Scottish Courses – US Equivalents? A fun game we play in the clubhouse, pub or on a bar stool.....
Often times when I have American golfing friends they ask about certain courses in Scotland and how they compare to the courses in the US. We’re looking for relative parallels, not so much about the course itself but if the course was in the US which one would it be (club, membership, prestige, etc.) Ex: what is the Scottish Augusta?…might be a fun challenge and let me give you some more obvious examples and perhaps you guys can help come up with others or changes/alterations to the ones suggested….and why…
The Old Course – Pinehurst No.2 – Both respective golfing Mecca’s with Old Tom Morris playing the role of father of golf in St. Andrews: the role Americans know Donald Ross to play in Pinehurst, NC. Both towns are golf crazy, there are multiple courses in each with public access and an obvious star with TOC and No. 2. Both courses evolved over the years under the eyes of their designers...
Turnberry – Pebble Beach – Both staggeringly beautiful “resort” courses that have hosted their respective Opens. Both even have their Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus moments in time and amazing sunsets on their countries West Coasts. Both are accessible for those willing to pay for the experience (even were both owned by Japanese at one point). As good as it gets for some at each.
Carnoustie – Oakmont – Famously difficult Open venues. Very much respected as brutal courses for both the pros and the average player. Both courses pride themselves on that history of challenge.
You get the point; others may be more challenging…here goes some…
One could argue the concentration of golf courses in Ayrshire is similar to that of Long Island and the Southampton area in particular. The cluster of Troon/Prestwick/Western Gailes being like Shinnecock/National/Maidstone. So with that in mind:
Royal Troon – Shinnecock Hills, it probably plays more like a Winged Foot (as far as difficult/challenging reputation). More famous Open venue that has a higher visibility due to its recent hosting of the majors.
Prestwick – National – less well known that its more famous (to average player) neighbor but has as rich a history if not greater than its next door neighbor. Prestwick is the Home of the Open, National is home of US golf (C.B. MacDonald and OTM being major influences). Neither membership seems to mind being "under the radar" and not hosting a tournament. They are comfortable with their place in history.
Western Gailes – Maidstone – even less well known than either course (above). Some like more than the others.
Loch Lomond – Augusta – Beautiful parkland layouts with very prestigious memberships and are known by few other than the members to they very private clubs.
Dornoch – Cypress Point – Perhaps the purest links experience in Scotland, almost holy for hardcore golfers. Home of Donald Ross. Cypress is equally religious for those who get the chance to experience. Both have great respetive scenery.
Muirfield – Pine Valley – Both are very private and generally considered the best golf courses in their respective countries. Both have a Colt influence and most golfers will never experience. Incredible places.
Gleneagles - Sea Island – an awesome resort with several great golf courses. Very expensive and worth it although not quite the level of some of the “great championship” courses but the hotel and amenities make up for the experience.
Kingsbarns– Sand Hills– relatively new course who changed the way we looked at what was possible in the new century. First of their kind and started a new trend in the way courses were in designed in their countries.
See what you think and add others that have not been mentioned or change it to your own matches. Where do Machrihanish or North Berwick fit? Cruden Bay? Who is the Prairie Dunes of Scotland?