The New Course, Castle, or Jubilee?

[tw422]

I'll probably get skewered for this but you are probably right on Augusta.

I'm not saying I wouldn't love to play Augusta but as an 8 hdcp my expectation of how I would play there is pretty low (especially from the Tournament Tee's). Would that mean that I wouldn't enjoy myself? Sarcastically, I'm not sure (of course I would), however playing golf for a score on an extremely difficult course like Augusta you're most likely going to be disappointed.

From a purely experience perspective it's probably one of the greatest golf experiences you'll ever have. However, I'm not of the mindset that just because the best players in the world play a course means it's a great course. Now I'm not for a minute saying that Augusta isn't a great course but I've played plenty of courses that host PGA tour events and majors where I wasn't overly impressed e.g. Torrey Pines and TPC Sawgrass are two that come to mind (conditions, setting and aesthetics not withstanding).

The Castle Course was built as a tourist destination - Augusta was not. Therefore my expectation going in was not that I was going to shoot a career low round but to enjoy myself on a pretty course where I could play a fun and hopefully have decent round. I didn't believe that the greens rewarded quality shots played to "right" part of the green. That seems to have changed though?

I do agree the Castle Course aesthetics and conditions were excellent. Carnoustie, a very difficult course, doesn't have mickey mouse greens and was very enjoyable to play (same with Kingsbarns) if you played from the correct tee's.

I think you make an interesting observation though that might be the subject of a new discussion...:)

[mci711]

Actually the Castle Course was built with the Dunhill in mind so they could play all 3 rounds in the St Andrews area (TOC, Kingsbarns and add Castle kick out Carnoustie). It didn't work out that way, obviously.

[duffer987]

Disagree with that (not liking/disliking :-) comparison. Castle fits into DMK's clever-by-half courses phase along with Tetherow, TPC Stonebrae, that Nicaragua course... maybe another I'm forgetting. They're on opposite sides of the spectrum from Bandon and his other courses - like Machrahanish Dunes, Gamble Sands, Mammoth - since returning to his senses.

[TerrapinGolfer]

You're are right about that. I also played the castle course with a ton of rain and could not see more than 150 yards in front of me. All I remember was that ehhh i think its time for a beer now I have sucked at golf enough today.

[tw422]

Exactly, and that kind of supports (making an assumption here) my original point that the original green complexes were really not good would not have been well received by the Euro Tour. Would be interesting to know why it didn't supplant Carnoustie in the Dunhill rota. I need to get back to Scotland and play it again. Sounds like it's much better.

[cardia10]

I remember seeing 14 green for the first time at Augusta and was amazed at the different levels of the green. I am in the initial stages of planning a Scotland trip and couldn't imagine skipping the Castle Course, if nothing else, to break up the monotony if 50 yard shared greens.

[Hawkeye77]

Yep, 1 and 7 for different reasons were amazing when I finally got to see them in person at Augusta 4 years ago - but then, the whole place was amazing!