ColinKelvin

Fantastic stuff. Thanks so much for the update and pictures. The carbon Tyne is a super-cool choice. It's incredible how far ahead of the retail offerings these PLDs are. They ooze class and the feel and looks are just awesome. How difficult / nerve-wracking was it to putt on the concrete slab?

Pinehurst #2. I found it very very hard to keep approaches (and sometimes even chips) on the greens - the landing areas are so small and the greens when I played it were hard as a rock. It's a great experience and I'd go back in a shot, but it was much harder than other major venues I have played, including Muirfield and Troon.

Prestwick. The first tee (railway line OB all the way tight right and heavy rough left) and the 17th green with the "Sahara" bunker.

Yes, I agree. All I was saying is that when I stood there in person, I thought it looked *slightly* wider than it appears on TV. It's still daunting, obviously.

I would say 18 is an excellent finishing hole. The drive and the approach are both very challenging. It is perhaps unfashionable as it doesn't have water on it, and is steeply uphill. As i said before, it has a huge weight of history behind it (like the 18th on the Old Course) which adds a lot to the experience of watching new editions of the Masters every year. No one's arguing that the 17th isn't a weaker hole (although no worse than 14). They could put in a new tree where the Eisenhower one was. I remember Crenshaw hitting the old one in (I think?) '89 while in contention. He then it a 4-wood (!) onto the green in the heavy rain, and holed a triple-breaking downhill putt for a birdie. You could always add a big pond, if that's what you think the 17th needs... How would you rebuild it?

I don't really get all the criticism of the 18th on this thread. It's a tough finishing hole which occasionally yields a birdie (Lyle, O'Meara, Mickelson, etc.) but can also easily trip a player up (as it has done for many, many others). It's a tough par 4 when you need a par to win or tie. It also has the great advantage of the history of all the previous Masters. I love watching the nervy drives trying to avoid the bunkers and trees, and the approaches trying to get somewhere near that flag on top of the hill. I've been lucky enough to go to the Masters once (a big undertaking from Scotland) and, as well as the usual "wow, this is hillier than on TV", I was really impressed by the front 9, and also by how tough the 10th and 11th are. I don't think there is a course in the world without a relatively weak hole - and at Augusta, the 17th still creates drama. I also thought the 'chute' on the 18th tee shot is a bit wider IRL than it appears on TV, but it's still quite a small target.

I would say it's at the upper end of the value but it looks in excellent condition and the grip can easily be replaced. The cover is the original one and is actually pretty sought after so it alone would fetch $50-60. Personally I love the WRX Anser Fs - they are a nice low-profile dalehead shape and the high-grade ti pixels give a nice firm feel. This is the model Chris DiMarco used to almost win the Masters in 05, only to be foiled by *that* chip on 16 by Tiger.

Face-balanced, and with a sight line, which is unusual on the A5. It's nice to see the occasional actualPing on this thread too, which seems to be 75% Anser copies!

Following this with interest - I have a beautiful PLD Anser in carbon steel - but I didn't go through the fitting (got it as-new in my spec). I am tempted to get a PLD made, and have to admit I am intrigued by the Kushin and DS72 options.

McIlroy will definitely be in the next Euro team unless he decides he doesn't want to play. Fleetwood is in a dip, but will probably/hopefully make it too. You're right that Westwood, Poulter and Casey have played their last RC. I'm hoping to see MacIntyre and Perez make their debuts if they keep progressing. Bob would have done a much better job than the retired 'Postman' this time. I'd be amazed if BAD isn't on the US team!

After Europe winning the 2000s 3-1 and the 2010s 4-1. I think the 2020s are going to be a very strong Ryder Cup decade for the US team. They have far, far more young talent now than Europe. That said, it will help Europe next time if they have a captain in place who is competent.

I disagree with this. Sergio is an obvious exception to your rule - he has had many different partners over the years and yet has achieved the following, so he deserves a load of credit for his play in all formats: Foursomes (W-L-H): 10-4-3 Four-balls (W-L-H): 8-4-3

You're spot on that you will have all the time in the world in June - if you have the energy for 36 holes a day with evening rounds then the light will allow that. Obviously I am biased as a member of Moray along the coast but having played both a lot, I'd say that Nairn is a bit overrated. It's on the well-trodden path to Dornoch that most overseas golfers take, and it's a well-heeled - some might say stuffy - place with great conditioning, but the course itself is tough, flat, and just ever so slightly dull. Many local people even prefer Nairn Dunbar, the more community-minded club on the other side of town (which is also a longer, and more varied, course). Nairn has few, if any standout holes, although its position right on the shore is pleasant. Its reputation is based on things like holding the Walker Cup, but personally I'd rather play Moray, Nairn Dunbar, or even Cullen any day of the week. If you have time for some holiday golf (i.e. not championship length) then Cullen, Spey Bay (the best bargain in Scotland - a historic links at £30 a round) and Fortrose and Rosemarkie are all great fun. I also really like Golspie, which is well worth a visit. Tain is not bad too, but I'd put it behind Golspie, Brora and Fortrose as places to pair with Castle Stuart or Dornoch. Maybe you've played some or most of these already; apologies for the unsolicited opinions here!

Pretty sure you will enjoy it (well, as long as you get a decent day weather-wise). It's a great course in a very special setting. My group also played Moray (Old) and Moray (New) - I am a member of Moray GC and would highly recommend it - the Old course has one of the best, if not *the* best closing holes in Scotland - an 18th hole which has the town tight right (OB), a very uneven linksy fairway, and a raised green in front of the grand clubhouse with deep bunkering. I've posted these pics before but it's always worth doing so again:

Castle Stuart, September 21.