What are Americans looking for when they travel abroad

[Brian Stewart]

Michael and Brian,

From your post you obviously associate Scotland with links golf. Michael, you also said that you wanted to play something different to what you play at home. Have either of you played any inland golf in Scotland and if so how different/similar to what you play back home ?

Niall

Niall,

Unfortunately my Scotland experience is limited to one short trip so I have not played at any inland courses there.  I have played several in Ireland however and for the most part they feel like courses in the US Midwest.  They are often good golf courses but given that I could fly 2 hours and play something that feels the same I generally try to avoid spending time on these courses instead of courses that provide an experience unique to the area.  It should be noted that these are the only two destinations that I have traveled to solely to play golf however.  The rest are a combination of being there on business (mostly) and vacation (too few).  When I travel to Australia at the end of Feb/first of March it will be the third golf specific destination and I've planned those courses in advance as well. 

[Anthony Gray]

  Greg Tallman introduced me to a fine Mariachi Band. That was nice.

  Anthony

[Jim Tang]

When considering Ireland and Scotland, LINKS GOLF!  I just can't imagine playing a parkland layout over there.  Maybe I'm missing out.

[Jud_T]

Personally I'd say real links golf with a severe bias for the old and quirky.  That and as much local color as possible.  As for "Americans" many are looking to chase the top 100, for a steak that doesn't exist, for greens and fairways that will hold, for drunken local women, carts and male bonding of the college fraternity variety.  Oh, and probably for this:

[Kalen Braley]

When I've traveled overseas in the past....

...my creedo has always been "Lets go where the locals hang out, not where the tourists hang out"

[Melvyn Morrow]

...my creedo has always been "Lets go where the locals hang out, not where the tourists hang out"

Oh shit is there no hiding place anymore.

Melvyn

[Martin Toal]

When considering Ireland and Scotland, LINKS GOLF!  I just can't imagine playing a parkland layout over there.  Maybe I'm missing out.

Jim

I hate to hear about Americans who come to Ireland and play the K Club.

Actually, I would probably prefer they didn't play Old Head either, but that's another story.

[Mark Chaplin]

Gleneagles Kings & Queens are courses worth travelling to play, the other inlands in Scotland I've visited are worth a visit "if in the area".

The heathlands around Surrey and The Berkshire plus West Sussex and Woodhall Spa are the finest of their genre and well worth crossing the globe to play just like The Sandbelt.

For lovers of links golf you'd be surprised just how lively a good heath can get in the summer, those who played the Buda at Alwoodley will remember shots bouncing 10' in the air. Things changed somewhat at Moortown!!

[JMEvensky]

Actually, I would probably prefer they didn't play Old Head either, but that's another story.

I understand your point,but OH is something worth seeing.I played it in 1999--the first course I played in Ireland.It didn't take me long to see the differences between OH and RCD,RP,Ballybunion, etc.But I'm glad I got to play it.

I also played Druid's Glen--great cheeseburgers.

The answer to the original question is simple--red haired Irish women and maybe a concert by any of the Corrs.

[Mark Pearce]

Gleneagles Kings & Queens are courses worth travelling to play, the other inlands in Scotland I've visited are worth a visit "if in the area".

The heathlands around Surrey and The Berkshire plus West Sussex and Woodhall Spa are the finest of their genre and well worth crossing the globe to play just like The Sandbelt.

For lovers of links golf you'd be surprised just how lively a good heath can get in the summer, those who played the Buda at Alwoodley will remember shots bouncing 10' in the air. Things changed somewhat at Moortown!!

Your list doesn't include the best inland course in the country that I've played!

[Martin Toal]

Actually, I would probably prefer they didn't play Old Head either, but that's another story.

I understand your point,but OH is something worth seeing.I played it in 1999--the first course I played in Ireland.It didn't take me long to see the differences between OH and RCD,RP,Ballybunion, etc.But I'm glad I got to play it.

I also played Druid's Glen--great cheeseburgers.

The answer to the original question is simple--red haired Irish women and maybe a concert by any of the Corrs.

'a concert'?

I have never heard it called that before.

OH is fine, but just lacks the authenticity I think you American chaps would enjoy from golf in Ireland.

You need to pitch up at a course in Donegal where the pro says 'Ah sure you can play with old Mick here' and a grizzled ageless old bloke with an impenetrable accent and a pencil bag of ancient old clubs appears and proceeds to use a home grown swing show you how to keep the ball under the wind.

[JMEvensky]

OH is fine, but just lacks the authenticity I think you American chaps would enjoy from golf in Ireland.

You need to pitch up at a course in Donegal where the pro says 'Ah sure you can play with old Mick here' and a grizzled ageless old bloke with an impenetrable accent and a pencil bag of ancient old clubs appears and proceeds to use a home grown swing show you how to keep the ball under the wind.

I agree about the authenticity,or lack thereof, at OH,but 1999 was before my education here on GCA.But as I said,it didn't take long to understand the differences once I went elsewhere.

I got to play with a grizzled ageless old bloke at Ballybunion.I made the mistake of asking him if he could speak Gaelic--he answered no,he could speak Irish.Lesson learned the hard way.

I also learned how he became grizzled and ageless after the round when he had the bartender send over a fifth of John Powers--it was 11:00 in the morning.

If not a concert,what then?A craic(sic)?

[Michael George]

I have always wanted to experience the authentic location where I visited.  No tour bus.  No touristy restaurant.  Just a solid bite to eat and a beer with the locals.

Obviously, with golf there is somewhat of a checklist that you cannot control.  No matter how many Americans are on the course, you have to play TOC in Scotland and Ballybunion in Ireland, etc....  However, after the round, I hate feeling like I am in America.  If I wanted it to be like home, I would have stayed home.

With all of the talk about Bandon and RW's criticisms, one of the only things that I wish was different about the place is that it be located in the town of Bandon on the Sea.  I just think it is a special feeling to meld into a town.  At Bandon, you only see other out of town golfers.

[Jim Tang]

Martin -

I too, played Old Head, and I'm glad that I did, just to see it and hit a golf ball in that environment.  However, I much prefer a walk along the sea and through the heaving dunes of places like Royal County Down, Lahinch and Ballybunion. 

I do plan to get back to Ireland, someday.  I would not play Old Head again.  Instead, I want to get up to the NW of Ireland, since I missed that region on my last trip.

[Mike Hendren]

...my creedo has always been "Lets go where the locals hang out, not where the tourists hang out"

Oh shit is there no hiding place anymore.

Melvyn

 ;DYour finest moment on this website.

Bogey

[Greg Tallman]

  Greg Tallman introduced me to a fine Mariachi Band. That was nice.

  Anthony

And now you are an honorary member of their ensemble. I admire the use of the word "wives" in this topic versus a different word I expected to come across.

[Kalen Braley]

Melvyn,

Its all good.  You can remain hidden in your home....   

[Mark Chaplin]

Niall there is no doubt there can be boorish behaviour linked the Brit package tourist, they are however as a generalisation very well travelled. It is rare to see the US or Canadian equivalent as they tend to stay within north America.

[Tommy Williamsen]

When considering Ireland and Scotland, LINKS GOLF!  I just can't imagine playing a parkland layout over there.  Maybe I'm missing out.

Jim, I think you are missing something by not moving inland.  Some of the courses in the Highlands are absolute gems and nothing like US parkland courses.

[Gary Slatter]

..trophy courses?

[Steve Strasheim]

Smiles.

[Niall C]

When considering Ireland and Scotland, LINKS GOLF!  I just can't imagine playing a parkland layout over there.  Maybe I'm missing out.

Jim, I think you are missing something by not moving inland.  Some of the courses in the Highlands are absolute gems and nothing like US parkland courses.

Tommy

Thanks for that comment, obviously I agree also. I also think there are plenty in elsewhere in Scotland that are worth a play as well. Chappers refers to the heathland courses of down south and marks the inland courses in Scotland down in comparison and that may be a hard one to argue against but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of good, interesting and fun golf, most of which I imagine would be nothing like typical US inland courses.

Niall

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

air conditioned hotel rooms...anywhere
ice in their drinks
manicured golf courses
all the conveniences of "back home"
be able to pay for everything in dollars
everybody to speak"english"


the people on this site of course are exempt from these observations

[Mark Chaplin]

Go on Mark let on!!

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Woodhall Spa alone is worth leaving the coastline..to me it is one of the best 20 courses in the world.
I would play there any day ahead of Troon,Lytham,Royal Liverpool...perhaps Carnoustie, that would be a tough call...but you get my drift about how good it is.
If it was located near London..as in the stockbrokers belt, I belive it would be ranked above Sunningdale, Wentworth, Walton Heath etc...