I haven't played the Old Course, but I'm going this summer for the Open. I have played in Hawaii and there's quite simply nothing like it... earlier is better before the winds crank up. I hope you get to do both!

Lori, check out St.Andrews Golf Week on line. I did it in 2016 and loved it. Going alone is not a problem because they pair you up with different people each day. You play 5 great courses in the area, including the Old Course. You just have to get a flight to Edinburgh and then taxi to St. Andrews. Once there, they drive you around and most places in town you can walk to. They have a big one every spring and smaller group in the fall. There are every level of players and my year had about 30 percent women. Check it out.

I book marked that website for future reference. Thanks for the info Dale.

My Scotland trip with 3 great friend, highlight of my golfing life - DO NOT miss St. Andrews if you have to opportunity -

Good Luck and Hit em Straight

Fortunate to have played both Kapalua and Old Course. The trip to Scotland far exceeded the trip to Maui. Maui/Kapalua beautiful. Scotland/Old Course, the town of St. Andrews is the trip(s) all my buddies ask about.

Playing the Old Course is an amazing experience, I did it 2 years ago, worth every penny

St. Andrew's hand down, clear choice winner in my book. The history of the game there makes it 10x better than Maui.

Been to St. Andrews Old Course twice. 1st time to play and the 2nd time I was watching the Dunhill Classic.
Very cold that October day. Pros were hitting at difference spots than what I did (Imagine that!). The second time I was there, I took a train from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and then taxied in. Since you have clubs...a taxi or car is the best way. One of the neatest, coolest town in Scotland I have ever been in. Pubs are great there!
The second time I was there, I finally understood the course.

I echo some of the others and my vote goes to St. Andrews. We took the train up after spending a couple days in Edinburgh. I was in line at 4:00 am to get onto the Old as a single, #12 in line, 9 made it. They gave me an opportunity to play the Old, but would not have finished before dark. I wasn't there to play 15 holes and without the walk up 18 to finish, no deal. I played the Eden as a warmup. New Course twice, once with a caddy [great experience and highly recommended] and the Castle. We loved the town and walked everywhere.

We also went down to East Lothian and Stayed in North Berwick, played The Glen, Dunbar, Gullane [picture in my profile] and Kilspindie.
My only regret was not playing the North Berwick West Links. Amazing!

We met wonderful people at each stop. I don't think you can go wrong wherever you decide to play and stay over there.

We're making plans to go back and will include St. Andrews again. But this trip we're going to train it up the coast through Aberdeen, to Inverness and down through the highlands, playing golf daily and taking in the sights.

Good luck on your trip plans.

Been to St. Andrews Old Course twice. 1st time to play and the 2nd time I was watching the Dunhill Classic.
Very cold that October day. 20mph winds. Pros were hitting at difference spots than what I did (Imagine that!). The second time I was there, I took a train from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and then taxied in. Since you have clubs...a taxi or car is the best way. One of the neatest, coolest town in Scotland I have ever been in. Pubs are great there!
The second time I was there, I finally understood the course.
Never been to Hawaii but my choice would be to play St. Andrews

Only wish I could go, because the reality of that happening has passed. Glad I made the five day trip in 2003 to Ireland, just sorry Scotland and the old course was not on the agenda. That trip to the village in Maua is still on my (our) list. Here today, gone to Maua. Definitely one of our favorite places.