Advice for St Andrews

Canfordhacker

Canfordhacker

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Forgive me for being excited, but playing the New on Monday and Old on Tuesday for the first time. Thousand mile round trip for 8 of us.

Will they actually ask for handicap certs or photo id? Never been asked anywhere before.

But more importantly, what advice would you give to make sure we enjoy the experience to the max?
 
I can't ever remember being asked for a handicap certificate on the New but never played the Old. Might be a bit more stringent so best to take them with you. Assuming you are staying overnight in the town, have a beer in the Dunveggan to soak up the atmosphere and the fish and chip shop in the town is fantastic!
 
I went 4years ago and I don't recall having to provide ID or handicap certificate. That said it would probably be sensible to have it just in case.

If you are arriving on the Sunday you can walk the old course as it is closed. Well worth the effort in my opinion, see what you're up against on Tuesday.

Other than that just try and savour the experience, especially the old. Enjoy!
 
Get yourself a caddy for the round on the Old. Worth the expense + tip and will definitely save you several shots over the round.
 
Canfordhacker said:
Forgive me for being excited, but playing the New on Monday and Old on Tuesday for the first time. Thousand mile round trip for 8 of us.

Will they actually ask for handicap certs or photo id? Never been asked anywhere before.

But more importantly, what advice would you give to make sure we enjoy the experience to the max?
Click to expand...

Few friends went up last year and everyone they saw was asked for a handicap cert for the Old Course (apparently a lot of Japanese people were turned away). No handicap cert, no play. Only on the Old Course though
 
Just enjoy it, althought the weather is not to promising:(. .A caddie with tip will cost about £80, save your money hit it left all day and you'll be fine.

Try the Central Bar and the Criterion both good pubs and if its Indian you like got to Misha next to the Central bar cracking food.
 
Sirmol said:
I'm interested in this post as i'm playing the castle course in 5 weeks :) Can't wait!!!
Click to expand...
Castle course is nothing like the Old, New, Jubilee, Eden etc. Great views, lovely holes, but the greens are unbelievable.:eek:

On the Old course, drive down the left, right side is very tight. Use you putter a lot from around the greens, and don't go in the bunkers. Also pray that the wind follows you going out, and then turns when you reach the 10th. It did for us last time we played.:)

New course is more defined, and is easier to see where you need to drive. Greens are generally even better than the Old course. Don't go long on 18 as you will be OB beside the clubhouse.
 
richart said:
Castle course is nothing like the Old, New, Jubilee, Eden etc. Great views, lovely holes, but the greens are unbelievable.:eek:

On the Old course, drive down the left, right side is very tight. Use you putter a lot from around the greens, and don't go in the bunkers. Also pray that the wind follows you going out, and then turns when you reach the 10th. It did for us last time we played.:)

New course is more defined, and is easier to see where you need to drive. Greens are generally even better than the Old course. Don't go long on 18 as you will be OB beside the clubhouse.
Click to expand...

unbelievable as in good? or hard? or both? :) Which is the best course people have played at St Andrews?
 
The New and the Jubilee are regarded as the best courses but the Old obviously has all the history.
 
richart said:
Castle course is nothing like the Old, New, Jubilee, Eden etc. Great views, lovely holes, but the greens are unbelievable.:eek:

On the Old course, drive down the left, right side is very tight. Use you putter a lot from around the greens, and don't go in the bunkers. Also pray that the wind follows you going out, and then turns when you reach the 10th. It did for us last time we played.:)

New course is more defined, and is easier to see where you need to drive. Greens are generally even better than the Old course. Don't go long on 18 as you will be OB beside the clubhouse.
Click to expand...

And don't go left at the 9th or you'll be in the sea.
 
Played the Old Course for the second time a couple of weeks ago.

Handicap certificates are a must, they will accept seeing your HowDidIDo screen on your phone though.

Tips for playing the old - go left and you will be fine! The second is the perfect example, if you aim the way the tee box goes your will be in trouble, aim for the middle of the driving range and you will be fine!

We were lucky and got the course with no wind at all and I played out my skin, sunk a 10 foot putt on the 18th with a crowd watching to break 80 for the first time - cant beat the feeling!
 
Sirmol said:
unbelievable as in good? or hard? or both? :) Which is the best course people have played at St Andrews?
Click to expand...
You will need to make your own mind up. I couldn't stand them.:( Old is the one I have to play when I go to St Andrews. New and Jubilee are equally as good as each other in my opinion, though the Jubilee is tougher.

mcbroon said:
And don't go left at the 9th or you'll be in the sea.
Click to expand...
I thought the 9th on the New was a par 4, so hit driver straight over the 10th tee.:eek: Got my 4 so a par in my books, and out in one under.;)
 
richart said:
24 men, 36 women I think from memory.
Click to expand...

I've seen so many people play the course over the years and wondered how they ever managed to get on, I'm sure its 28 but if you've a valid handicap I wouldn't see any problem, ive never been asked for one when ive played it.

I'm lucky I'm a 15 minute drive away from it ,of thru on Saturday night with the good lady for a few and a meal, great place.
 
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