top end courses

[level5s]

For my birthday my wife offered to buy me a new club, but as I am currently pretty happy with my set I suggested she pay a greenfee instead.

I would like to begin ticking off Open venues, St Andrews is penciled in for next year (Dads 60th). So thinking about Carnoustie but baulking a bit at the £130 greenfee.
I am guessing 2 for 1 vouchers are not accepted at this type of venues but can you get deals for these type of courses?

 

[Aztecs27]

If you've never played it, I would DEFINITELY recommend the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, Lincs. You will not play a better non-tour golf course. The green fee is £65 (or £70, I forget if it's gone up or not) but is worth every penny.

I used to live in the village and play there semi-regularly (was never a member unfortunately, the waiting list was (and still is) 6 years!) and it's just a delight. The Bracken, which is the second and much newer course is Donald Steel designed and is a nice challenge too but plays alot like an American course. Never harms to have a round on each though.

Also, my parents run a small 9 bedroom hotel which sits overlooking the Fairway on the 1st Hole of The Bracken and is a 2 minute walk from the Clubhouse/Pro Shop at the Club. Obviously it comes highly recommended by me, but you won't find better service or food anywhere else in the village.

 

[slugger]

Have you played Kingsbarns?

If not, you need to at least once. Being Scottish and (probably) a member of a Scottish course, you can get on for roughly half what visitors from other countries pay - think it's around £75 this year.

Also, the Scottish Golf Union have something called the Scottish Golf Card... http://www.scottishgolf.org/go/play-the-game/scottish-golf-card

for £10 you basically get half price entry to a massive list of courses up and down the country. Must be something on that list that floats your boat. Use it once, and the card is paid for!

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Have you played Kingsbarns?

If not, you need to at least once. Being Scottish and (probably) a member of a Scottish course, you can get on for roughly half what visitors from other countries pay - think it's around £75 this year.

Also, the Scottish Golf Union have something called the Scottish Golf Card... http://www.scottishgolf.org/go/play-the-game/scottish-golf-card

for £10 you basically get half price entry to a massive list of courses up and down the country. Must be something on that list that floats your boat. Use it once, and the card is paid for!

Agree on both points.Kingsbarns is really outstanding, and if they opened up the open rota I'd guess this would be high on the list of new venues.Outstanding.I'd love to have a crack at Carnoustie though.Another option is royal dornoch.Being up that way you might have played it, that would also be an open venue if it wasnt soooo remote.

The SGU card is great value too.

 

[stevek1969]

Have you played Kingsbarns?

If not, you need to at least once. Being Scottish and (probably) a member of a Scottish course, you can get on for roughly half what visitors from other countries pay - think it's around £75 this year.

Also, the Scottish Golf Union have something called the Scottish Golf Card... http://www.scottishgolf.org/go/play-the-game/scottish-golf-card

for £10 you basically get half price entry to a massive list of courses up and down the country. Must be something on that list that floats your boat. Use it once, and the card is paid for!

Agree on both points.Kingsbarns is really outstanding, and if they opened up the open rota I'd guess this would be high on the list of new venues.Outstanding.I'd love to have a crack at Carnoustie though.Another option is royal dornoch.Being up that way you might have played it, that would also be an open venue if it wasnt soooo remote.

The SGU card is great value too.

Kingsbarns is £85 this year for residents,have played it twice and think its great but some on here don't rate it, what about Royal Aberdeen which is on your doorstep would love to play it or as said before another course i'd like to play Royal Dornoch.

 

[stef92]

If you are looking for an Open Course, Carnoustie does a three course deal that softens the blow somewhat. Then you can play all three for £155…

But also Dornoch! That is much cheaper, I think it is £85!

And Gleneagles is £155 a round but accepts 2-fore-1…

Then Castle Stuart is £90 for Scottish Residents

Finally, you can even find tee times for the Ailsa course at Turnberry for £90 on teeofftimes.co.uk!!

Hope you find somewhere!

But I can really recommend Carnoustie, top class!

 

[CliveW]

Deals can be had at Carnoustie. Best time is at the end of the season just before the Dunhill as the course is in fantastic condition then.

 

[level5s]

lots of good options and thoughts there.
i will keep looking into it

thanks

 

[Snelly]

Macrihanish is nice. Muirfield? Turnberry? All good for a special day out..

 

[thecraw]

I would do Castle Stuart every time ahead of Kingsbarns.

What about Western Gailes? Probably the best non-Open hosting links in Scotland. I rate it higher than Turnberry, its an awesome test of golf and usually in superb condition.

I will also echo the Machrihanish shout. Great course and I'm playing there on Saturday. Should I mentions its only an £8 entry fee? Machrihanish is true links and its in my top 3 courses ever played.

Something different but great, how about Islay. The Machrie is another class act and you could combine that with a couple of distillery tours.