What to Take With You - Paperwork:
Passport: Traveling to Scotland to play golf? You'll need a valid passport to enter Britain. A visa is not required unless you intend to stay for more than six months.
Handicap Certificate: Many courses in Scotland have a handicap restrictions. Many golf clubs reserve the right to refuse play if you cannot produce a valid handicap card below the acceptable limit. Be sure to take your latest handicap card with you.
What to Take With You - Clothing:
Clothing: Travel light, but take enough to get you halfway through your stay (if you’re going for more than a week) and then either have your laundry done or do it yourself. Most hotels do offer laundry service but that can be expensive.
Must Take: Wet weather is not uncommon, so bring your rain suit and umbrella; hat; two pairs of waterproof golf shoes; at least two sweaters (two light and one heavy sweater is ideal); one sports jacket; two dress shirts; and one tie (certain clubs require a tie be worn in the clubhouse). Ladies should consider taking casual evening wear (that little black dress will work fine).
What to Take With You - Bags & Such:
Luggage: Try to limit yourself to one suitcase and one set of golf clubs per person; rental cars in Britain are often smaller than those you are used to in the States.
Golf Bags: Again, try to travel light. A light carry golf bag in a canvas-style carrying case is best. Large golf bags and hard carrying cases can be a real inconvenience at the airports and often take up too much room in rental cars.About British Currency:
Britain's currency is the Pound Sterling (£), which is divided into 100 pence (p). Bills are valued at £50, £20, £10, £5 and £1. Coins have values of £1 pound, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. The rate of exchange (Feb24th, 2007) is £1 = $1.97. Buy British currency before you travel. Try not to use the currency exchange booths at the British airports; the rate is often higher than at a bank.
ATM Machines: This is the most convenient way to acquire British currency. Credit and ATM Cards issued in the US are accepted by UK ATM machines and the exchange rate is the same as it would be if you used a bank.About Caddies & Dress:
Caddies: Golfers in Britain carry their clubs or use a pull-cart. Electric carts are a rarity. Caddies are available at the more famous courses and can often be booked in advance. Caddy fees run from about £25 to £40 per person, plus tip.
Dress on the Course:
At most golf clubs in Britain, and certainly at the most famous courses, dress on the course means slacks and a polo-style shirt for both men and women (women may also wear a skirt of appropriate length). Jeans, shorts and tee shirts are not allowed.
About Tee Times:
Be sure to book your tee times early. If not, you may not get to play your chosen course.About Clubhouse Rules :
Many clubs have strict rules and restrictions. For example, many clubs require men wear a jacket and tie in the clubhouse. Golf shoes, even without spikes, are not allowed beyond the locker rooms.
About Safety & Security:
The phone number for police/fire/ambulance emergency services - the equivalent of "911" in the U.S. - is “999” in the United Kingdom.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
About Medical Facilities & Health Information:
While medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is allowed only to UK residents and certain EU nationals. Tourists and short-term visitors can expect charges that may be significantly higher than those assessed in the United States.
Hiking in higher elevations can be treacherous. Several people die each year while hiking, particularly in Scotland, often due to sudden changes in weather. Visitors, including experienced hikers, are encouraged to discuss intended routes with local residents familiar with the area, and to adhere closely to recommendations.
About Medical Insurance:
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Medicare benefits do not extend to medical care obtained outside the United States.
Remember also that most medical care facilities and medical care providers in the UK do not accept insurance subscription as a primary source of payment. Rather, the beneficiary is expected to pay for the service and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company.
About Traffic Safety & Road Conditions:
UK penalties for driving under the influence of even minimal amounts of alcohol or drugs are stiff and often result in prison sentences.
Speed Limits: The maximum speed limit on highways/motorways in the UK is 70MPH. Motorways generally have a hard shoulder (breakdown lane) on the far left, defined by a solid white line. It is illegal to stop or park on a hard shoulder unless it is an emergency. In such cases, you should activate your hazard lights, get out of your vehicle and go onto an embankment for safety.
Emergency Telephone Boxes: These are orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them and they may be found at half-mile intervals along the motorway. White and blue poles placed every 100 yards along the motorway point in the direction of the nearest call box. Emergency call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. It is best to use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know the location of a call received from an emergency call box.
Roadside Towing: Services may cost approximately ₤125. However, membership fees of automotive associations such as the RAC or AA (Automobile Association) often include free roadside towing service.
Driving on the Left Hand Side: In contrast to the United States and continental Europe, where traffic moves on the right hand side of the road, traffic moves on the left in the UK. Visitors uncomfortable with, or intimidated by the prospect of driving on the left-hand side of the road may wish to avail themselves of extensive bus, rail and air transport networks that are comparatively inexpensive.
Roads in the UK are generally excellent, but are narrow and often congested in urban areas.
Car Rental: If you intend to rent a car in the UK, check that you are adequately insured. U.S. auto insurance is not always valid outside the U.S., and you may wish to purchase supplemental insurance, which is generally available from most major rental agents. The city of London imposes a congestion charge of eight pounds sterling (or approximately U.S. $15.00) on all cars entering much of central London Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Pedestrians: Many U.S. citizens are injured and some are killed every year in pedestrian accidents in the United Kingdom, forgetting that traffic moves in the opposite direction than in the United States. Extra care and alertness should be taken when crossing streets.
