CARNEGIE LINKS CONT.We now cross a wee lane for 7 & 8, both excellent if very different and playing in opposite directions. On 7 it is very easy to lose a ball left while gunning for the pound seats.
There is plenty of room to lay-up, but while the hole suggests a swing in from the left near the green, in fact there is a drop-off which makes it difficult to gain the best position.
The view from the high tee on #8.
But in a rare move, we walked passed the high tees to the lower tee on Dornoch Firth. Despite appearances, unless one is very long, very straight and a bit dotty, the driver should be removed from the bag.
By chance I happened to hit this section of the fairway which is
maybe 15 yards wide.
Re-crossing the lane and passing through an ethereal lichen heath, we end the 9 with a fleshy one-shotter which has a teasingly narrow entrance up the right.
Playing to the furthest point away from the house, the 10th is a reachable par 5. As stated earlier, one had better make his hay before turning for home.
Occassionally modern design can bump heads with traditional appeal. This situation of a raised wavy green edge creates a problem of where to "end" the green. Often times an awkward cut line is the result. As at Castle Stuart, I would prefer the mounds to be incorporated into the green even if the area is unpinnable.
More to follow.
Ciao