Yerman
Journeyman Pro
Can't comment on Muirfield but Hoylake isn't even the best links on the Wirral (That's Wallasey).
Muirfield - Sorry I just don't get what all the fuss is about.
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Foxholer
Blackballed
It really all depends on what qualifies as a 'great' course for the individual!
To me, Hoylake is the 'weakest' of the 8 Open courses I'v played, though I've tended to call it 'feminine' or 'delicate'. I did play with from the 'normal' layout, so the finish did seem a bit weak.
Carnoustie is a bit of grand monster and it seems this is the sort of course that the OP likes. Kingsbarns and Dundonald are this sort of course too. I'm sure he'd love Royals Birkdale (but save up for that one!) and St George (can be good deals) too.
North Berwick reminds me a lot of St Andrews, which many would say only exists in The Open rota because of its history. I love the quirky holes for their quirkiness! I don't actually rate Redan, preferring many of its derivatives!
Muirfield is a bit special for me though. Played it around 20 times and there has always been something magic about the place. If you play it conservatively, you can score really well (provided the wonderful Par 3s don't bite you) but be aggressive and it can really bite! Sand that doesn't blow away, but is nearly fluffy, is how the Pros prefer it btw - so that's what they get! It's probably a bit on the fluffy side currently, but that will settle down for The Open. Great to see you enjoyed the lunch - and the free museum that is the clubhouse!
I can appreciate why the OP-er is slightly deflated by Muirfield but can't agree with his preference.
St Annes is a pleasant enough course, but nowhere near Open standard. Loved West Lancs layout, but a bit scruffy when I played it. Hillside (maybe Formby) and Royal Aberdeen are the courses I'd think are closest to Open standard that are not on the rota. Not sure whether Trump's place would 'trump' RA. Certainly looks another stunning links though - and certainly seems to have a 'stadium' look about most holes!
To me, Hoylake is the 'weakest' of the 8 Open courses I'v played, though I've tended to call it 'feminine' or 'delicate'. I did play with from the 'normal' layout, so the finish did seem a bit weak.
Carnoustie is a bit of grand monster and it seems this is the sort of course that the OP likes. Kingsbarns and Dundonald are this sort of course too. I'm sure he'd love Royals Birkdale (but save up for that one!) and St George (can be good deals) too.
North Berwick reminds me a lot of St Andrews, which many would say only exists in The Open rota because of its history. I love the quirky holes for their quirkiness! I don't actually rate Redan, preferring many of its derivatives!
Muirfield is a bit special for me though. Played it around 20 times and there has always been something magic about the place. If you play it conservatively, you can score really well (provided the wonderful Par 3s don't bite you) but be aggressive and it can really bite! Sand that doesn't blow away, but is nearly fluffy, is how the Pros prefer it btw - so that's what they get! It's probably a bit on the fluffy side currently, but that will settle down for The Open. Great to see you enjoyed the lunch - and the free museum that is the clubhouse!
I can appreciate why the OP-er is slightly deflated by Muirfield but can't agree with his preference.
St Annes is a pleasant enough course, but nowhere near Open standard. Loved West Lancs layout, but a bit scruffy when I played it. Hillside (maybe Formby) and Royal Aberdeen are the courses I'd think are closest to Open standard that are not on the rota. Not sure whether Trump's place would 'trump' RA. Certainly looks another stunning links though - and certainly seems to have a 'stadium' look about most holes!
scratch
Q-School Graduate
I liked the loop of 6, 7 and 8 although even with a strokesaver it was impossible to see the line off the tee on 6th. 11th was interesting with the blind tee shot over the hill and the 2nd is quite good risk/reward hole. The 3rd was also quite nice with an interesting 2nd shot into the green. Off the daily tees the par 3's were OK, not great. I'd like to have a crack at them off the championship tees as they would be much better but Muirfield being what it is, they don't allow that (unlike RSG where they encourage low handicappers to play off the back tees to get the full experience).
A top quality track needs more than just a handful of memorable holes I'm afraid.
M
MetalMickie
Guest
scratch
Q-School Graduate
Thank you for throwing Saunton into the mix, a course I play quite often. 36 very different holes, no 2 holes are the same on either of the 2 courses.
Also Foxholer has hit the nail on the head I think, I much prefer the big, rugged dunesy type links over the flatter ones. Muirfield certainly is one of the latter.
Also Foxholer has hit the nail on the head I think, I much prefer the big, rugged dunesy type links over the flatter ones. Muirfield certainly is one of the latter.
Simbo
Tour Rookie
Why is everybody slaughtering the guy for saying he doesn't like muirfield???, that's his opinion. I personally don't like the old course, but that's just me. Apart from the history of it, it's nothing special as a course.
Comparing it to the other courses is something I can't compare as I haven't played any of them.
Comparing it to the other courses is something I can't compare as I haven't played any of them.
Royal Liverpool then?
As flat as they come really bar a slight elevation change at a couple of points.....it would have been better suited as a cricket pitch or a horse racing track.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
He compared it to courses that aren't on the same page, that's why
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
Good post, I wasn't suggesting SAOL was open standard I just thought it was probably better as a golf course than Hoylake.
T
thecraw
Guest
Can't comment as I've not played either but I just laughed when I saw KB mentioned as potentially being better. KB is hyped up beyond belief. Not chuckled so much since Golf Monthly moved The Castle Course at St Andrews into the top 100 in Britain!
DCB
Well-known member
Should I nip out to Asda for more popcorn ? this one has certainly brightened up a dark snowy evening 
Foxholer
Blackballed
That'll be because I haven't played it! Nor Burnham & Berrow or Trevose further own. But St Enedoc was a joy to be on, just for the lovely aroma of sea, river and plants!
There is a lot more to being an Open course than simply the course. The main thing that restricts a venue, apart from suitable tees for the big hitters, is the logistics and access. No way St Enedoc could handle the traffic for example and Wallesey is the same - the car park can't even handle members requirements! And good as it is, it ain't as good, imo, as Hoylake. Many think that Hillside (or S&A which I haven't played) is better than Birkdale, but the infrastructure and space around Birkdale mean that it's favoured. From what I remember, Dundonald is the most likely to be able to cope with the huge infrastructure requirement - once there's actually a clubhouse rather than an expensive portakabin!
craig26
Medal Winner
Just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, I played St Anne's Old Links a couple of weeks ago and that's not a patch on S&A (Southport & Ainsdale) I think it's all down to personal test, but don't let that get in the way of a good argument!!
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I can't comment because I haven't played either (and from the photos I've seen won't be rushing there), but it's only someone's opinion.
Even if it's 100 against 1 you can't say their opinion is wrong as it's subjective.
It's like telling me I'm wrong for preferring Monster Munch to Nik Naks.
Even if it's 100 against 1 you can't say their opinion is wrong as it's subjective.
It's like telling me I'm wrong for preferring Monster Munch to Nik Naks.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
Should I nip out to Asda for more popcorn ? this one has certainly brightened up a dark snowy evening
You should dave, it's getting spicey now me angry has posted. How are you craw?
stevek1969
Money List Winner
Really liked playing both of these courses ,would actually play The Castle again if i get the chance.Not had much experience of links golf so can't comment
gdc
Head Pro
I play on the Wirral and would say without hesitation that Wallasey is better than RL. Better in that it has more interesting holes.
I would reaffirm That Saunton east course is superb - if you get the chance play it.
I would reaffirm That Saunton east course is superb - if you get the chance play it.
Birchy
Money List Winner
Muirfield is the purest golf experience ive had so far. Its a place where you need to hit proper golf shots all the way around and you need to think about every shot. Hoylake gets a lot of unfair stick in my view but its not in the same league.
I played north berwick the day before i played Muirfield and while it was in slightly better nick as the greens were unbelievably quick its just not in the same bracket. I really enjoyed North berwick and had fun but at times its more crazy golf than anything else and it had me thinking at times that this is just not golf.
I would love to play both again and probably will but if you want a pure golfing experience then Muirfield is the place you need to go.
I played north berwick the day before i played Muirfield and while it was in slightly better nick as the greens were unbelievably quick its just not in the same bracket. I really enjoyed North berwick and had fun but at times its more crazy golf than anything else and it had me thinking at times that this is just not golf.
I would love to play both again and probably will but if you want a pure golfing experience then Muirfield is the place you need to go.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
I don't think posters are slaying the OP because he dislikes Muirfield.
More to do with the courses he thinks are better.
More to do with the courses he thinks are better.
D
deanobillquay
Guest
Pickled onion Monster Munch win every time
And everyone is entitled to their opinion, regardless of what it is.
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