T
thecraw
Guest
Yesterday I returned to Scotscraig to play in one of their Open competitions. Scotscraig is a fantastic golf course. Its a real test of golf and has a fantastic lay out and a great variety of holes. Its rated so highly that it is an Open Qualifying course for both St Andrews and Carnoustie.
I really don't know what they have done to Scotscraig or why they have done it but I came off yesterday battered, bruised and bleeding. I'd have been better off standing in front of an express train as it would have done less damage to me than Scotscraig Golf Course did.
I was really surprised to read Stevek1969 post that Scotscraig was in a poor way and I put that down to him either being picky as I know from previous visits how good a golf course Scotscraig is or him playing badly.
Let me tell you I think that Steve was being kind to Scotscraig. The course is set up to be a brute and cause as much carnage to your score card as it can. The rough is an absolute disgrace. Its like hay and its either a lost ball instantly or a hack out 20 yards maximum. There is no or very little semi rough them its wham bam into 3 foot high cabbage. If you miss a fairway by six inches its a lost ball the majority of the time.
That may sound like sour grapes but the course is set up for scratch golfers or better, not handicap golfers. There is absolutely no need for the rough to be at that height or thickness, its never been like that in the past so why now? Its a tough track as it is but now its nearly impossible.
Even round the greens you can be left without a shot due to the rough and the fact that for whatever reason the greens committee or greenkeeper have decided to have rough hairy bankings sometimes leaving you with absolutely no shot. The 4th and 6th holes being prime example. On the 4th I was on the fairway 20 yards from the flag and had no hope whatsoever of getting the ball close. On the 6th I was 6 yards through the back and did well to keep the ball on the green from my lie.
The way that Scotscraig has been set up just spoils the course. It has taken any enjoyment from a fabulous course out of the course and leaves a rather bitter taste in your mouth. At present in my opinion its bordering on unplayable for the average club golfer.
The other thing that I noticed yesterday was how slow the greens were compared to previous visits where they were lightning quick. I played with Steve and Algar a couple of years back and the greens were like glass, yesterday they were like treacle in comparison! Its almost wrong to be saying the greens at Old Ranfurly are quicker!
Scotscraig you really need to re-think your strategy as that course while still a fantastic golf course is bordering on unplayable. Its an unfair and bruising place to play golf in its current set up.
That said I still think its a great track just set up wrongly for handicap golfers!
I really don't know what they have done to Scotscraig or why they have done it but I came off yesterday battered, bruised and bleeding. I'd have been better off standing in front of an express train as it would have done less damage to me than Scotscraig Golf Course did.
I was really surprised to read Stevek1969 post that Scotscraig was in a poor way and I put that down to him either being picky as I know from previous visits how good a golf course Scotscraig is or him playing badly.
Let me tell you I think that Steve was being kind to Scotscraig. The course is set up to be a brute and cause as much carnage to your score card as it can. The rough is an absolute disgrace. Its like hay and its either a lost ball instantly or a hack out 20 yards maximum. There is no or very little semi rough them its wham bam into 3 foot high cabbage. If you miss a fairway by six inches its a lost ball the majority of the time.
That may sound like sour grapes but the course is set up for scratch golfers or better, not handicap golfers. There is absolutely no need for the rough to be at that height or thickness, its never been like that in the past so why now? Its a tough track as it is but now its nearly impossible.
Even round the greens you can be left without a shot due to the rough and the fact that for whatever reason the greens committee or greenkeeper have decided to have rough hairy bankings sometimes leaving you with absolutely no shot. The 4th and 6th holes being prime example. On the 4th I was on the fairway 20 yards from the flag and had no hope whatsoever of getting the ball close. On the 6th I was 6 yards through the back and did well to keep the ball on the green from my lie.
The way that Scotscraig has been set up just spoils the course. It has taken any enjoyment from a fabulous course out of the course and leaves a rather bitter taste in your mouth. At present in my opinion its bordering on unplayable for the average club golfer.
The other thing that I noticed yesterday was how slow the greens were compared to previous visits where they were lightning quick. I played with Steve and Algar a couple of years back and the greens were like glass, yesterday they were like treacle in comparison! Its almost wrong to be saying the greens at Old Ranfurly are quicker!
Scotscraig you really need to re-think your strategy as that course while still a fantastic golf course is bordering on unplayable. Its an unfair and bruising place to play golf in its current set up.
That said I still think its a great track just set up wrongly for handicap golfers!
