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Frank M

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Walking the old course?? New
« on: January 17, 2011, 10:24:04 PM »
Hello,

I am heading to Scotland in late February/early March and was planning on taking a Sunday to go out to the Old Course.

If I am correct, because the old course is common land, I would be able to walk around the course? I may be mistaken, but from what I understand the old course is often closed on Sunday's and that would be a perfect time to take a walking tour sans sticks?

I really want to study the course without the limitations of playing and keeping pace and was hoping the off season would provide me an opportunity.

Thanks for any help and tips.
« Last Edit: July 03, 2024, 07:36:42 PM by Frank M »
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Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2011, 10:27:00 PM »
Quote from: Frank Mastroianni on January 17, 2011, 10:24:04 PM
Hello,

I am heading to Scotland in late February/early March and was planning on taking a Sunday to go out to the Old Course in St. Andrews of course.

If I am correct, because the old course is common land, I would be able to walk around the course? I may be mistaken, but from what I understand the old course is often closed on Sunday's and that would be a perfect time to take a walking tour sans sticks?

I really want to study the course without the limitations of playing and keeping pace and was hoping the off season would provide me an opportunity.

Thanks for any help and tips.

Frank, the Old Course is definitely closed on Sundays and it's a great time to see the course.

There are tours available too - maybe Google "Old Course Sunday tours" - an expert could show you around.
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Phil McDade

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2011, 10:27:20 PM »
Frank:

Yes, with rare exception (Sunday of the Open Championship, maybe the Dunhill Cup), The Old Course is closed for play on Sundays, but open for walkers. It's one of the best ways to examine the course up close, and a great walk to boot.
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Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2011, 01:42:25 AM »
I've been there 3 sundays and walked each time.

The walking tour is quite good even if you'll have read a bunch of it before. The guide willbe happy to answer your questions.  They will skip holes 9 and 10 and even if you don't take the tour I suggest you do to.
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Alex Miller

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2011, 01:54:20 AM »
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David_Elvins

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2011, 02:02:03 AM »
The best value day in golf.  Don't forget to put a couple of balls in your pocket.

Beware of what you might find on the hallowed turf, though.  My first view of the Swilken Bridge featured a middle aged man wearing nothing but a pair of ill fitting board shorts, and carrying an inflatable dolphin. 
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Brett Hochstein

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2011, 02:23:34 AM »
Yes, do throw a few balls in your pocket.  This provides endless fun and a great way of understanding maybe golf's best contours.  Be careful tossing them on the greens though, and leave your putter and any clubs in the car.  I wish I were still there and could take you around.  I don't know much about the tours, but do read whatever you can before your adventures.  Have fun!
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Tony_Muldoon

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2011, 04:03:58 AM »
Check and see if the Himalayas are open in Winter.  If I could get that place to myself I could spend all day making up holes.  Magic 
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Phil_the_Author

Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2011, 04:51:14 AM »
Frank,

Reach out to Melvyn. I think you might find it fascinating walking out there with him if he can do it...
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Mark Pearce

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2011, 05:11:34 AM »
Melvyn does not live in St Andrews.  I believe he lives in southern England.
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Scott Warren

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2011, 05:46:04 AM »
Indeed, Melvyn is a paid-up resident of Suffolk, a good few hundred miles south of Fife.
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Phil_the_Author

Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2011, 06:00:03 AM »
Mark and Scott, I was aware of that, which is why I used the phrase "if he can do it." Consider how tempting it may be for our friend to give a history lesson on both the course's architecture and his departed relative while WALKING with an American! :)
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Melvyn Morrow

Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2011, 08:58:45 AM »

Philip, thanks for the thought, but alas I will not be in St Andrews for a few more months, but as you have mentioned my name I have sent 15MB of photos and articles to Frank to help him understand some of the course, town and evolution of TOC.

Suggested Frank gets hold of Scott’s book The Evolution of TOC, which will give him even further info.

Frank it’s now down to you, need any more info, you have my e-mail details.

Hope you have funs and enjoy the walk – spend a little time checking out the course at the far end by The Eden Estuary, as that was the battle field in the mid to late 19th Century when the Eden was fast eroding the land and Old Tom spent nearly 20 years trying and succeeding to save the Greens and Tees in that area from the sea. After every storm he was out there with his team, in the end it was the Eden that helped in its minor change of course, although these things are so unpredictable it could turn again.

Enjoy

Melvyn

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Brett Hochstein

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2011, 09:07:14 AM »
The Himalayas open in March sometime, possibly the beginning of the month.  I was lucky enough to take my girl out there when she visited late last March, and at that time of year it actually wasn't too overcrowded.
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"From now on, ask yourself, after every round, if you have more energy than before you began.  'Tis much more important than the score, Michael, much more important than the score."     --John Stark - 'To the Linksland'

http://www.hochsteindesign.com

Jeff_Mingay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2011, 09:14:12 AM »
Frank,

If you have the time, I'd also suggest walking the Reverse course as well (backwards). Seriously. There's a lot to see.
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Marty Bonnar

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2011, 02:43:16 PM »
TOC is indeed open for sheep grazing, the drying of washing, herring-curing and general fun and frolics on the Sabbath. These days, however, many of the greens and bunkers are 'lightly' roped off to discourage the casual TOCler from getting too intimate with the old lass.

FBD.

PS as Jeff says, don't miss the Reverse walk!
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Pete_Pittock

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2011, 03:06:48 PM »
I was also going to suggest looking at the reverse routing. I got some good pictures in the AM golden hours of photography.
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Anthony Gray

Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2011, 03:20:19 PM »


  I've mowed it on Sunday.

  Anthony

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RSLivingston_III

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #18 on: January 18, 2011, 06:29:08 PM »
Anyone know where a routing for the reverse Old course might be found? I am having trouble visualizing some of the tee/green combinations.
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Marty Bonnar

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #19 on: January 18, 2011, 06:48:10 PM »
RSL,
Jeremy Glenn's marvellous article can be found in 'In my Opinion'
cheers,
MB.
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The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Frank M

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course?? New
« Reply #20 on: January 18, 2011, 11:51:33 PM »
Jeff...I will definitely do the reverse course. I am very much looking forward to the trip and opportunity to spend a day just walking around The Old Course.
« Last Edit: July 03, 2024, 07:37:24 PM by Frank M »
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Tiger_Bernhardt

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #21 on: January 19, 2011, 09:25:40 AM »
Frank you will treasure every step. I so enjoy walking around TOC on a sunny Sunday.
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Bill_McBride

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Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #22 on: January 19, 2011, 09:39:28 AM »
Quote from: Marty Bonnar on January 18, 2011, 06:48:10 PM
RSL,
Jeremy Glenn's marvellous article can be found in 'In my Opinion'
cheers,
MB.

But it's not quite what the Links Trust actually does on the ground.  As Jeremy says, it all gets a bit complicated in the loop!
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Melvyn Morrow

Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #23 on: January 19, 2011, 09:46:57 AM »

Frank

Have re sent the email(s) and been in contact with The Links Trust and will let you know the results.

Melvyn
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Frank M

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Walking the old course??
« Reply #24 on: January 19, 2011, 01:43:21 PM »
Melvyn,

You have been a phenomenal help. So much great information! Thanks again and we'll be talking soon.
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