The forum seems lacking in talk of the greatest game in the world, but Mr Scientist set me thinking this morning with the below....

 

We have always known that Balmedie was a white elephant and his claim that it would be the greatest course in the world was always completely laffable. It's not even the best course within 5 miles of there and there are numerous better in the NE let alone Scotland let alone the UK let alone Europe let alone the world. What he didn't factor in and we all knew was that you can't sell tickets for a minimum of 5 months out of 12. The haar comes in during peak times, July & August to wipe out some days and it's way too cold for tourists in the winter. Plus the price was so ridiculous he was never going to get locals to play it more than once, or occasionally twice or more if a freebie.

While I agree with all of the rest, plus you missed out that he didn't bargain for how long a course takes to be ready for play from new build in our climate, I take issue with how good the course is.

 

Let's forget Trump being a total erse, that's a given. And we'll move past best course in the world because again, that's a helluva tall order, and will always be subjective anyway, and obviously it isn't.

 

I honestly don't think even Royal Snoberdeen can beat it, far less anywhere else in the north east, he truly has built an astonishing layout.

 

What are your issues with the course?

Question for LA Don...

 

Do you live out there? Thinking of coming out to LAX in September and staying around the Beverly Hills area. Was wondering if you could give me advice of must sees when we're out. Never been to California before.

Lived in LA over 12 years. There is so much to do here, you can be a tourist with the sightseeing etc. or you can do music, sport, art, the beach etc. All depends on your interests. If you get a chance go and watch a Galaxy game - I'd be interested on your take on their stadium and the level of play. I've done a couple of coaching courses and played at the Stub Hub facility, pretty cool venue, but haven't been to a game sine Beckham left.

Thanks LA. Was thinking about coming over for the Walker Cup. Still up in the air.

Played Monifeith for the first time yesterday, rather spiffing I'd say. Will be back.

 

The 3x clubhouses put the 3 links clubs here to shame as well, plus a fantastic venison pie to finish. Fit fine 

Played Monifeith for the first time yesterday, rather spiffing I'd say. Will be back.

 

The 3x clubhouses put the 3 links clubs here to shame as well, plus a fantastic venison pie to finish. Fit fine 

 

Monifieth is a good track and from your enthusiasm for the catering, I'm guessing you went to the clubhouse furthest from the car park, as the food is superb in there (Monifieth GC I think). Same caterer who does the Carnoustie GC where I'll be eating this week at the Dunhill. Fuck paying on-course prices for a substandard burger when you can get a quality sit doon meal for less.

Monifieth is a good track and from your enthusiasm for the catering, I'm guessing you went to the clubhouse furthest from the car park, as the food is superb in there (Monifieth GC I think). Same caterer who does the Carnoustie GC where I'll be eating this week at the Dunhill. Fuck paying on-course prices for a substandard burger when you can get a quality sit doon meal for less.

Actually the middle one, the Broughty. We had no choice, it was a 4BBB open, but apparently the clubs take turns at "hosting" so that they cut costs when it's not that busy.

Down in guffland the club captain generally gets courtesy of other courses during his spell in office. Some take advantage of the supposed privilege. This guy is soemthing else....

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/features/the-game/club-captain-leaves-awful-tripadvisor-review-declined-courtesy-144010

Most club captains are nothings in real life. Aspiring to the position validates them as people. It was the same everywhere.

Golf is full of snooty wankers. Just like Tennis.

Huge changes coming in 2019 to the rules.

 

Not sure about the flag being in, can see a whole hokey-cokey of "I want it in" & "I want it out" going on.

 

 

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/new-golf-rules-2019-152161

 

https://www.rules.golf/

 

 

I've just bought an 10M telescopic driver for the two club rule.

Monty

Thomas (Bjorn) is probably looking at the best team that we've had for, well, almost ever. 

 

That is nonsense from big Colin and if you look at how the American team is shaping up we should be bricking it because that is very possibly their best ever team.

That is a nonsensical comment but when you consider WHY he said it, it's very typical of him.

 

I bet to this day he has no idea why the golfing gods didn't give an insanely great talent like his a major.

Loved Monty back in the day for the heart on the sleeve attitude but he should have moved overseas and played on the US tour.  Liked too much to be the big fish in the small pond so he could feel like Mr Important and his lack of courage to test himself against the best on a more regular basis cost him his major.

 

The team Monty captained at Celtic Manor would have wiped the floor with the team that we put out in Paris this year, regardless of who Bjorn decides to pick as his wildcards.

 

Bizarre comments from Monty. Good God how can he ever compare what looks like being the European team with  the ones of the mid eighties and early nineties containing the likes of Faldo, Ballesteros, Langer, Lyle, Olazabal and Woosnam is beyond belief. And as said earlier, even the team he captained at Celtic Manor would wipe the slate with that of this year's likelies .

 

I predict a winning margin for USA of 5 points or greater

Loved Monty back in the day for the heart on the sleeve attitude but he should have moved overseas and played on the US tour.  Liked too much to be the big fish in the small pond so he could feel like Mr Important and his lack of courage to test himself against the best on a more regular basis cost him his major.

 

The team Monty captained at Celtic Manor would have wiped the floor with the team that we put out in Paris this year, regardless of who Bjorn decides to pick as his wildcards.

 

To be fair he was, at times, treated shamefully by some of the US galleries, and he didn’t have the temperament to deal with it. But why bother. I preferred watching the European tour anyway - more variety of courses. I say “preferred” because Golf has sold its soul and I rarely see any of it now.

 

Still one of he greatest ever Ryder cup players.

Still one of he greatest ever Ryder cup players.

 

Aye, but he's a fat-headed bellend who deserves a club up his hoop.

I say “preferred” because Golf has sold its soul 

 

What do you mean when you say that Kowalski, by it being on Sky?

What do you mean when you say that Kowalski, by it being on Sky?

 

Yup. In particular it was poor that the Open went to pay TV. It’ll disappear into obscurity like F1 and cricket.

I was always a fan of Monty, but he did come across as an immature sore loser bellend at times, especially didn’t help him that he was a Scot who didn’t sound particularly Scottish. Similar to Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle, Lyle the better player but big Sam always a fans favorite.

The bellendness of Cohlin is equal to the bellendness of Sam.

 

Sandy Lyle is MILES ahead, both in terms of achievement and personality.

 

Most of Scotland's pro golfers in my lifetime are bellends.

 

As are many Scots of course but golf has a disproportionately high ratio.

The bellendness of Cohlin is equal to the bellendness of Sam.

 

Sandy Lyle is MILES ahead, both in terms of achievement and personality.

 

Most of Scotland's pro golfers in my lifetime are bellends.

 

As are many Scots of course but golf has a disproportionately high ratio.

 

While I was in my teens at the time I don’t recall Lyle having much of a personality at all. Came up in recent years if I recall when overlooked for Ryder cup captaincy, his ability to connect with people. I was a Lyle fan, my golf childhood hero, but I always felt Sam was favored by fans because he appeared ‘more Scottish’ and was a more likeable guy.

While I was in my teens at the time I don’t recall Lyle having much of a personality at all. Came up in recent years if I recall when overlooked for Ryder cup captaincy, his ability to connect with people. I was a Lyle fan, my golf childhood hero, but I always felt Sam was favored by fans because he appeared ‘more Scottish’ and was a more likeable guy.

 

You're correct in that Sandy was perceived - or wrongly misinterpreted to be strictly accurate - as lacking in depth of personality but that of itself is one of the biggest problems in the Scottish psyche.

 

Some humans respect achievement more than "likeability". Most of us who work in results-based fields don't put a great deal of value in their interpersonal skills when, to be frank in an individual sport and pursuit, it's totally unimportant.

 

Bob Torrance nailed his own son perfectly. He was always more interested in the fame rather than working hard to get success. A lazy underachieving arsehole in other words.

Some humans respect achievement more than "likeability". Most of us who work in results-based fields don't put a great deal of value in their interpersonal skills when, to be frank in an individual sport and pursuit, it's totally unimportant.

 

I think in today's media driven world it is much more important than in the past Rocket.

 

Sportsmen that are willing to give the press their time and can come across as likeable/approachable generally get a better ride from the media.  Andy Murray has gradually learnt this after a tough start and it seems like on the whole most people now back him and want him to be successful. 

 

Others who go out of their way to be particularly arrogant and non-compliant with the press are the first ones that the press stick the knife into when things go wrong.  The press have so much influence over how people are perceived by the public that it can make life very difficult if sportsmen don't have them on their side.

 

Yup. In particular it was poor that the Open went to pay TV. It’ll disappear into obscurity like F1 and cricket.

 

I agree that it's disappointing when these big events end up on pay TV, sadly money talks.  I remember when the Scottish fitba moved from the BBC to Setanta and I think it was the worst mistake they made.  On the face of it, it looks like our game may be slowly on the up but loss of interest in the game with it being on an obscure channel IMO set us back years.

 

Has to be said though on the golf that the Sky coverage is light years ahead of where the BBC were with it.