Are you a Golfing Fanatic - then Scotland is for you

Are you a Golfing Fanatic – then Scotland is for you

I grew up in a family who played golf in all weathers, and my father always had a wee dram(little sip) of his favorite whisky “Glenmorangie” at every hole especially if the weather was bad. I never kept count over 100, and I don’t remember what his score was either but I do remember some jolly good times together. We definitely looked smashing in our kilts and the breezy weather in the highlands didn’t bother us. I like playing on courses with no trees.

There are 550 golf courses in Scotland, and 51 in the Edinburgh area alone. Even if we can’t get you a tee time on the Royal and Ancient, we can get you to play on other good courses.

The Royal and Ancient St.Andrews Golf Club Links is renowned the world over as the birthplace of golf which has been played here for over 400 years. Few can fail to be awed by the sense of history as they view the hallowed links of the Old Course, host of the Open every five years. I am not quite five foot tall, and refused to play on a course where the sand traps were so deep I couldn’t see over the top when standing in one. Someone had a sense of humor 400 years ago when they built a brick wall at one end of the sand trap. When you hear someone shouting in Gaelic, it means they are cursing the twirp who built that sand trap.

It is not easy to get a tee line at St. Andrews. You have to have a handicap of 24 if you are a man and 36 for a woman, and produce your certificate. They also want to know your home golf club, and all kinds of other details. Do you really want to pay 2000 pounds for a game? And enter into a ballot?

You enter the ballot a year in advance and you must submit the names of your foursome. You pay $1000 deposit each.

No play on Sunday – (my father said it was to make sure you went to church) and no ballot on Friday.

Walk only, and you are on a tight time schedule which is monitored.

Your handicap certificate must be presented to the starter before you play. A letter of reference from your club professional is not accepted.

Your chances of playing in August is slim to none.

I have found that for my VIP clients, I use a five star hotel and get the general manager who has kilted connections, including me….. to book the golf courses for me and I am usually lucky with tee times. Important – many months in advance in the planning.

If the spouse is not a golfer, then I set up sightseeing and shopping expeditions to keep them happy.

I never fail to buy some cashmere jumpers. Good price, and marvelous selection.

I think the best way to see Scotland is to have a few days in the Edinburgh area, then move north. Stay in a castle, visit an island, and even if you aren’t a whisky drinker, its fun to visit a distillery. Go visit one of the many gardens which are unusual and wonderful no matter what time of year.

Great food, and even if you don’t love bagpipes, it’s a smashing destination. One day we will be able to travel and enjoy far away places.

Maureen Jones

Scotsmaster

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94025

650-961-2340 direct

www.froschvacations.com