GinnVillas - Travel in America, Europe, South America and australia

Making Scotland User Friendly   October 11, 2001

Finally, a practical travel book   October 10, 2001

The first trip abroad creates the most excitement, and anxiety. This book was written in a comfortable and straight forward manner. Having been able to read the book, plan the trip and actually put it to use gave me a lot of appreciation for the effort that went into it. I recommend this book for golf enthusiasts who are planning a trip to Scotland and willing to take a little time to save some real money.


Save Time and Money, Gain Fun and Knowledge   October 9, 2001
  2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is the BEST book that you can buy to plan a golf trip in Scotland. I do not make that statement lightly. I have bought and read just about every book on the subject (I own about 10), read numerous internet sites and magazine articles, and taken two golf trips to Scotland. BUY THIS BOOK, even if you intend to use a tour company to plan you trip.

The author is a jazz musician, who lives in Denver and has developed an additional travel business advising people who want to plan their golf trip to Scotland. He usually charges hundreds of dollars for that service and saves people thousands. For the price of this book, you purchase all of that knowledge --- which is immense.

The other Scotland golf travel books do not provide what this one has and that you need to plan your trip --- contact phone numbers, descriptions of adjacent affordable lodging, internet sites for more information, area courses, which courses have lousy playing conditions now (extremely valuable because some courses live on their histories which are not reflective of current conditions) candid evaluations of the relative strengths and weaknesses of courses, and suggested itineraries.

If you want to buy two books, put this book together with the Steel book that features lush color photographs of the major links courses and their histories, but lacks all of the practical information found in this book.

The author explains in detail in this book the tricks of the trade that will save you a minimum of a thousand dollars on your trip and afford you the flexibility to play when you want, where you want, and with whom you want. Stay away from those packaged deals where you are stuck in a van for one week with people you don't know, being forced to play some turkey courses, and missing the local color of the places where you will be playing.

In addition to having read this book, I have corresponded and spoken with the author. He knows his stuff and can assist you if you have a question that goes beyond the printed text. Alternatively, you may read the book and decide that you want to hire him to help you plan your next trip. You can't go wrong.

I spent many hours acquiring a substantial amount of the knowledge of Scotland's golf courses that is jammed into this little book. If I were starting over today, this is where I would start. I have already bought and given away copies of the book to friends who have a similar interest.


golf trips to Scotland   October 9, 2001
I have done two golf trips to Scotland doing all the planning. Would have been much eaiser with the information in this book. Tells many of the things I learned the hard way and has great advice on renting cars in Scotland.


Golf in Scotland   October 5, 2001
  3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've been to Scotland two times in the last three years, specifically to play golf. Each time, I started planning for the trip by calling one of the tour operators. After going over my itinerary the tour operator would quote me a package that I knew was $1500-$2000 over the actual costs. I don't mind paying people for their time and effort, but I don't appreciate being "taken" either.

For both trips I ended up doing the research, making the phone calls, sending the letters and faxes, and was able to play every course I desired without having to pay an operator the $1500-$2000 commission. The only down side is the time that was required to make all of the plans, about, 10 hours. Using "Golf in Scotland" as your reference you can experience the same success but with about a third of the amount of time invested.

"Golf in Scotland" provides all of the direction and reference information needed to plan a very successful trip playing the courses that we all dreamed about- Muirfield, The "Old" Course, Troon, Turnberry, etc.