Playing the dukes tomorrow... any tips for a hacker like me?

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turkish

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So playing the dukes tomorrow with my Dad, uncle and mate.... tee off 11, buggies hired, clubs getting cleaned and gleamed! Never played it before so a tad excited

We've not decided tees yet but likely Greens or whites.

Any tips?

Already looked at par 5's and with my distance could never get there with 2 so thinking hybrid off the tee for them as get more control than 3 wood and driver
 
My tip would be don't play off the white tees, stick to the yellows. It still has massive potential to beat you up and sorry to stereotype, but a 28hc does not need to be playing a course at over 6,900 yards.
 
Region3 said:
My tip would be don't play off the white tees, stick to the yellows. It still has massive potential to beat you up and sorry to stereotype, but a 28hc does not need to be playing a course at over 6,900 yards.
Click to expand...

I think Greens are there version of Yellow, as it's Black, Blue, Whites, Greens then reds...

I think i'll be saying Greens as it still seems quite long
 
Get there early, enjoy a lovely clubhouse overlooking St Andrews for a good breakfast, with really great customer service and be sure to make use of the complimentary driving range etc.

Good shout on the buggies, it's a long walk. If the wind gets up it can be a very sandy adventure. But I really like it as a course, there are some very memorable holes. In particular, the 3rd, Par3, is a visually intimidating hole when you're playing across something that looks like a lake of sand. I also really like the 17th, Par4, again an intimidating tee shot past an expanse of sand followed by a really lovely approach between two looming oak trees protecting the green.

If the wind's up, play off the greens. If it stays calm as forecast, give it a go off the whites. I played it as a 24 handicapper a couple of years ago off the whites and it was fine. The extra distance isn't so much of an issue, it's the swirling winds that put you in the many bunkers that hurts.

You'll enjoy it. A lot of people are snobbish and dismissive about the Duke's because it's not a links course but I've always enjoyed playing there - it's more demanding/exciting than a number of other courses in the area.
 
turkish said:
So playing the dukes tomorrow with my Dad, uncle and mate.... tee off 11, buggies hired, clubs getting cleaned and gleamed! Never played it before so a tad excited

We've not decided tees yet but likely Greens or whites.

Any tips?

Already looked at par 5's and with my distance could never get there with 2 so thinking hybrid off the tee for them as get more control than 3 wood and driver
Click to expand...

I assume you mean St Andrews, and not Woburn ? Not played the one at St Andrews, but next trip it will be on my list.
 
richart said:
I assume you mean St Andrews, and not Woburn ? Not played the one at St Andrews, but next trip it will be on my list.
Click to expand...

Just deleted my post because of this.....I wrote about it from a Woburn point of view!
 
adam6177 said:
Just deleted my post because of this.....I wrote about it from a Woburn point of view!
Click to expand...
I assumed St Andrews on the basis on where turkish lived. Think Region3 might have been confused as well.

The Dukes is an inland course at St Andrews, more heathland with trees I believe.
 
I played there last week. I'd play off the whites as they have moved the tees forward for winter on most holes so you are basically playing the greens anyway.

It all looks closer than it is. I saw bunkers that were an easy carry that turned out to be 100 yards further up the fairway than they looked on the tee.

It was wet last week, may have dried a little by now but a combination of the cold and wet meant I was at least 2 clubs more.

Keep it straight. This is a really nice course to play and I think the average player could be well under handicap here by not using driver that often and sacrificing the distance for accuracy.

Have a chat to people there. One of the friendliest places I have played. All the staff want a chat with you!
 
Region3 said:
My tip would be don't play off the white tees, stick to the yellows. It still has massive potential to beat you up and sorry to stereotype, but a 28hc does not need to be playing a course at over 6,900 yards.
Click to expand...

No wonder I didn't know about the tees. I was thinking Dukes at Woburn. :o

Carry on.
 
Id quite like to play it, but never get around to it, some cheap deals i hear.

I struggle to go to St Andrews and not play a links course, might try and do a double hitter next time i visit my mate who lives there.

take plenty of photo's and post a review, be very interested
 
patricks148 said:
Id quite like to play it, but never get around to it, some cheap deals i hear.

I struggle to go to St Andrews and not play a links course, might try and do a double hitter next time i visit my mate who lives there.

take plenty of photo's and post a review, be very interested
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, patrick. I played it and greatly enjoyed it but part of me still wished I'd been down on the links. Anywhere else, though and it's a treat!
 
Relax and make sure you enjoy it and let the score take care of itself.

Think twice about pulling driver unless you're straight.
 
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