So, I'm thinking about going to Great Britain/Ireland over the summer and spending a couple weeks there (best two things about being a school teacher: June and July). I'm not really planning it as a golfing trip--I've simply never been there and would like to go--but if I'm going to fly across the Atlantic, I have to go play the Old Course, right? And if I go to St. Andrews, I may as well play a few other courses there, right? So anyway, I've never golfed on vacation and was wondering the most cost-effective way would be to get my clubs there. If it were purely a golf trip, I would probably just carry my golf clubs with me on the plane (I assume most transatlantic flights will let you bring a checked bag at no extra cost--some might charge a bit extra for golf clubs, but FWIW I have no problems fitting a month's worth of clothes into a carry-on). But I'd probably be playing golf for two or three days of the trip and then taking trains/buses/etc. across Britain for the rest, so I really don't want to schlep golf clubs around for a month. Maybe I could rent some sort of storage locker near the airport or something like that? Also, carrying my clubs means buying a travel case, which I don't have and probably wouldn't be likely to use anytime soon apart from this trip.

I know some companies will ship golf clubs, but I'm not sure about the price of that and whether it's worth it. I've seen FedEx's ads on TV and went to their site and I tried to get a quick quote and it was close to $400 (one-way!), but it's possible it would be somewhat cheaper than that. And other companies may do it more cheaply.

Third, there's renting clubs, but that's £40 a day at St. Andrews directly from the course. Not sure if there's any local companies that rent out clubs at a cheaper rate. For argument's sake, let's assume I spend three days golfing at St. Andrews. That's close to $200 depending on the exchange rates.

Fourth, anyone know if I could find any clubs at a thrift store/charity shop in St. Andrews--or hell, somewhere else in the UK, for that matter? I'm perfectly content to play a bunch of beat-up old sticks if I can get them on the cheap. I'd probably just re-sell or donate them back later.

Finally, I should mention that the new irons (TM Burner Plus) I got for Christmas are great, but they hit the ball a mile in the air. Probably not ideal for Scotland. So if anything, I'm leaning somewhat toward getting clubs over there rather than bringing my own.

Thoughts?

Used this place back in 2007. I rented Callaway X-18's and FT5 woods and an Anser for a week for 50 pounds. Looks like it's $60 now but it's a no brainer to do it and not mess with travelling. I'm anal retentive about equipment but I used stock stiff stuff and don't regret it. You can pick shaft flex and lofts. Just don't think you're gonna get a 8.5 TP head with a Diamana Whiteboard. Just being there is an experience and if you shouldn't worry about what you shoot. Take your shoes and clothes , leave your stuff at home.

http://www.scotlandgolfclubhire.co.uk/equipment.htm

I have rented clubs and brought my own on trips to Scotland. I much prefer renting them. Lugging clubs around is a real pain, especially when you are doing a lot of traveling by train.

There are some quirks, however. One time I played at a course that didn't have a pro shop. I had to rent clubs from a guy who lived across the street and ran a "pro shop" out of his garage. Don't know what I would have done had he not been home. Surprisingly, he had decent clubs.

Also, I would skip St. Andrews. If you want to play a famous course, go play Carnoustie. Much easier to get on and much cheaper (at least it was 10 years ago.)

Do not do not do not do not do not do not listen to this. Do not. Do not. The statement itself is blaspheme.

If you're a single you can walk up to the starter's hut at St. Andrews and almost always join up with a group having less than 4. St. Andrews is Mecca, the magic is everywhere. Nothing like the first tee and 18 green with townspeople watching you finish and politely applauding good shots.

Furthermore, there are many courses at St. Andrews, and all of them are good. The others are no trouble to play regardless, the New Course is a great test.

Carnoustie is a bear, plain and simple. It never lets up. But it can also be depressing. The clubhouse is fugly and so is a lot of the course. Drive further up the coast and play Cruden Bay if you want a great course with magic. Play Carnoustie if you're got a sadistic streak in you.

OP, if you want more information about golf in Scotland feel free to PM me.

BO

What the **** just happened here?

As far as travel goes http://www.amazon.com/WELLZHER-70635...586104&sr=1-18

I know there's a hard plastic travel bag this size but couldn't find it right off the bat. FWIW, it's common in GBI for train travelers to be schlepping golf clubs around.

I'm going with poster got anal raped by kilt-wearing Scot named Angus in hell bunker on the Old Course.

BO

This company http://www.clubstohire.com hires clubs you can pick up from Edinburgh airport. I think its only about £30 for a week ($40?) and from what I can see that would get you some burner irons and an R11.

As above ^^^^, don't skip St Andrews! Carnoustie is a great course too, but nothing quite matches the magic of the Old Course, particularly 1, 17 & 18. I'm from Edinburgh so post back here/pm me if you have any other questions about your trip.

Tough situation OP. Golf kinda sucks without your own clubs and especially playing those great courses, but it will also suck lugging them all over the place on a bus. I guess the question is- how hardcore are you?

Really?

Sorry, I preferred Carnoustie to St. Andrews. It was cheaper, easier to get a tee time and more difficult. All of these factors appealed to my Scottish heritage.

And I would certainly argue that my advice is light years better than the guy who suggested the person go to St. Andrews and play the other courses. Kind of like going to a lobster buffet and filling up on the salad.

When I go to Scotland now, I play exclusively in the highlands. But if I wanted to play a "famous" course, I would pick Carnoustie over St. Andrews. That doesn't mean that I am wrong and all of the golf gods of this forum are right, or the other way around. It is simply an opinion.

Really? The New Course is universally recognized as one of the best layouts in Scotland, technically a better course than it's older brother, just without all the magic. People are just ignorant of that fact, knowledge is power.

Plus the town of St. Andrews is a destination itself, the Cathedral and Castle being must sees. Not to mention all the golf shops and other sites. Plus you can stay in St. Andrews and be a short drive from many top notch courses.

And again, it's pretty simple for a single to get on the Old Course.

You are correct, there is no right or wrong answer, but realize you are in the vast minority when it comes to picking Carnoustie over the Old. Personally, I'd rather play Troon Portland again before Carnoustie.

The Highlands are awesome, am assuming you've played Royal Dornoch. I could spend a lot of time up there without even playing. Seeing the odd sites like Point John O' Groats was a lot of fun.

BO

Curious what travel cases you guys like best? I don't have one and was considering purchasing one soon.

Thanks! That's exactly the sort of price range and equipment I was looking for.

On a related note, any recommendations for rain gear?

Don't do the hard plastic case. I made that mistake and never thought through the fact the wont fit in a ton of rental cars. Club glove if you are going to buy and take, but I would say just rent.

Hell, I am going on a trip in April and only playing twice so I am just going to rent clubs. To me vacation golf is about relaxing and seeing the course, not shooting a personal best. If you go out there with huge expectations about a score it is hard to live up to. You have never seen the course before so it will be hard to score on anyway. Just go have fun and remember the course and experience, not what you shot.

Rain gear is all price. Zero is the best, period. But it is ****ing expensive. Anything less than expensive usually sucks so either spend a bunch or go for more layers with a good under layer.

And, don't play in the rain....you aren't being paid for this right?

Well, I hear it rains a bunch in Scotland. Don't want to be unprepared.

I never play in the rain because rain here almost always equals thunderstorm.