We have gotten off to strong start booking spots for next years Sweep and Swing, and we have also been speaking to a lot more people about joining the tour.
When we speak with everyone interested, we get a lot of the same questions so we put together this FAQ page, just to give everyone a single resource they can check out.
We know this doesn't answer every question so give us a call if you have any additional question, or to book your spot.
When we speak with everyone interested, we get a lot of the same questions so we put together this FAQ page, just to give everyone a single resource they can check out.
We know this doesn't answer every question so give us a call if you have any additional question, or to book your spot.
Weather
What is the weather like in Carnoustie and St Andrews at that time of year?
- This is the one that we get a lot and the answer surprises everyone – The weather in late October in that area is actually pretty darn good.
- The average high temperature is 16 degrees Celsius in October with an average low of 6. There are only 10 days of rain in October on average.
- At the last Sweep and Swing, we only saw about 6 or 8 holes of rain over all the rounds of golf combined and had sun for most of the rounds.
Booking and Cancellation policy:
How do I get booked in?
What if I’m not a golfer or a curler but I want to come with my partner / spouse?
Are singles allowed and is there an additional charge?
Do I need travel insurance?
- Simply email us as [email protected] or call us at (416) 466-4653 and we will be happy to get you booked in.
What if I’m not a golfer or a curler but I want to come with my partner / spouse?
- We’d love to have you join us! We can include you in as much, or little, of the activities we have planned and come up with a price that reflects that participation level. We can also come up with alternative activities and tours for you while the rest of the group frustrates themselves on the ice or on the golf course.
- We believe as much of the fun on this trip is off the ice and golf course so if you want to come, we know you will have a great time!
Are singles allowed and is there an additional charge?
- Absolutely, singles are very welcome and single room supplement pricing is available. If requested, we can try to pair you up with another participant if you want to share a room with someone.
Do I need travel insurance?
- We always recommend that clients purchase travel insurance to protect them against the unforeseen. In the case of voluntary withdrawal from the trip after December 1, 2023, we will not be able to refund your deposit.
Flights and Transfers:
Are flights included in price?
Do we have to fly in and out of a specific airport?
What time will transfers depart the airport to the hotel?
What time will transfers depart the hotel to go to the airports on the final day?
Can I get transfers to or from a different airport or hotel (if I decide to fly in early or stay late)?
Are all the other transfers (to and from golf and curling) included?
- No, flights are not included in the price and need be arranged separately by participants.
Do we have to fly in and out of a specific airport?
- To take advantage of the transfers included in the package, you must fly into and out of either Edinburgh or Glasgow airport. If you fly into somewhere else, we can arrange transfers at an additional fee.
What time will transfers depart the airport to the hotel?
- We will coordinate the transfer time to the last arrival however, the transfers will depart from the airport NO LATER than 11:00AM so you must book flights that arrive prior to 10AM (which almost all flight do) to take advantage of the transfers.
What time will transfers depart the hotel to go to the airports on the final day?
- We will coordinate the time to the earliest departure from each airport.
- Transfers will be timed to depart the hotel for the airport such that you arrive a minimum of 2.5 hours prior to your flight.
Can I get transfers to or from a different airport or hotel (if I decide to fly in early or stay late)?
- Airport transfer prices included in the package are from Edinburgh or Glasgow airport to Carnoustie on Thursday October 20, 2022, and from St Andrews to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport on Friday October 28. If alternative transfers are required, we will accommodate as best as we can but there may be an additional charge depending on specific arrangements required.
Are all the other transfers (to and from golf and curling) included?
- Yes, transfers are included to all golf and curling.
Accommodations:
Where are the hotels located?
What type of rooms will I get, do they have Golf course views?
Are upgraded rooms available?
Are there single rooms available?
- You will be staying directly on 2 of the most famous courses in the world. The Carnoustie Golf Hotel overlooks the 18th hole at Carnoustie and The Rusacks is directly beside the 18th hole of the Old Course!
What type of rooms will I get, do they have Golf course views?
- At the Carnoustie Golf Hotel, everyone will get a Golf View Room. At the Rusacks, the price includes a regular room with no golf view, but we can arrange and upgrade for an additional fee.
Are upgraded rooms available?
- Yes, at both hotels there are upgraded rooms, and suites, available. Please enquire if you are interested.
Are there single rooms available?
- Yes, single rooms and a single room pricing supplement pricing is available.
Golfing:
Do I need to be a good golfer to play on those courses?
Will I get to play with Sherry, Wayne and / or Glenn?
You mention fun golf competition – I’m really not that competitive a golfer so is that a problem?
Can you arrange for me to play the Old Course while we are there?
What if I’m not a golfer or I don’t want to golf?
- No, as long as you don’t play slow!! Scottish golfers expect, no demand, that all rounds be played in 4-4.5 hours and while bad play is accepted (in fact it is sort of expected as links golf is very different from golf in Canada) slow play is never acceptable!
Will I get to play with Sherry, Wayne and / or Glenn?
- Absolutely! With 5 rounds of golf, we will set up pairings in advance that ensure everyone on the trip not only plays with the pros, but with TJ and the balance of the trip attendees as well.
You mention fun golf competition – I’m really not that competitive a golfer so is that a problem?
- No problem at all. The emphasis is on the fun part of “Fun Competitions”. There will be small team competitions and a few surprise prizes but no competitive pressure.
Can you arrange for me to play the Old Course while we are there?
- While we cannot pre-book rounds for you on the Old Course, we can help you enter the ballot process that awards tee times 2 days in advance to lucky winner.
- If you are a winner of the lottery (way to go!!) and take that instead of a pre-paid round, we will not be able to provide a refund on the pre-paid round.
- Please let us know when we are St Andrews, and we will be happy to help you out.
What if I’m not a golfer or I don’t want to golf?
- We’d love to have you join us! We can work with you to find alternative activities you would prefer, join us on the course in as a spectator, or you can simply relax and enjoy the Carnoustie and St Andrews area while we frustrate ourselves chasing the little ball around! Give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss and arrange a price specific to your needs.
Curling:
How good a curler do I need to be to comfortably play in the International Bonspiel?
What is the make up of the teams?
Will I get to play with Sherry, Wayne and / or Glenn?
What is a “Curlers Court”?
What if I’m not a curler or I don’t want to curl?
- Any level of curler is not only welcome but encouraged to play. While there are competitive curlers (the 2 former world champions and 7-time Scottie’s participant do know there way around a curling rink!), the atmosphere is that of fun competition and past trip have had new curlers attend (and really enjoy themselves!).
What is the make up of the teams?
- The event is an open registration format there will be teams made of all combinations of men and women.
Will I get to play with Sherry, Wayne and / or Glenn?
- While we only guarantee playing with one of the pros to the earliest people to sign up, our objective is to get everyone the chance to play with one of our pros (or who knows, we have had other international pros at the event in the past!).
What is a “Curlers Court”?
- That we can’t tell you, but it is an important ritual in Scottish Curling that everyone who has gone on the trip has enjoyed. We can’t give away all our surprises!!!
What if I’m not a curler or I don’t want to curl?
- We’d love to have you join us! We can include you in the banquet on Saturday if you want (or not), find alternative activities for you those days, or you can simply relax and enjoy the Carnoustie Hotel and area. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss and arrange a price specific to your needs.
Social / Dining:
Is food included in the package price?
Will I be on my own for all other dinners?
Will I be on my own in the evenings?
- Partially. Breakfast is included every day at the hotel. In addition, an arrival dinner at Carnoustie is included as well as a closing night dinner (drinks not included). At the curling bonspiel, 2 lunches are included as well as a banquet dinner on the Saturday night.
Will I be on my own for all other dinners?
- Not necessarily. You are free to make you own dinner plans however Golf Away representatives will be making arrangements for dinners each night for those interested in joining in a group dinner (individual bills)
Will I be on my own in the evenings?
- Well, that depends on what you want. We have a reception planned for arrival night, Saturday night at the curling club there is a dinner, we have a reception on the Wednesday in St Andrews an the closing dinner on the Friday. Those are all included in the package.
- The balance of your evenings are free for you to enjoy as you wish. The Golf Away Team and the Pros will be out each night and will encourage everyone to join them, but it is strictly optional and at your own cost.
- Historically we find that the group enjoys getting together at the local pubs enjoying the evening together, but it is up to each person how much or little they attend.
Others:
What if I’m not a golfer or a curler but I want to come with my partner / spouse?
- We’d love to have you join us! We can include you in as much, or little, of the activities we have planned and come up with a price that reflects that participation level. We can also come up with alternative activities and tours for you while the rest of the group frustrates themsleves on the ice or on the golf course. We believe as much of the fun on this trip is off the ice and golf course so if you want to come, we know you will have a great time!