11 replies to this topic

[gyippie]

Dear Scottish WRXers
I posted similar before, but my situation has changed. I just want to know if this is possible without losing ALL of my $$$
Review :
In March 2013 I'll be in Edinburgh.
I'll be taking students on their European trip and Edinburgh is one of the stops.
I'll have one day off - and I plan to go revisit the Old course (2nd time! ).
I can leave at daybreak but have to be back by 'sundown'.
I don't mind paying (can't put a price on playing the old course!).

Questions:
1. What are the possible modes of transport? (Taxi is probably easiest but will a taxi accept this voyage?) Can I 'hire' a driver for the day? Does a bus make this trip? ETC.
2. Is the time frame possible by any of the above methods?
3. What kind of $$$ am I looking at?

I'd love to play this round with any fellow WRXer who can join me

Thank you in advance!

[MikeMcM]

Take the train to Leuchers: http://www.nationalr...eu/details.html then a 15 minute cab ride to St. Andrews.

[gyippie]

I just checked the route, so easy!...My last visit was by car, so the actual train station was difficult to find. Apologize ahead for this potential question - are the cabs waiting by the station like in North America or do I have to phone for one?
Many thanks!

[duffer987]

There's going to be a taxi rank at any station - a lot will have a taxi service based nearby too - and there is typically going to be some cabs waiting for train arrivals, especially at commuter times. That said you'll be doing a reverse commute.

That said the easiest thing to do is just get a car hire. You can likely find one for £30 or less maybe. Pick up the rental the night before, so you can start as early as possible and you'll be returning it within the 24hrs.

Edit: funnily enough a quick look at google maps shows a taxi service based at the station

Edited by duffer987, 09 November 2012 - 12:17 AM.

[gyippie]

Dear Duffer987
I'm supervising students, so picking up a car the night before will not be possible. But as you stated, there will be cabs waiting, so they would be able to drive me, even though it's 'against traffic' wouldn't they? Thanks again for the info...my dream of St Andrews part 2, is getting closer to happening!

[duffer987]

Oh definitely. I didn't mean 'parce que de la circulation' so to speak they wouldn't pick you up, but that if you arrivce off-peak hours, it may mean there are not taxis already waiting there for people that you could jump right in.

The best bet would be to call the AM/PM taxi company based there, the night before and book a taxi for when your train arrives

I'm still a big believer in the self-drive option. How long will it take to get from the hotel to the train station, wait for and get on the train, train journey, arrive at other station, hopefully not wait for taxi and then do it again on the way back. Compared to time it takes to go to the nearest car hire office, get a car, drive there, park, drive back, and return the car.

Either way I am just being a pedant now. I hope everything works out and you get to enjoy your 2nd round at the Old Course!

[teeituphigh]

I have made the drive...its a nice drive but the train seems like an easy option + cab ride.
I was there for the 2009 Open and had a blast. Good luck. Id suggest getting there EARLY as to increase your chances of getting a game. Also, im not sure exactly the rules at that time of the year but be aware you may be required to use a mat....

[gyippie]

Thanks for the replies Duffer and Teeituphigh...so I sense some Quebec in you Duffer??? Parce que votre Fracais n'est pas pire ...you bring up a good point with the 'getting to station, waiting, train ride, wait for cab'....However, I don't really want to drive either (I did it the first trip because it was on my vacation) because i'll be playing 'hookey' from my students and don't want the extra stress. But it does give me flexibility!
Tough choice to make - hopefully one is not THAT much better than the other - just so that I feel better about my choice.

[Shemp]

How are you securing your tee time on the Old?  Since you've already played the Old Course what about staying closer to Edinburgh and playing Muirfield?  Also near Edinburgh are North Berwick and Gullane 1, both great courses.  Muirfield is a treat if you can get on.  18 holes in the morning, lunch in the clubhouse with the members then 18 holes of alternate shot in the afternoon.  You could be back in Edinburgh by 5.

[sabram]

Shemp, on 14 November 2012 - 03:45 PM, said:

How are you securing your tee time on the Old?  Since you've already played the Old Course what about staying closer to Edinburgh and playing Muirfield?  Also near Edinburgh are North Berwick and Gullane 1, both great courses.  Muirfield is a treat if you can get on.  18 holes in the morning, lunch in the clubhouse with the members then 18 holes of alternate shot in the afternoon.

The better question would be how would he secure a tee time on Muirfield. HCEG only allow visitor  play on Tuesdays and Thursdays and only in groups of four. Muirfield is usually booked up well in advance. I don't think they offer two rounds and lunch until after March 14 and if available the cost is about 275 GBP.  It will be easier to get on the Old Course by turning up as a single early on the day. If he can't get on the Old, an open spot for a single will likely be available on the New or Jubilee.

Edited by sabram, 14 November 2012 - 08:03 PM.

[gyippie]

Dear Shemp and Sabram,
Both of you are correct! In my trip of a lifetime last summer I did east, west and north, so I've covered the North Berwick and Gullane (both really awesome). My original though was Muirfield because it was the one that I didn't play on the dream trip,  but sabram is correct - soooooo hard to guarantee a time as a single. So my chances (I'm guessing) is to wait in line at the old course, I hope that at the beginning of March I can arrive at @8am and be able to play. In my last trip in July - the line up started at 3am! (I know because on 3/5 rounds on the 'Old' I was the first in line
Further every chance I get back to Scotland, I have to play the Old Course, if given only one choice.
thanks again!

[scotchblade]

MikeMcM, on 08 November 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

Take the train to Leuchers: http://www.nationalr...eu/details.html then a 15 minute cab ride to St. Andrews.

That's what my wife and I did.  Easy and entering the town of St Andrews for the first time was magical.