The Royal and Ancient Game of Golf can be played in many parts of the world that is in no doubt. However, can that be said about courses based upon the same principles? Can they reflect Nature, the natural or just as importantly be sustainable in their environment. In fact does playing that game within the said environment equate to similar courses worldwide or are we entering the pointless yet vain world of rating/lists courses.
Brandon vs. the UK, interesting comparison, but then what about The UK vs. Brandon, just look at the expense of travelling, accommodation etc., etc, can the same not be said albeit in reverse. I have not ventured to the North of America, nor have I any plans to do so, but that is not a criticism of the culture perhaps if anything perhaps more to do with the perceived American game and my current inability to play golf. Or simply scared of being seen to endorse No Walking Courses, even to sponsoring carts or upholding the 6 hour round. Who knows, because I just have not found the compelling need to sample those beautiful super watered and manicured courses set out more to resemble a park than my true love a links course. Or is it the Scottish blood within me and its dislike of spending good money when I have about me some wonderful courses?
My fear if I ever decided to venture forth, is that I would not taste the variety of golf in the true sense of the word because I would want to concentrate on the great well known courses Augusta, NGLA, Merion etc. etc, while I suspect trying to compare them to something similar back in the UK. What a waste that would be trying to compare any course with another instead of just going out and doing the very thing you went there to do. That of enjoying the unknown, that virgin experience of the courses, not quenched by just a single round in the day but certainly requiring at least two round just to try to get the feel certainly not to understand the course after just two rounds.
We travel vast distances and at great expense to each individual just to play a course, but we do not take the time to enjoy, to look and learn the real quality that has stood the test of generations of golfers. No, of course not, we try and cram in as much as is possible to obtain value for money, but that does not help or enhance ones understand of the game or the new courses, all that does is state that this golfer has played that course, understand and learning little and if the truth was told not really fully enjoying the experience as it only offered a few seconds of itself, but never the full picture.
So is it Brandon vs. the UK or the UK vs. Brandon unless you savour the moment and repeat it at least once you have very little chance of getting to know the course that you have travel thousands of miles to play. It’s nearly as futile as comparing courses with each other in different environments, but then I suppose there are those who just feel the need to try and obtain this perfect abstract image of their ideal course – well in their humble opinion.
My answer, I just do not know, but more importantly do you?
Melvyn