The Old Course - is it a slow burner?

[seochris]

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

Get there as early as you can and don't forget your handicap certificate.....its the only place in the world where I have been asked to produce one!
Read more at http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...is-it-a-slow-burner/page5#F84OkcltMpuaxfxm.99

 

[Hobbit]

As Qwerty sez, it's the chance for a club golfer to play at our Wembley. It's not the best course, technically, but... To get the very best out of it I'd recommend reading up about the course. Read the history about the course and why features on the course are called, for example, Beardies or The Coffin.

Best course, The New. Best experience(by far), TOC.

 

[Jimaroid]

Best course, The New. Best experience(by far), TOC.

Exactly, personally I prefer the Jubilee of them all but it's a love/hate course as it is generally narrow.

It amuses me when people say the Old isn't difficult. If it was easy, our medal competitions with scratch and much better players would see crazy low scores but we don't. If you have a good score going on the front 9 absolutely anything can happen between 11 and 17. That 7 hole stretch is wonderful, the fact that the 18th lacks great challenge is, in my view, a good thing because it comes as a bit of a relief and friendly pat on the back (and regular ripples of applause) at the end of the round. Completely agree that the Old's weakness is around the turn, 8 is a strange par 3, it looks much easier than it plays, effectively playing blind to the surface of the green and as it's the first hole that turns against the direction of the wind it throws people off all the time. Look at what happened to Spieth in the Open last year for an example of its trickery; misjudging the turning wind, playing too far and ending in a double bogey mess. So much for an easy par 3...

The other thing to be aware of is that a lot of people judge the course playing off the yellows and they're generally setup a little too friendly. Many more of the course's fairway hazards come into effect off the whites. Again, that's part of its allure, it's generally a fair course for people of all abilities. It rewards good play and there's generally no gripe to be had with the course if you've played badly. I think that's why it grows on people, when you get past the excitement you start to question the course and when you start doing that it begins to reveal its tricks and magic. It's a teasing strumpet with ample hidden assets. Yes, it's a slow burner for definite.

Anyway, I don't want to defend the course too much. It isn't the most difficult on the links overall but it does feature some individually difficult and magical holes. It is the most enjoyable place to play golf and I'll take enjoyment over difficulty every day.

 

[golfcitydweller]

for someone that played the old 150 times , took you a while to find out it wasn`t a great course !

 

[golfcitydweller]

sliced drive on 16 and think 17 was a little right too...lol

 

[Jacko_G]

Distinctly average course. Wonderful experience and aura.

Must play but it won't blow your socks off that's for sure. However the person who said Gullane number one was better - have a word with yourself.

 

[KenL]

I totally disagree that it is a "distinctly average course". Please retract that statement ;-)

I found it to be in magnificent condition, having massive character and many memorable holes. The first hole looks straight forward but even with a great tee shot the shot to the green is a knee knocker.

 

[richart]

sliced drive on 16 and think 17 was a little right too...lol

Hi gcd. Six of us back in October if you fancy joining us. Playing the Old and Jubilee. probably owe you a pint as well.

 

[ColchesterFC]

for someone that played the old 150 times , took you a while to find out it wasn`t a great course !

I assume that comment was aimed in my direction. I've played Dunston Hall near Norwich around the same amount of times but I wouldn't class that as a great course. Playing 5 or 6 times a week it would have been boring to play the New Course every time so we rotated around the course we played. Spent far more time on the New, Jubilee and even the Eden which I also preferred to the Old. Maybe if I'd only played it a few times I'd rate it more highly because it would have been more of an experience and my dad who used to visit me at Uni and played it 3 or 4 times still talks about his rounds on the Old Course and how much he loved playing it. Each to their own I suppose.