Brent,
When I'm planning trips now I always try to include a couple of "secondary" courses.
I'll hazard a guess that the round at Crowborough didn't feel like a "secondary" day of your trip to you and, similarly, in a week in which I played Alwoodley and played Dornoch and Brora twice each, easily as enjoyable and memorable were my rounds at Crail and Golspie.
Those simple, natural, lower-tier courses of GB&I are a drawcard in their own right if you're that way inclined.
Great post.
"Secondary" is such a bad word.
Almost all of my favorite courses in the UK/Ireland are lesser known gems,but not because of their quality.
Often it's about their proximity ,location, or pedigree, but USUALLY it's about a lack of (perceived) length.
Ironically, usually the visitor can chooses his tees at the lesser known courses, as opposed to playing the yellow forward tees at the well traveled venues, and ends up playing a LONGER course than available to play at a World Top 100.
These courses fly under the radar because they lack a pr machine,are remote, or are located in an area where there are too many choices.
They simply aren't played because everyboody is on a 6-10 course "trip of a lifetime" and driving right by some fantastic venues.
Which is a good thing for the rest of us.
Nearly every trip I've planned, the favorite course has been a course no one in the group besides me had ever heard of going in.
and that's not counting the pre/post round pints with members who are thrilled you have taken an interest in the course they are so proud of.
As for the food, I haven't had a bad meal in the UK/ireland in the last 15 years, and I don't do a lot of planning, simply asking at the last club's bar, but I guess that's really not a huge priority for me
and anyone who thinks the courses across the pond "gouge" the visitors, should simply pick up the phone(as you can for any venue with planning in the UK/Ireland) and attempt to set up a Long Island tour during the high season. Gouging won't be the reaction, laughter/rejection will.
I set up a post BUDA round at two British Open sites including this year's with a simple email, one for a foursome at 8 am on a Saturday!
Try that at Shinny or NGLA in season.(or out of season)
I really can't relate to planning a 6 day trip to play/study one or two courses as a single:
(i mean can I press myself?
),
but if I were advising them, I probably wouldn't send them to a busy resort (even if it has the best 4 course selection in the world).
Too many variables in pairings (for both the player, starter, and other groups)
But if going the resort route alone,
I'm thinking something slightly closer to home such as the two(now) great courses in Nova Scotia.
Two courses a few scenic hours apart seems perfect for study.
Bandon seems to be a must see for any golfer-it seems it should never be Bandon vs. the UK, but rather Bandon AND the UK
, and strategies to be sure to have enough time, money, and permission to do both as often as possible
