The Open @ Carnoustie (NO POLITICS)

[Superbrit]

I'm there Tuesday, really looking forward to it, should be a lot better than the Wednesday Practice day at Birkdale last year, bad weather forecast so barely anyone played.

 

This year should be very different

 

Yeah that's why we go Tuesday's, most of the guys will be there out and about somewhere on the course of the range. Best chance to see all the guys you want to see. Had to get there real early at Muirfield to try see Tiger, managed to catch up with him about the 6th/7th and watched for a few holes. Won't be there that early this year tho as the travel is further for us.

 

Yeah we ended up just sat there at the range, it gets a bit boring though after an hour or two, mainly followed Garcia and Rahm, but so did about a thousand other people as they were the main guys out.

 

Been told before Tuesday is the best day so fingers crossed

[Garush34]

I'm there Tuesday, really looking forward to it, should be a lot better than the Wednesday Practice day at Birkdale last year, bad weather forecast so barely anyone played.

 

This year should be very different

 

Yeah that's why we go Tuesday's, most of the guys will be there out and about somewhere on the course of the range. Best chance to see all the guys you want to see. Had to get there real early at Muirfield to try see Tiger, managed to catch up with him about the 6th/7th and watched for a few holes. Won't be there that early this year tho as the travel is further for us.

 

Yeah we ended up just sat there at the range, it gets a bit boring though after an hour or two, mainly followed Garcia and Rahm, but so did about a thousand other people as they were the main guys out.

 

Been told before Tuesday is the best day so fingers crossed

 

Yeah that's why we don't go to the main days, as the wife can't see if there is a big crowd following. So we usually end up following a lesser group which is fine but sometimes you want to see the best guys there especially at a major.

 

Enjoy your day out, I've got Gullane on Friday first to wet the apatite for next week.

[Superbrit]

I'm there Tuesday, really looking forward to it, should be a lot better than the Wednesday Practice day at Birkdale last year, bad weather forecast so barely anyone played.

 

This year should be very different

 

Yeah that's why we go Tuesday's, most of the guys will be there out and about somewhere on the course of the range. Best chance to see all the guys you want to see. Had to get there real early at Muirfield to try see Tiger, managed to catch up with him about the 6th/7th and watched for a few holes. Won't be there that early this year tho as the travel is further for us.

 

Yeah we ended up just sat there at the range, it gets a bit boring though after an hour or two, mainly followed Garcia and Rahm, but so did about a thousand other people as they were the main guys out.

 

Been told before Tuesday is the best day so fingers crossed

 

Yeah that's why we don't go to the main days, as the wife can't see if there is a big crowd following. So we usually end up following a lesser group which is fine but sometimes you want to see the best guys there especially at a major.

 

Enjoy your day out, I've got Gullane on Friday first to wet the apatite for next week.

 

Oh have you, should be good, and no where near as busy as the Open, definitely a place id like to play in the future as well, looks really nice

[Garush34]

I'm there Tuesday, really looking forward to it, should be a lot better than the Wednesday Practice day at Birkdale last year, bad weather forecast so barely anyone played.

 

This year should be very different

 

Yeah that's why we go Tuesday's, most of the guys will be there out and about somewhere on the course of the range. Best chance to see all the guys you want to see. Had to get there real early at Muirfield to try see Tiger, managed to catch up with him about the 6th/7th and watched for a few holes. Won't be there that early this year tho as the travel is further for us.

 

Yeah we ended up just sat there at the range, it gets a bit boring though after an hour or two, mainly followed Garcia and Rahm, but so did about a thousand other people as they were the main guys out.

 

Been told before Tuesday is the best day so fingers crossed

 

Yeah that's why we don't go to the main days, as the wife can't see if there is a big crowd following. So we usually end up following a lesser group which is fine but sometimes you want to see the best guys there especially at a major.

 

Enjoy your day out, I've got Gullane on Friday first to wet the apatite for next week.

 

Oh have you, should be good, and no where near as busy as the Open, definitely a place id like to play in the future as well, looks really nice

 

Yeah Gullane is a great place to play. I managed to play the composite course in 2015 after the scottish open. Great experience just unfortunately my game wasn't there. But all 3 courses at Gullane are great fun to play if you get the chance.

[MilkyButterCuts]

Who ever can think their way around this course best, will win. I would be very surprised if Tiger isn't in contention.

 

Also ask yourself this, I was just thinking (and dont really have an answer), who are the smartest to ever play the game?

 

Edit: not talking Dechambeau smart, strategically smart.

[OldTomMorris]

Who ever can think their way around this course best, will win. I would be very surprised if Tiger isn't in contention.

 

Also ask yourself this, I was just thinking (and dont really have an answer), who are the smartest to ever play the game?

 

Edit: not talking Dechambeau smart, strategically smart.

 

Hitting it OB in the final round at the API wasn't strategically smart, he doesn't have the same "golf" tool box he once did. I'm certain there has to be some mental demons.

 

It would be a great spectacle to see him seriously contend down the stretch, I'm yet to be fully convinced we'll see that next week.

[i*windows]

this is painful to watch

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV8Qj91T3o0

[Superbrit]

Who ever can think their way around this course best, will win. I would be very surprised if Tiger isn't in contention.

 

Also ask yourself this, I was just thinking (and dont really have an answer), who are the smartest to ever play the game?

 

Edit: not talking Dechambeau smart, strategically smart.

 

Ben Hogan, there was a story about him not putting a 7 iron in his bag for a tournament, someone asked him why, he responded along the lines of "there are no 7 iron shots on this course"

 

If you know that before you even tee off, then you know exactly where you want to hit every shot on every hole (and will actually hit them shots as well)

 

Which turns out to be quite apt for the thread

[Jimmy Mac]

I'll be at Carnoustie for Sunday's round. Then in St Andrews Monday/Tuesday to see practice rounds for the Senior Open.

 

Any advice for a first-time visitor to Carnoustie / The Open? Great viewing locations? Things not to miss?

 

For me, Carnoustie is much better as a spectator than the Old Course. At the Old Course you are stuck on the outside constantly and it has hard to see the greens because the ropes are so far away. Also as it is pretty much goes all the way out from the 1st to 7th before the loop and then coming all the way back on 12th to 18th it is hard to get caught up on too much.

 

Carnoustie is much more self contained. The 8th and 9th are the furthest out the Championship course goes and it still surprises me how close you are to the hotel. If you can, get behind the 6th tee. It is really cool to see how the Pro's take that shot on.

 

Thanks so much for the reply, very much looking forward to the Championship. Cheers.

[Jimmy Mac]

Yup won't be able to get behind the 6th tee. There's a lot of really good grandstands though that cover a few holes. There's one behind the 3rd tee that also shows you the 5th green and 6th tee. There's a good one on the 8th that shows approach shots into 7, all of 8 and tee shots on 13. Then there's one on 13 that lets you see the 12th and 13th green.

 

In my opinion it's a great course for spectating on

 

Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to check out all of those locations. Cheers.

[Shilgy]

I am watching the Irish Open, and that course is proving to be quite a test, and the weather is perfect today...sunshine, hardly any wind. I can't imagine what Carnoustie will be like.

 

Very demanding off the tee but if its dry alot of driving irons off the tees will neutralize some of the danger. I actually think it plays tougher wet

Unless there is a big change the course will be very dry. Watching the Scottish Open right now reminds me of Hoylake in '06 and then there is this as well........

https://news.sky.com/story/archaeological-sites-revealed-by-uks-parched-landscape-11434124

[nichho]

this is painful to watch

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV8Qj91T3o0

 

I don't find it painful but it does leave me baffled and bemused. For the life of me I continually struggle to understand why at some point he didn't think stop!! Work out a strategy to win and then commit.

I watched that and found myself wondering what Craig Parry made of it all. Was he silently watching thinking don't, just don't.

 

I'm there on the Saturday with my son and grandson. Looking forward to the whole thing.

[bscinstnct]

Tiger gonna bring back da baggy pants and score another Bordeaux Cup!

 

 

[cardoustie]

going to be an epic championship

I'm calling DJ early

[IVM]

Carnoustie will break a lot of hearts next week , and it will be fun to watch a great championship golf course test these fine golf professionals.

[Apathy_Overdose]

Tiger's driving iron has been very average of late. Hope I'm wrong but I'm expecting lots of pulled and pushed irons off the tee. That being said, I can see him finishing top 25 and having his best major of the year here.

[Ashley Schaeffer]

I've been refreshing my memory regarding the course, and it looks awesome. I cannot wait to see who hoists the Cloddette Jewg. Should be a great edition of the British!

[SASpeeder]

If TW can get his putting figured out, he will contend.

 

NOPE

 

YES

[iteachgolf]

It’s in great shape. And the greens are really good, especially for Saturday the week before. Already have some pace to them

[Thayneil]

Other than that hack Lawrie, course seems to favor the best player of that time, over several eras.

 

The Open Championship

2007 – Padraig Harrington.

1999 – Paul Lawrie.

1975 – Tom Watson.

1968 – Gary Player.

1953 – Ben Hogan.

1937 – Henry Cotton.

1931 – Tommy Armour.

 

Are you serious? Calling him a hack?

 

Hes won 8 times in Europe

 

2 Ryder Cups

 

And i happen to know him personally!

[imakaveli]

Can’t wait! I played Carnoustie in 2016, what a great test of golf!!

[dlygrisse]

Other than that hack Lawrie, course seems to favor the best player of that time, over several eras.

 

The Open Championship

2007 – Padraig Harrington.

1999 – Paul Lawrie.

1975 – Tom Watson.

1968 – Gary Player.

1953 – Ben Hogan.

1937 – Henry Cotton.

1931 – Tommy Armour.

 

Are you serious? Calling him a hack?

 

Hes won 8 times in Europe

 

2 Ryder Cups

 

And i happen to know him personally!

 

Lawrie was certainly no hack, a very solid euro tour player, not well known in the US because he didn’t play here much. However the cream didn’t exactly rise to the top that year with JVV almost winning. Justin Leonard was in the playoff as well.

 

The course was set up so difficult that year that a lot of luck was involved and pure skill wasn’t rewarded. JVV was playing out of his mind n some sort of sublime state, for 71 holes, but then the magnitude of the situation smacked him in the face on the 72nd tee.

[NoTalentLefty]

Which Open? Oh, you mean the British Open! Nice pics. Thanks.

[dlygrisse]

Question : if the course destroys the field and scores are over par. Will the R&A take the same heat as the USGA did at Shinnecock?

Or will it be “those Brits sure understand the game and the elements?”

[Gmack1973]

Other than that hack Lawrie, course seems to favor the best player of that time, over several eras.

 

The Open Championship

2007 – Padraig Harrington.

1999 – Paul Lawrie.

1975 – Tom Watson.

1968 – Gary Player.

1953 – Ben Hogan.

1937 – Henry Cotton.

1931 – Tommy Armour.

 

Are you serious? Calling him a hack?

 

Hes won 8 times in Europe

 

2 Ryder Cups

 

And i happen to know him personally!

 

Lawrie was certainly no hack, a very solid euro tour player, not well known in the US because he didn’t play here much. However the cream didn’t exactly rise to the top that year with JVV almost winning. Justin Leonard was in the playoff as well.

 

The course was set up so difficult that year that a lot of luck was involved and pure skill wasn’t rewarded. JVV was playing out of his mind n some sort of sublime state, for 71 holes, but then the magnitude of the situation smacked him in the face on the 72nd tee.

 

Im not sure you can say the cream didnt rise to the top?? Cabrera, Norman, Davis Love and Tiger Woods were all in the top 7??

[NoTalentLefty]

Question : if the course destroys the field and scores are over par. Will the R&A take the same heat as the USGA did at Shinnecock?

Or will it be “those Brits sure understand the game and the elements?”

 

The R&A no longer allows the green keepers at the home course or themselves to do much to the course except for watering the greens for high wind reasons. Actually they take the course as it is compared to the USGA. Though they call it The Open which I say is arrogant, mostly in jest, they do a fine job by being minimalists. USGA get a CLUE!

[jubilee_links]

Was in Carnoustie this afternoon - security is in place for the course so couldnt get a look around but I can report it was 26 celsius with a warm 20mph wind off the west. Fairways will be baking.

[iteachgolf]

Was in Carnoustie this afternoon - security is in place for the course so couldnt get a look around but I can report it was 26 celsius with a warm 20mph wind off the west. Fairways will be baking.

 

Already are extremely firm and fast. One of my players hit 4 drivers over 400 today, a 4 iron 310 and a 5 iron 302.

[NoTalentLefty]

Was in Carnoustie this afternoon - security is in place for the course so couldnt get a look around but I can report it was 26 celsius with a warm 20mph wind off the west. Fairways will be baking.

 

Already are extremely firm and fast. One of my players hit 4 drivers over 400 today, a 4 iron 310 and a 5 iron 302.

 

Do you think they will water greens during the Open?

[lowheel]

Other than that hack Lawrie, course seems to favor the best player of that time, over several eras.

 

The Open Championship

2007 – Padraig Harrington.

1999 – Paul Lawrie.

1975 – Tom Watson.

1968 – Gary Player.

1953 – Ben Hogan.

1937 – Henry Cotton.

1931 – Tommy Armour.

 

Are you serious? Calling him a hack?

 

Hes won 8 times in Europe

 

2 Ryder Cups

 

And i happen to know him personally!

 

Lawrie was certainly no hack, a very solid euro tour player, not well known in the US because he didn’t play here much. However the cream didn’t exactly rise to the top that year with JVV almost winning. Justin Leonard was in the playoff as well.

 

The course was set up so difficult that year that a lot of luck was involved and pure skill wasn’t rewarded. JVV was playing out of his mind n some sort of sublime state, for 71 holes, but then the magnitude of the situation smacked him in the face on the 72nd tee.

 

Lets not forget about what happened to padraig harrington and andres romero on that same hole 8 years later.