Scotland Late Aug/Early Sept

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, sabram said:

We had a couple days last month ranging from 8* to 10-* C with heavy winds and some rain. A ski cap was a life saver really made me feel warm.

Ok, that's not cold enough for me to wear winter gear, but I guess I grew up in a place with a proper winter. 😎

[Chanceman]

Wind and rain at 10c is far worse than pure cold of say 5c. I had the latter at Bethpage (possibly more like 2 or 3c) and no problems. The former at Lahinch and Carne was pretty savage. When the water starts trickling down your neck and your socks start squelching, the clubhouse seems far away.

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Wind and rain at 10c is far worse than pure cold of say 5c. I had the latter at Bethpage (possibly more like 2 or 3c) and no problems. The former at Lahinch and Carne was pretty savage. When the water starts trickling down your neck and your socks start squelching, the clubhouse seems far away.

I do hate rain, but it's more about slowing the game down and having difficulty enjoying the game because of wet grips. I have to remind myself that skin is waterproof. 😎

[scott_Donald]

I have only been caught in the rain properly one time this year so far, the East Coast has been very dry!

 

When are you playing Royal Aberdeen?

[cjblake09]

On 8/12/2022 at 3:25 PM, scott_Donald said:

I have only been caught in the rain properly one time this year so far, the East Coast has been very dry!

 

When are you playing Royal Aberdeen?

We are getting closer! We start at Crail on the 39th so Aberdeen would be on the 2nd.  TOC is still up in the air as we are going to do the ballot everyday so a couple of the courses might be moved around while in Edinburgh.  

[scott_Donald]

On 8/13/2022 at 11:40 PM, cjblake09 said:

We are getting closer! We start at Crail on the 39th so Aberdeen would be on the 2nd.  TOC is still up in the air as we are going to do the ballot everyday so a couple of the courses might be moved around while in Edinburgh.  

 

I spoke too soon; got soaked for 20 minutes yesterday at Muirfield without an umbrella and waterproofs! 1 hole was wrecked!

 

I assume you meant the 29th.... Ahhh dammit I have an outing on the 2 September or would have come down, seems a busy day of visitors that day. 

[cjblake09]

On 8/15/2022 at 1:51 AM, scott_Donald said:

 

I spoke too soon; got soaked for 20 minutes yesterday at Muirfield without an umbrella and waterproofs! 1 hole was wrecked!

 

I assume you meant the 29th.... Ahhh dammit I have an outing on the 2 September or would have come down, seems a busy day of visitors that day. 

I am looking to get another round in while in EDI.  All of the St Andrews courses are booked but i found The Dukes course the is affiliated with TOC hotel and wanted to see reviews on it.  Obviously your typical links course but the ratings make it seem like it is legit.  

[scott_Donald]

The Dukes is a good course, I used to play an outing on it every year and It was fun! It has a nice chilled clubhouse but for me coming all the way you are then I would play links courses!

 

How many are in your party? looking at the tee sheet for the Friday and not seeing a Blake on there.

 

Just in from playing a round at RAGC; was supposed to be 8mph wind and 18*C with the odd sunny period but ended up being lovely sunshine, 22*C and 18mph wind; great day although I am struggling at golf right now, the course was in great condition. I might be playing Cruden Bay next week with my dad will see if not certainly the following week!

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

I am looking to get another round in while in EDI.  All of the St Andrews courses are booked but i found The Dukes course the is affiliated with TOC hotel and wanted to see reviews on it.  Obviously your typical links course but the ratings make it seem like it is legit.  

Have you played Kilspindie? A closer drive and a really fun course…

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, scott_Donald said:

The Dukes is a good course, I used to play an outing on it every year and It was fun! It has a nice chilled clubhouse but for me coming all the way you are then I would play links courses!

 

How many are in your party? looking at the tee sheet for the Friday and not seeing a Blake on there.

 

Just in from playing a round at RAGC; was supposed to be 8mph wind and 18*C with the odd sunny period but ended up being lovely sunshine, 22*C and 18mph wind; great day although I am struggling at golf right now, the course was in great condition. I might be playing Cruden Bay next week with my dad will see if not certainly the following week!

First you rub it in that you played golf in lovely sunshine at RAGC. As if that’s not enough to hurt, then you have to torture me about playing Cruden Bay next week…. Ugh 😉

[scott_Donald]

2 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

First you rub it in that you played golf in lovely sunshine at RAGC. As if that’s not enough to hurt, then you have to torture me about playing Cruden Bay next week…. Ugh 😉

 

 

I am still tempted to join Cruden Bay but not sure how often I would actually play there; my dad is a member and easy to go with him as a guest.

[hammergolf]

2 minutes ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

I am still tempted to join Cruden Bay but not sure how often I would actually play there; my dad is a member and easy to go with him as a guest.

It’s in the top 5 on my bucket list for sure. I just need to quit working and become a full time traveling golfer…. 

[cjblake09]

4 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

The Dukes is a good course, I used to play an outing on it every year and It was fun! It has a nice chilled clubhouse but for me coming all the way you are then I would play links courses!

 

How many are in your party? looking at the tee sheet for the Friday and not seeing a Blake on there.

 

Just in from playing a round at RAGC; was supposed to be 8mph wind and 18*C with the odd sunny period but ended up being lovely sunshine, 22*C and 18mph wind; great day although I am struggling at golf right now, the course was in great condition. I might be playing Cruden Bay next week with my dad will see if not certainly the following week!

 

Apologies i got my towns mixed up I meant another round in St Andrews.  We are doing the ballot Tuesday-Thursday for TOC and have Thursday wide open if we dont get it.  We have Carnoustie late on Wednesday so another option for a morning round then as well.

Edited August 23, 2022 by cjblake09

[callawayjay]

Carnoustie is my favorite course ever. Went in 06 and we have a pic of me putting on on 18 and the clock on the hotel says 1100. It’s pm and it’s bright out. 
 

we were fortunate to stay on the 3rd floor far corner room at the old course hotel overlooking the  17th tee. We slept with the windows open and people were still flying through there at near midnight. 
 

quite a place. 

[McMunch]

Take a look at LL Bean water-proof pants. I bought 2 pair before my Scotland trip and they were great. They're designed for hiking so you get breathable fabric, they shed water and have extra pockets. They worked out so well that I ended up wearing them on dry days and they have now gone into the rotation at home on iffy days. 

[scott_Donald]

On 8/23/2022 at 5:58 PM, hammergolf said:

First you rub it in that you played golf in lovely sunshine at RAGC. As if that’s not enough to hurt, then you have to torture me about playing Cruden Bay next week…. Ugh 😉

 

Had lovely quick 9 at 7pm tonight...

[hammergolf]

1 minute ago, scott_Donald said:

 

Had lovely quick 9 at 7pm tonight...

Perfect!

[cjblake09]

3 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

Had lovely quick 9 at 7pm tonight...

What course is that?

[scott_Donald]

5 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

What course is that?

 

Royal Aberdeen. the course was empty, myself and another member.

[thecraw]

I absolutely love Royal Aberdeen. Stunning course and great welcome. Cannot ask for more. 

[thecumbrian]

Surprised how green it looks, thought it had been been dry up on the east coast.

 

Stunning looking pics though.

[scott_Donald]

21 hours ago, thecumbrian said:

Surprised how green it looks, thought it had been been dry up on the east coast.

 

Stunning looking pics though.

 

Very dry! wetting agent and sprinklers! we get sent out a monthly summary on the golf course and conditions. The courses are in amazing condition it seems right now, only one I have heard is Dumbarnie screwed up their greens during the Open time but they are fixed now. Thing that is annoying me is the baby gorse has thrived during the dry summer and seems to be growing where it shouldn't in the rough. 

 

You can see here at the chipping green its not as green as they don't care so much - 

 

 

Another couple pics from a few holes on Friday night -

 

Back tee on 2 looking at the first green

 

Looking up at 17 from the 2nd fairway

[thecumbrian]

3 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

Very dry! wetting agent and sprinklers! we get sent out a monthly summary on the golf course and conditions. The courses are in amazing condition it seems right now, only one I have heard is Dumbarnie screwed up their greens during the Open time but they are fixed now. Thing that is annoying me is the baby gorse has thrived during the dry summer and seems to be growing where it shouldn't in the rough. 

 

You can see here at the chipping green its not as green as they don't care so much - 

 

 

Another couple pics from a few holes on Friday night -

 

Back tee on 2 looking at the first green

 

Looking up at 17 from the 2nd fairway

Nice.

My links at Silloth on Solway has gone from bone dry to green in the last 3 weeks. Been so close to the Lake District we get a lot of rain!

 

Soft enough that the greenstaff were slitting and overseeding the fairways the other day. Still a chance it may dry out and brown off again, much prefer it playing fast.

 

Other than that the heather is in bloom and looking stunning (until you're it in) and like yourself the gorse keeps sprouting.

[scott_Donald]

Did you book Royal Aberdeen for tomorrow? looking at the sheet and can't see your name.

 

You can't have had easier weather so far for your trip!

[cjblake09]

On 9/1/2022 at 8:04 AM, scott_Donald said:

Did you book Royal Aberdeen for tomorrow? looking at the sheet and can't see your name.

 

You can't have had easier weather so far for your trip!

We did play at 10:30 and it ate all of our lunches.  Can’t imagine it with wind as you have so little room off the fairways.   The greens rolled and had break like the greens back home.  Very nice course and the front nine was spectacular.  
 

Off to Cruden bay today and looking like we will be dealing with our first windy day of the trip.  

[scott_Donald]

10 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

We did play at 10:30 and it ate all of our lunches.  Can’t imagine it with wind as you have so little room off the fairways.   The greens rolled and had break like the greens back home.  Very nice course and the front nine was spectacular.  
 

Off to Cruden bay today and looking like we will be dealing with our first windy day of the trip.  

 

 

Glad you enjoyed, Cruden would still be easier today in that 30mph wind! how was it? enjoy the view at the top of cardiac hill! what did you think of 14 and 15?

[cjblake09]

1 hour ago, scott_Donald said:

 

 

Glad you enjoyed, Cruden would still be easier today in that 30mph wind! how was it? enjoy the view at the top of cardiac hill! what did you think of 14 and 15?

It was good but they punched the greens on Monday…

 

such a cool view for sure.  I liked the whole course and would play it again when I come back.  Could not believe RA in todays wind how hard it would be. 

[scott_Donald]

11 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

It was good but they punched the greens on Monday…

 

such a cool view for sure.  I liked the whole course and would play it again when I come back.  Could not believe RA in todays wind how hard it would be. 

 

 

best net in the comp yesterday was 78! I certainly did not play!

 

today seems to be day 3 of proper rain since the end of April so hope you enjoy Nairn.

[cjblake09]

On 9/4/2022 at 3:09 AM, scott_Donald said:

 

 

best net in the comp yesterday was 78! I certainly did not play!

 

today seems to be day 3 of proper rain since the end of April so hope you enjoy Nairn.

Well we finished our trip and man it was great.  Only had rain one morning at Brora for the whole week.  Already missing the cooler weather and everyone is already talking about a return trip.  

 

Dornoch was just awesome and glad we got to play it twice.  Somehow I birdied 2, 6, and 13 in the 2 rounds!

[scott_Donald]

glad you had fun! 

 

what were your highlight's?