Recommendations for St Andrews

EMacK1961 · May 13, 2023

Going to St Andrews for two weeks. Going to get on the ballot for the Old Course (fingers crossed). Anyone have any recommendations on gyms, healthfood stores, "Don't Miss" places to go? Thanks in advance -

Golf2Much · May 14, 2023

Last June my wife and I visited London, Edinburgh and St. Andrews. Of all three places, my wife loved St. Andrews the best. We were there a week before The Open was starting. All the stands were up and preparations were being made. It's a small town that's easy to walk around. At the time, the castle was not open. However, you could walk around it. If you are there on a Sunday, the Old Course is closed to play and is open like a city park. Anyone can just walk right in and stroll the course. We ended up paying for the guided tour of the Old Course. It was interesting as it provided a bunch of history. It basically started at the clubhouse, walked out halfway down the first hole, past the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green and down to Swilcan Bridge and burn. I can't tell you how many pictures I got on that famous bridge! We like the beach just beyond the Old Course. I believe it's where they filmed the beach running scene in Chariots of Fire.

We found everyone friendly. My friend and I walked 36 holes at Gulane one day during our time in Edinburgh. The next day we walked over 24,000 steps (I swear all up hill) touring Edinburgh Castle, distilleries and other attractions. On the third day we hit St. Andrews and did the Old Couse tour. It was about 4 pm at the end of June and my friend asked if we could get out and play. The Old Course was closed on Sunday and being prepped for The Open. However, if we hurried, we could get one of the last tee times on the New Course before it was shut down. I looked at him and my sore feet and for the first time, in a long time, I said I was too sore and couldn't play even if I wanted to! He looked at me and I could tell he was thanking me for saying no so he didn't have to!

Have a wonderful time. You should love it!

Paul Hedrick · May 14, 2023

St. Andrews is a lovely place. We went there in 2009 for our daughters graduation, and spent several days there. Definitely tour the castle if you can, and visit ST RULE'S TOWER At the time of our visit, we were allowed to climb the tower; I thought my wife was going to peg out from exertion! LOL. There are several pubs in St. Andrews, but to my mind The Rule was best. On our last night there, we had dinner there, and after dinner I went to the bar for a drink, and some old guy took a liking to me and I didnt have to buy another drink that night! The Scotts are a warm, friendly and accepting people.

GolfSpy Barbajo · May 14, 2023

Been to St. Andrews 3 times --- if that ballot doesn't work for you, do the camp out thing at the starter's shack. It's a long, cold night but you'll have plenty of stories to tell. Bring blankets, pillows and a warm coat - it gets mighty cold overnight.

Hope these two blog pieces are helpful to you...

MyGolfSpy Experiences: A Trip To St. Andrews | MyGolfSpy

MyGolfSpy Experiences: A Return to St Andrews | MyGolfSpy