The Official NPR Golf Thread

[Blackmac]

They were desperate to have another course in England so they could have it more often there. In the 70s, 80s, 90, 00s The Open was held in Scotland 6 times each decade. in the 10s it was five times. In the 20s it looks like it'll be four times.

They'd love another course in Kent, so they could make hospitality money from the city.

Never played it but the players won't get easier conditions than they have today. Greens look very flat and soft and rough doesnt seem too penal.

I've played all the Open courses in Scotland and my least favourite was the Old Course - apart from 1st, 17th and 18th it is pretty boring and for the pros is too easy now. It is also an awful course for spectating at. It's a shame that Royal Dornoch is too remote to be an Open venue - the back 9 into the prevailing wind would test these guys, easily the hardest 9 holes of golf I have played.

Completely agree, St Andrews is easily taken apart in calm conditions, and terrible for watching.

Dornoch would be a fabulous Open course - is access really any worse than Portrush?

I'm another one for just how bad St Andrews is. I can never understand how it constantly comes in the worlds top 10 as that should be judged purely on merit not sentiment.

I also agree with what a terrible spectating experience it is but im not convinced Dornoch would be any better, especially the outward 6 or 7 holes with the thick gorse.

I'm surprised the R&A haven't looked to invest in a course down south that they could upgrade to Open Standard.

I've also been lucky enough to play all the Open courses in Scotland and I would say Turnberry is easily the best, followed by Muirfield, Carnoustie, Troon and St Andrews.

[Biffer]

Never played it but the players won't get easier conditions than they have today. Greens look very flat and soft and rough doesnt seem too penal.

I've played all the Open courses in Scotland and my least favourite was the Old Course - apart from 1st, 17th and 18th it is pretty boring and for the pros is too easy now. It is also an awful course for spectating at. It's a shame that Royal Dornoch is too remote to be an Open venue - the back 9 into the prevailing wind would test these guys, easily the hardest 9 holes of golf I have played.

Completely agree, St Andrews is easily taken apart in calm conditions, and terrible for watching.

Dornoch would be a fabulous Open course - is access really any worse than Portrush?

I'm another one for just how bad St Andrews is. I can never understand how it constantly comes in the worlds top 10 as that should be judged purely on merit not sentiment.

I also agree with what a terrible spectating experience it is but im not convinced Dornoch would be any better, especially the outward 6 or 7 holes with the thick gorse.

I'm surprised the R&A haven't looked to invest in a course down south that they could upgrade to Open Standard.

I've also been lucky enough to play all the Open courses in Scotland and I would say Turnberry is easily the best, followed by Muirfield, Carnoustie, Troon and St Andrews.

I think if they tried to push it to England even more often there’d be a quiet revolt among the members at the R&A in St Andrews.

[dpedin]

Glad to see Tommy Fleetwood do well yesterday and hope he keeps it up today.

I was amazed by how many playing yesterday didn't follow the golden rule of links golf and steer clear of the bunkers! The last hole with that pin position is a classic 2nd shot hit middle of green and long to avoid the 3 deep bunkers front and left and bunkers right or lay up right side of fairway and try and get close with a wedge. Even if they were long left they got a free drop out of the stands into the DZ. How many ended up in those front left bunkers and either ended up staying in them or going from one bunker to the next - Rory, Thomas, Michelson to name a few. I know they like to birdie par 5s but some of them were just mad playing the shots they did given the depth of the bunkers and the flat bases meaning the ball didn't roll back into the middle of the bunkers and got stuck at the bottom of the steep face. The likes of Tiger and Faldo (cant stand either of the feckers!) knew when and how to play a links course conservatively to win the Tournament.

[Insane_Homer]

Ricky Ponting is Brian Harman's doppleganger.

[Sandstorm]

These guys are banging in putts from 25+ feet for fun time after time. Talented wankers.

[fishfoodie]

Need to start giving the Marshalls cattle prods to deal with the attention seeking gobshites.

It's possible to give vocal support without aping the morons on the PGA

[Insane_Homer]

Short sharp jab to the kidneys should solve the problem.

Or... did you just hear him shout "Just stop Oil!", I did ossifer.

[Sandstorm]

Short sharp jab to the kidneys should solve the problem.

Or... did you just hear him shout "Just stop Oil!", I did ossifer.

There’s a group of very shouty Scousers following Rory that need a good shooting.

[Sandstorm]

John Rahm’s tee shots are like Tiger in any Ryder Cup. He’s falling apart.

[Blackmac]

Can't argue with that result. Superb control of his golf ball for the last 3 rounds.

[Sandstorm]

Can't argue with that result. Superb control of his golf ball for the last 3 rounds.

Harman played superbly, just solid all week. Horrible to watch with his constant twitching during his setup…..

[TedMaul]

Seeing as Harman likes butchering mooses I hope he goes out tonight in Southport

[Biffer]

Very disappointing last day. Seemed like no one could be bothered to even try to mount a challenge.

[Biffer]

Has there been a good open at Hoylake?

[Sandstorm]

Very disappointing last day. Seemed like no one could be bothered to even try to mount a challenge.

Must have been 80 putts that slipped “just past the hole” today. If anyone but Harman in the top 10 had sunk a few, it could have been much closer.

[Blackmac]

Very disappointing last day. Seemed like no one could be bothered to even try to mount a challenge.

Must have been 80 putts that slipped “just past the hole” today. If anyone but Harman in the top 10 had sunk a few, it could have been much closer.

Fleetwood must have missed about eight ten footers himself. Harman apparently sunk 58 of 59 putts inside 10 feet the week. Incredible.

[dpedin]

Very disappointing last day. Seemed like no one could be bothered to even try to mount a challenge.

Must have been 80 putts that slipped “just past the hole” today. If anyone but Harman in the top 10 had sunk a few, it could have been much closer.

Fleetwood must have missed about eight ten footers himself. Harman apparently sunk 58 of 59 putts inside 10 feet the week. Incredible.

Never has the saying 'drive for show, putt for dough' been so apt. Harman played links golf on a links course!

[Blackmac]

A few posters commented on this during the tournament, but it's appalling that the champion felt the need to comment, even in a light hearted way, about the 'heckling" he got during the weekend. What sort of shit stain goes to a golf tournament to abuse the players. Much like we are seeing at big rugby matches, half the crowd are just there because it is an event to be seen at and have no interest in the sport or it's traditions.

[Blackmac]

Must have been 80 putts that slipped “just past the hole” today. If anyone but Harman in the top 10 had sunk a few, it could have been much closer.

Fleetwood must have missed about eight ten footers himself. Harman apparently sunk 58 of 59 putts inside 10 feet the week. Incredible.

Never has the saying 'drive for show, putt for dough' been so apt. Harman played links golf on a links course!

To be fair his driving was spectacularly accurate as well.

[TedMaul]

He had the wherewithal to say the heckling motivated him.
Was equally irritating hearing the American bloke yelling ‘USA MOTHERFUCKER’ on the first after Harman drove. Not a part of the crowd behaviour you want.

[Slick]

A few posters commented on this during the tournament, but it's appalling that the champion felt the need to comment, even in a light hearted way, about the 'heckling" he got during the weekend. What sort of shit stain goes to a golf tournament to abuse the players. Much like we are seeing at big rugby matches, half the crowd are just there because it is an event to be seen at and have no interest in the sport or it's traditions.

Yeah, after hearing it all it got me thinking last night about the general downward spiral of supporter behaviour across all sports. I might start a thread about it.

Did you hear the guy on day 3 who kept bellowing "beans on toast" as they drove, at least try and be amusing you fucking twat.

[dpedin]

Fleetwood must have missed about eight ten footers himself. Harman apparently sunk 58 of 59 putts inside 10 feet the week. Incredible.

Never has the saying 'drive for show, putt for dough' been so apt. Harman played links golf on a links course!

To be fair his driving was spectacularly accurate as well.

Agreed - he didn't go for length off the tee but hit low controlled drives to hit fairways or first cut all day long. He aimed long for the big part of the greens, avoided all the trouble/bunkers which was usually short of greens and depended on his putting to make par/birdies. I thought I saw somewhere that he didn't have a 3 putt all tournament?

[Blackmac]

Never has the saying 'drive for show, putt for dough' been so apt. Harman played links golf on a links course!

To be fair his driving was spectacularly accurate as well.

Agreed - he didn't go for length off the tee but hit low controlled drives to hit fairways or first cut all day long. He aimed long for the big part of the greens, avoided all the trouble/bunkers which was usually short of greens and depended on his putting to make par/birdies. I thought I saw somewhere that he didn't have a 3 putt all tournament?

I would love to see the stats for the shots dropped on the par 5's. It was incredible watching guys constantly going for them in two and putting themselves in unplayable bunker lies and then dropping shots. Harman seemed to accept that he would be hitting 9 irons, long wedges into the green and relying on his putting to pick of the birdies with a mid range one putt.

[dpedin]

To be fair his driving was spectacularly accurate as well.

Agreed - he didn't go for length off the tee but hit low controlled drives to hit fairways or first cut all day long. He aimed long for the big part of the greens, avoided all the trouble/bunkers which was usually short of greens and depended on his putting to make par/birdies. I thought I saw somewhere that he didn't have a 3 putt all tournament?

I would love to see the stats for the shots dropped on the par 5's. It was incredible watching guys constantly going for them in two and putting themselves in unplayable bunker lies and then dropping shots. Harman seemed to accept that he would be hitting 9 irons, long wedges into the green and relying on his putting to pick of the birdies with a mid range one putt.

Agreed. The 18th was a case in point when they stuck the pin behind the 3 deep bunkers front left. Too many went for the pin instead of going long and accepting a long putt or playing up on right side of fairway and chipping in close for birdie from a better angle. It was clear to me that the modern strategy of hitting it as far as you can then 'gouging' it out with a short iron onto the green just didn't work on this links course. Tough rough, difficult bunkers and a breeze meant this strategy failed and the likes of Harman who respected the course, plotted his way around and avoided the trouble won the day.

Perhaps there is a lesson here for golf course designers and USPGA in designing and setting up courses elsewhere particularly the US - I am sure this would rein in the big hitters and the 'bomb and gouge' fashion. Respects to the R&A for creating a real test of golf where every club in the bag was required.

[dpedin]

Was playing Kilspindie GC yesterday which backs onto Craigielaw GC, beautiful day. We had just teed off on the 12th and walking up fairway when a guy in his 40's playing Craigielaw calls us over looking slightly agitated. We obviously think something is wrong and head over asap to speak to him. Turns out he was playing on his own and had just had his first ever hole in one at the adjacent par 3! However nobody saw it apart from him and his dog who was on its lead tied to his bag. He took photo of ball in the hole, called his wife but was just so excited he just had to tell someone and we were the first folk he saw. We obviously shook his hand and congratulated him. However if a tree falls down in the forest and no one hears it ....

[Blackmac]

Was playing Kilspindie GC yesterday which backs onto Craigielaw GC, beautiful day. We had just teed off on the 12th and walking up fairway when a guy in his 40's playing Craigielaw calls us over looking slightly agitated. We obviously think something is wrong and head over asap to speak to him. Turns out he was playing on his own and had just had his first ever hole in one at the adjacent par 3! However nobody saw it apart from him and his dog who was on its lead tied to his bag. He took photo of ball in the hole, called his wife but was just so excited he just had to tell someone and we were the first folk he saw. We obviously shook his hand and congratulated him. However if a tree falls down in the forest and no one hears it ....

That's a real bummer but the perils of playing on your own. Wonder if he declared in the clubhouse.
My solitary hole in one couldn't have been more different. First ever hole in one at the 15th at Machrihanish Dunes. It was witnessed by a member of the green staff who got word back to the clubhouse. Turns out that the designer, David McLay Kidd and the billionaire owner were there. By the time I got to the 18th they had pipers piping me off the green and champagne bottles popping left right and centre. I bought a drink for the dozen or so folk in the clubhouse which I put on our hotel tab. When we left after a very heavy weekend we found that all our hotel and bar bills were covered. A month or so later I got the flag in beautiful frame with a nice plaque together with 2 dozen club pro v1s and a huge amount of club merchandise.
I also had to record an interview which was on the website for about 10 years. .

[Tichtheid]

Was playing Kilspindie GC yesterday which backs onto Craigielaw GC, beautiful day. We had just teed off on the 12th and walking up fairway when a guy in his 40's playing Craigielaw calls us over looking slightly agitated. We obviously think something is wrong and head over asap to speak to him. Turns out he was playing on his own and had just had his first ever hole in one at the adjacent par 3! However nobody saw it apart from him and his dog who was on its lead tied to his bag. He took photo of ball in the hole, called his wife but was just so excited he just had to tell someone and we were the first folk he saw. We obviously shook his hand and congratulated him. However if a tree falls down in the forest and no one hears it ....

That's a real bummer but the perils of playing on your own. Wonder if he declared in the clubhouse.
My solitary hole in one couldn't have been more different. First ever hole in one at the 15th at Machrihanish Dunes. It was witnessed by a member of the green staff who got word back to the clubhouse. Turns out that the designer, David McLay Kidd and the billionaire owner were there. By the time I got to the 18th they had pipers piping me off the green and champagne bottles popping left right and centre. I bought a drink for the dozen or so folk in the clubhouse which I put on our hotel tab. When we left after a very heavy weekend we found that all our hotel and bar bills were covered. A month or so later I got the flag in beautiful frame with a nice plaque together with 2 dozen club pro v1s and a huge amount of club merchandise.
I also had to record an interview which was on the website for about 10 years. .

Great story.

I was playing Dunbar East Links with a mate on a summer evening a long time ago, the second hole is a par five which at that time of day you play straight into the sun. My mate hit his second with a wood off the fairway and to cut a long story short, because we didn't see it land it took us ages to find his ball. In fact I found it in the hole.

I shouted to him as he was looking through the rough on the hill to the top side of the green, "It's in the hole"

"Fuck off" was his reply.

"I'm telling you, it's in the hole"

"You better not be mucking about"

Over he came and when he saw it he was jumping up and down, giving me a big hug.

I said, "that's better than a hole in one"

"Fucking altraboss" says he.

[Biffer]

Was playing Kilspindie GC yesterday which backs onto Craigielaw GC, beautiful day. We had just teed off on the 12th and walking up fairway when a guy in his 40's playing Craigielaw calls us over looking slightly agitated. We obviously think something is wrong and head over asap to speak to him. Turns out he was playing on his own and had just had his first ever hole in one at the adjacent par 3! However nobody saw it apart from him and his dog who was on its lead tied to his bag. He took photo of ball in the hole, called his wife but was just so excited he just had to tell someone and we were the first folk he saw. We obviously shook his hand and congratulated him. However if a tree falls down in the forest and no one hears it ....

That's a real bummer but the perils of playing on your own. Wonder if he declared in the clubhouse.
My solitary hole in one couldn't have been more different. First ever hole in one at the 15th at Machrihanish Dunes. It was witnessed by a member of the green staff who got word back to the clubhouse. Turns out that the designer, David McLay Kidd and the billionaire owner were there. By the time I got to the 18th they had pipers piping me off the green and champagne bottles popping left right and centre. I bought a drink for the dozen or so folk in the clubhouse which I put on our hotel tab. When we left after a very heavy weekend we found that all our hotel and bar bills were covered. A month or so later I got the flag in beautiful frame with a nice plaque together with 2 dozen club pro v1s and a huge amount of club merchandise.
I also had to record an interview which was on the website for about 10 years. .

Great story.

I was playing Dunbar East Links with a mate on a summer evening a long time ago, the second hole is a par five which at that time of day you play straight into the sun. My mate hit his second with a wood off the fairway and to cut a long story short, because we didn't see it land it took us ages to find his ball. In fact I found it in the hole.

I shouted to him as he was looking through the rough on the hill to the top side of the green, "It's in the hole"

"Fuck off" was his reply.

"I'm telling you, it's in the hole"

"You better not be mucking about"

Over he came and when he saw it he was jumping up and down, giving me a big hug.

I said, "that's better than a hole in one"

"Fucking altraboss" says he.

My mate and I were playing on Musselburgh Links once, he sent a pearler straight up the middle of the longest hole on the course (can't remember which one it is), screamer, we saw it bounce etc. Middle of summer, rock hard fairways. Never found it. It was utterly bizarre. No one about, so it wasn't nicked. A mystery to this day.

[Biffer]

Walker Cup this weekend, might have a wander up to St Andrews tomorrow. Uk&I will likely be well beaten as usual, but will be good to see the olde course without grandstands all over it.

[TedMaul]

Re Blackmacs story about his hole in one I played Maclay Kidds newest design yesterday: Dunas Comporta.
It has grand ambitions for Ryder Cup, we were the only players all day yesterday as it’s not officially open but I urge you to give it a go if you’re in the area, which by the way is sensational!

[dpedin]

I played Luffness last Friday evening in the sun. We teed off at 4pm and after our first 9 holes we were the only folk on the course. Beautiful evening and course in great condition, the new irrigation system has made a huge difference to fairways and greens. Finished about 8pm then went off for a curry in Aberlady. Hit a 76, 6 over par, which given my handicap of 10.6 was a good round.

I then played Kilspindie on Thursday afternoon in almost perfect golfing weather and hit a 74, 5 over par for my best round of the year and that included two putts missed from within 3 feet. Course was just picture postcard perfect with brilliant views across the Forth into Fife and beyond and the group of 20 Yanks in front of us thought they had died and gone to heaven. They were all sitting outside having a good time with beers and food next to the 18th when we finished and even applauded my mates putt from off the green to 6 inches. Great atmosphere.

Then played Mortonhall yesterday again in nice golfing weather. Nice course but not in as good condition as Kilspindie, Luffness or my own course Baberton. Greens a bit messy and although I had played it before I couldn't remember where to hit a couple of blind shots but it was still a great day out. Golf not so good but still managed to scramble to13 over, a couple over my handicap.

Medal at Baberton tomorrow (Sunday) and no doubt, given I will have a scorecard in my hand, my game will go to shit!

[Blackmac]

I actually had my worst medal round since I was a kid last week playing Duddingston for the first ever time. I was two over through 7 as a result of two three putts and generally hitting the ball great. I smashed a superb drive down the blind 8th and found my ball in the stream crossing the fairway at 300 yards. I was boiling. Put my third into the face of a fairway bunker, chipped out sideways. 5th into a greenside bunker which I then skulled through the green and out of bounds. Ended up with a 10 which led to a total collapse. I dropped 18 shots in the next 6 holes, with even good shots finding every bunker and hazard on the course. Didn't get another par until 18 to round of a nice neat 100. The game drives me bloody nuts

[Biffer]

Walker cup is looking interesting. GB&I won the foursomes 3-1 this morning, and it’s currently all square in the singles. If they go into Sunday ahead, all to play for.

[Sandstorm]

Donnie and I hit 3 hole-on-ones each at the Royal Pyongyang Country Club, then celebrated with some local ladies relieving themselves very close nearby. Good times. I’d go back and do it again, but the greens have slipped in quality lately.

[Biffer]

GB&I won the singles as well, so go into Sunday with a 7 1/2 - 4 1/2 lead

[Blackmac]

Bob McIntyre qualifies for the Ryder Cup and I think Fitzpatrick gets the other one. I would imagine Fleetwood, Rose, Lowry and Straka will be the obvious captains picks and I think Meronk and hope, Aberg will get the others.

[Biffer]

Bob McIntyre qualifies for the Ryder Cup and I think Fitzpatrick gets the other one. I would imagine Fleetwood, Rose, Lowry and Straka will be the obvious captains picks and I think Meronk and hope, Aberg will get the others.

Yeah, I think the last pick is the only one that's not pretty obvious. There's probably a list of seven or eight guys it could be. Meronk, Paul, Power, Perez, Hojgaard to name a few. Might want to take an old head but they all fucked off to Liv.

[TedMaul]

Bob McIntyre qualifies for the Ryder Cup and I think Fitzpatrick gets the other one. I would imagine Fleetwood, Rose, Lowry and Straka will be the obvious captains picks and I think Meronk and hope, Aberg will get the others.

this

[Biffer]

Bob McIntyre qualifies for the Ryder Cup and I think Fitzpatrick gets the other one. I would imagine Fleetwood, Rose, Lowry and Straka will be the obvious captains picks and I think Meronk and hope, Aberg will get the others.

this

Hojgaard instead of Meronk, who’s got to feel a little unlucky, but that last spot could have been a number of players. Eight countries represented, and it’ll be very much about which rookies deliver points.

[Blackmac]

Bob McIntyre qualifies for the Ryder Cup and I think Fitzpatrick gets the other one. I would imagine Fleetwood, Rose, Lowry and Straka will be the obvious captains picks and I think Meronk and hope, Aberg will get the others.

this

Hojgaard instead of Meronk, who’s got to feel a little unlucky, but that last spot could have been a number of players. Eight countries represented, and it’ll be very much about which rookies deliver points.

Got to feel for Meronk. Ahead of Hojgaard in both qualifying lists.