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If you could play one course in the World, which one?

24

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 273 ✭✭superhooper


    First Up wrote: »
    The number of Augustas here is a good illustration of the power of hype. The most overblown, over rated and seriously unpleasant place I've played (twice). Maybe it tests the top players for one week a year but for the average player it is a hilly, wide open track just off one of the least classy streets in a town and State that have plumbed new depths in tack.
    It also looks NOTHING like the chocolate box image portrayed during the one week a year they allow the world see inside their precious gates.
    If you are in GA, play East Lake in Atlanta. Now that's a golf course.
    But for me it's Carnoustie.

    So you're in the Garcia camp. Would like to here more of your experiences there. What was most unpleasant? Are you saying its too hard for the average player?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    ForeRight wrote: »
    I couldn't look past this masterpiece if I had a choice...

    http://youtu.be/0GdSCVN2lyg

    This might be odd,

    And perhaps it is a case as they say the images do not do it justice. Apparently you never get a feel for the change in elevation.

    I have to say - I was fairly underwhelmed by the front 9 on that flyover.

    But, I do love the masters as a golf event - but I just wonder are we so blinded by the event the reality is not the same.

    But - I guess that is another debate , and most golfers would still pick it as number 1.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    First Up

    Obviously we are intrigued - Do you mind elaborating ?

    How did you get to play it ?

    And why, you were not impressed with it as a course, the green complexes seem amazing from the big event.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,285 ✭✭✭sawdoubters


    naas golf club


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    The tees the members use are nothing like the ones in the Masters. Well forward. No rough and you can hit it almost anywhere and still have a shot. The greens are trickey but no harder than some other courses like Westchester, Brookline, Winged Foot, Congressional or East Lake that feature on the Tour. I'm sure they polish them for the Masters but on a normal day, nothing special.

    I found the atmosphere suffocating. Privileged, elitist fat cats so up themselves it wasn't true. Most of them are lousy golfers and you get the feel they are more interested in congratulating themselves for being in this exclusive place than actually playing.
    I've been lucky enough to play some top class and exclusive US course and in all other cases, once inside it was relaxed, informal and good fun. In Augusta you are walking on eggshells.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    They must struggle with the inter clubs ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,695 ✭✭✭ForeRight


    First Up wrote: »
    The tees the members use are nothing like the ones in the Masters. Well forward. No rough and you can hit it almost anywhere and still have a shot. The greens are trickey but no harder than some other courses like Westchester, Brookline, Winged Foot, Congressional or East Lake that feature on the Tour. I'm sure they polish them for the Masters but on a normal day, nothing special.

    I found the atmosphere suffocating. Privileged, elitist fat cats so up themselves it wasn't true. Most of them are lousy golfers and you get the feel they are more interested in congratulating themselves for being in this exclusive place than actually playing.
    I've been lucky enough to play some top class and exclusive US course and in all other cases, once inside it was relaxed, informal and good fun. In Augusta you are walking on eggshells.



    Are you a pro or what is it that gets you playing on all those fantastic courses?


    Great insight from you but I think it's the fact that Augusta national is everything you say it is that has people topping it as the course they most want to play.

    The course you can't actually play unless you are somehow in a loop which you are and I'm very envious.

    Even with everything you say I still think my knees would be wobbling just standing on the first tee. The history of the place and knowing it so well due to watching the masters every year would still excite me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    ForeRight wrote: »
    Are you a pro or what is it that gets you playing on all those fantastic courses?


    Great insight from you but I think it's the fact that Augusta national is everything you say it is that has people topping it as the course they most want to play.

    The course you can't actually play unless you are somehow in a loop which you are and I'm very envious.

    Even with everything you say I still think my knees would be wobbling just standing on the first tee. The history of the place and knowing it so well due to watching the masters every year would still excite me.

    No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
    Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,695 ✭✭✭ForeRight


    First Up wrote: »
    No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
    Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.


    They are some very special courses you've got to play.

    If you need a caddy on your next business trip drop me a pm.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    First Up wrote: »
    No I'm no pro. I got to play those courses through business; in some cases charity events too.
    Of course the history resonates at Augusta and the whole Magnolia Lane bit is special. But the reality of the golf course fell way short of the hype and personally I found East Lake (Bobby Jones' home course) more interesting and a much nicer place.

    But that is the reality for many of the courses that have history , St. Andrews for example. It is hard to calculate how much this history adds to the overall experience.

    I wouldn't give up the chance to play it. I can't see anybody giving up the chance.

    It would give such an insight into one of the biggest golfing events of the year


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    But that is the reality for many of the courses that have history , St. Andrews for example. It is hard to calculate how much this history adds to the overall experience.

    I wouldn't give up the chance to play it. I can't see anybody giving up the chance.

    It would give such an insight into one of the biggest golfing events of the year

    Agree about St Andrews but that is really a celebration of the origins of the game. If you get a chance, go on a Sunday and take the walking tour; wonderful.
    When I got the invite to Augusta I was thrilled but to be honest, I didn't get that much of an insight into the Masters. The set up was hugely different, so a lot of the challenges you see at the Masters just didn't arise. I'd say we were 100 yards forward on some tees. It is kept in great shape (it gets very little play) but it wasn't dollied up - and the water was muddy brown, not dyed!
    Totally understand why people say it's the one they want to play but if you do, be prepared to be underwhelmed.
    And Augusta the city really is a kip!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 35,021 ✭✭✭✭The_Kew_Tour


    Augusta all day long.

    Some unreal courses around the world, but this one would be heaven. The 13th hole is one hole I would love to play someday.

    EVENFLOW



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Yes spent a bit of time in that part of America and was a real eye opener, I had images of the American dream.
    Jaysus - just one avenue over , of many of the towns, and it is real downtrodden.

    BTW - just asking , not in your case.

    But in general - how do you get to play these places.

    I'll never say never.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Yes spent a bit of time in that part of America and was a real eye opener, I had images of the American dream.
    Jaysus - just one avenue over , of many of the towns, and it is real downtrodden.

    BTW - just asking , not in your case.

    But in general - how do you get to play these places.

    I'll never say never.

    Invited by members in most cases but I'm not going into detail here.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,526 ✭✭✭Slicemeister


    Harbour Town, solely from the way it looks on TW.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭stockdam


    So many to choose from but it's got to be Agusta for me.

    Single holes would be the Extreme 19th at Legend Golf and Safari Resort, 17th at Sawgrass, 17th and 18th at St Andrews........etc

    For a laugh, Nullarbor links.

    Right now any course would do to get me off my backside and playing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 402 ✭✭The_Architect


    So I'll second National Golf Links, Cypress Point & Royal Melbourne.

    Probably the top three courses I would like to see that I haven't yet seen.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭bailey99


    Is golf a wonderful game in that bar a handful of courses around the world..........if your willing to pony up a couple of hundred quid at most, you can tee it up and play any course you want.

    If your into soccer you can't play in Wembley, if your into the GAA you can't play in Croke Park, but pay your 200 euro and you can tee it up in St Andrews in the middle of July or August and walk in the footsteps of giants!

    What a game!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    bailey99 wrote: »
    Is golf a wonderful game in that bar a handful of courses around the world..........if your willing to pony up a couple of hundred quid at most, you can tee it up and play any course you want.

    If your into soccer you can't play in Wembley, if your into the GAA you can't play in Croke Park, but pay your 200 euro and you can tee it up in St Andrews in the middle of July or August and walk in the footsteps of giants!

    What a game!

    I love golf,

    But - the other examples you give, you get to play there on the basis of merit and ability - or if the organisations decided to allow minors, or for the purposes of developing the game let others play.

    I find that far more fascinating and of merit versus, If you have 200 euro and lets face it , have 400 to 500 euro for some of the others - you get to play it, if you know the right people .

    Doesn't do anything for me , versus Maradona a kid from a Favela playing in the world cup final stadium .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    Madonna.... Brilliant
    She has probably sold out Wembley in fairness


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    PARlance wrote: »
    Madonna.... Brilliant
    She has probably sold out Wembley in fairness

    lol - yes , Gareth Brooks too. :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    The point I'm making, I don't think a golf tourist , (very wealthy) in most cases, paying loads of money to smoke cigars around Royal County Down , with a caddy and shooting in the 100s. Is anything to be celebrating about the game of golf.


    I'm talking about meself here (lol)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    The point I'm making, I don't think a golf tourist , (very wealthy) in most cases, paying loads of money to smoke cigars around Royal County Down , with a caddy and shooting in the 100s. Is anything to be celebrating about the game of golf.


    I'm talking about meself here (lol)

    Ah come off it, we play a sport where we can play the same(ish) courses/places that the pros play.
    That's class whether your having a cigar or not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Ah is class. And I will.

    But -
    I'm just saying there is no sporting merit in it. That is all. It just means you have money.

    Another days debate - it was just that it was raised in the context of amazing sporting achievement in other areas.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭bailey99


    Come here, these green fees aren't exhoribitant.

    Put about 32c a day and you can play Old Course in St Andrews at the height of summer every single year. Does that put it in context for ya! We aint talking about crazy money.

    Take a footie mad Man Utd fan, how much would they be willing to play to play 90mins match at Old Trafford????? 32c a day for a year????


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    bailey99 wrote: »
    Come here, these green fees aren't exhoribitant.

    Put about 32c a day and you can play Old Course in St Andrews at the height of summer every single year. Does that put it in context for ya! We aint talking about crazy money.

    Take a footie mad Man Utd fan, how much would they be willing to play to play 90mins match at Old Trafford????? 32c a day for a year????

    Agree that St. Andrews is not that bad - but if you divide anything by 365 , it does get smaller ;)

    About 150 Sterling is the going rate for the top courses in UK . I'd pay it , but many many golfers , wouldn't pay over 50 euro for a round of golf, we had that debate on here.

    There is a sort of honour in the UK about charging a reasonable price for stuff - no mater how prestigious, there is a great sense of history with some of these old clubs and their place in the local community. That would be a driver to keeping prices somewhat reasonable.

    You need to go to the US or further afield to see what you can pay for golf. You can easily pay over 400 euro a round.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 402 ✭✭rooney30


    Pine Valley renowned as being the worlds number 1 course, why does no one around here want to play it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,668 ✭✭✭Benicetomonty


    Augusta as well. Then Pine Valley. Enough money would get me anywhere else I needed to go.

    Ahem..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 492 ✭✭TrapperChamonix


    My non Irish Bucket List is

    England: Wentworth

    Scotland: Turnberry & Machrihanish

    Australia: Royal Melbourne & Kingston Heath.

    South Africa: Durban Country Club.

    US: Pinehurst (No.2) Cypress Point, Pebble Beach & Winged Foot.


    Lucky enough to play Turnberry, Melbourne and Pinehurst (2 & 5) and would recommend them highly to anyone. Hope to play Machrihanish this year if my Scottish friend invites me. I had an opportunity to play Wentworth last year but had to turn down due to work commitments.

    2 courses you couldn't pay me to play are Muirfield & Agusta. Don't like their attitudes.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 688 ✭✭✭Running Balance


    cypress point for me, but seemingly impossible to get into!!
    Was in Monterey last summer and in pebble beach, wanted to play a round but $500 for a round plus club hire, shoes and caddy etc costs seemed a bit crazy!!! (also the fact the other half was nagging me but the nail in the coffin)


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