Way too difficult for mere mortals (St. Andrews)

Member Name: woodburnr

Product:	St. Andrews
Date:	20/08/01 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: History, Aura, Atmosphere

Disadvantages: too difficult, unfair

I have been fortunate enough to have played the Old Course at St Andrews on three occasions. This has been in near perfect conditions and also in pretty appalling windy conditions.

Now first let me clear up any doubt as to the standard of golf I play. I am only a 12 handicapper. I am fairly long off the tee, but can be very wayward, and usually manage to recover from the rough reasonably. I have played golf for 25 years now and consider myself a reasonable judge of golf courses.

St Andrews is just simply too difficult for anyone playing at or below my level. Tiger Woods may be able to pick out a 12ft square landing area 200 yards down the fairway, but I sure as hell cant. If you cant your fate is in the lap of the gods. The fairways are very uneven, and hitting them does not gaurantee success. I have experienced 90 degree bounces into gorse, or tiny pot bunkers which seem to be liberally sprinkled across all fairways. The greens are fast, very hilly, and extremely difficult although enjoyable if you have the temperament for a challenge and dont mind not two putting all the time.

The really good thing about the Old course is the atmosphere and the History. Any visitor to St Andrews should try to get into the draw and play a round on the Old Course, just to experience this. It is hard to describe, but trust me, all true golf fans will love it.

The facilities have been greatly improved recently. I remember playing on the New course around 9-10 years ago. This involved getting changed in the car park and then trying to find a local chip shop / cafe. Nowadays the facilities are excellent, with a brand new club house facility available to all visitors with a bar and restaurant as well. (Although it is best to find a seat well away from the crowds of loud Americans discussing and analysing their rounds)

It you are fortunate enough to have more time on your hands some of the other local courses are really good, without being
so difficult. The New course in St Andrews is good as is the Eden. Ladybank which is only 10 miles away is a superb inland golf course if you get fed up with links courses, and Carnoustie is only 30 miles away and it is even more difficult than St Andrews and rewards good shots more than St Andrews.

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