What is the point in having this in the Magazine??

[Dodger]

On reading the latest GM issue I turned to a section that I always enjoy and look forward to reading being an avid golf traveller and lover of playing new courses.....

Under the'PLAY...Your Guide To Planet Golf' section there is a sub section entitled 'Local Knowledge...Your Inside Track on Must Play Courses'

Now in this part of the 'Your Inside Track To Must Play Courses' is Balmoral Castle GC which you can only get on if you are invited to play as it isn't open to the public.

Can I ask the GM team what is the point in having a place like this included in an article like this?? Must play track?? How the hell do you manage to play it if you don't know Farquhar Macpherson the local estate owner??

Please in future show us tracks that are accesible as that bit on Balmoral is a waste of space in an otherwise quality magazine.

 

[3offTheTee]

Glad to see you have come off the fence a bit here Dodger!

Well said though.

 

[Tommo21]

It’s a fair point. In Fact, why don’t GM do an article to name and shame golf clubs who think they’re so exclusive that they want everyone to know how good the course is but you cant get on unless you have a helicopter or a BMW 7 series no more than two years old.

I’m being serious, some clubs are shockingly expensive and by that alone they think they’re exclusive while some of the best courses around are within the reach of the everyday man.

 

[brendy]

Im not one of these folks with the helicopters etc but I can see the point, its a private club. Just because it is a golf club doesnt give everyone the right to play there.

 

[MacMachattie]

From Fergus, who wrote the article:

I guess the point is twofold.

1 - Balmoral is now available to be rented out for the day - a pretty cool location for a private event and they are keen to get some business. It may be a private club but it's in no way stuffy or pretentious in the style of a Queenwood etc.. The members are local people and estate workers and if you're lucky enough to know someone, (or even befriend someone in a local pub who is) they'd gladly take you on. I know the head greenkeeper at Balmoral who was really keen for the course to be featured and I agreed.

2 - General interest. I'm sorry that you weren't interested by the piece Dodger. But my view was that some people might be. I got a game through a pal of mine, really enjoyed it and wanted to write about it. I have to admit, I like to share good experiences I've had particularly when I think they may be a little different to the normal stuff that goes in the mag.

"Inside track to the must-play courses" ... I hope this piece does give the inside track on Balmoral and, with regards must-play, I would recommend that, if you get the chance, you must play it.

 

[stevek1969]

A good point why put in a review of a course we cant play its the same as while back i think there was one on Queenswood , a bit of a waste of space IMO.Otherwise another good month for the mag , a bit disapointed with coverage given to the Forum meet at Muckhart tho.

 

[Dodger]

Thanks for the reply Fergus and I take your points on board.The article did interest me but I just think it is a crying shame joe public can't get on these course without having a friend in high places.It is maybe just me getting arsey but I hate the elitism that can be found in certain parts of the game. If they are keen to get some business then open it up for say 2 hours a day for 3 days a week and let joe public on....I would have thought they are in the current climate struggling to attract private hires.

In the same way Loch Lomond ran into financial difficulties surely opening up the place for the same amount of times may not have been the definitive answer but surely would have helped even a wee bit??!

 

[MacMachattie]

I agree Dodger, I thoroughly disapprove of elitism in golf. I'd like to see Balmoral opened up to occasional visitor play, would have thought it could be an option when the Royals are not in residence. Agree with you on Loch Lomond, although with memberships at £50,000 or so it'd have taken quite a few green fees to cover just one of those.