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Michael Marzec

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Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« on: September 21, 2015, 04:06:21 PM »
Headed off Thursday for a weekend trip to Scotland. I joined a group as a late addition, so I have had little say on the affair.


As luck would have it, our first round is on the Castle Course. Nothing like my introduction to Scotland being a Doak 0! On the plus side, we are ending with a round at Carnoustie. In between, we will hit Kingsbarns and Crail. Perhaps we will squeeze in one more when we play Carnoustie. (Our chances for the Old Course are somewhere between None and None At All. The course is open only one day of our visit -- Saturday.)


As this hit-and-run is my first experience with links courses (real or manufactured), I would welcome thoughts from the peanut gallery on specific design concepts, surprises or subtleties to look for on these courses. And, of course, always looking for recommendations on where to partake of a dram or two...
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Mike Treitler

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2015, 05:19:39 PM »
Regardless of the architectural merits of the Castle Course, ( or Lack Thereof)... its a beautiful golf course in terms of asthetics.   I actually quite enjoyed it and it happened to be the first course we played also... it was a good start to the trip as the warm up round and it will only get better from there.

Obviously Doak knows more than me but just enjoy the scenery and it should be a nice day for you.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2015, 05:21:10 PM by Mike Treitler »
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Marty Bonnar

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2015, 05:37:51 PM »
That's not a bad cross-section there, Michael.
Nothing to add re the golf, but while you're at Kingsbarns you should pop in and see Doug Clement at the new distillery (and sample some of the wares of course).
I would have offered to host at Leven, but I'll be in one of the other brother Celtic lands...
Have a great trip,
F.
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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.

James Brown

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2015, 09:01:38 PM »
Even if you can't play TOC you can still walk large parts of it very late in the day.  You should also try the Himalayas putting course if you have time.  Way more fun than you might think. 
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Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2015, 09:07:05 PM »
Thanks for the feedback, guys!


Mike:


I actually am looking forward to the Castle Course. The photos look spectacular and it promises to be a memorable round at the very least!


Martin:


Safe travels to you! And I will look you up WHEN I return, for 3 days will not even begin to satisfy my appetite. (Please do the same should you ever be so fortunate to visit Cleveland, Ohio!) Thanks for the tip on the distillery. I was not aware of it. Looks interesting.


James:


Thanks for the tip. I know at least one of my colleagues will be up for the walk and I can possibly get the group up for the Himalayas. Sounds like a chance to make some wagers...
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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Tony_Muldoon

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2015, 03:55:01 AM »
Michael

ON Sundays the Old Course is a walkers paradise and they even have organised tours. (Walk out to the 7/11th green and skip the loop). The Ladies Putting Course aka The Himalayas is also open, and your team will love it.

http://www.standrewsputtingclub.com/


As a single you can just walk upto the starter on the Saturday and you may get lucky as cancellatins are offered on a first come first served basis. At this tiem of year there will be few tourists. It all depends on how much sleep you want (you can queue as early as you like before it opens) and what time your other golf is organised.

St Andrews is a wonderful place.  Find the Grave Of Old Tom, walk through town and have a pint in the Jigger Inn and The Dunvegan - which gets poo poo'ed by the self appointed cognoscenti on here, but I've always found it atmospheric and welcoming.


Carnoustie Burnside is an excellent second round course if time allows.


RE links golf. Try some different shots and don't worry by your scorecard.  Downwind your irons may release better landing on the fairway than they do on the green, makes club choice interesting. And when off the greens try using your putter whenever possible, contours can be your friend.

Enjoy the trip.
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Thomas Dai

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2015, 04:03:24 AM »
Play the Himalayas, an opportunity not to be missed, one you'll kick yourself for in years to come if you don't take.
Atb
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Greg Taylor

Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2015, 07:49:32 AM »
I will be there and playing the Old Course on Saturday....


Sorry, I have no shame!
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cary lichtenstein

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2015, 08:21:06 AM »
It's all about the bunkers and green surrounds. Throw balls about 15" from the lips of the bunkers and try to get out. Try putting from 30 yards off the green. Hit a 60 degree wedge in a severe wind, then try a 6 iron run up. Hit 4 different clubs from 50 yards out. Hit punch shots short of the greens and watch how the ball reacts. Play Scottish golf, not American golf. Have fun, don't keep score.
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Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2015, 08:34:10 AM »
More good feedback! Thanks, guys. Except Greg, who is just rubbing it in! But don't forget to look me up if your fourth fails to show! On to the Himalayas!!


Cary -- Thanks for the fun ideas. I was actually considering leaving my 60 degree at home. Perhaps I will bring it just to try your test!


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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Bill_McBride

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2015, 09:12:38 AM »
Quote from: Michael Marzec on September 22, 2015, 08:34:10 AM
More good feedback! Thanks, guys. Except Greg, who is just rubbing it in! But don't forget to look me up if your fourth fails to show! On to the Himalayas!!


Cary -- Thanks for the fun ideas. I was actually considering leaving my 60 degree at home. Perhaps I will bring it just to try your test!


On my last trip to St Andrews in May, one of my traveling companions was a former Class A PGA pro, now a scratch playing amateur, on his first tour of links courses.   He pretty much ignored my advice to save the 60° for the bunkers and must have laid the sod over at least ten shots from green side out to 50 yards.  The 60° is invaluable from the typically firm sand in the bunkers. 
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Steve Salmen

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2015, 09:15:21 AM »
In my opinion, in the absence of wind, links golf is not particularly difficult.  In a mild wind, the game you play will be similar to the shots you hit here.

However, if the day is really windy, you will face something you never would have imagined, unless you've been to Bandon.

Without sounding like the master of the obvious, please do whatever it takes to hit the ball solid and low. You will be rewarded. I once hit a 4 iron into the 9th at Muirfield from 110 yards out. 40 mph of wind makes getting up and down nearly impossible, but down in 3 incredibly rewarding. Please adjust your expectations accordingly.
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Ed Brzezowski

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2015, 01:57:45 PM »
Leave some time for a meal at Crail, one of the best views in Fife. Their club scotch isn't bad either.
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Chris DeNigris

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2015, 05:43:53 PM »
Quote from: Greg T on September 22, 2015, 07:49:32 AM
I will be there and playing the Old Course on Saturday....


Sorry, I have no shame!
Well, this seems taylor made  8)  One of Greg's group will succumb to a mysterious bug Friday evening and won't be able to play on Sat.  Price of mystery is negotiable.

If you haven't played TOC before (is this your maiden visit?)- I would be at the starter's shack at 4am as a single and hope to make some new friends for the day.
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Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2015, 09:56:52 PM »
BIll - The 60 degree will make the trip!


Steve - I have played at Bandon. Pacific in the morning when the winds were rather mild, then a howling gale in the afternoon on Bandon. I think we might catch an extremely mild weather window, which I will happily take, though there is a small par of me that wishes for maybe an hour of the rough stuff.


Ed - Thanks for the tip. Always looking for a good whisk(e)y!


Chris - This is my first trip. We have an early tee time at Kingsbarns on Saturday, with Crail to follow, so unfortunately the bag line is not going to happen. I will make a return visit with more flexibility during which I will be happy to do so.


Thanks all for the ideas and advice!




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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Mark Pearce

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #15 on: September 23, 2015, 03:51:17 AM »
If the weather on the Saturday is half decent then, as Ed suggests, get to Crail for your lunch and sit by the window (or even outside, if it's warm enough).  Great views.
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Mark Chaplin

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #16 on: September 23, 2015, 12:50:01 PM »
It's R&A Autumn meeting week so none of the locals will have got on TOC all week so I'd guess even single spots will be in very short supply.
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Cave Nil Vino

Will Lozier

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #17 on: September 23, 2015, 01:14:50 PM »
> Swing easier into the wind to minimize sidespin!


> Pick very specific targets in the absence of trees - clouds do nicely if they aren't moving too fast!


> Relish difficult shots!


Have fun!
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Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #18 on: September 23, 2015, 07:58:12 PM »
Plane reading arrived today!





Thanks to all of you for the advice!
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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Ryan Taylor

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #19 on: September 23, 2015, 08:50:07 PM »
Good luck at Carnoustie. My advice, practice hitting your long irons and fairway woods into a 30 mph wind. Good luck and enjoy the weather!
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Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #20 on: September 24, 2015, 12:14:28 PM »
The golf gods are smiling on this trip already. Was just informed that our group got 2 tee times on TOC on Saturday. Kingsbarns and/or Crail will have to wait...
« Last Edit: September 24, 2015, 01:17:04 PM by Michael Marzec »
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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Marty Bonnar

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #21 on: September 24, 2015, 01:54:49 PM »
Congrats, Michael.
Two tips: not too much celebrating tomorrow night and ENJOY! It's a game of golf...with the easiest opening shot in the game.
Weather also looking like it's going to make it too easy!
Best,
F.
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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.

Howard Riefs

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #22 on: September 24, 2015, 04:27:23 PM »


Quote from: Michael Marzec on September 21, 2015, 04:06:21 PM
(Our chances for the Old Course are somewhere between None and None At All. The course is open only one day of our visit -- Saturday.)

You're quite an oddsmaker....



Quote from: Michael Marzec on September 24, 2015, 12:14:28 PM

The golf gods are smiling on this trip already. Was just informed that our group got 2 tee times on TOC on Saturday. Kingsbarns and/or Crail will have to wait...



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"Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: Taking long walks and hitting things with a stick."  ~P.J. O'Rourke

Michael Marzec

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #23 on: September 24, 2015, 08:32:57 PM »
Howard:

That explains  why I never bet on sports.
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"Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite. And furthermore, always carry a small snake." - W.C. Fields

Mark Chaplin

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Re: Scotland trip: Ridiculous to the sublime?
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2015, 02:29:28 AM »
Forecast for Saturday is a 6-7mph south westerly with no gusts, perfect 1/2 a club wind.

Fingers crossed it's like that south of Mullen, NE next week.
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Cave Nil Vino
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