TRAVELLING THE FAIRWAYS
Passion, commitment and expertise in Golf Travel since 1989
Essential Information
What is the ETA?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a new travel permission system introduced by the UK government. It is designed for travelers who:
Do not need a visa for short stays.
Plan to visit or transit through the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; excluding the Republic of Ireland).
This system, which began in November 2024, is part of the UK’s effort to strengthen border security and streamline entry processes.
Who needs an ETA?
Anyone traveling to the UK or transiting through the UK who does not require a visa will need an ETA, unless exempt due to specific permissions such as Irish citizenship or certain visas.
If you are traveling to the Republic of Ireland, Spain, or Portugal, you do not need an ETA unless you are transiting through the UK to reach these countries.
How to Apply for an ETA
Apply via the UK ETA app
Provide personal and passport details, travel plans, and pay the £10 fee.
Most applications are processed within 48-72 hours.
Scotland, Northern Ireland & England
The local currency is Pounds Sterling (£). We would advise you to have around £200.00 per day in cash to start the trip with.
Ireland The currency in the Republic of Ireland is Euro (€). We would advise you to have around €200.00 per day in cash to start the trip with.
Spain & Portugal
The currency in Spain and Portugal is Euro (€). We would advise you to have around €150.00 per day in cash to start the trip with.
There is no need to bring much more as ATM machines are all easily available to stop and top up your cash levels. US Dollars are not accepted in the UK, Ireland, Spain or Portugal, however you will find currency exchange booths at all major airports and cities, should you require it.
Local caddies are available for hire at your convenience. We request caddies if requested in advance by you at each of the golf clubs you are playing. Please bear in mind that caddies are independent operators and are not employed directly by the golf clubs, so it is their responsibility to show up. A good budget rule is to assume £120.00/€130.00 per round of golf for a caddy and they are paid in cash by you on the day of play.
Scotland, Northern Ireland & England The typical caddy fee will be £70.00 - £80.00 per bag, plus gratuity which generally starts at £35.00. This is pretty consistent with caddy fees in the USA.
Ireland The typical caddy fee is €80.00 - €100.00, plus gratuity, generally starting at €30.00.
Spain & Portugal Caddies are less common, with buggies and push carts more freely available and often complimentary in Spain & Portugal. However, a caddy request can be made for some golf clubs.
Forecaddies are also available. Typical costs are £120.00/€130.00 per foursome, plus gratuity starting at £20.00/€25.00 per person.
We always advise you to bring along your handicap cards or proof of handicap from your home golf club, just in case you are asked to produce this. You can provide proof using your phone. Most of the golf clubs won’t request this information from you, but it’s better to be prepared just in case. There are several apps you can use to supply your handicap details nowadays.
Pubs & Restaurants
In pubs, if you are served at the bar, you do not leave a tip; however, if you have waiter service, then a tip is expected. At restaurants, a tip is generally expected, so expect to pay between 10 to 15% of the cost. Always look at your final bill, as some establishments do sometimes include a service charge, particularly for larger groups, which is considered a sufficient tip.
Driver Gratuities
We recommend a tip of approximately £20.00 (in the UK) or €25.00 (in Ireland, Spain & Portugal) per person per day for private drivers. However, the amount will, of course, depend on the level of service received and be at the group's discretion. Tips are usually given at the end of the tour, rather than daily.
All your accommodations and golf have been pre-paid in advance of the trip. When you check out from your hotel, please remember it is your responsibility to settle any extra charges you may have incurred and also to make sure you have all your belongings. It can be expensive to arrange taxis to return any forgotten items to your next destination.
Please see here for futher information: https://www.ttfgolf.com/play-the-old-course-standrews
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers request all visitors adhere to the following dress code:
Dress-Code.pdf (muirfield.org.uk)
It is permissible to wear golf attire upon arrival at Muirfield if you are heading directly out to play. You may leave your jacket, tie, formal shoes, or respective formal attire in the locker rooms.
You will not need to bring a jacket and tie for any of the hotels/restaurants as it has become more laid back in recent times.
As for golf: no T-shirts, jeans, running shoes (we call them trainers), etc. You can wear shorts, but they must be tailored shorts and not cargo shorts (pockets on the side of the shorts). You should pack a windbreaker jacket, as while we would expect temperatures to be anywhere from the low 60s up to the mid-70s, it can be much cooler in the early mornings and late in the evening along the coastlines.
Here’s a list of helpful items golfers should consider bringing along:
Waterproof Golf Bag - Ensure it has a good rain cover.
Waterproof Golf Shoes - Essential for wet conditions.
Golf Rain Suit - High-quality waterproof and breathable material..
Umbrella - Large enough to cover you and your golf bag.
Golf Hat and Visor - To protect against rain and sun.
Sunscreen - Even in cloudy conditions, UV protection is necessary.
Sunglasses - Protect your eyes and improve visibility.
Layered Clothing - Include thermal, moisture-wicking base layers and a windbreaker (Gore-Tex is best).
Divot Repair Tool and Ball Markers - Essentials for any golfer.
Range Finder or GPS Device - For accurate distances.
A list of pub and restaurant recommendations is available here: Location Guides
The Travelling the Fairways team can provide restaurant reservations should you wish. We do recommend that groups of 8 or more plan their meals in advance to avoid disappointment. If you have a personal driver, they will also be able to advise and help with reservations during your trip.
Many restaurants, particularly for groups of 8 or more, request credit card details at the time of booking. Usually, there is no charge applied to the card; however, if the group cancels within 24 hours or does not turn up, a fee per head is applied. Any restaurants charging a small deposit per head at the time of booking will take this off the bill following your meal. It is the group's responsibility to ensure it is deducted.
We would ask if the office has pre-booked any restaurants for you that you do make sure you turn up. If numbers change for the reservation, please let the restaurant know. Most of these restaurants operate seasonally and rely heavily on the tourist trade, especially in the more rural areas, hence it can be difficult for them to re-sell the seats if you cancel at a late stage.
You will need to bring along a travel adaptor for phone chargers, laptop computers, etc.
A UK converter is required for both Ireland and the UK: plug type G with 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. You should be able to find these at most international airports prior to departure.
Spain & Portugal require a type F plug with 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Most hotels now offer complimentary wireless internet service so you should have no problems keeping in touch if required.
The majority of mobile/cell phones will work internationally; however, you should check with your carrier to see if they offer an international plan that includes European roaming. This should be done in advance of your trip.
Additionally, before you leave your country of origin, turn off both data roaming and cellular data on your phone. This will prevent your device from connecting to towers or networks during your journey, leading to pricey roaming charges from your carrier.
If you would like to track the weather ahead of your trip we suggest the following websites:
Live weather: Zoom Earth
UK (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland): BBC Weather
Ireland: Met Éireann
Spain: AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency)