How much is local knowledge worth?

[JESII]

How much?

Of all the courses I've played, Deal would carry among the highest local knowledge factors...but still, how much among good and great players?

[Tony_Muldoon]

Presumably this is an attempt to get their best guys ready for the Amatuer at Deal this summer.


Messrs’ Hutto, Pennell and I watched their guy win it at RSG in 2006.  He was most impressive eagling the 14th, in the morning and afternoon rounds.  The French had a bunch of guys in Blazers ordering champagne all round.   Within 30mins of the presentation a helicopter arrived to whisk him back home.   I guess they don’t often have  a victory in England to celebrate.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/5114476.stm

He subsequently turned pro. I’m guessing he’s every bit as thin today, as he was then.
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=33674/

[Mark Chaplin]

They were spotted on the first tee today with their coach, skipping to warm up, I jest you not.

I've just left the Just Reproach at 2330 and a couple of our team were warming up, not a skipping rope in sight though!

Our team range from 25 to late 60s and +1 to 4, but the 4s are local which equates to a 1 or 2 on a parkland course or +1/scratch US handicapping.

[Mark Chaplin]

Morning round scratch foursomes RCP 1/2 France 3 1/3.

With the French ranging in age from 16-20 it's unsurprising the half goes to a Deal pairing including a 73 year old off 3 handicap who payed in the French amateur in 1964, most of their grandmothers would have been virgins then! All the losing matches made the 16th green. In the final match a 4 and 5 handicap from Deal playing the European No.1 and 3 off +6 and +5 a total of 20 shots difference, lost 4&2.

The French played the course on Thursday so were not playing blind.

[Thomas Dai]

Next time suggest the match is played at Twickenham, those from the Euro side of The Channel tend not to perform so well there!

A 73 yr old playing off 3 at RCP, that's fantastic, hope for us all yet.

All the best

[Scott Warren]

Chappers,

If you don't fancy posting the names of the guys who made up our side, can you email me?

[Richard Pennell]

How much effect will local knowledge have?

Chappers

After yesterday, less than previously thought...

[Mark Bourgeois]

How much effect will local knowledge have?

Chappers

After yesterday, less than previously thought...

Speak for yourself, Richard! 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mark,

Depends on the golf course.

At Streamsong Blue, I think it's an enormous factor.

Also at the Red, but, perhaps a little less so.

Some courses reveal themselves quite easily, others, gradually and grudgingly,  but, alot depends upon the golfer's course management IQ.

[Mark Bourgeois]

I think you're addressing Mark C but the point this Mark is making is:
Match
A national team v a club team

[Bill Gayne]

It depends on the players ability to hit the shot. Often i'm better off not knowing (playing what my eyes and gut tells me) because I will relax and just swing.

[Patrick_Mucci]

It depends on the players ability to hit the shot. Often i'm better off not knowing (playing what my eyes and gut tells me) because I will relax and just swing.

Bill,

Shouldn't that be factored into your decision making process ?

[Mark Chaplin]

Richard - I swear that putter will find a grim scrapyard one day! You know the course well but hitting so many shots from the middle of the fairways must have been a new experience  !