🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Our Scotland Adventure

July 16-23, 2026 β€’ 8 Days of Golf, Whisky & Memories

πŸ“… Day 1: Thursday, July 16
"Welcome to Scotland!"
⚠️ BEFORE 2:00 PM (or before leaving USA)

🎲 ENTER OLD COURSE BALLOT #1

Enter ballot for Saturday, July 18
CAN ENTER FROM HOME before trip!
Via booking.standrews.com
Saturday has MORE ballot slots (best odds!)
βœ… 12:55 PM - Arrive Edinburgh

✈️ FLIGHT BOOKED - Confirmation: FNLSDB

AA724 via Dublin β†’ Edinburgh, arrives 12:55 PM
Pick up rental car
Drive to North Berwick (40 min)
Check into seaside accommodation
4:30 PM
Check ballot results (via text/email)
Evening
Dinner at The Lobster Shack
Beach walk
Early night to beat jet lag
β›³ NO GOLF TODAY - Just arrive and decompress
πŸ“… Day 2: Friday, July 17
"Easing into Scottish golf"
Morning

🏌️ Gullane Golf Club #2 or #3

9:00 AM tee time

Visitor-friendly, excellent facilities
Stunning Firth of Forth views
Green fees: Β£60-90
4-hour round with lunch
Afternoon/Evening
Lunch at clubhouse overlooking course
Visit Dirleton Castle (15 min away)
Relax at accommodation
Dinner in Gullane village
Early night

Why one round? First day playing = adjust to time zone and links golf

πŸ“… Day 3: Saturday, July 18
"St Andrews Day 1 - Ballot or Backup"
Morning Golf

πŸŽ‰ OPTION A: If Won Thursday's Ballot

🏌️ THE OLD COURSE!

The dream round - Home of Golf since 1552
Swilcan Bridge, Hell Bunker, Road Hole
Bring GHIN handicap certificates (required)
After round: Drive to Strathkinness (30 min), check in Airbnb

πŸ“‹ OPTION B: If No Ballot Win

Leisurely breakfast, drive to East Neuk fishing villages
Explore Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem
Fish & chips lunch at Anstruther Fish Bar

🏌️ Backup Golf Options:

Crail Balcomie Links - 7th oldest club (1786), Old Tom Morris design
OR St Andrews Jubilee Course - Β£18.75 promotional, locals' favorite challenge
Drive to Strathkinness, check in Airbnb
⚠️ By 2:00 PM

🎲 ENTER OLD COURSE BALLOT #2

Enter ballot for Monday, July 20
Via booking.standrews.com or phone
Results announced at 4:30 PM via text/email
Afternoon/Evening
Explore St Andrews - walk Old Course, Swilcan Bridge photos
St Andrews Cathedral ruins (stunning at sunset)
Dinner in St Andrews (The Dunvegan or Forgan's)

🏠 ACCOMMODATION: Strathkinness Airbnb

Address: 28 High Road, Strathkinness, KY16 9XY
Type: 4 bedrooms, ideal for golfers
Benefits: Full kitchen, living space, free parking, quiet village
Distance: 5 min drive to all St Andrews courses
Status: βœ… BOOKED (Sat & Sun nights, checkout Mon)
πŸ“… Day 4: Sunday, July 19
"Dumbarnie Links & Sunday Traditions"
Morning Golf

🏌️ βœ… BOOKED: Dumbarnie Links

Tee Time: 09:20 | Booking Ref: 59655
Stunning new links course, Clive Clark design (opened 2020)
Spectacular Firth of Forth views, near Leven
4 hours for round + lunch
βœ… CONFIRMED - Mr Brooke
Afternoon
Lunch on the course or in town

🚢 Sunday Tradition: Walk the Old Course!

Old Course is CLOSED for golf on Sundays
Becomes a public park - unique Scottish tradition!
Walk the fairways, take photos at Swilcan Bridge
British Golf Museum
West Sands Beach (Chariots of Fire location)
Shopping on South Street
OR relax at Airbnb
Evening
Dinner at The Jigger Inn (overlooks 17th hole - BOOK AHEAD!)
Pack for Monday departure

🏠 Overnight: Strathkinness Airbnb (final night)

πŸ“… Day 5: Monday, July 20
"Checkout & Old Course Hopes"
Morning
Check out of Strathkinness Airbnb

πŸŽ‰ OPTION A: If Won Saturday's Ballot

🏌️ THE OLD COURSE!

The dream round - Home of Golf since 1552
Swilcan Bridge, Hell Bunker, Road Hole
Bring GHIN handicap certificates (required)
After round: Drive to Carnoustie (45 min)

πŸ“‹ OPTION B: If No Ballot Win

Optional: Play Crail Balcomie OR second St Andrews course
OR drive directly to Carnoustie (45 min)
Afternoon (if time)
Carnoustie Burnside Course OR save for Tuesday morning
Check into Carnoustie/Dundee accommodation
Evening
Dinner in Carnoustie or Dundee
Optional: V&A Dundee museum (if energy)

🏠 Overnight: Carnoustie/Dundee area

πŸ“… Day 6: Tuesday, July 21
"Carnoustie & Highland Journey"
Morning Golf

🏌️ Carnoustie Golf Links - Burnside Course

Same property as Championship Course
Excellent links, very playable
Green fees: Β£90-110
Get the Carnoustie experience without the pressure!
πŸ“‹ TO BOOK tee time
Afternoon
Lunch at Carnoustie clubhouse
Drive to Pitlochry (1.5 hours - scenic!)
Late Afternoon

πŸ₯ƒ Blair Athol Distillery Tour

Gateway to Scottish Highlands
Classic tour & tasting
Β£15-25 per person
Evening
Drive to Aviemore or Grantown-on-Spey (45 min)
Check into Highland accommodation
Dinner with mountain views
Relax - long but rewarding day
πŸ“… Day 7: Wednesday, July 22
"Mountains and moors"
Morning

🏌️ Highland Golf Options:

Boat of Garten Golf Club

Spectacular Highland setting
Heathland in Cairngorms National Park
Green fees: Β£50-70
Osprey breeding area nearby!

OR

Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club

Classic Highland parkland
Green fees: Β£45-65
Stunning mountain backdrop
Afternoon
Lunch at clubhouse
Cairngorms National Park scenic drive
Wildlife watching
Late Afternoon

πŸ₯ƒ Second Distillery Visit:

Dalwhinnie (highest in Scotland) OR
The Glenlivet (famous Speyside)
Evening
Drive toward Edinburgh (2.5 hours)
Optional stop: Stirling Castle (if time/energy)
Overnight near Edinburgh Airport
πŸ“… Day 8: Thursday, July 23
"Farewell to Scotland"

✈️ FLIGHTS BOOKED - Confirmation: FNLSDB

8:35 AM - Edinburgh β†’ Dublin (arrives 9:50 AM)
11:45 AM - Dublin β†’ Charlotte (arrives 3:10 PM local)
Early Morning
Up early - need to be at Edinburgh Airport by ~6:30 AM
Return rental car
8:35 AM departure to Dublin
Dublin Connection
Arrive Dublin 9:50 AM - 1h 55m layover
11:45 AM depart Dublin β†’ Charlotte
Afternoon
Arrive Charlotte 3:10 PM
Home sweet home!
β›³ NO GOLF TODAY - Travel day home
🎲 OLD COURSE BALLOT STRATEGY
"The Lottery for Golf's Holy Grail"

How the Daily Ballot Works:

Enter: 48 hours before desired play date, by 2:00 PM
Results: Same day at 4:30 PM via text/email
Requirements: Names, home clubs, handicaps (max 36) for all players
Group Size: Minimum 2 players, maximum 4 players
How to Enter: Via St Andrews Links account, in person, or by phone
Best Days: Thursdays and Saturdays have more ballot slots available
Our Two-Entry Strategy
Ballot #1 - Thursday July 16 by 2pm: Enter for Saturday July 18
CAN ENTER FROM HOME before trip!
Saturday = MORE ballot slots (best odds!)
Ballot #2 - Saturday July 18 by 2pm: Enter for Monday July 20
If you win, play Monday morning then drive to Carnoustie

⚠️ Important: Old Course CLOSED Sundays

Sunday the Old Course becomes a public park - unique tradition!
That's why Castle Course is recommended for Sunday

πŸ“Š Success Odds:

Single Entry: ~25% chance
Two Entries: ~44% cumulative chance - almost 50/50!
Important Notes
🎫 Bring GHIN handicap certificates - required if you win
πŸ“± Ensure phone can receive international texts for results
πŸ”— Create account at booking.standrews.com
βœ… Account Status: CREATED
β›³ ST ANDREWS COURSE COMPARISON
"Beyond the Old Course"

πŸ† Castle Course - RECOMMENDED

Price: Β£22.50 promotional (normally Β£180)
Character: Spectacular clifftop views, modern links masterpiece
Designer: David McLay Kidd (2008)
Why Play: Best value for premium experience

πŸ’ͺ Jubilee Course

Price: Β£18.75 promotional (normally Β£150)
Character: Most difficult St Andrews course, narrow fairways
Why Play: Locals' favorite challenge, true test of links golf

πŸ“œ New Course

Price: Higher than promotional courses
Character: Designed by Old Tom Morris (1895)
Why Play: Many consider it better than Old Course for average golfers

🌱 Eden Course

Price: Β£9.50 promotional (normally Β£75)
Character: Shortest, easiest, most forgiving
Why Play: Great warm-up round, excellent value
🍽️ ST ANDREWS DINING
"Where to Eat in the Home of Golf"

Golf-Themed Dining:

The Jigger Inn: Overlooks 17th Road Hole - BOOK AHEAD!
The Dunvegan Hotel: Golf memorabilia everywhere, great pub atmosphere
18 at Rusacks Hotel: Views of 1st and 18th holes

Other Recommendations:

Forgan's: Sports bar with great burgers
The Adamson: French bistro, upscale option

🐟 East Neuk Must-Stop:

Anstruther Fish Bar: Best fish & chips in Scotland - worth the detour!
πŸ“‹ BOOKING STATUS
"What's Done & What's Next"

βœ… COMPLETED:

St Andrews accommodation (Strathkinness Airbnb - Sat July 18 & Sun July 19 nights)
St Andrews Links account created

πŸ“‹ TO DO BEFORE DEPARTURE:

Enter Old Course ballot #1 for Saturday July 18 (can do from home!)
Castle Course tee time (Sunday July 19) at booking.standrews.com
Crail Balcomie backup tee time (Saturday July 18 morning) - email bookings@crailgolfingsociety.co.uk

πŸ“‹ STILL NEEDED:

North Berwick area accommodation (Thu July 16 & Fri July 17)
Carnoustie/Dundee area accommodation (Mon July 20)
Highland accommodation (Tue July 21 & Wed July 22)
Edinburgh Airport area accommodation (Wed July 22)
Gullane #2 or #3 tee time (Friday July 17)
Carnoustie Burnside tee time (Tuesday July 21)
Boat of Garten tee time (Wednesday July 22)
Grantown-on-Spey tee time (optional/backup)

β›³ GOLF SUMMARY

Total Rounds: 4-6 (out of 8 days)

❌ REST Day 1 (Thu): NO GOLF - Arrival/jet lag
βœ… GOLF Day 2 (Fri): Gullane #2 or #3
βœ… GOLF Day 3 (Sat): 🎲 OLD COURSE (if won ballot) OR Crail/Jubilee
βœ… GOLF Day 4 (Sun): Castle Course (Old Course closed Sundays)
βœ… GOLF Day 5 (Mon): 🎲 OLD COURSE (if won Sat ballot) OR optional round
βœ… GOLF Day 6 (Tue): Carnoustie Burnside
βœ… GOLF Day 7 (Wed): Boat of Garten or Grantown
❌ REST Day 8 (Thu): NO GOLF - Departure

🎲 Old Course Odds: ~44% chance with two ballot entries!

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