golf in scotland
Links Trust Announces Changes
A week ago, the Links Trust, administrator of seven courses in St Andrews including the Old Course, announced that they were making a change to the daily ballot for play on the Old Course. It is a significant change. This from their press release:
All About Price – $241 vs. $552 per night
Whenever we are asked about golfing in Scotland, we are always answering 3 questions: can you get me on the Old Course, what’s the weather like at that time of year and how much is this trip going to cost on a per person basis. Fair questions all. We have answered questions about the Old here and weather here but we have never talked about prices before. Until now.
Monarchs House Announces Partnership
As anyone who has ever captained a golf trip knows, planning a golfing holiday with your mates can be at the least, challenging and at the most, exasperating. There’s organizing, scheduling, orchestrating, administering, and accounting to do to ensure for a seamless trip. For 10 years, Monarchs House has always lightened a golf captain’s burden by taking on much of this workload but for 2011, we have not only removed much of the captain’s challenge but also made the process a bit of fun as well.
Golf
IF YOU BELIEVE GOLF IS A RELIGION, WELCOME TO ITS SANCTUARY
St Andrews is a mystical experience that’s almost spiritual. The aura that permeates the air creates an unexplainable range of emotions. And the altar where you experience it all is the first tee of the Old Course. Step onto that sacred land and you now have a responsibility. Not to necessarily play well. But, to respect all those who have gone before you.
As you tee up your first ball you’ll hear 600 hundred years of drives. Approach shots. Pitches. Chips. And putts. You’ll experience 600 years of winds. Sea mist. Clouds. Rain. And more often than not, sun. 600 hundred years of emotions and history. And by the simple act of swinging your driver, you become a part of it all.
GOLF AROUND ST ANDREWS
There’s more to golf at St Andrews than the Old Course. Today golf in St Andrews is played on 11 courses. Each has its own history, challenges and charm. Each has its own ability to conjure up the spirits of all who preceded you. Six of the courses at St Andrews; Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course, Castle Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course and Balgove Course are part of the St Andrews Links and are open to the public.
As there are more courses per capita in Scotland than anywhere in the world, golf in Scotland is not limited to St Andrews. You can find 60 championship courses within one hour’s drive, including the likes of Gleneagles and Carnoustie. Turnberry and Royal Dornoch are further away but reached by luxury coach or helicopter. Two hidden gems that are but a short thirty minute drive from Monarchs House are Crail Balcomie and Golf House Club, better known as Elie. Both are inspiring 18 hole links courses with spectacular views of Edinburgh and East Lothian over the Firth of Forth.
Many have visited St Andrews over the years. Whether it is the trip of a lifetime or an annual pilgrimage. But, now for those staying at Monarchs House, St Andrews is more than a vacation, escape or dream. It’s home at the home of golf.
Golf Week’s New List
The 12th at Kingsbarns
Golf Week Magazine just released their list of the greatest modern and classic golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland. Leading the way on the modern list is Kingsbarns. And the number two course on the classic list is the Old Course in St Andrews (trails Royal County Down of Northern Ireland). Nine courses from both lists are no further than 30 minutes away from the front door at Monarchs House.
More on Weather
Usually there are two things people ask first when inquiring about a golf trip to Scotland: can you get me on the Old Course and when is the best time to go? The Old Course question is a story for another posting. This time we’re talking about Scottish weather.
Does Scotland deserve its reputation as the home of the constant shower?
