The Old Course - is it a slow burner?

for me its the opposite. the first time you play it with all the history, crossing the swilken bridge, the road hole, all the open memories etc its great, then decreases on the next visit as youve experienced that and focus more on the course itself, and the history is far more than the actual course imho

Same here, although would love to play it again.

I played it with strangers, but would love to share the experience with good mates, and also take a tighter line this time on the 17th....
 
work this one out, played it in October, first 9 holes into the wind back nine in the opposite direction into the wind again,

The tide turned. Quite common while I was up there and often played the front 9 into the wind as the tide came in and got a couple of holes with little or no wind before playing the back 9 into the wind again as the tide went out or vice versa.
 
Deffo on my to do list, more do the experience and the history rather than the course itself.
Stood many a time watching punters play up the 18th, and the smiles on their faces when they putt out are good enough reason for me.
Hopefully someone will applaud me too. ..:o
 
Deffo on my to do list, more do the experience and the history rather than the course itself.
Stood many a time watching punters play up the 18th, and the smiles on their faces when they putt out are good enough reason for me.
Hopefully someone will applaud me too. ..:o

i can vouch for that . A group of around 18 Italian tourists were chatting away when I reached the green, they all starting gong shhhhhhhs and went dead still and quite as I attempted my par putt (say good 20ft)

the ball was about to drop in but then spun out of the hole, the reaction was superb I had a big cheer when they thought the ball went in followed by a bigger arrrrggh!

They then then give me a big round of applause when I tapped it in lol perhaps they thought it was a birdy putt who knows but it was a cracking feeling :)
 
Been interesting reading all the posts on this thread as I'm going up for the first time in November. Personally cannot wait to step onto the first tee, and I know I'm going to enjoy every minute I'm out there on the course. Also playing the New and possibly the Jubilee so will be interesting comparing them.
 
Been interesting reading all the posts on this thread as I'm going up for the first time in November. Personally cannot wait to step onto the first tee, and I know I'm going to enjoy every minute I'm out there on the course. Also playing the New and possibly the Jubilee so will be interesting comparing them.
The New is a lovely course Paul, and the Jubilee is the hardest in my opinion. You definitely want to play all three courses if you can.:thup:
 
Is TOC one of the best courses in the world? No

Is TOC one of the best golfing experiences in the world? YES!
 
I suppose it depends how much you value the overall experience of playing there.
A bit like playing football at Wembley or tennis at Wimbledon, Basically they're just a football pitch and a tennis court but it's going to feel like no other football pitch or tennis court when your out there playing.

TOC is the best golf experience Ive had but I've got to say the holes around the turn 8 9 & 10 are a massive let down, the rest of the course is just magical though.
 
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A timely thread for me as I have just applied to play in the Strathtyrum trophy, a week long ladies event in August, not sure if I get in but based on last year I should do.
The main competition is played on the Eden and the New on Monday and Tuesday, with the best gross and nett going into knockouts on the Eden and the non qualifiers playing on the Strathtyrum course, there is also a Stableford for non finalists on the Jubilee. Add in a practice round and you get a minimum of 5 rounds for £120.
Only the top 32 gross play on the Wednesday so I thought I might try queuing to get on as a single on the Old course, is it true you need to be there at dawn to have a chance?

I wont know for sure if I am playing until the end of the month, but if I get in I will be on asking for tips later before I go
 
Is TOC one of the best courses in the world? No

Is TOC one of the best golfing experiences in the world? YES!

I agree with this!

I've played it 5 times - getting there the first time at 02:30 and I wasn't the first there (and we got out at 11:00, though that was the Saturday before closure for The Dunhill and there was the R&A Autumn Meeting on that day!). It was a joy to play, and hugely memorable, though not necessarily the greatest test! Royal Birkdale is my #1 for that, just pipping Carnoustie, though I haven't played RCD nor the West Coast of Scotland Open venues (nor Deal/RCP). Muirfield is still my favourite Open venue course though, probably as much from familiarity as the actual challenge!

@Louise. Definitely worth trying to organise. While my queueing story might put you off, I was also able to virtually 'walk on' a couple of times too! I'm certain that there'd be others who would fancy it too. I would say that a caddie is worth considering too (at least one in the group), not only as part of the experience, but also because there are so many blind shots and the greens are particularly 'interesting'!
 
A timely thread for me as I have just applied to play in the Strathtyrum trophy, a week long ladies event in August, not sure if I get in but based on last year I should do.
The main competition is played on the Eden and the New on Monday and Tuesday, with the best gross and nett going into knockouts on the Eden and the non qualifiers playing on the Strathtyrum course, there is also a Stableford for non finalists on the Jubilee. Add in a practice round and you get a minimum of 5 rounds for £120.
Only the top 32 gross play on the Wednesday so I thought I might try queuing to get on as a single on the Old course, is it true you need to be there at dawn to have a chance?

I wont know for sure if I am playing until the end of the month, but if I get in I will be on asking for tips later before I go

You can get more than 5 rounds as you can book a practice round on both courses on Sunday then your 2 qualifiers Mon/Tue. Either KO or day off on Wed plus medal on the Strathtyrum on Friday so you can get at least 6 rounds in.

Tips? Book your accomm NOW! We booked a month ago, it gets snapped up very quickly. Ideally stay in town rather than driving in each day, means you can partake of the evening festivities much easier.
 
I am waiting to see if I get in before I book my accommodation, and I did wonder if you get out on both courses on the Sunday.

I take it you have entered the Eden.
 
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I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous (before or since) as I was when I stood on the 1st tee at the Old Course.
It was March, and the only other people there were the 6 players in our party and the starter.
I hit most probably the worst tee shot I have ever hit in all my 30 years, and ended up in the Valley of Sin
:o:o:o
 
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