks or skirts 
would be ideal.

I'm sure there will be many debates about where in Scotland the 
best golf is to be played, but I would divide Scotalnd into the 
following areas:-


Southern Scotland - near Dumfries, courses such as Siloth and 
Powfoot.  Great courses, but maybe limited in choice.

Ayrshire - idyllic.  There are so many courses here, you will be 
spoilt for choice. Turnberry, Troon, Bellisle, Prestwich, the 
names trip off the tongue.  All steeped in tradition, and great 
golfing experiences.

East Lothian - East of Edinburgh.  Again there are so many 
courses you could die.  Gullane 1&2, Dunbar, Kilspindie, North 
Berwick.  Ah seventh heaven.

Fife - God's country, and my own personal favourite.  Lundin 
Links, Leven Thistle, Elie, and of course St Andrews. All these 
courses are in a 10 mile radius of each other.  I would also 
recommend what I think is the best course in the world - 
Ladybank.  It is hewn out of a forest, parkland fairways and 
fringed with heather and gorse.  Almost in Fife, but not quite, 
is Gleneagles, which must get 10 out of 10 for spectacular 
scenary.

Tayside - once near Dundee, there are so many its difficult 
knowing where to start.  I'd try Taymouth, Monifieth, Downfield 
and of course Canroustie.  Not forgetting Rosemount at 
Blairgowrie, again a golfing experience not to be missed

Northern Scotland - if you get as far North as Inverness you must 
play Royal Dornoch and Nairn.  These are Scottish Links courses 
at their finest.

I'm sure the people of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen will be 
deeply offended that I haven't mentioned courses in their region, 
but honestly, there are so many courses in Scotland, I could go 
on forever.  Even the lesser know courses are wonderful.  I have 
a Kirkcaldy and District Council ticket, which gives me the right 
to play on the four municipal courses for 85 pence each - that's 
about 60 cents in American money.  All four courses are in 
excellent condition.

Let's know where you are going to in Scotland and I will give you 
more details.  Have a great time.

Randall

Linda,

At several of the "major" courses you are required to show a 
handicap certificate before they will allow you to play the 
course, whether you are male or female.

Normally, a leter from your club secretary stating your exact 
handicap is sufficient.

Randall

    Thank you for all the information.  We will be traveling all over
    Scotland so it will be great to see the different golf courses.
    Do you feel getting to play at St. Andrews will be a problem?  We
    do have USGA handicap cards already but do plan on getting a
    letter from our pro also.
    
    Linda                                           

    There are 4 courses at St. Andrews.  The Old Course (for which you need
    to show a handicap certificate of 18 or better), the New Course (dunno
    what you need for that),  the Jubilee Course which is open to everyone
    (well it was when I went there), and the Eden course which I believe is
    a 9-holer open to everyone (please correct me if I'm wrong about that).
    
    Happy golfing.
    
    Steve

Linda,

What I can't understand is how come you're American ?  With a 
name like Linda McCraken, you should be Scottish.

There should be no problem playing St. Andrews, if you plan it.  
As mentioned in .-1 there are four courses at St. Andrews, The 
Old, The New, Jubilee and Eden.  These are all 18 hole courses 
squeezed into a very small piece of land.  (There is also a new 
course, called I think Strath Allen, which may be 9 holes.  I've 
never played it so I can't comment.)

Don't forget that you can't play golf on a Sunday at St. Andrews.  

I would strongly recommend playing the Old Course.  Having your 
name announced over the loud speakers on the first tee is a 
wonderfully nerve wracking experience:-

" Ms McCraken, play away!"

There are normally between 50-100 people walking around.  If you 
can keep the ball in play, you will remember the shot for the 
rest of your life.  (I remember the first time I played.  I hit a 
low 3-wood which ran 240 yards straight down the middle. This was 
accompanied by a polite ripple of applause from the spectators, 
which I modestly acknowledged trying hard to pretend I hit that 
type of shot everytime.  I also remember my next two pitch shots, 
very high, directly at the pin, but sadly straight into the 
Swilken Burn for an opening 7 - ouch.)

There are two ways of playing The Old Course at St. Andrews.  
Firstly, you can pre-book a tee-time, by writing up to 6 weeks in 
advance requesting an AM or PM start time.  This costs �20, �10 
of which is refundable against your green fee.  The green fee is 
�34.  However, there is a slight catch.  You also have to play 
one of the other courses.  This costs �14 plus a further �5 
booking fee.  This makes it quite expensive for the day's golf, 
but what an experience.  Personally, I would do it, choosing the 
Eden as my second course.  

Secondly, you can arrive at St. Andrews the day before you want 
to play, and have your name entered in the ballot for the next 
day's play.  Normally, you can get a tee-time, but you can't 
specify when it will be.  You may have to spend the rest of the 
day sight-seeing or walking round the golf and woollen shops.  If 
you are on your own, then the second method is ideal.  If you are 
with a party, then I strongly recommend booking.

I've telephone nubmers, addresses etc... at home.  If you want to 
play, let me know and I'll post the details here.

P.S. There are no club house facilities for visitors at St 
Andrews.  All you can do is change your shoes in the car park.

    
    I had my PGA golf pro send a letter and phoned the club secretary
    to book a tee time.  I was told "How does 1993 sound!"
    
    Depending on who you talk to you will probably get different
    responses.  He also told me about the ballot but travelling that
    far and at that expense we wanted to make sure we had a tee time.
    We decided to golf exclusively in Ireland.
    
    Bob

    Maybe they heard about you in Scotland?.....
    
    Big Mac

    It's been a while since I've been back from Scotland but just wanted
    to thank you for all the info you gave me and to let you know where
    I finally was able to play.
    
    Played Hazelhead, Taymouth Castle and Royal Dornoch.  Royal Dornoch was
    the only links style course and with all the history behind the course
    it was quite a thrill to play it.  We played late afternoon with
    extreme wind.  Played the front nine very well but the back nine nearer
    the ocean got me, but I wasn't the only one.  Overall I was very
    pleased with my score considering I had never played a links course,
    didn't know the course at all and had to deal with the wind.
    
    We WILL be in Scotland again!  It is a BEAUTIFUL country and the people
    were outstanding. 
    
    Linda

    Just thinking of Dornoch gives me goose bumps. If you ever go back, I'd
    sure recommend Turnberry and Royal Troon - but I'd recommend Ireland
    first...
    
    __Jack

       *************1994 BRITISH OPEN ***************************

   The 1994 British Open will be held at Turnberry from the 10 - 17th
   July.

   If anyone is interested in renting a house at this time drop me a line.
   I stay in Prestwick , which is a 20 minute drive from Turnberry.

   The house is only 8 minutes from Royal Troon (Venue of the 1997 Open)
   and 2 minutes from Old Prestwick. 

   There are many other courses around the area ( there is a course 200
   yds. from the house that can be played with members).

   Send mail for more details to AYOV22::TADAIR.    
    

    Randall,
    
    I going to be in Scotland during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of September,
    1994.
    
    I would like to have those phone numbers which you graciously offered
    to Linda.  I going to try and play St. Andrews (Old Course) and Royal
    Dornoch in Inverness.
    
    Any idea about fees for the 2 courses ?
    
    Also my wife would like to walk with me on the courses, do they allow
    spectators (Yes or No and if yes is their a fee) ? 
    
    Thanks for your assistance and my you next drive be hit on the sweet
    spot and fly straight and true !