Jacko_G
Blackballed
Yesterday I was lucky enough to play the Old Course again for the 5th time. It has been said to me previously that you need to play the Old Course numerous times to "understand" it and I have to say yesterday I started to understand what they mean when you're told that.
I've always had the "goosebumps" and been struck by the history and the ambience of the place. I've understood that people stop and watch you tee-ing off and coming up the last hole. I've marvelled at the great footsteps I'm possibly standing in as I march down the fairways. A history that very few if any can come close to matching. It's a phenomenal experience that everyone should try and experience at least once in their golfing career.
Yesterday as per the title I had a bit of a eureka moment, where I started to understand or appreciate the layout a bit more than I previously did, I saw the subtleties and appreciated the use of the land more than I had during previous rounds. It's not that I didn't see these previously I was probably just a little harsh, maybe wanting more of a challenge and dare I say a statement, perhaps even "unfairly" comparing her to more modern designs. I appreciated the clever use of the double greens more, some greens felt as big as Hampden park (not quite) - but they feel that big when you're facing a 100 yard putt for birdie!!!
Talking about greens, I'm pretty confident that there won't be any course in Britain with greens as good as the Old Course were yesterday. For the first day of February they were an absolute joy to putt on. Tremendous greens.
Now - having said all that it's still not the best course in Britain in my opinion. There are better layouts/designs and challenges than the Old Course in my opinion but I have been more than won over by the charms of the Old Lady. She is deserving of the credit she gets.
I've always had the "goosebumps" and been struck by the history and the ambience of the place. I've understood that people stop and watch you tee-ing off and coming up the last hole. I've marvelled at the great footsteps I'm possibly standing in as I march down the fairways. A history that very few if any can come close to matching. It's a phenomenal experience that everyone should try and experience at least once in their golfing career.
Yesterday as per the title I had a bit of a eureka moment, where I started to understand or appreciate the layout a bit more than I previously did, I saw the subtleties and appreciated the use of the land more than I had during previous rounds. It's not that I didn't see these previously I was probably just a little harsh, maybe wanting more of a challenge and dare I say a statement, perhaps even "unfairly" comparing her to more modern designs. I appreciated the clever use of the double greens more, some greens felt as big as Hampden park (not quite) - but they feel that big when you're facing a 100 yard putt for birdie!!!
Talking about greens, I'm pretty confident that there won't be any course in Britain with greens as good as the Old Course were yesterday. For the first day of February they were an absolute joy to putt on. Tremendous greens.
Now - having said all that it's still not the best course in Britain in my opinion. There are better layouts/designs and challenges than the Old Course in my opinion but I have been more than won over by the charms of the Old Lady. She is deserving of the credit she gets.
