The Scottish Open
- Thread starter Doon frae Troon
- Start date
Grant85
Head Pro
Yes - it's a bit of a shame the conditions were so benign for 3 of the 4 days.
Doesn't take much of a breeze to really test these guys on the right layout.
Also remember they have to start planning the set up weeks in advance - and it is a fine line to keep the course playable in a strong wind while still being a test on a day with little breeze. a line the USGA usually cross.
I personally love to see the pros tested. Obviously a birdie fest can be entertaining, but when the conditions are tricky it usually brings the top players to the fore.
Doesn't take much of a breeze to really test these guys on the right layout.
Also remember they have to start planning the set up weeks in advance - and it is a fine line to keep the course playable in a strong wind while still being a test on a day with little breeze. a line the USGA usually cross.
I personally love to see the pros tested. Obviously a birdie fest can be entertaining, but when the conditions are tricky it usually brings the top players to the fore.
Jacko_G
Blackballed
Scottish Open has a history of being fair. Castle Stuart, Royal Aberdeen, Gullane and Dundonald all kept the courses set up like they are for members, no narrowing of fairways, no rough getting grown up etc.
CliveW
Tour Winner
One of my best friends is a member at Gullane and a Cat 1 golfer. He was bemoaning the fact that the R&A thought that as it was, Gullane #1 would be too tough and they had the fairways cut wider for the week.
yes its a shame they didn't get more wind. A bit Sat afternoon, but nothing yesterday.
enjoyed watching it but, found it hard to know which hole they were playing (on the normal layout) .
I play no1 a couple of times a year and its always windy when i play there, Links courses need a bit of wind for protection esp if they are shortish like Gullane
Grant85
Head Pro
Yes - I think Castle Stuart was not really enough of a test and they seem to be using it less often now.
Also - with it being the week before the Open, it is seen as a warm-up event so it's not going to be as tough as an Open layout.
That said, if the breeze had blown like Saturday for the whole week, then there probably wouldn't have been many players under par.
Personally thought Royal Aberdeen looked the biz in 2014. Surprised they have not had it back there again. Would have been the ideal year with the Open at Carnoustie.
shortgame
Tour Rookie
Must admit I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and it's certainly whetted my appetite for the Open (not that it needed much!)
Great idea to move it away from Loch Lomond (picturesque though it is)
Yes it's a shame the wind didn't blow a bit more but the players might get beaten up enough this week if it blows!
Great idea to move it away from Loch Lomond (picturesque though it is)
Yes it's a shame the wind didn't blow a bit more but the players might get beaten up enough this week if it blows!
Foxholer
Blackballed
That's exactly the right word!
I'm not a fan of OTT US Open setups, but 'tricky' works well imo!
And if conditions are truly benign, then I have no problem with the occasional 20(+) Under winning The Open. It is, after all the same for all!
Grant85
Head Pro
Agree. Unfortunately we are going to end up with someone going crazy one year (probably at St Andrews) if we get damp greens & no wind .
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
Id rather watch a birdie fest than watch the Pro's struggle. That said, I do love watching all the majors regardless.
