Agree - A lot of the American courses are designed so that they can sell rounds at extortionate prices to yanks the rest of the year. They will let the greens grow and slow down for the tourists to make them playable. However fairways have to be flat for buggies and the fat, beer guzzling, cigar smoking New Yorker (I'm unfairly over generalising here!) would complain bitterly if the fairways were uneven or too narrow for them to hit. They also don't like having to drive the buggy over slopes on the fairways and spill their beers. Unfortunately a lot of new courses they are building in Scotland that are aimed for the tourist markets are the same. Played Renaissance in East Lothian last year, the Scottish Open venue, and it is the same, big wide fairways and big greens that they speed up for the pros. However at the first pro comp they couldn't get the greens fast enough and the pros took the course apart. Its called a links course but it is really an American course built on links land!Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 8:42 am Watching the Walker Cup i'm struggling to see the hype around Seminole. It looks a really flat, boring course made spectactularly hard by the outrageous green complexes. It's no fun watching these lads hitting the middle of greens and rolling into bunkers and also chipping and putting off greens right left and centre.
The Official NPR Golf Thread
Yeah, Renaissance looks lovely but you are right, it's mainly in a wooded headland and is in no way a links course.dpedin wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 9:52 amAgree - A lot of the American courses are designed so that they can sell rounds at extortionate prices to yanks the rest of the year. They will let the greens grow and slow down for the tourists to make them playable. However fairways have to be flat for buggies and the fat, beer guzzling, cigar smoking New Yorker (I'm unfairly over generalising here!) would complain bitterly if the fairways were uneven or too narrow for them to hit. They also don't like having to drive the buggy over slopes on the fairways and spill their beers. Unfortunately a lot of new courses they are building in Scotland that are aimed for the tourist markets are the same. Played Renaissance in East Lothian last year, the Scottish Open venue, and it is the same, big wide fairways and big greens that they speed up for the pros. However at the first pro comp they couldn't get the greens fast enough and the pros took the course apart. Its called a links course but it is really an American course built on links land!Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 8:42 am Watching the Walker Cup i'm struggling to see the hype around Seminole. It looks a really flat, boring course made spectactularly hard by the outrageous green complexes. It's no fun watching these lads hitting the middle of greens and rolling into bunkers and also chipping and putting off greens right left and centre.
It was odd watching Paul McGinley trying to explain that these lads are not as shite as the course is making them look and puzzling why the USGA have set up the greens so ridiculously hard.
Don't get me wrong I love playing golf in America. Usually go every couple of years to the Carolinas and have a great time. The courses are brilliant for us but do tend to blend together - 5 sets of tees, big flat fairways, lots of water, fast greens, an island green par 3, a par 5 around the lake, a short 'risk and reward' par 4, a super long par 5 that no-one can reach, raised greens, an Eisenhower Tree, etc. We do like the Pete Dye courses though, they tend to be different and really well designed and as well as the above also include lots of railway sleepers, lots of waste areas and fierce dog legs. Whilst we love the beer carts, the friendly locals and the wild life - alligators, snakes and birds of prey - the 5 hour rounds and loud, drunk Americans can be a little annoying! Having said all that once covid19 is under control and now that Trump has gone we will go back to Myrtle Beach/Pawleys Island as soon as we can in 2021.Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 12:20 pmYeah, Renaissance looks lovely but you are right, it's mainly in a wooded headland and is in no way a links course.dpedin wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 9:52 amAgree - A lot of the American courses are designed so that they can sell rounds at extortionate prices to yanks the rest of the year. They will let the greens grow and slow down for the tourists to make them playable. However fairways have to be flat for buggies and the fat, beer guzzling, cigar smoking New Yorker (I'm unfairly over generalising here!) would complain bitterly if the fairways were uneven or too narrow for them to hit. They also don't like having to drive the buggy over slopes on the fairways and spill their beers. Unfortunately a lot of new courses they are building in Scotland that are aimed for the tourist markets are the same. Played Renaissance in East Lothian last year, the Scottish Open venue, and it is the same, big wide fairways and big greens that they speed up for the pros. However at the first pro comp they couldn't get the greens fast enough and the pros took the course apart. Its called a links course but it is really an American course built on links land!Blackmac wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 8:42 am Watching the Walker Cup i'm struggling to see the hype around Seminole. It looks a really flat, boring course made spectactularly hard by the outrageous green complexes. It's no fun watching these lads hitting the middle of greens and rolling into bunkers and also chipping and putting off greens right left and centre.
It was odd watching Paul McGinley trying to explain that these lads are not as shite as the course is making them look and puzzling why the USGA have set up the greens so ridiculously hard.
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
and in the end, the difference between a Top 10 Rory, & a winning Rory; was his putting !fishfoodie wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 6:20 pm Whisper it ... Rory has actually found some putting form !
Good news for the Ryder Cup !
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Enjoying the PGA at Kiawah so far; proper golf course, in a tour that has way, way, too many bombers courses.
Agree - its been fun! A challenging course for these guys which makes it a good watch.fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 20, 2021 9:45 pm Enjoying the PGA at Kiawah so far; proper golf course, in a tour that has way, way, too many bombers courses.
I've played a few of the Dye courses when in Myrtle Beach (Barefoot, Prestwick and Legends Moorland) and they are very imposing off the tee, although there is more space than you would think, and they do like his raised greens with severe run off areas. Dye, and his sons, produce courses that test the top golfers.
A bit more wind and the course will be very difficult.
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Cameron Tringale might need counseling after that first nine holes
Started on the 9th at level par, fancying his chances of playing the weekend; & a couple of hours later he's walking off the 18th, with nine holes to play ..... sitting on +12
He had a 10, on Par 5, a 6, on a Par 3, & a 7, on another Par 3
Started on the 9th at level par, fancying his chances of playing the weekend; & a couple of hours later he's walking off the 18th, with nine holes to play ..... sitting on +12
He had a 10, on Par 5, a 6, on a Par 3, & a 7, on another Par 3
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Oosthuizen looking in the groove today. I'd love to see him holding the trophy on Sunday.
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Simmering up beautifully, in the PGA.
The forecast is that the wind will pick up a good bit tomorrow afternoon. So if one of the earlier starters can post a score of say -4; they could put enormous pressure on the later starters, playing in the worst conditions. With a closing 4/5 holes that you could easily lose a half dozen shots on; it's all to play for.
The forecast is that the wind will pick up a good bit tomorrow afternoon. So if one of the earlier starters can post a score of say -4; they could put enormous pressure on the later starters, playing in the worst conditions. With a closing 4/5 holes that you could easily lose a half dozen shots on; it's all to play for.
Agree it's a beautiful location and hard course, but that seems entirely down to its ridiculous length. Again I'm finding that it lacks character with one hole blending into another with little variety.fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 20, 2021 9:45 pm Enjoying the PGA at Kiawah so far; proper golf course, in a tour that has way, way, too many bombers courses.
If it wasn't nearly 8000 yards they would be ripping it to bits and it's mainly big hitters at the top of the leaderboard.
I think there are just too many frailities in Rory's game these days for them all to come together for 4 days on a really tough major set up. I sincerely hope not, but you do wonder if he will ever win another major.
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Reckon Harrington has said privately to him he’s in a good position
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/57251776
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/57226078
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
After a shitty spring my course is now returning back to its usual splendour, its been a while recovering from the winter snow and then a cold dry spring. Head Green keeper reckons we are about 3-4 weeks behind what he would regard as normal. Greens a little slower than they should be as the meadow grass is seeding later than normal, they are however very very smooth. The current warm weather should see growth really kicking in now.
Eventually getting my head around the new handicapping system and why my handicap is moving around. However we are seeing some dodgy looking scores in comps, particularly with high handicappers which I presume is because they only had a few counting rounds in system and it over egged their handicaps? Some guys are seeing big changes in their handicaps as they build up the required 20 rounds. Anyone else seeing this at their courses?
Eventually getting my head around the new handicapping system and why my handicap is moving around. However we are seeing some dodgy looking scores in comps, particularly with high handicappers which I presume is because they only had a few counting rounds in system and it over egged their handicaps? Some guys are seeing big changes in their handicaps as they build up the required 20 rounds. Anyone else seeing this at their courses?
Actually the opposite, if you have few qualifying rounds your Handicap verges towards your best round...dpedin wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:05 am After a shitty spring my course is now returning back to its usual splendour, its been a while recovering from the winter snow and then a cold dry spring. Head Green keeper reckons we are about 3-4 weeks behind what he would regard as normal. Greens a little slower than they should be as the meadow grass is seeding later than normal, they are however very very smooth. The current warm weather should see growth really kicking in now.
Eventually getting my head around the new handicapping system and why my handicap is moving around. However we are seeing some dodgy looking scores in comps, particularly with high handicappers which I presume is because they only had a few counting rounds in system and it over egged their handicaps? Some guys are seeing big changes in their handicaps as they build up the required 20 rounds. Anyone else seeing this at their courses?
-
Insane_Homer
- Posts: 5389
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:14 pm
- Location: Leafy Surrey
“Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true.”
-
fishfoodie
- Posts: 8222
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:25 pm
Fucking hell ....
Rahm has just, absolutely pummeled the field; streets ahead, & as he walks off the 18th, a PGA official stops him; & tells him he's tested positive for Covid
Rahm has just, absolutely pummeled the field; streets ahead, & as he walks off the 18th, a PGA official stops him; & tells him he's tested positive for Covid
Interesting initiative - and a very good time to introduce it given the increase in number of people playing during lockdown
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf- ... handicaps/
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf- ... handicaps/
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Not all good though. Its bound to discourage folk from joining clubs and will also allow people to gain a handicap and then flood the local Open competitions, where they can play top rated courses for about a £20 entry fee with a potentially dodgy handicap.Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:54 am Interesting initiative - and a very good time to introduce it given the increase in number of people playing during lockdown
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf- ... handicaps/
As ever, clubs need to adapt. The ones that haven't have gone bust. This can also be a route to taking out a club membership, if it encourages people to golf more, and find a club they like.Blackmac wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:53 amNot all good though. Its bound to discourage folk from joining clubs and will also allow people to gain a handicap and then flood the local Open competitions, where they can play top rated courses for about a £20 entry fee with a potentially dodgy handicap.Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:54 am Interesting initiative - and a very good time to introduce it given the increase in number of people playing during lockdown
https://scottishgolf.org/scottish-golf- ... handicaps/
Or the clubs could just take the backwards attitude that many of them have before, stick their r heads in the sand and wish for the 50s again.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Just back from 18 holes at my club in Embra. Lovely weather, missed the showers, and course is now in great condition. Had my best comp round of the season so off to pour a nice G&T and relax watching the football. I have no idea what this will do to my handicap, it is just too difficult to try and work out the new WHS system so I will just wait and see. Life is good.
After 16 months of not being at sport of any sort at all, I don’t really care.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Played it once and wasn't impressed by the course! An American style course plonked onto a links setting. Facilities are top class but lacked any atmosphere - would rather play any number of true links courses nearby.
Agreed. Gullane no2 is one of my favourite courses. I also have a real soft spot for Goswick further down the coast. My club has a reciprocal agreement with them so we can play cheap and it is a cracking figure of 8 traditional links course and a friendly clubhouse.
Agree about Gullane 2. In between the disaster of 1, 2 and 3 and 17 and 18, it is just magnificent.dpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:28 pmAgreed. Gullane no2 is one of my favourite courses. I also have a real soft spot for Goswick further down the coast. My club has a reciprocal agreement with them so we can play cheap and it is a cracking figure of 8 traditional links course and a friendly clubhouse.
Dunbar is superb and if it were not on the East Lothian coast it would likely be the top course in whatever region it sat.
As a kid I played the Scottish boys a couple of times there and once had the misfortune of a 9 & 8 thrashing at the hands of the defending champion who was 6 under through 10 holes. Always fun having that score read out in the national papers.
Blackmac wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:38 amDunbar is superb and if it were not on the East Lothian coast it would likely be the top course in whatever region it sat.
As a kid I played the Scottish boys a couple of times there and once had the misfortune of a 9 & 8 thrashing at the hands of the defending champion who was 6 under through 10 holes. Always fun having that score read out in the national papers.
Oh dear, my sympathies, but it could have been worse, just about. My brother and a few mates played in the Scottish Boys.
The municipal course at Winterfield has spectacular views out over Belhaven beach, but I don’t think it’s as challenging a course as East Links.
The rugby club used to be situated at Winterfield and to give an idea of the winds, there was a caravan park at the bottom of the first’s pitch. Every winter several caravans would be utterly destroyed by the wind, I mean most of the caravans just wouldn’t be there anymore, and the ones that were would be in tatters.
There is a wall about 100m down wind from the site and a pile of caravan detritus would collect there.
I’ve just remembered my golfing anecdote. I went down to the course to pick up my mum who had been playing, I saw a school friend, we were in our 20s by now, he was on the practice ground, hitting 7 irons towards a tractor tyre a long way away. My mate was a plus one golfer, he played for the Scottish amateur team.
I went over and had a chat and of course I asked him for a shot, I hadn’t played since I was about 14.
I hit the ball sweetly and it started low, elegantly sweeping high into the air and hovering for a second before dropping quietly into the middle of the tyre.
“What the fuck?” said my mate.
I handed him back the club and said something along the lines of, “That is the last time I’ll pick up a golf club, I could never do that again in a hundred years”
I went over and had a chat and of course I asked him for a shot, I hadn’t played since I was about 14.
I hit the ball sweetly and it started low, elegantly sweeping high into the air and hovering for a second before dropping quietly into the middle of the tyre.
“What the fuck?” said my mate.
I handed him back the club and said something along the lines of, “That is the last time I’ll pick up a golf club, I could never do that again in a hundred years”
That’ll be why when they used it for the Scottish Open, they used a few holes from Gullane 1.Blackmac wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:04 pmdpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:28 pmAgreed. Gullane no2 is one of my favourite courses. I also have a real soft spot for Goswick further down the coast. My club has a reciprocal agreement with them so we can play cheap and it is a cracking figure of 8 traditional links course and a friendly clubhouse.
Agree about Gullane 2. In between the disaster of 1, 2 and 3 and 17 and 18, it is just magnificent.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
I like the opening holes on Gullane 2! The 1st is a traditional short par4 and the 2nd a dog leg par 4 with a sloppy green - however I agree the 3rd heart attack hill is a dreadful hole. I did manage a 5 putt on the 3rd green when it was a hot windy day and the ball wouldn't stop once it got going! 17th is like the 3rd but downhill instead. 18th I like as well albeit another short par 4.Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:20 amThat’ll be why when they used it for the Scottish Open, they used a few holes from Gullane 1.Blackmac wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 8:04 pmdpedin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:28 pm
Agreed. Gullane no2 is one of my favourite courses. I also have a real soft spot for Goswick further down the coast. My club has a reciprocal agreement with them so we can play cheap and it is a cracking figure of 8 traditional links course and a friendly clubhouse.
Agree about Gullane 2. In between the disaster of 1, 2 and 3 and 17 and 18, it is just magnificent.
Other way round re Scottish. Open - they used a couple of holes from No2 to supplement No1. they didn't use the 1st at No1 as it was too short and easy and they needed to lengthen the 18th as well. Members at Gullane weren't happy with the Scottish Open being there as it curtailed their access to their courses although they did get playing rights elsewhere. Renaissance is being used I think because it is a 'gated community' type of course with lots of accommodation, catering, etc all available on site etc and it lends itself to covid bubbles etc. Its just a very meh course!
Dunbar is a cracking links course and if windy it is very, very difficult. I tend to hit the ball high and it just destroys me when playing 2nd 9 back into the breeze. It is a cracking course. Playing in their Seniors Visitors day in August, not very optimistic.
Just finished a wee mini Tour with some mates - played Peebles on Thursday in blazing sunshine, Baberton in milder conditions on Friday and Duddingston in damp and occasional pissing rain yesterday. Peebles is a nice local course in a beautiful setting in hills over the town, cheap green fees and nice food in clubhouse. My own course Baberton is in fantastic condition and would recommend. Duddingston is a nice track underneath Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh with some long par 4s on back 9 but is a little untidy in comparison to the others, it needs a few bob spent on the greens and bunkers. Now knackered and in need of a rest.
Peebles is one of my favourite courses. Some absolutely stunning holes and on a decent day the views are breathtaking. West Linton is another stunner down that way.dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Jul 04, 2021 12:09 pmI like the opening holes on Gullane 2! The 1st is a traditional short par4 and the 2nd a dog leg par 4 with a sloppy green - however I agree the 3rd heart attack hill is a dreadful hole. I did manage a 5 putt on the 3rd green when it was a hot windy day and the ball wouldn't stop once it got going! 17th is like the 3rd but downhill instead. 18th I like as well albeit another short par 4.
Other way round re Scottish. Open - they used a couple of holes from No2 to supplement No1. they didn't use the 1st at No1 as it was too short and easy and they needed to lengthen the 18th as well. Members at Gullane weren't happy with the Scottish Open being there as it curtailed their access to their courses although they did get playing rights elsewhere. Renaissance is being used I think because it is a 'gated community' type of course with lots of accommodation, catering, etc all available on site etc and it lends itself to covid bubbles etc. Its just a very meh course!
Dunbar is a cracking links course and if windy it is very, very difficult. I tend to hit the ball high and it just destroys me when playing 2nd 9 back into the breeze. It is a cracking course. Playing in their Seniors Visitors day in August, not very optimistic.
Just finished a wee mini Tour with some mates - played Peebles on Thursday in blazing sunshine, Baberton in milder conditions on Friday and Duddingston in damp and occasional pissing rain yesterday. Peebles is a nice local course in a beautiful setting in hills over the town, cheap green fees and nice food in clubhouse. My own course Baberton is in fantastic condition and would recommend. Duddingston is a nice track underneath Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh with some long par 4s on back 9 but is a little untidy in comparison to the others, it needs a few bob spent on the greens and bunkers. Now knackered and in need of a rest.