St Andrews...Should it host a "Major" ?

[Deleted member 16999]

I would question the Masters as a major as its qualifying criteria is wrong, top 50 and no other real qualifying process other than having had won the event and being a major winner, it's field this year had 97, thats not good enough as a major IMO.

As soon as it's questioned they pull the history and tradition card, but whatever they do, there 3 can't compete with our 1.

 

[bladeplayer]

Go and wash your mouth out!

As I typed it , il go wash my hands out

Im not having a go at St Andrews in anyway , its just I hear bout links being a true test of golf , ok fair enough but when you can regularly smash the ball up other fairways to avoid the trouble on the hole your on makes me wonder ..

If as some say (and im NOT doubting you in any way )St Andrews is the Open , what about the years its played elsewhere ?

If its about tradition why don't they still play it it with old clubs on feather balls in jackets etc ?..

I love watching the Open , I will hopefully some day play St Andrews im just curious as to peoples thoughts etc

 

[Val]

As I typed it , il go wash my hands out

Im not having a go at St Andrews in anyway , its just I hear bout links being a true test of golf , ok fair enough but when you can regularly smash the ball up other fairways to avoid the trouble on the hole your on makes me wonder ..

If as some say (and im NOT doubting you in any way )St Andrews is the Open , what about the years its played elsewhere ?

If its about tradition why don't they still play it it with old clubs on feather balls in jackets etc ?..

I love watching the Open , I will hopefully some day play St Andrews im just curious as to peoples thoughts etc

Bill, if i didn't know better i'd swear you were fishing

 

[bladeplayer]

I would question the Masters as a major as its qualifying criteria is wrong, top 50 and no other real qualifying process other than having had won the event and being a major winner, it's field this year had 97, thats not good enough as a major IMO.

I agree Martin , totally , and I feel Agusta can be tricked up too much regarding the greens at times , but if you drive the ball 70 yards off the fairway you are in trouble , ala Rory ..

 

[bladeplayer]

Bill, if i didn't know better i'd swear you were fishing

Honest as heck mate im not ..

Fully open (forgive the pun) to being convinced , just saw way too many wild (bad) shots today still clear shots to the geen ..

Maybe trouble not visable on the TV?

 

[Jacko_G]

Greatest course in the world....if you haven't been then don't comment.....

Give this guy a medal.

 

[Foxholer]

I would question the Masters as a major as its qualifying criteria is wrong, top 50 and no other real qualifying process other than having had won the event and being a major winner, it's field this year had 97, thats not good enough as a major IMO.

H'mm! Actually, it's an Invitation Event, so they can invite/exclude anyone they care to!

However, the expectations (that have never been breached) are rather more than just Top 50!

http://www.augusta.com/masters/players/qualifications

That's virtually the same as all other Majors initial qualifications - but without the 'additional qualifiers' that the likes of US Open and The Open have! As it happens, Paul Dunne wouldn't have got a place in The Masters, so a bit of magic would have been lost - but The Masters Committee does have some discretion about additional invites, which it has used to ad to the worldwide appeal of its tournment!

 

[ColchesterFC]

Kingsbarns isn't in St Andrews but yes it's a great course.

The Castle is very good, greens are quirky but it's a stunning golf course.

Best course in St Andrews is reported to be the New course I'm told.

Not played Kingsbarns or The Castle so don't know what they are like but would agree that during my time there the New Course was the best course and the Jubilee was the most difficult. I even enjoyed playing the Eden Course more than the Old Course.

 

[walliams8]

Is this thread a joke? Worst thing I've ever read

 

[bladeplayer]

Is this thread a joke? Worst thing I've ever read

Nope not a joke ! Genuine question .. Not anti St Andrews in any way ,

Worst thing you've ever read ? slight over reaction maybe ? ?

Is what ball for me , what tee for you , whats your favourite colour glove more your type of thread ?

Sure whats your thoughts & opinion? that's what I asked , im not silly enough to think im always right that's why I give my thought and ask for comments ..

 

[Spuddy]

Honest as heck mate im not ..

Fully open (forgive the pun) to being convinced , just saw way too many wild (bad) shots today still clear shots to the geen ..

Maybe trouble not visable on the TV?

The layout with parallel holes quite often lends itself to the least dangerous landing spots being on the adjacent fareway. Distance isn't really a problem for these guys so they'll often take a slightly longer approach shot if it means avoiding the treacherous pot bunkers at driving distance.

 

[Val]

H'mm! Actually, it's an Invitation Event, so they can invite/exclude anyone they care to!

However, the expectations (that have never been breached) are rather more than just Top 50!

http://www.augusta.com/masters/players/qualifications

That's virtually the same as all other Majors initial qualifications - but without the 'additional qualifiers' that the likes of US Open and The Open have! As it happens, Paul Dunne wouldn't have got a place in The Masters, so a bit of magic would have been lost - but The Masters Committee does have some discretion about additional invites, which it has used to ad to the worldwide appeal of its tournment!

Thanks, you've just made my point, it's an invitational event as opposed to an open hence why i feel its a closed shop and undeserving of Major status.

By definition it's top 50 and some others, most major winners and top 10 of previous years are mainly Top 50 players so that criteria almost cancels itself out, then the amateurs.

97 players in a major? Nah not for me.

 

[walliams8]

Nope not a joke ! Genuine question .. Not anti St Andrews in any way ,

Worst thing you've ever read ? slight over reaction maybe ? ?

Is what ball for me , what tee for you , whats your favourite colour glove more your type of thread ?

Sure whats your thoughts & opinion? that's what I asked , im not silly enough to think im always right that's why I give my thought and ask for comments ..

Your asking if St. Andrews should host the open championship . Absolutely ridiculous . No offence got nothing against you having an opinion but that is my opinion .

 

[Foxholer]

Maybe trouble not visable on the TV?

Indeed it is not!

There are many bunkers that are simply to be avoided - the Road Hole is the most famous one, but is probably not the worst! The reason many ply their 3rd shot on 14 from the wrong fairway is to avoid the aptly named Hell Bunker! There are many other sneaky little ones hidden from view, but the player is aware of and the test is to fly or otherwise avoid them, often with considerable sacrifice of position (distance or line in)! TV and the sheer ability of these guys does not demonstrate these hazards!

It is rather remarkably 'fair' as the lumps and bumps of both the fairways and greens throw enough curve balls to test every type of players all round game! And it does that without really having to be tricked up - even though at least 1 tee (14) is actually OOB - to bring Hell Bunker back into play after distances got silly!

It does, however, need a gentle (10-15mph) breeze to help 'protect' the hazards. The year Tiger won with -19, it was particularly calm! Roy's 'no rounds in the 70s' Open demonstrates what can happen. Paul Lawrie, a traditionally great player of the wind, could be a couple of shots closer to the lead but for disaster on 17!

 

[bladeplayer]

The layout with parallel holes quite often lends itself to the least dangerous landing spots being on the adjacent fareway. Distance isn't really a problem for these guys so they'll often take a slightly longer approach shot if it means avoiding the treacherous pot bunkers at driving distance.

This is one of the things im asking tho mate , should you be able to virtually take the fairway of the hole your playing out of play and still be able to get home ? all be it a longer shot .. in my club if your way off line on most holes you lay up or punch back to where u should be

 

[bladeplayer]

Your asking if St. Andrews should host the open championship . Absolutely ridiculous . No offence got nothing against you having an opinion but that is my opinion .

fair dues, but apart from tradition of the place , does the course deserve it ? IF the course was anywhere except St Andrews would it get a Major ?
If the tradition of the Open is the big thing , does it lose some of its appeal when its not @ St Andrews ?

Genuine questions by the way if I ever get lucky enough to play it or attend an open there I could possibly change my opinion totally of it

Indeed it is not!

There are many bunkers that are simply to be avoided - the Road Hole is the most famous one, but is probably not the worst! The reason many ply their 3rd shot on 14 from the wrong fairway is to avoid the aptly named Hell Bunker! There are many other sneaky little ones hidden from view, but the player is aware of and the test is to fly or otherwise avoid them, often with considerable sacrifice of position (distance or line in)! TV and the sheer ability of these guys does not demonstrate these hazards!

It is rather remarkably 'fair' as the lumps and bumps of both the fairways and greens throw enough curve balls to test every type of players all round game! And it does that without really having to be tricked up - even though at least 1 tee (14) is actually OOB - to bring Hell Bunker back into play after distances got silly!

It does, however, need a gentle (10-15mph) breeze to help 'protect' the hazards. The year Tiger won with -19, it was particularly calm! Roy's 'no rounds in the 70s' Open demonstrates what can happen. Paul Lawrie, a traditionally great player of the wind, could be a couple of shots closer to the lead but for disaster on 17!

(1) Should you be able to play that safe in a Major tho ?
(2) Whats not visable on TV is possibly whats giving me a wrong interpretation of the course so

 

[Foxholer]

Thanks, you've just made my point, it's an invitational event as opposed to an open hence why i feel its a closed shop and undeserving of Major status.

By definition it's top 50 and some others, most major winners and top 10 of previous years are mainly Top 50 players so that criteria almost cancels itself out, then the amateurs.

97 players in a major? Nah not for me.

How many make the cut? Same number as in the 2 Opens - which I agree, are 'open'!

But I believe all the players think - without denigrating the others - that The Masters is probably THE one to win!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Your asking if St. Andrews should host the open championship . Absolutely ridiculous . No offence got nothing against you having an opinion but that is my opinion .

But in the opinion of others it's not the best course in the area, accepting it's history and tradition is second to none, why is it ridiculous? Surely the best players should be tested on the best courses?
Just a question,

 

[Val]

How many make the cut? Same number as in the 2 Opens - which I agree, are 'open'!

But I believe all the players think - without denigrating the others - that The Masters is probably THE one to win!

The cut is similar that i will give but it's too exclusive a field, the Open is inclusive to everyone, you just have to qualify and there is plenty opportunity to do so.

As to which one the all want to win, thats up for debate. Many will say its the Open championship many will say the Masters and many (US players mainly) will say the US Open, Jack Nicklaus stated the US Open was the one he wanted most as it was his national Open.

 

[SyR]

I think it does a great job of selecting winners:

2010: Louis Oosthuizen
2005: Tiger Woods
2000: Tiger Woods
1995: John Daly
1990: Nick Faldo
1984: Seve Ballesteros
1978: Jack Nicklaus

If not St Andrews then where? Lydd Golf Club maybe?