Starting to get a little excited.

Well the Golfing Gods smiled on us again today. Yesterday the weather was horrendous, but today we played the Eden in shirt sleeves from the outset and there was hardly a breath of wind. Hopefully the weather will hold.
 
Pleased to say the trip was worth getting excited over. In the end we played all five days, so much for a rest day. This was mostly due to the forecast for Friday when we played Carnoustie.

Monday was the Jubilee course at St Andrews. Perfect golfing day, light wind, mild and sunny. Loved the course, as good as the New, with some tight holes which would be a real test in any sort of wind. Greens were lovely with subtle breaks that were difficult to read. Played ok, 36 points, and won our 4 ball better ball on the last.

Tuesday was the Castle course. Weather was windy, with rain for about four holes, and then lovely sunshine. The course looks superb, great views, especially back towards St Andrews. Course was in ok condition, and from the tee and fairways it is a lovely course. The greens though are just too severe, and to be honest I could not stand them. Some how managed 18 points going out, but on the back nine it was just putt after putt and managed 8 points ! Not only does the ball not hold on the greens, but once it slowly dribbles off the side/back it then runs for ever before finding thick rough.:( You can't pitch short as most of the holes have a false front. I would say it is one of the friendliest places I have ever played golf. You could not be made to feel more welcome.Not surprisingly after my back nine we lost on the last hole, although the individual scores ranged from 25 to 27 stableford points.

Wednesday was the Old Course. Nice bright day, but very windy.:eek: Wind was coming sideways from inland, so on the way out was helping a fade, and coming back a draw. We all managed good drives at the first, even if I did aim down the 18th. 8 iron and two putts later and I managed a winning four. The other three all found the burn in front of the green.
Hit the ball well off the tee, but after driving into a divot on the second and fatting a sandwedge, I proceeded to then fat every wedge shot for the rest of the round, accept for the one on the 18th. I did hit a nice drive and five iron to the front of the par 5 fifth, and left myself a mere 70 yard putt. 4 putts later and a solid 6 on the card.

One of my highlights of the round was a 17 degree hybrid into the par 3 11th which started 40 yards left of the green, and some how was blown to finish eight feet from the pin. My three partners all hit drivers, one of which landed a few feet from the pin, and looked to have stopped, then was blown 30 yards away. You don't like to see that ! What a great par three.:thup:

The other highlight was hitting the same hybrid from the rough on 17, which started over the road, and came back to finish on the front of the green. Two putts later and I had parred the road hole. Only good enough for a half as I was giving a shot, but of all the holes on the course it was the one I wanted to par the most.

We were one up playing the last, and I then drove onto the tarmac path crossing the fairway. Having fatted every wedge shot I was determined not to break my wrist, so proceeded to thin the ball over the green and up the bank a the back. A hack and two putts and the match finished all square. Personally scored 35 points which in the wind was not bad. Only found one bunker, in the middle of the 12th which I had forgotten was there !

Second time I have played the Old Course and it was just as superb as the first time. My favourite course by far.

Thursday was a stunning day, sunny with a good breeze, and bearing in mind the forecast for Friday we decided to play the Eden course. Only cost £28, and we were allowed to play off the whites. Nice course, although there was a lot of work going on. A lot of new bunkers being out in, and a new green being laid. Course is relatively tight to start with, but opens up on the back nine. One of my mates off 18 managed to par all the last four holes to take the honours with 36 points. Managed 34 points but a double on 17 when I was behind a bunker which seemed to be set in the middle of the green put paid to my chances.

I will add details of Friday at Carnoustie on a separate thread. Just to say my golf gear has still not dried out after three days back, and the conditions were as bad as at Woodhall Spa last year.:eek:

Four good golf days out of five in Scotland at this time of the year is not bad though, and I am already planning our next trip. We all love St Andrews, great courses, and a lovely town. Anyone that hasn't played there is missing out on a great golfing experience. Sorry for the length of the post, but it really was a great trip, and one I will always remember.
 
Great review richart, never played at St Andrews but reading that makes me want to get a game there, my mate worked on the castle course when it 1st opened and I had a look round and it did look good shame the greens are to severe. Was that a winter deal you got and on the old course was you allowed to play from the fairway or was mats in place? Look forward to see what you think to Carnoustie.
 
Great review richart, never played at St Andrews but reading that makes me want to get a game there, my mate worked on the castle course when it 1st opened and I had a look round and it did look good shame the greens are to severe. Was that a winter deal you got and on the old course was you allowed to play from the fairway or was mats in place? Look forward to see what you think to Carnoustie.

We got the 'shoulder' rate. £220 for the Old Course, and two others. Also got £15 to spend in the clubhouse. You can choose your own tee times as well. I booked it up over a year ago, and I imagine the deal goes quickly. No mats, and the courses in St Andrews were in great condition. Greens were lovely, and amazingly quick for the time of year. The only greens that I have played on at this time of year that were better were Carnoustie's.
 
Pleased to say the trip was worth getting excited over. In the end we played all five days, so much for a rest day. This was mostly due to the forecast for Friday when we played Carnoustie.

Monday was the Jubilee course at St Andrews. Perfect golfing day, light wind, mild and sunny. Loved the course, as good as the New, with some tight holes which would be a real test in any sort of wind. Greens were lovely with subtle breaks that were difficult to read. Played ok, 36 points, and won our 4 ball better ball on the last.

Tuesday was the Castle course. Weather was windy, with rain for about four holes, and then lovely sunshine. The course looks superb, great views, especially back towards St Andrews. Course was in ok condition, and from the tee and fairways it is a lovely course. The greens though are just too severe, and to be honest I could not stand them. Some how managed 18 points going out, but on the back nine it was just putt after putt and managed 8 points ! Not only does the ball not hold on the greens, but once it slowly dribbles off the side/back it then runs for ever before finding thick rough.:( You can't pitch short as most of the holes have a false front. I would say it is one of the friendliest places I have ever played golf. You could not be made to feel more welcome.Not surprisingly after my back nine we lost on the last hole, although the individual scores ranged from 25 to 27 stableford points.

Wednesday was the Old Course. Nice bright day, but very windy.:eek: Wind was coming sideways from inland, so on the way out was helping a fade, and coming back a draw. We all managed good drives at the first, even if I did aim down the 18th. 8 iron and two putts later and I managed a winning four. The other three all found the burn in front of the green.
Hit the ball well off the tee, but after driving into a divot on the second and fatting a sandwedge, I proceeded to then fat every wedge shot for the rest of the round, accept for the one on the 18th. I did hit a nice drive and five iron to the front of the par 5 fifth, and left myself a mere 70 yard putt. 4 putts later and a solid 6 on the card.

One of my highlights of the round was a 17 degree hybrid into the par 3 11th which started 40 yards left of the green, and some how was blown to finish eight feet from the pin. My three partners all hit drivers, one of which landed a few feet from the pin, and looked to have stopped, then was blown 30 yards away. You don't like to see that ! What a great par three.:thup:

The other highlight was hitting the same hybrid from the rough on 17, which started over the road, and came back to finish on the front of the green. Two putts later and I had parred the road hole. Only good enough for a half as I was giving a shot, but of all the holes on the course it was the one I wanted to par the most.

We were one up playing the last, and I then drove onto the tarmac path crossing the fairway. Having fatted every wedge shot I was determined not to break my wrist, so proceeded to thin the ball over the green and up the bank a the back. A hack and two putts and the match finished all square. Personally scored 35 points which in the wind was not bad. Only found one bunker, in the middle of the 12th which I had forgotten was there !

Second time I have played the Old Course and it was just as superb as the first time. My favourite course by far.

Thursday was a stunning day, sunny with a good breeze, and bearing in mind the forecast for Friday we decided to play the Eden course. Only cost £28, and we were allowed to play off the whites. Nice course, although there was a lot of work going on. A lot of new bunkers being out in, and a new green being laid. Course is relatively tight to start with, but opens up on the back nine. One of my mates off 18 managed to par all the last four holes to take the honours with 36 points. Managed 34 points but a double on 17 when I was behind a bunker which seemed to be set in the middle of the green put paid to my chances.

I will add details of Friday at Carnoustie on a separate thread. Just to say my golf gear has still not dried out after three days back, and the conditions were as bad as at Woodhall Spa last year.:eek:

Four good golf days out of five in Scotland at this time of the year is not bad though, and I am already planning our next trip. We all love St Andrews, great courses, and a lovely town. Anyone that hasn't played there is missing out on a great golfing experience. Sorry for the length of the post, but it really was a great trip, and one I will always remember.


Nice write up Rich,glad you enjoyed your venture.

I might do something like this when I retire:D
 
Sounds like a brilliant trip. Definately one I'd love to replicate. Thanks for the write up, did you get any pictures? Sounds like you all had some memorable shots :thup:
 
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