Scotland - Know Before You Book

Reservations | Travel Info | Course Availability/Restrictions | Close Out Dates

How To Make A Reservation
5 Easy Steps To International Golf Travel!

	At your leisure, review all of the information pertaining to Scotland, including the map, golf course and hotel descriptions and our Select Tours.
	Complete and forward a Custom Tour Quote or Book It form to us via email for response. OR Call us at 1-800-883-7494 to discuss your proposed tour with a Golf Tour Specialist.
	One of our specially trained Golf Tour Specialists will contact you by email, fax or phone to confirm pricing and the workability of your proposed tour.
	Provide us with deposit and general information for all travelers so we can confirm your tour schedule with our UK/Ireland office.
	Your Scottish golf tour is confirmed! Deposits are charged.

To confirm your reservation, we require the following:

Deposit: A $600.00 per person deposit is required to book a tour. Deposits may be paid by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Handicap Information: A copy of each golfer’s handicap card or a letter from a PGA Professional which states the players handicap and that the player is in good standing with his/her club. For more information about specific requirements made by certain clubs contact our Golf Tour Specialists.

Age and Sex of Each Golfer: It is important to provide this exact information at the time of reservation. Once the reservation is confirmed, fees may be involved if there is a change/cancellation to the original reservation.

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Travel Information

Transportation

Cars: In general, cars in the UK and Ireland are smaller than in the USA. We have selected car categories which will accommodate 2, 3 or 4 passengers with a reasonable degree of comfort, assuming normal luggage usage (i.e. golfers - 1 major piece of luggage and 1 set of golf clubs, non-golfers – 2 major pieces of luggage. Our Golf Tour Specialists will communicate any appropriate upgrade options to you at the time of booking. Below please find pictures of the typical car in the 2 and 3/4 person categories. Note: All car rentals include CDW and all local taxes.

Motorcoaches: Larger groups may want to consider upgrading to a small or large motorcoach (with a driver/guide and/or escort) for extra comfort and convenience. Our Golf Tour Specialists will be pleased to discuss any upgrade options with you at time of booking.

Caddies & Golf Carts

Caddies are generally available at most courses in Scotland. As a free service, The Golf Travel Co. can request caddies in advance on behalf of each traveler. The approximate cost is $40-$50 plus tip. Payment is made by the golfer directly to the Golf Club or Caddie. (It is not included in the price of a tour). Caddies cannot be guaranteed (particularly at the more popular clubs), but every effort will be made by The Golf Travel Co. to reserve the services of a caddy. You may request caddies on the Roster Page which you will receive with your preliminary documents.

A small number of the more famous links clubs in Scotland allow motorized carts. However, the number is few and motorized carts cannot be guaranteed at these courses. As a free service, The Golf Travel Co. will request motorized carts on your behalf. Payment is made direct to the club. For more information on specific availability, contact The Golf Travel Co..

Pull carts (trolleys) are available at most golf courses offered by The Golf Travel Co.. Payment is made by the golfer directly to the club.

When Should You Travel - The Weather!

The 'high' season in Scotland is generally considered to be May-September, the 'shoulder' season April and October and the 'low' season November – March. Probably the most frequent question we are asked is when is the best time to travel weather wise? The simple answer is that there isn’t one! From May-September the ambient temperature will be higher but the possibility of some windy and/or rainy weather is equal month to month. During April and October the temperature will tend to be slightly lower, however you can often find some very 'golfable' days. November-March offers the least chance of favorable conditions, however most days courses will be open and playable.

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Golf Course Availability
Information and Restrictions

Handicap Information: In order to play most of the major courses in the UK and Ireland, visitors are required to be a member of a recognized golf club and to hold an official handicap. The Golf Travel Co. endorses this viewpoint and recommends that players travel EITHER with a valid handicap certificate from your golf club (or USGA handicap card or equivalent) OR a letter of introduction from your club professional, which you may be required to produce. Please note that the maximum permissible handicap at most of the primary courses in the UK is Men-28, Ladies-36.

Visitor Play on Weekends: Most of the courses in the UK and Ireland EITHER do not permit visitor play on weekends OR availability is very limited. Please contact our Golf Tour Specialists for more information on specific course availability.

The Old Course Ballot: Approximately 50% of Old Course starting times are not allocated to advance starting times but are allocated via the ballot(source - St. Andrews Links Trust).Many visitors (and The Golf Travel Co. clients) take advantage of this method of accessing the Old Course. If designed properly, a tour schedule can allow for good odds at receiving a ballot time.

Our UK office handles all of the details of entering your names for the ballot. The daily ballot (lottery) is drawn after 2:00 PM for play on the following day (except on a Saturday for Monday play as the Old Course is closed on Sundays). We will notify you at your hotel of the outcome of the ballot. The results are also posted at the Links Clubhouse, starter's boxes, the caddie manager's office and the tourist information center by 4:00 PM. They can also be seen on the web at http://www.golfagent.com/ballot. Note: When entered through the ballot, the Old Course green fee is not included in the your tour price. You will be responsible for paying at the time of check-in with the starter.

If successful, you simply present yourself at the starter's hut at your ballot time. Note: If other golf has been prearranged for that day, our UK office will take care of contacting that course to attempt to adjust your time to another day - good success rate. 

If unsuccessful, you will be re-entered for each preceding day you are in St. Andrews. 

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Close Out Dates

Many of the courses in Scotland host member events and other tournaments throughout the year. As a result, courses can be closed or restricted to visitor play. Our Golf Tour Specialists can provide the most up to date course closeout information.

1-800-883-7494
Office Hours 9 AM - 5 PM  EST
Monday - Friday