You have likely heard of the concept of a “third place” in life. You have home and work, but the “third place” refers to somewhere that anchors you in a community. In a sense, it’s a home away from home. Pubs in the UK are the perfect example of a third place. The bartenders know the patrons, know their orders, … Read More
Carnegie Links at Skibo Castle Review
When I recently visited Skibo Castle and the Carnegie Club, the main purpose of the weekend was to see the recently renovated Carnegie Links. The course had long been on my Scottish to-visit list, but it was always a tough trip to make because of the club’s location and exclusivity. In the end, the round happened years after moving back … Read More
Renting vs. Hotels and B&Bs on a Scotland Golf Trip
Whenever I receive many emails dealing with the same question, I quickly realize that I need to write an article about the topic. This golf season in particular, I’ve received tons of questions about renting an apartment in Scotland instead of staying in a hotel or B&B. Many groups realize they can cut costs by renting an apartment or home. … Read More
How to Choose a Golf Tour Company & Are They Worth the Money?
To my own (and my wife’s) detriment, I’m always the guy who tries a task myself. Buy a dining table? I can make one. Faucet won’t work? Don’t call the plumber. I’ve always been the same way with my golf trips and this website is an extension of that. I’ve dedicated hundreds of hours to content about courses and how … Read More
How to Get a Tee Time on the St Andrews Old Course
Getting a tee time on the St Andrews Old Course isn’t the easiest or most straightforward process. In this post I break down the various methods to secure a tee time that include one lesser-known option! The Old Course Daily Ballot The ballot is a random drawing to determine a given day’s tee sheet on the St Andrews Old Course. … Read More
Where to Practice Golf in St Andrews
This is the 12th post from Liam Frean in his Living as a Links Golfer section of the site. Click here to read more from Liam as he lives as a student at the University of St Andrews. It isn’t always clear where you can practice golf in St Andrews. And, if you’re like me, you tend to find inspiration … Read More
Are Guaranteed Old Course Tee Times Worth the Money?
Well, the first answer is that all guaranteed St Andrews Old Course tee times aren’t created equally. You have the advanced ballot tee times allotted by the St Andrews Links Trust, you have a select number handed out by local B&Bs or hotels, and then you have the allotment from golf tour companies. All of these options may get you the … Read More
Visiting Scotland’s Distilleries
I am going to use this post to not only describe my favorite whisky distilleries in Scotland, but also to show off some of the lesser seen beauty of the country. Adding a non-golf point of interest to your golf trip can add great depth and enjoyment to the overall trip. I took the photos below on various adventures (all including … Read More
Should I take a Caddie in Scotland?
I spent a full season caddying at Kingsbarns Golf Links, just outside of St Andrews, Scotland. Over the course of the season, I have averaged five “bags” a week. I have caddied for everyone from CEOs and former European touring pros to people who have only been playing a few months. All of the photos in this post are taken at … Read More