[Adam Clayman]

Thank goodness this is televised. After having sat through the Celtic Manor One dimensional, getting to seeing the Grande Dame, even if she's a tad verdant, is a treat. Great to see some authentic weather, too.

Who ever is responsible for this being televised, each one of you geeks present (and is watching) owes them gratitude. Thank you.

It's better viewing then the Open Championship. You get to see the long shots of the property without all the grandstand eyesores.

[Andy Shulman]

The one time I played Carnoustie, we were informed that all golfers playing that day were required to use the back tees at 6,900+ yards.  Is that a little joke they play on unsuspecting Americans?  I will say that the last two holes at Carnoustie are both fun and unlike any others I've played.

TOC - 5
KB - 2
Carnoustie - 3

[Sean_A]

The Old Course - the old grand lady and I have walked the course many times but never played it. Watched Geoff Ogilvy and Justin Rose closely in the St Andrews Links Trophy over 10 yrs ago and many Dunhill cups. I felt it was a bit Mickey Mouse due to the fact it punishes a great shot and a terrible shot could get away with murder! This course is a one off and unique - Id rather play Brancaster

Ben,

A brave view to express, seeing that you haven't actually played it.  Can you give examples of how TOC "punishes a great shot" and how "a terrible shot could get away with murder"?

Tiger's wayward driving at the Open! he was seen on the 'other fairway' a couple of times with enormous duck hooks. There are a number of unlucky bounces I have seen from players in the Dunhill Cup and St Andrews Links Trophy events that would have been awesome shots elsewhere. I remember John Daly hitting a great low shot into 17 and it just hit a downslope on the fairway in front of the green and it shot over the green onto the road. If he was a yard either side he would have been very close to the flag but that's the old course with the luck of the bounce.

I have walked the fairways and greens when I watched Rose and Ogilvy battle out for the Links Trophy. Thats the closest I have been around the Old Course. Ogilvy was unlucky not to make the playoff due to a few unlucky bounces that would have made the difference. I thought he played better than Rose (whoe won the tournament that time)

Its just probably me - I believe if it was a bad shot it should be fairly punished and a good shot not punished unfairly.

Ben

I want to know what you or anybody else means when they use the word fair in relation to a golf course. 

Many people seem to think that an almost perfect shot should be rewarded almost perfectly.  The difference with a place like TOC is that almost perfect shot may end up on the road or in the bunker - on other courses it may end up oob or in water.  That is the thrill of taking on the risk and what risk/reward is all about.  Only it can be a slow death at TOC rather than a quick slit of the wrist.  The same essential concept applies but opportunity for great recover exists abound at TOC - once you accept the course for what it is.  The really wonderful thing about TOC's 17th is the bail out front-right is aways an option, but most folks can't help but to give the risk a go if they are in a good position off the tee.   

Ciao

[Yancey_Beamer]

I have played all three.
TOC-5
C-3
KB-2
Remember at C you must play the appropriate tee.

[Brad Isaacs]

Nothing like the Old Course.  Six times out of ten....  Kingsbarns a truly great course 3,  Carnasty......  torture yourself once

[Colin Macqueen]

Andy,

"The one time I played Carnoustie, we were informed that all golfers playing that day were required to use the back tees at 6,900+ yards.  Is that a little joke they play on unsuspecting Americans?"

I rather suspect it was the Scottish starter being magnanimous and trying to give you best value for your money in regards to shots/dollar!  No.....

Colin

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Martin, I have played all three several times. TOC over 10. I love Carnoustee and TOC and put both in my world top 10. KB is well not there but still a very good course. The weather over there has probably cut down on the discussion. I love to watch the Dunhill or any event from TOC. I do not click the remote to watch KB unless the other option is a US tour course.

[Michael Whitaker]

Nonsense, from the tees you'll be playing Carnoustie is not as hard as The Ocean Course, Bethpage Black or Torrey South. It the length that makes these courses brutes. Fortunately the Scots will not even allow you to loitter around the back tees, never mind play off them!

Pete - not necessarily... the last time I played Carnoustie they put us off the back tee at over 7000 yards! The starter said they move the tees up and back to even the wear on the tees and the resulting fairway shot areas. We were in shock that we would have to play the course from that length, but found that it was not too bad. The course was so firm that a well struck shot was rewarded with lots of roll making second shot distances a manageable task. We had a great time!

[Michael Whitaker]

I've played all three multiple times.

If cost were not a factor:
TOC 4
KB 3
C 3

At current visitor prices:
TOC 6
KB 0
C 4

KB has priced themselves out of my comfort zone.
 

[Brian Phillips]

TOC - 4
KB - 4
C - 2

Weird how my view of TOC has changed with age...used to hate the course, now I miss not being able to play her more and more.  If there is one course that I now want to go back and play on my next visit it is TOC.  I even turned down TOC for The Castle the last time I was there.

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