St Andrews...

GRAEMBO

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May 10, 2009
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As it was a bank holiday up here we had a wee family outting to the home of golf! I was so jealous to walk up past the first fairway to see folk playing the old course, then a load of folk watching players on the first tee...that would be something of my dreams! The closest i got was a wee round on the himalayas putting!!! ITS MURDER!!!


Anyone any idea as to the cost of a round on the old course?
 
I have a holiday place in st andrews and for a golfer there really is nothing like playing a round at the home of golf. Admittedly there are better courses, and cheaper ones, and once its been done its been done, but you have to do it at some point I think!
 
I played Carnoustie last year and it was amazing. We were blessed with a week of good weather although the day we played the championship course it was very windy. The 17th was playing into the wind I nailed a driver, 3 wood and a 9 iron and holed the putt for par and then birdied the last.

There was a group of 16 of us who went to Scotland for a weeks golf and beer. We got an amazing deal, I dont know how but we got the following for £300

1 round of golf at a Linden Hall, Golf & Country Club in Northumberland.
3 rounds at each of the courses at Carnoustie.
2 rounds at Arbroath with lunch included(same day)
1 round at Silloth on Solway
5 nights bed and breakfast at the Hilton Hotel in Dundee.
 
I don't doubt Carnoustie is a harder test but you can't beat the atmos of the Old Course. Even though there are better courses elsewhere you are walking on history and it feels great just being there. Getting a par on the 1st at the Old was a momentous occasion in my golfing life!
I also eagled 10 with a strong tailwind and a good chip in, that was fun too!
We played the back 9 (except 10th and 11th) into a strong headwind and it was very very tough going.
 
I think its the atmosphere of the town as well that makes it a special place, i stay a 15 minute drive from both but prefer to goto St Andrews ,its a great place to walk around and for places to eat you cant beat it, yes Carnoustie is harder but St Andrews is steeped in history i think Carnoustie is £10 cheaper ,my mates played for our club last week in an inter club match ,game on the Championship course , 3 course meal in the Carnoustie Hotel it cost them £8 cant beat that for value, i spat my dummy out cause i didn,t get picked. :(
 
I loved the times I played St Andrews, but if I had a chance to play St Andrews or Carnoustie, it would be no contest, Carnoustie all the way. I have not been there for about 20yrs but what Ive seen on the TV etc it has only improved.
St Andrews is a day at the OC for most, add it to your golf cv it looks cool, but there are a few courses in scotland I would rather play, for their interest and quality as well as cheaper.
 
The reviews i ve heard of it was that its a bit of a let down - the course itself that is. Id still like to play it though as its obviously still a good course but just not as good as it seems apparently
 
Although I would never play the Old Course again the one thing I can honestly say is........

I have never been so nervous standing on a first tee before (or since) in over 20 years of playing this stoopid game.

 
If I had the choice it would be the Old Course every time and a couple of nights stay in the town too,it has a terrific atmosphere.I'm off there for a night on Saturday as a forfeit for my Algarve boys trip later in June......not a bad forfeit when she wants to go to the home of golf for the night! :D
 
Spent six days in St Andrews (25-30th May).

Played the Old twice, the New twice, Jubilee, Castle, Eden, Strathtyrum, Balgove, Kingsbarns and the Balcomie links at Crail.

OK it was expensive and yes Carnoustie is probably a better test of golf but you really have to experience the atmosphere and the history. I enjoyed the week so much I'm considering entering the Eden tournament - my handicap isn't quite good enough to qualify for the St Andrews Links.
 
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