The fam is doing spring break in Scotland. Mostly castles and scotch tour but I am planning on a walk on round at St Andrews (as well as 9 with hickory clubs at Musselbrough!).

Has anyone done the wait list? I was inspired by the Ocean Course thread.

I've done it. If you only have one day for this and want to make sure you get out, would probably plan on showing up by 2am.

Definitely be at the club house around 2 am. I've done it four times and never failed to get a tee time.

What happens if you show up at 6AM?

Can you bribe the starter?

AggieDruggist89 said:

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Can you bribe the starter?

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Never tried that. I'm sure lots of others have though. Doubtful it would work. Is there a reason you cannot get there before 6?

I'm just asking. I'm sure I can get there at 2 AM but algood night of sleep is very important for me for golf.

If St Andrews is that special, I'd hate to play it with jet lag and no sleep. Not sure that will be the way I'd want to experience the once in a life experience.

Will I like St Andrew's? Who knows... I may say it's mickey mouse golf.

We are planning a trip for 2024.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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What happens if you show up at 6AM?

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It probably depends on the day and the expected weather. The day I played, I asked the folks at the Old Course Hotel what time I should head down there. They said that the week before, they told someone to get there at 3:30am because that time had been good for a few weeks. He got there at 3:30 and was 7th or 8th in line.

I wasn't planning to sleep anyway, so I got there around 1:30am. I wanted to make sure I was first in line. I was there by myself until almost 5am.

So you're saying get there by 5AM

you guys who are just showing up, do you all have your clubs with you? Do they have rentals? Sorry if that's a dumb question.

Prexys Moon said:

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you guys who are just showing up, do you all have your clubs with you? Do they have rentals? Sorry if that's a dumb question.

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Yes, I had my clubs with me. I would assume there is some sort of service there to rent clubs, but can't confirm. Not sure how that would line up with being there and waiting in line and being ready to go when they tell you to go.

Online says they rent Calloway's - that's my plan although I do plan to ask around.

Question on the 2:00 arrival: No problems with it (I actually think waiting in line in the dark as folks have done for 100 years is super cool). I've read they clear the queue about 6 and assign times. True?

Is the waiting area covered? March will likely be cold and wet. As mentioned by the previous poster, I don't think I'll mind while playing but will need to preplan if waiting in the rain.

I also like the idea of asking at the hotel. We have an AirBNB about a block from the first tee so plan on leaving warm bed about 5 minutes ahead of time.

I think there is a small overhang, when I did it in early April I showed up at about 5 and was able to pick my time to play. Took a 9am so I could get breakfast and a few essentials beforehand.

They have ****ty Callaway rentals, think XR game improvement clubs, also lowest wedge is a P.

Make sure to have some type of water resistant clothing, rain gloves, and cold layers. I started in a downpour wearing rain gloves, a waterproof hunting jacket and an umbrella. By the time we got to 9 it was sunny and awesome

Also bring cash if you want a caddy

Great stuff!! Thanks!

I've done it as well. Arrived around 5 and was probably 10th in line and went off around 8. Weekday with good weather. At least when I did it you had to have a letter stating your handicap and that you understood the rules of golf or something to that effect. Starter checked for that letter. This was around 2003-2004. Special place.

I'm pretty sure this is still the case. I'm hoping a card on my phone is good. Maybe I'll print.

Side story: I was a high teens when I played Valderrama which had a 20HC requirement so I was close. I got a caddy and walked. We were paired with a couple low teen Germans who spoke no Spanish or English. They were horrible - I played well admittedly but beat them both by at least 10. My intro to glamor handicapping.

Lol that looks miserable and totally like something I will not do……no way I'm doing that *****

AggieDruggist89 said:

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Lol that looks miserable and totally like something I will not do……no way I'm doing that *****

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to be fair, grass is grass. The fact that it happens to be in a certain latitude and longitude does not make it different in anyway.

Just find a field and swing some old big berthas and it's basically the same thing.

That was the last day it was open to the public before the open this last year. Would 100% do it again if it meant playing or not playing

Aggie369 said:

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That was the last day it was open to the public before the open this last year. Would 100% do it again if it meant playing or not playing

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Did they have the grandstands up yet? I played it on May 2, 2015 and they already had a few of them in place. The Open wasn't played until mid July. It really gave it a different feel. Below is a picture from the first tee.

Regarding the scotch tour, I highly recommend the Glenmorangie House. Terrific place to stay, great food, and set up a scotch tasting. Oh, and you can sneak out and play Royal Dornoch or Castle Stuart if you have a few extra minutes.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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Lol that looks miserable and totally like something I will not do……no way I'm doing that *****

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This is why we can't be friends.

Big Shoulders said:

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Regarding the scotch tour, I highly recommend the Glenmorangie House. Terrific place to stay, great food, and set up a scotch tasting. Oh, and you can sneak out and play Royal Dornoch or Castle Stuart if you have a few extra minutes.

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I'd love to, but we're sticking to the lowlands this go around. A few days in Edinburgh, a day of castles. St Andrews for a day and London for a day.

Cool pick but you're on the wrong side of the ball.

khaos288 said:

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CapCityAg89 said:

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Cool pick but you're on the wrong side of the ball.

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Bro he's in UK. That's the courrect side of the ball.

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Lol

Well done

Its the single greatest experience in golf. Ive done it a couple of times and you just cant explain the awesomeness of walking the Old Course.

Yea. I'm really looking forward to it.