Anyone planning on playing in any Open's this year

I used the SGU website a few times last year and will be updated as the year goes on. I also looked on this on http://www.weeyellowbook.com/index.php?section=1 it is specifically for Scotland and may be worth a look.

I have set myself a target of 3 or 4 opens, as others have said there are plenty around with no handicap restrictions. Hoping to play at Lodoun Gowf Club, Ballochmyle and probably Belleisle in Ayr. If I can swing enough days off work may play in Troon or Ayr golf week.
 
Am I being overly cynical or wil these events open to mid-handicappers be full of those with "protected" handicaps. Certainly that was the feeling I went away with last time I played one where a 12 handicapper came in +1 gross for the back nine and +4 overall. Those playing behind him reckoned he never missed a fairway or green all round
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Am I being overly cynical or wil these events open to mid-handicappers be full of those with "protected" handicaps. Certainly that was the feeling I went away with last time I played one where a 12 handicapper came in +1 gross for the back nine and +4 overall. Those playing behind him reckoned he never missed a fairway or green all round
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That's always been my concern.

I can see it now - "and the winner is John Buntwhistle with 51 points - playing off 15. It's OK people, he's not a bandit, he just had the round of his life." :whoo:
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Am I being overly cynical or wil these events open to mid-handicappers be full of those with "protected" handicaps. Certainly that was the feeling I went away with last time I played one where a 12 handicapper came in +1 gross for the back nine and +4 overall. Those playing behind him reckoned he never missed a fairway or green all round
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My experience of opens is that they are generally played by members and visitors who play regularly in their own club's medals. I have heard of the occasional runaway winner but not too often, certainly no more than happens in our own clubs medals.
Certainly in the west of Scotland the availability of these comps may mean that golfers are less inclined to "protect" their handicap to do well in an open and pick up some decent prizes. With all scores being returned to the respective clubs you wouldn't get away with it too often.
 
Went through SGU website, picked out a dozen or so possibles although april and may a bit bare, want to play at least 1 a month this year, normally play 3 each year at strathaven, lanark and powfoot. Great value and always made welcome.
 
AuburnWarrior said:
That's always been my concern.

I can see it now - "and the winner is John Buntwhistle with 51 points - playing off 15. It's OK people, he's not a bandit, he just had the round of his life." :whoo:
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Depends if you are just playing to win, or you want to play a top course for very little money.
 
richart said:
Depends if you are just playing to win, or you want to play a top course for very little money.
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Can you really play a 'top course' or just an OK course for a reduced fee?

Does St Andrews do an Open??
Or Turnberry??
Or Wentworth??

I don't think many courses around London that are very good do them - particularly for anyone outside of cat1.
 
Hankley Common does one for 6-18 handicap. Cut off by handicap if oversubscribed and this year it went out to 14. Top 50 course in the UK.
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Am I being overly cynical or wil these events open to mid-handicappers be full of those with "protected" handicaps. Certainly that was the feeling I went away with last time I played one where a 12 handicapper came in +1 gross for the back nine and +4 overall. Those playing behind him reckoned he never missed a fairway or green all round
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but wont he of been pulled accordingly
 
I like to try and play a few but little of interest without a fair travel from where I am currently, will have a look later in the year when most have been released
 
AuburnWarrior said:
Can you really play a 'top course' or just an OK course for a reduced fee?

Does St Andrews do an Open??
Or Turnberry??
Or Wentworth??

I don't think many courses around London that are very good do them - particularly for anyone outside of cat1.
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Exactly why I go to the likes of Machrahanish and Royal Aberdeen......Open entry fee is about a 1/3 of their actual green fee,few others up here do it to.
 
richart said:
Sorry I didn't realise you had such high standards.:mmm: Goats would be good at Hankley as they could eat some of the thickest heather I have ever tried to play out of.:(
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Why were you in the heather?? What was wrong with the fairway?? :fore:

Only messing with you fella.

My point is, I'd only enter an open if it was on a truly great course that was steeped in history. I can play an OK course any day of the week.
 
AuburnWarrior said:
Why were you in the heather?? What was wrong with the fairway?? :fore:

Only messing with you fella.

My point is, I'd only enter an open if it was on a truly great course that was steeped in history. I can play an OK course any day of the week.
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I take AW's point but on the other hand isn't a lot of it about playing a competitive round at another club, albeit for a decent price (usually with a bit of grub too). There's a medal at London Scottish on 23rd Feb I'm tempted to play. I know the course like the back of my hand and would be fun to go back to the old place and play a comp again. Handicap is 18 although balloting out if over subscribed but I might be ok. Tempted. Very
 
Dodger said:
Exactly why I go to the likes of Machrahanish and Royal Aberdeen......Open entry fee is about a 1/3 of their actual green fee,few others up here do it to.
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totally agree dodger, carnoustie tassie last year got 6 rounds for £195 3 on the championship, dornoch trip im doing £40 a round instead of a 100, dont go to win but i give it my best shot, came 5th at saunton in a open medal last year got £50 and a nice 0.8 cut for shooting 1 under handicap
 
Steve79 said:
A few of us are going to play in the Montrose open at the end of July.

Played in it for the first time last year and surprisingly made the cut but got my bum kicked in matchplay by a local fella.
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A great weeks golf that Steve ,a few guys from work as members there and they play it just clashes with my family holiday or wwould play in it myself.

Hopefully Royal Aberdeen this year missed out thru injury last year, spectacular course by the way think it was £35 fantastic value .
 
stevek1969 said:
A great weeks golf that Steve ,a few guys from work as members there and they play it just clashes with my family holiday or wwould play in it myself.
.
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Agreed it was a quality week, all three clubs have something on every nite, quiz, karaoke etc it was quality. We managed to play your course on the saturday for £30 each. A nice track and will defo be going back in July. Un-finished business and all that....
 
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