The Official NPR Golf Thread

[dpedin]

Well that's my Embra course closed again due to being waterlogged! We had to cancel the opening day scramble last Saturday and the Tri-am this coming Saturday is looking dodgy as well with more wet weather forecast tomorrow. Water table is now so high any heavy rain is just causing more flooding and not allowing the course to drain. It is also feckin freezing and slowing down any spring growth. Fortunately I'm a member of Kilspindie so off down there today for a game but it will be chilly with an Easterly wind. Shorts have remained in cupboard for another week, they usually are mandatory from Easter but only lasted a few days. I am now officially pissed off!

[TedMaul]

Crap down south too. So I’m coming your way!
I’m balloted on the Old tomorrow afternoon then Elie on Saturday and Castle Sunday.
Dinner at the East Pier Smokehouse. Scotland

[dpedin]

Crap down south too. So I’m coming your way!
I’m balloted on the Old tomorrow afternoon then Elie on Saturday and Castle Sunday.
Dinner at the East Pier Smokehouse. Scotland

That's a cracking line up of courses - easiest one being the Old Course! Elie is fun but I played it a long time ago, the Castle course is probably the hardest and has very tricky greens, don't leave your ball above the pin. Never eaten in the Smokehouse so will look forward to the reviews.

I had a beautiful day at Kilspindie on Thursday afternoon, course busy. Craigielaw next door was shut due to waterlogged fairways but we had no problems. However got alert this morning that Kilspindie was shut until lunchtime due to volume of rain and lying water. We have had tons of rain here but next week looking better.

[TedMaul]

Crap down south too. So I’m coming your way!
I’m balloted on the Old tomorrow afternoon then Elie on Saturday and Castle Sunday.
Dinner at the East Pier Smokehouse. Scotland

That's a cracking line up of courses - easiest one being the Old Course! Elie is fun but I played it a long time ago, the Castle course is probably the hardest and has very tricky greens, don't leave your ball above the pin. Never eaten in the Smokehouse so will look forward to the reviews.

I had a beautiful day at Kilspindie on Thursday afternoon, course busy. Craigielaw next door was shut due to waterlogged fairways but we had no problems. However got alert this morning that Kilspindie was shut until lunchtime due to volume of rain and lying water. We have had tons of rain here but next week looking better.

So bloody cold too! Dinner at Steak Barn shortly sounds fantastic.

[fishfoodie]

Masters could have a tasty start this year, with >1" of rain being forecast for Thursday, & very gusty conditions, with >40mph gusts, which are something the yanks probably consider hurricane conditions !

[Blackmac]

Masters could have a tasty start this year, with >1" of rain being forecast for Thursday, & very gusty conditions, with >40mph gusts, which are something the yanks probably consider hurricane conditions !

No way they will cope with 40mph winds with greens that slick. Bound to be delays.

[bogbunny]

Masters could have a tasty start this year, with >1" of rain being forecast for Thursday, & very gusty conditions, with >40mph gusts, which are something the yanks probably consider hurricane conditions !

No way they will cope with 40mph winds with greens that slick. Bound to be delays.

Softcox

Played last Sunday morning on an Open course in 50 mph + gusts, back tees, 29 points

[fishfoodie]

Masters could have a tasty start this year, with >1" of rain being forecast for Thursday, & very gusty conditions, with >40mph gusts, which are something the yanks probably consider hurricane conditions !

No way they will cope with 40mph winds with greens that slick. Bound to be delays.

Well the expectation is that the hole positions will be part sympathetic, & part pragmatic to deal with any water, & with the nature of most of the holes, I can't really see balls moving under the wind in the greens, but those high tee shots that go above the shelter of the trees could end up anywhere, because it's too late to make the fairways more forgiving !

They might like to delay, but ultimately the TV people will want the players out unless its unplayable, or there's T&L about, so they'll have to go out & play whatever holes they need to to make that prime time Sunday finish.

[Biffer]

Bubba Watson’s wee girl can putt.

[Insane_Homer]

That is amazing!

[Insane_Homer]

Weather update: first round will commence at 10:30 am local time - 15:30 UK time

[Insane_Homer]

from Beeb webby

Gary Player is 88. Eighty-eight! Looks as fit as a fiddle still.

Dressed all in black, the oldest living Masters champion knocks it down the middle and does a celebratory twirl. Superb.

Loved seeing Player doing his stretches and warm-ups a little earlier, like he was about to play 18.

Reckon he could do more push-ups than me - and I'm under half his age.

[dpedin]

Interesting to watch the Masters with a bit of wind! Lots of players really struggled with controlling the ball off the tee and with their irons - makes me feel happier watching them struggle when I try and play Kilspindie in a gale force wind with no trees on the course and a high tide meaning the spray from the waves hits you in the face! ! However DeChambeau hits an amazing 7 under par for first round which given the conditions was just stunning. Forecast looks kinder windy again today but calmer for rest of tournament so expect some low scoring unless they stick the pins in really difficult places.

Closer to home my Embra course has dried out a lot and beginning to get into shape after the horrendous rain we have had in April. Off mats from tomorrow and hopefully playing 100% early next week. Lots of courses around here have been decimated with the rain.

[Blackmac]

Interesting to watch the Masters with a bit of wind! Lots of players really struggled with controlling the ball off the tee and with their irons - makes me feel happier watching them struggle when I try and play Kilspindie in a gale force wind with no trees on the course and a high tide meaning the spray from the waves hits you in the face! ! However DeChambeau hits an amazing 7 under par for first round which given the conditions was just stunning. Forecast looks kinder windy again today but calmer for rest of tournament so expect some low scoring unless they stick the pins in really difficult places.

Closer to home my Embra course has dried out a lot and beginning to get into shape after the horrendous rain we have had in April. Off mats from tomorrow and hopefully playing 100% early next week. Lots of courses around here have been decimated with the rain.

It's quite enlightening watching them struggle in adverse weather. I saw a stat the other week about how hard amateurs are on themselves with their approach play when the average miss from 100 yards on the PGA tour is approx 25 feet.

[Biffer]

Think Aberg may be one to watch today

[Biffer]

So much for Åberg

20 guys at par or better after two rounds is about what I like to see in a major.

[Blackmac]

Has anyone read Alan Tait's (Scottish golf pro) account of how he was drugged, robbed and left for dead on a golf holiday in the Costa del Sol. He claims it's a huge 'unknown' issue for UK golfers. I have a friend who knows him well and says it has to be taken with the biggest pinch of salt ever.

[Blackmac]

Played my first ever round at Kilspindie today in glorious weather with the wind picking up through the day. In great condition, including the new lake in front of the 10th green.
I was six over through seven without hitting a bad shot but then managed to pull it together and played the next 11 in one over. Great wee course.

[dpedin]

Played my first ever round at Kilspindie today in glorious weather with the wind picking up through the day. In great condition, including the new lake in front of the 10th green.
I was six over through seven without hitting a bad shot but then managed to pull it together and played the next 11 in one over. Great wee course.

Pleased you enjoyed it - I'm playing there this afternoon. The lake at the 10th hole is a permanent feature over the winter months but drains in the summer - the hole is called Pond! First 4 holes are the most difficult and back 9 relatively straightforward but it all depends on the wind! The par 3 8th is a fun tee shot. It's a short fun course, an easy walk with great views, but secret is avoiding the bunkers. Too many folk I take there try and over power it and end up in a bunker on every hole. Old fashioned links golf.

[Blackmac]

Played my first ever round at Kilspindie today in glorious weather with the wind picking up through the day. In great condition, including the new lake in front of the 10th green.
I was six over through seven without hitting a bad shot but then managed to pull it together and played the next 11 in one over. Great wee course.

Pleased you enjoyed it - I'm playing there this afternoon. The lake at the 10th hole is a permanent feature over the winter months but drains in the summer - the hole is called Pond! First 4 holes are the most difficult and back 9 relatively straightforward but it all depends on the wind! The par 3 8th is a fun tee shot. It's a short fun course, an easy walk with great views, but secret is avoiding the bunkers. Too many folk I take there try and over power it and end up in a bunker on every hole. Old fashioned links golf.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The 8th is a stunning par 3 and yeah, all the danger is in the first 4. I love quirky courses that require a bit of thought. My mate just became a member a few weeks ago so I should be playing it a bit more. One of my other friends is a recent captain who has been promising me a round for 5 years.

It seems to have weathered the rain a bit better than Craigielaw which looked in miserable condition.

[Biffer]

Anyone think Scheffler has a genuine run at all four majors in a calendar year?

[Blackmac]

Anyone think Scheffler has a genuine run at all four majors in a calendar year?

If the putting form persists, why not.

[dpedin]

Played my first ever round at Kilspindie today in glorious weather with the wind picking up through the day. In great condition, including the new lake in front of the 10th green.
I was six over through seven without hitting a bad shot but then managed to pull it together and played the next 11 in one over. Great wee course.

Pleased you enjoyed it - I'm playing there this afternoon. The lake at the 10th hole is a permanent feature over the winter months but drains in the summer - the hole is called Pond! First 4 holes are the most difficult and back 9 relatively straightforward but it all depends on the wind! The par 3 8th is a fun tee shot. It's a short fun course, an easy walk with great views, but secret is avoiding the bunkers. Too many folk I take there try and over power it and end up in a bunker on every hole. Old fashioned links golf.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The 8th is a stunning par 3 and yeah, all the danger is in the first 4. I love quirky courses that require a bit of thought. My mate just became a member a few weeks ago so I should be playing it a bit more. One of my other friends is a recent captain who has been promising me a round for 5 years.

It seems to have weathered the rain a bit better than Craigielaw which looked in miserable condition.

Ive been a member for just over a year and love it. Your mate is lucky to have got in - the waiting list is closed still and I dont think there are many new members getting in? To be honest there is nothing better in golf than playing a late afternoon/evening round in the late summer sun at Kilspindie then sitting outside sipping a beer and watching the sun go down over the Forth and the last few groups play the 18th.

Craigielaw have real trouble with drainage on their 11th fairway that runs parallel with the par 3 10th at Kilspindie - same water course that creates the pond on our par 3. It was completely flooded and Craigielaw was shut a few weeks ago.

[dpedin]

Anyone think Scheffler has a genuine run at all four majors in a calendar year?

If the putting form persists, why not.

Agreed! However if Tommy Fleetwood had putted like Scheffler at the Masters then Tommy would have won by a few strokes. He played brilliantly tee to green but couldn't sink a putt. If Tommy gets into a groove with his putter then I reckon he could be challenging Scheffler in the Majors.

[Biffer]

Anyone think Scheffler has a genuine run at all four majors in a calendar year?

If the putting form persists, why not.

Agreed! However if Tommy Fleetwood had putted like Scheffler at the Masters then Tommy would have won by a few strokes. He played brilliantly tee to green but couldn't sink a putt. If Tommy gets into a groove with his putter then I reckon he could be challenging Scheffler in the Majors.

Yeah, I reckon Tommy has a major in him. Hope so.

[Blackmac]

If the putting form persists, why not.

Agreed! However if Tommy Fleetwood had putted like Scheffler at the Masters then Tommy would have won by a few strokes. He played brilliantly tee to green but couldn't sink a putt. If Tommy gets into a groove with his putter then I reckon he could be challenging Scheffler in the Majors.

Yeah, I reckon Tommy has a major in him. Hope so.

Poor Tommy has never been a clutch putter and doesn't even appear to be a streaky one. A pity because I would love him to get a major or two.

[TedMaul]

I agree. The greats zone in under the greatest pressure moments. The Tommys/Westwoods/Caseys don’t quite have that final steel.

[dpedin]

Gullane No2 today and I have got the shorts on more in hope than common sense! Forecast is dry but only 10 degrees with a northerly wind, however it is past Easter and I refuse to be intimidated by this shitty weather we have been having. I have however retained my thermal base layer on top.

[Enzedder]

Not a bad lark

[TedMaul]

He's earned more than Rory so far this year.

[dpedin]

Crap down south too. So I’m coming your way!
I’m balloted on the Old tomorrow afternoon then Elie on Saturday and Castle Sunday.
Dinner at the East Pier Smokehouse. Scotland

That's a cracking line up of courses - easiest one being the Old Course! Elie is fun but I played it a long time ago, the Castle course is probably the hardest and has very tricky greens, don't leave your ball above the pin. Never eaten in the Smokehouse so will look forward to the reviews.

I had a beautiful day at Kilspindie on Thursday afternoon, course busy. Craigielaw next door was shut due to waterlogged fairways but we had no problems. However got alert this morning that Kilspindie was shut until lunchtime due to volume of rain and lying water. We have had tons of rain here but next week looking better.

So bloody cold too! Dinner at Steak Barn shortly sounds fantastic.

Where's the trip report and review of East Pier Smokehouse?

Sorry that sounds more demanding than I meant but interested to hear your experiences.

[Insane_Homer]

He's earned more than Rory so far this year.

Nelly Korda ($2.4m) has just won 5 in a row, including a Major and has earned more that Rory too.

[TedMaul]

That's a cracking line up of courses - easiest one being the Old Course! Elie is fun but I played it a long time ago, the Castle course is probably the hardest and has very tricky greens, don't leave your ball above the pin. Never eaten in the Smokehouse so will look forward to the reviews.

I had a beautiful day at Kilspindie on Thursday afternoon, course busy. Craigielaw next door was shut due to waterlogged fairways but we had no problems. However got alert this morning that Kilspindie was shut until lunchtime due to volume of rain and lying water. We have had tons of rain here but next week looking better.

So bloody cold too! Dinner at Steak Barn shortly sounds fantastic.

Where's the trip report and review of East Pier Smokehouse?

Sorry that sounds more demanding than I meant but interested to hear your experiences.

Oh dear my apologies! We actually switched and went to the Steak Barn instead which was great fun, highly recommended, on the Saturday we were in the rooftop restaurant at the Rusacks which is quite the vista and the food was excellent too. I'm in a weekend match at Elie next weekend, so will be in that lovely beach cabin for dinner at The Ship. Incidentally our host for the Sunday at Elie couldn't make it last time and getting a game on a Sunday morning is quite difficult and we ended up playing Drumoig GC, really enjoyed that course, long, great greens for the princely sum of 35 quid

[Tichtheid]

[Enzedder]

That's how I got my hole in 1 - just take away the water.

Easy peasy.

[fishfoodie]

Rory rolling back the years tonight.

[Blackmac]

Just back from our trip to Spain. The courses were a refreshing change from what we are used to in Turkey. Torrequebrada, Santana and Rio Real being the highlights. It was interesting that we appeared to have got a grip with the Turkish courses and regularly played too or better than our handicaps. Spain was a different kettle of fish and the best stableford score all week was 33.

[TedMaul]

Just back from our trip to Spain. The courses were a refreshing change from what we are used to in Turkey. Torrequebrada, Santana and Rio Real being the highlights. It was interesting that we appeared to have got a grip with the Turkish courses and regularly played too or better than our handicaps. Spain was a different kettle of fish and the best stableford score all week was 33.

Is there still that incredibly odd mural of Michael Jackson in the men's loos at Torrequebrada - freaked me out....!

[dpedin]

Just back from our trip to Spain. The courses were a refreshing change from what we are used to in Turkey. Torrequebrada, Santana and Rio Real being the highlights. It was interesting that we appeared to have got a grip with the Turkish courses and regularly played too or better than our handicaps. Spain was a different kettle of fish and the best stableford score all week was 33.

Interesting - what was the difference between the courses to explain this? Ive played in Spain a few times - La Cala, PGA Catalyuna - and really enjoyed the courses, never played in Turkey though thinking about it.

Off on our annual trip to Le Touquet in a couple of weeks time. Playing 7 rounds - La Mer (x2) and La Foret in Le Touquet, Pins and Dunes in Hardelot, Belle Dunes in Fort Mahon and Wimeroux. Hopefully weather is kind for us.

[TedMaul]

Just come back from the Trevose May Festival. 3 days tournament, 48 teams of 4, the winning team won by 14 shots from nearest challenger. Absolute disgrace.