The Official NPR Golf Thread
I have a real issue with pros wearing hoodies.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.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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.Blackmac wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 9:34 pmJoin the club. You are never going to play with the hood up so why?
Agree about cap and hoodies however I strongly believe that professional golfers should be allowed to wear shorts ... there I've said it!Punter15 wrote: Fri May 30, 2025 8:25 amThere is a direct correlation between how you dress and how you act towards both the course and other players. Simple as that.
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!
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.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.
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!
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fishfoodie
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"Democracy has no place in our Club Mister !!!"dpedin wrote: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:56 amPlayed 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.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.
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!
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
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!! 
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oakmo ... FQAw%3D%3D
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.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!!
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oakmo ... FQAw%3D%3D
The freeway on the other hand is weird.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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 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.
Thought there was 5 inch rough at Oakmont this weekSandstorm wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:59 amBut 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 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.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Sandstorm wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:59 amBut 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 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.
You obviously haven't been watching the build up. The rough is horrific. Hack out territory for even the strongest.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.
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.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!
Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
Yep ... I've lost interest already!Blackmac wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:12 amYeah, 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.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!
Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
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 wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:58 amYep ... I've lost interest already!Blackmac wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 7:12 amYeah, 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.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!
Oh, I forgot the 6 hour rounds and absolutely appalling yank TV coverage.
Good luck!Blackmac wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 8:14 amI'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 wrote: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:58 amYep ... I've lost interest already!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.
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.dpedin wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 9:06 amGood luck!Blackmac wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 8:14 amI'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.
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!
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.”
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.
Stunning round from Bob. Deserves to take it but think Spaun slight favourite with 17 to come.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
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!
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!
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.
I do think the long par threes need binned though.