The Official NPR Golf Thread

Where goats go to escape
Punter15
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Anyone playing golf wearing their cap backwards should be escorted off the course and their clubs destroyed. There’s no place for it.
Biffer
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Punter15 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 7:52 pm Anyone playing golf wearing their cap backwards should be escorted off the course and their clubs destroyed. There’s no place for it.
I have a real issue with pros wearing hoodies.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Blackmac
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Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:09 pm
Punter15 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 7:52 pm Anyone playing golf wearing their cap backwards should be escorted off the course and their clubs destroyed. There’s no place for it.
I have a real issue with pros wearing hoodies.
Join the club. You are never going to play with the hood up so why?
Punter15
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Blackmac wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:34 pm
Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:09 pm
Punter15 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 7:52 pm Anyone playing golf wearing their cap backwards should be escorted off the course and their clubs destroyed. There’s no place for it.
I have a real issue with pros wearing hoodies.
Join the club. You are never going to play with the hood up so why?
There is a direct correlation between how you dress and how you act towards both the course and other players. Simple as that.
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Enzedder
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Canadian Golf Open.

Sam Burns (USA) shot a 62 to set up a -18 target.

Ryan Fox caught him on the 72nd hole.

4 playoff holes later... Foxy is the winner.
I drink and I forget things.
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Kiwias
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He hit an awesome second shot to the green on the 4th playoff hole, one he called the best shot of his career
dpedin
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Punter15 wrote: Fri May 30, 2025 8:25 am
Blackmac wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:34 pm
Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:09 pm

I have a real issue with pros wearing hoodies.
Join the club. You are never going to play with the hood up so why?
There is a direct correlation between how you dress and how you act towards both the course and other players. Simple as that.
Agree about cap and hoodies however I strongly believe that professional golfers should be allowed to wear shorts ... there I've said it!

PS If wearing shorts then you should be allowed to wear short socks, a few clubs up here still required short wearers to have long socks/hose and they don't allow shorts anywhere in the clubhouse, even the 'dirty bar'. Luffness for example is well known for its stuffy dress code and dislike of shorts and short socks!
TedMaul
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Classic. The socks debate. The most contentious question facing every incoming Captain dominating their email stream by a factor of 10 almost entirely written by two or three foaming gammons.
dpedin
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TedMaul wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:06 am Classic. The socks debate. The most contentious question facing every incoming Captain dominating their email stream by a factor of 10 almost entirely written by two or three foaming gammons.
Played Royal Portrush twice and the Valley course a month ago with a mate who is a member, absolutely stunning course but a feckin beast! I was able to walk around the clubhouse in shorts and short socks without any problem. In fact was allowed into bar/lounge with my golf shoes on! Had a beer with a 94 year old ex Captain who was lovely. Very welcoming and great staff. Good to see some 'big clubs' moving with the times.

A mate of mine, having been 'disciplined' for wearing socks that weren't long enough at his club, was hauled in front of his committee for daring to send a google poll around members to see if they supported changing the rules to allow short socks with shorts. He was asked to apologise in writing to the Committee for his actions. When asked if he had anything to say he asked them if they wanted to know the results of the survey - he had c300 responses of which over 80% supported short socks - they responded no as that wasn't how the club was run! He told them the result anyway and then a few months later sent his resignation letter in!
Biffer
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The 300 yard par three at Oakmont feels gimmicky.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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fishfoodie
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dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:56 am
TedMaul wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:06 am Classic. The socks debate. The most contentious question facing every incoming Captain dominating their email stream by a factor of 10 almost entirely written by two or three foaming gammons.
Played Royal Portrush twice and the Valley course a month ago with a mate who is a member, absolutely stunning course but a feckin beast! I was able to walk around the clubhouse in shorts and short socks without any problem. In fact was allowed into bar/lounge with my golf shoes on! Had a beer with a 94 year old ex Captain who was lovely. Very welcoming and great staff. Good to see some 'big clubs' moving with the times.

A mate of mine, having been 'disciplined' for wearing socks that weren't long enough at his club, was hauled in front of his committee for daring to send a google poll around members to see if they supported changing the rules to allow short socks with shorts. He was asked to apologise in writing to the Committee for his actions. When asked if he had anything to say he asked them if they wanted to know the results of the survey - he had c300 responses of which over 80% supported short socks - they responded no as that wasn't how the club was run! He told them the result anyway and then a few months later sent his resignation letter in!
"Democracy has no place in our Club Mister !!!"

Golf Committees are one of those jobs where no-one who wants the job should be allowed to run, the little bit of power turns 90% of them into little Hitlers
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Sandstorm
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Jesus, Oakmont is a weird course! Apart from the ridiculous 320 yard par 3 8th hole, it has no trees and a fucking freeway going right through the middle of it!! :crazy:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oakmo ... FQAw%3D%3D
Biffer
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Sandstorm wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:53 am Jesus, Oakmont is a weird course! Apart from the ridiculous 320 yard par 3 8th hole, it has no trees and a fucking freeway going right through the middle of it!! :crazy:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oakmo ... FQAw%3D%3D
Nothing wrong with no trees. Links courses don't have trees, and being more open makes it difficult if there's any wind. No trees is a good thing.

The freeway on the other hand is weird.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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Sandstorm
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Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:55 am
Nothing wrong with no trees. Links courses don't have trees, and being more open makes it difficult if there's any wind. No trees is a good thing.
But Links courses also have very difficult rough around the fairways. This is a (typical American) park course where missing the fairway off the tee isn't a problem.
Biffer
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Sandstorm wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:59 am
Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:55 am
Nothing wrong with no trees. Links courses don't have trees, and being more open makes it difficult if there's any wind. No trees is a good thing.
But Links courses also have very difficult rough around the fairways. This is a (typical American) park course where missing the fairway off the tee isn't a problem.
Thought there was 5 inch rough at Oakmont this week
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
TedMaul
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Sandstorm you could not be more wrong on this.
Biffer
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And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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Sandstorm
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TedMaul wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:40 am Sandstorm you could not be more wrong on this.
Wait, are you saying that reading 1 article and watching a 18 sec video of the course doesn't make me armchair expert?
TedMaul
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Feeling so bad about this, but.....maybe?
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Sandstorm
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TedMaul wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 3:06 pm Feeling so bad about this, but.....maybe?
:grin:
Blackmac
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Sandstorm wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:59 am
Biffer wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:55 am
Nothing wrong with no trees. Links courses don't have trees, and being more open makes it difficult if there's any wind. No trees is a good thing.
But Links courses also have very difficult rough around the fairways. This is a (typical American) park course where missing the fairway off the tee isn't a problem.

😂😂 You obviously haven't been watching the build up. The rough is horrific. Hack out territory for even the strongest.
Blackmac
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It's funny watching them practicing on the 1st. Dead straight hole with no greenside bunkers but it was bizarrely the hardest green to hit last time round. All we are seeing this year is them putting from 150m out. I wonder if any of them will have the bottle to do it in the competition.
Blackmac
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Tyrell Hatton sprays his ball miles wide, can't even hack out to the fairway and then shouts this for everyone to hear. "Fuck off, fucking wank hole, shite tee shot, dogshit"😂
dpedin
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Narrowing the fairways, growing the rough deep and having the greens run at 16 is basically a recognition that it's a crap golf course in my eyes. Any greenkeeper worth his salt could do the same at their own course be it a big posh country club or a run of the mill municipal course and make it very difficult for players. We are currently getting my course ready for Championship Week next week and talk has already turned to green speed. We have small, firm and slopey greens and anything over 11 makes it very very difficult for players. Throw in a bit of wind and some dodgy pin placements and we could have carnage! We will keep our greens running at c10.5 and be sensible about pins as we want the best overall golfer to win and not make the game a lottery. Unfortunately the set up at Oakmont is a farce and has been put in place to protect a shitty golf course and there might be an unexpected winner as a result. I know that's what the US Open does but it is just becoming a farce now. Roll on the proper Open at a real tough but fair course in Royal Portrush to find out who the Champion golfer of the year should be!
dpedin
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Blackmac wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:49 pm Tyrell Hatton sprays his ball miles wide, can't even hack out to the fairway and then shouts this for everyone to hear. "Fuck off, fucking wank hole, shite tee shot, dogshit"😂
My sort of player!
Blackmac
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dpedin wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:56 am Narrowing the fairways, growing the rough deep and having the greens run at 16 is basically a recognition that it's a crap golf course in my eyes. Any greenkeeper worth his salt could do the same at their own course be it a big posh country club or a run of the mill municipal course and make it very difficult for players. We are currently getting my course ready for Championship Week next week and talk has already turned to green speed. We have small, firm and slopey greens and anything over 11 makes it very very difficult for players. Throw in a bit of wind and some dodgy pin placements and we could have carnage! We will keep our greens running at c10.5 and be sensible about pins as we want the best overall golfer to win and not make the game a lottery. Unfortunately the set up at Oakmont is a farce and has been put in place to protect a shitty golf course and there might be an unexpected winner as a result. I know that's what the US Open does but it is just becoming a farce now. Roll on the proper Open at a real tough but fair course in Royal Portrush to find out who the Champion golfer of the year should be!
Yeah, it's basically like watching the world crazy golf championships at the moment. People go on with this nonsense about not wanting them to shoot 20 under par but so what, at least that is relatively entertaining. This is a dull, featureless course has been tricked up beyond all reason. Some of the pin positions, with greens that fast are borderline stupidity.

Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
dpedin
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Blackmac wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:12 am
dpedin wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:56 am Narrowing the fairways, growing the rough deep and having the greens run at 16 is basically a recognition that it's a crap golf course in my eyes. Any greenkeeper worth his salt could do the same at their own course be it a big posh country club or a run of the mill municipal course and make it very difficult for players. We are currently getting my course ready for Championship Week next week and talk has already turned to green speed. We have small, firm and slopey greens and anything over 11 makes it very very difficult for players. Throw in a bit of wind and some dodgy pin placements and we could have carnage! We will keep our greens running at c10.5 and be sensible about pins as we want the best overall golfer to win and not make the game a lottery. Unfortunately the set up at Oakmont is a farce and has been put in place to protect a shitty golf course and there might be an unexpected winner as a result. I know that's what the US Open does but it is just becoming a farce now. Roll on the proper Open at a real tough but fair course in Royal Portrush to find out who the Champion golfer of the year should be!
Yeah, it's basically like watching the world crazy golf championships at the moment. People go on with this nonsense about not wanting them to shoot 20 under par but so what, at least that is relatively entertaining. This is a dull, featureless course has been tricked up beyond all reason. Some of the pin positions, with greens that fast are borderline stupidity.

Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
Yep ... I've lost interest already!
Blackmac
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dpedin wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:58 am
Blackmac wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:12 am
dpedin wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:56 am Narrowing the fairways, growing the rough deep and having the greens run at 16 is basically a recognition that it's a crap golf course in my eyes. Any greenkeeper worth his salt could do the same at their own course be it a big posh country club or a run of the mill municipal course and make it very difficult for players. We are currently getting my course ready for Championship Week next week and talk has already turned to green speed. We have small, firm and slopey greens and anything over 11 makes it very very difficult for players. Throw in a bit of wind and some dodgy pin placements and we could have carnage! We will keep our greens running at c10.5 and be sensible about pins as we want the best overall golfer to win and not make the game a lottery. Unfortunately the set up at Oakmont is a farce and has been put in place to protect a shitty golf course and there might be an unexpected winner as a result. I know that's what the US Open does but it is just becoming a farce now. Roll on the proper Open at a real tough but fair course in Royal Portrush to find out who the Champion golfer of the year should be!
Yeah, it's basically like watching the world crazy golf championships at the moment. People go on with this nonsense about not wanting them to shoot 20 under par but so what, at least that is relatively entertaining. This is a dull, featureless course has been tricked up beyond all reason. Some of the pin positions, with greens that fast are borderline stupidity.

Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
Yep ... I've lost interest already!
I'm currently engaged in an internet argument with a couple of yanks who claim that the layout and conditions at Oakmount are identical to a Scottish links course. Apparently the rough there is exactly what we have at St Andrews and Muirfield. 😂
dpedin
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Blackmac wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 8:14 am
dpedin wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:58 am
Blackmac wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:12 am

Yeah, it's basically like watching the world crazy golf championships at the moment. People go on with this nonsense about not wanting them to shoot 20 under par but so what, at least that is relatively entertaining. This is a dull, featureless course has been tricked up beyond all reason. Some of the pin positions, with greens that fast are borderline stupidity.

Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
Yep ... I've lost interest already!
I'm currently engaged in an internet argument with a couple of yanks who claim that the layout and conditions at Oakmount are identical to a Scottish links course. Apparently the rough there is exactly what we have at St Andrews and Muirfield. 😂
Good luck!

I had a group of yanks from Chicago to Kilspindie last year. Glorious day and little wind for a change. They were all reasonable players and looked at the card and thought it would be a stroll, first time in Scotland and first time playing links. Needless to say none were anywhere near playing to their handicap. Struggled with playing the right clubs off the tee, the rough, bunkers, playing short of greens and running in to pin, short pitch and runs, etc. However they absolutely loved it and said it was like nothing they had ever played before - at home they just hit the ball as far and as high as possible. Most yanks have no idea of a true links course until they experience it and once they do are absolutely smitten!

PS they couldn't believe they only had to pay £20 as a guest fee, which we paid obviously!
PPS they could believe how good the Cullen skink was!
Blackmac
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dpedin wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 9:06 am
Blackmac wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 8:14 am
dpedin wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:58 am

Yep ... I've lost interest already!
I'm currently engaged in an internet argument with a couple of yanks who claim that the layout and conditions at Oakmount are identical to a Scottish links course. Apparently the rough there is exactly what we have at St Andrews and Muirfield. 😂
Good luck!

I had a group of yanks from Chicago to Kilspindie last year. Glorious day and little wind for a change. They were all reasonable players and looked at the card and thought it would be a stroll, first time in Scotland and first time playing links. Needless to say none were anywhere near playing to their handicap. Struggled with playing the right clubs off the tee, the rough, bunkers, playing short of greens and running in to pin, short pitch and runs, etc. However they absolutely loved it and said it was like nothing they had ever played before - at home they just hit the ball as far and as high as possible. Most yanks have no idea of a true links course until they experience it and once they do are absolutely smitten!

PS they couldn't believe they only had to pay £20 as a guest fee, which we paid obviously!
PPS they could believe how good the Cullen skink was!
They absolutely won't accept that the deep rough on a true links is nothing like the dense, uniform nonsense at Oakmount as the conditions, grass types and climate won't allow it.

I loved how the yanks were drooling over one of Hatton's shots, calling it a stroke of genius, when in reality it was nothing more than a basic bump and run.

I think it takes a couple of rounds at Kilspindie to work out that trying to bomb the 300 yard par 4's is foolish as you rarely have a decent option if you are left or right of the green. Keep it straight and leave yourself a wee bump and run and it's great.
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Insane_Homer
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Slightly damp
“Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true.”
Blackmac
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Insane_Homer wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 8:02 pm Slightly damp
Rain forecast but USGA refused to bring the tee times forward, likely to satisfy the new PPV TV contract. Now looks like they aren't going to get it finished and players struggling in a waterlogged course. Fitting end to an appalling spectacle of a tournament.
Dogbert
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Well , this is getting exciting

Great round by Bob McIntyre in such conditions

Burns got shafted by not getting a drop though
Lager & Lime - we don't do cocktails
Blackmac
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Dogbert wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 11:38 pm Well , this is getting exciting

Great round by Bob McIntyre in such conditions

Burns got shafted by not getting a drop though
Stunning round from Bob. Deserves to take it but think Spaun slight favourite with 17 to come.
Blackmac
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Victor needs to take one for the Europeans and leave it 10 foot short. Fuck with Spauns head.
Dogbert
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Brilliant by Spaun for that putt on the 18th

Runner up for Bob, not too shabby
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Blackmac
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Fuck sake. Fair play to him.
dpedin
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Well that was a shitshow in the rain. Pleased for both JJ and Wee Boab, both deserved it for their perseverance and getting on with the job.

Once the heavy rain fell then the rough became unplayable and the guys who just bomb it down the hole then hope to gouge it out of the rough were screwed. At least it made the greens a little fairer although many struggled to find the pace of them in the rain. Lots of these pros will rarely play in tough conditions like yesterday as the Tour schedule in US is carefully designed to follow the benign weather. Wind and rain means many struggle, although standard conditions for Oban!
Big D
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I don't mind the odd tournament with bad conditions and set up to fuck people up. There are different ways to golf your ball and seeing them struggle to adapt makes a change from who can hit it the furthest.

I do think the long par threes need binned though.
Big D
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Bob up to his best world ranking and firmly in the top 6 for Ryder Cup.

That European side is starting to look stronger than feared a year ago.
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