Sean
I am certainly not saying “ IF IT ISN'T SCOTTISH IT'S CRAP!”
As for quirky I agree with James and his definition of the word.
Scottish courses being the earliest, set the concept, incorporated what was available, perhaps used all the allotted ground available for their courses, but to my way of thinking none of these features can be defined as quirky then or today. My reasoning for this is that as original and other course of that day also incorporated the same features on their course, I cannot see how they can be defined as quirky – there was after all nothing to compare against. As years passed and new ideas and designs developed, some of the older courses and their features have been defined quirky but I believe that is because they are being compared with later designs and styles. So hence my opinion that theses course do not have quirky features by definition.
I take the work quirky as generally good and certainly not necessary derogatory. But define these early course as quirky is IMHO misunderstanding the history of golf.
Yes, in the Glens of Scotland you will find as I suspect you already know many old 9 & 18 hole courses more or less left in 19th Century mode, but that does not in my opinion make them quirky. The point in my last paragraph is that these were the styles of courses the early Pioneers took with them when golf was exported worldwide. Subsequently, designs driven by overseas tastes changed, so if you want to experience the game as it was originally played find these old out of the way course and enjoy the original FEATURES.
I may not agree with some things in our game today and will certainly state my opinions and beliefs, but too many here seem to like to put words into my mouth which have actually not been said. I have always been careful not to criticise courses I have not played and only offering my thoughts on ones I have. This stems from years of being involved with Design & Project Management and unless you are privy to the clients brief how can one levy any criticism.
As for quirky, like James I do not use the word and neither do my golfing friends. I have not been tempted either unlike James who it appears if starting to find the word creeping in. I like the way it is used and have nothing actually against it but just feel it needs to be used with perhaps more consideration when dealing with the OLD (early, original) GB courses. I hope the above explanation enables you to now turn on your statnav to find the road to salvation.
Yours sincerely
Quirky
Anthony/Kyle
I have no doubt that there are many, many world class courses in the USA and that I should one day perhaps venture across the pond to experience the game on your great land. Unlike some on here I have no problem with my cousins over the seas and I warm heartily welcome all that travel at great expense to experience our courses both in Scotland and GB as a whole.
To voice an opinion is just that ‘an opinion’. We all have our preferences and wishes. I ‘m not keen on certain modern practices that have become the norm, not because I am anti-progress, but because I sincerely believe it is actually hurting the game and the golfer. Carts/No walking is just not golf, well certainly not the way I was taught (with the exception for those that need carts to play) and as for the Distance information, well again the golfer actually does not need that input, the proof is take away the aids and watch their game deteriorate before they get their own inbuilt co-ordination back. I am indeed all for an easier life but if you are going to entertain a sport then it should be grasped with both hands and enjoyed in the time honoured way.
Excuse me, for trying to prick your conscience and to raising topics that I feel need to be aired. We need to go forward but not if we loose the reason for playing the game in the first place. It’s a question of balance which is not IMHO being controlled by our Governing Bodies, hence the need for sites like GCA.com and guys like Wayne Morrison, who I feel should still be posting here today.
Golf is very rare in that it can introduce you to the world of nature whilst perusing a gentle course of exercise over 3-4 hours period, either alone or with friends and then there is the game itself that can raise you to the heights or to the deepest depths in just one stroke. Then there is still the 19th to negotiate before you can call it a day.
“I Did It My Way” by my own efforts, it is the only way to look back on life with some degree of satisfaction, well that’s my opinion.
Melvyn