The fairways get no artificial water ever, so are faster than the greens unless it rains.
Bump and run is the order of the day, be it a chip shot, an approach shot, or your drive.
Tiger hit a four iron off a tee yesterday on the back nine which went over 305 yards.
One of his playing partners, who is not a long hitter, hit a driver on the same hole which went for over 400 yards!
There is no way to hit a shot close to the pin without landing it far short of the green and then wishing, hoping, and praying it bounces towards the hole, which, given all of the humps and dips the ball will encounter, is highly unlikely to happen.
Then, if you get in a bunker, fuggeddaboutit! You're screwed!
Scottish links golf at it's best!
I played The Old Course at St. Andrews in 1964 when I was 15 years old. I carded an 84.
BUT!
Even though it was July, there had been some good summer rains and thus the fairways were lush green. Plus, we encountered NONE of the winds which are prone to blow in at gale force from the North Sea. So I was dumb lucky.
I was disappointed play was cancelled today due to rain.
I doubt I'll ever play Carnoustie, but I hope to see Scotland some day.
Matt
You absolutely have to go to Scotland and Ireland!
Fantastically beautiful and the nicest and friendliest people you will ever meet.
Plus, the fish and chips you will want every day when you're there will blow away most of the crappy stuff they call Fish and Chips in the USA.
Plus, the Guiness is waaaaaay better than what we get here.
I've watched a little of it I'm not a golfer but love watching the game
I'm with Matt. Always wanted to go to Scotland I've been lucky to have been able to travel the world twice but never made Scotland
One of the bucket list things
I love watching links golf. And I love playing links golf even more. I’ve been to Ireland for 10 days of golf and I’ve been to Scotland twice and managed to get a few rounds in (planning to go back and play more of the famous Scottish courses next year as a matter of fact). There’s nothing like links golf. And when you combine it with the hospitality of the people over there and the culture it makes for a memorable experience.
I’ve also got a trip planned to Bandon Dunes in November. For those that aren’t familiar with Bandon, many people are calling the courses there the greatest links courses in the world. The place is fast becoming the Mecca of golf, not just for folks in the States but all over the world.
Scores will be a lot better today.
He won't stay there, as most of the others at or near the top have a lot more holes to play than he does.
But still…….
Tiger, Smiger..... In his majors history (5 years since 2013? or not quite 80 rounds(?) Jordan Spieth has led I believe 17 of them at the end of the day. That is flippin' amazing...... He has had the lead at the end of the day in over 20% of the major ROUNDS he has ever teed a ball up in.
It's shaping up for a great final round at Carnasty. I'll be tuned in.
Matt
Matt
That said, what a finish today! Congratulations Francesco!
He's also hereby enshrined as the Leader of the PGA's "all hair team."
He looks like Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac if ya ask me,,, wonder if they're related?...8^)
Matt
He's no longer spraying balls all over the golf course and his short game is coming back nicely; when he straightens out the putter he'll definitely win on tour and a major, if not a few more majors is definitely possible, provided his back holds up.
As to his mental state I'd say that's a chicken or the egg thing; when his game is fully back he'll have that level of confidence, knowing that his "A" game is better than anyone else out there.
I really do see signs that it's coming.....
Matt
As Bobby Jones once said, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears.”
;-)
Matt
"Kyle, you think Tiger will win again?"
Without question.
And not just non-majors, but likely two or more majors.
He made some shots yesterday no one else would even dream of attempting, let alone doing.
He'll win again several times, as long as his back stays healthy, that is.
Tiger's fairway bunker shot from 10 on Sunday was the one that told me he was back. Nobody recoils from a swing like that with a bad back. I think he's finally healthy physically, and mentally, to compete again.
Matt
Twenty plus years ago we had a going away party at my club for a guy whose wife was being transferred to Philly to run a division of a big company. Gap for Kids, I think it was.
After dinner and without realizing it, buddies kept ordering me 'one more glass' of single malt, which I, of course, drank.
It hit me when I got home and climbed into bed.
The world was spinning out of control and I realized I was totally wasted.
Early the next morning we had a scramble tournament in the guy's honor. All I remember is that I started on Hole #15 and that I was really hung over, yet was minus-two after the first four holes despite my sad condition!
LOL!
Tiger has set the golfing standard for fitness and staying in shape and he's still doing so.
There was almost universal agreement that the last four holes are the most challenging and demanding finishing holes in all of golf.
The word 'Carnasty' came up a lot!
When Tiger was dominating..... seemed he never missed a putt he should have made and made a ton of spectacular ones he should have missed. He left a lot of puts out there last week. A lot. Eyes, nerves..... whatever, it seems in most cases the putter fails the aging pro first.
Once you start missing putts you used to make, it goes to your head and at that point, YOU ARE SO SCREWED!
