New Golf Season - High Hopes?

Strathmore was very good. Good track and sone real difficult holes. Well worth the visit. Golf was a bit hot and cold but decent stuff did break out. First par 3 the wind was strong left to right. Elevated tee. 1st ball - cheerie bye out the park right. Second ball the same way. Third ball to about 50 ft. Brushed it in for a 6.:rolleyes:
One of my playing partners plays at Dunfermline and was saying they have the same disease problems on some greens. The other was a member at both Blairgowrie and Panmure. Both are fabby.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Kittocks today and was generally happy how I played.

Only scored 32 points but most of that was down to poor putting.

Kittocks is well worth a visit.

Played Linlithgow yesterday for the first time. Lovely course, greens were excellent. There was a memorial trophy on before we played, 2-man scramble, one group that were five groups were beyond slow. We had a 2 ball and 3 ball. Ended up playing a 5 to try save time for the folk behind. 2 of our 5 walked off after 9, another after 11. On the 14th tee the final two of us had, had enough when there was 4 groups, totalling 13 people, waiting to tee off! We’ve have been a 45min wait on that hole alone to tee off. There was a sign on the 13th tee saying “slow play causes delay. You should taken no more than 140mins to reach this hole” - we were 220mins! Round would have been 6hrs+ all because of an inconsiderate group. Really hope the members in front of us have said something to the club captain.

Just bought a new set of clubs (Takomo 101's) as intend to start playing after a 25 year hiatus (kids, pffff). A recent visit to the driving range at Melville has made it brutally obvious that I will be needing a few lessons. I'm a 5 minute walk away from the Royal Musselburgh so I'll likely try to get a membership there, looks like the pro there gives good lessons too so that'll be my first port of call before I attempt to hack my way around various courses over the summer.

Played on Sunday at Carrick Knowe. Last round was at Silverknowes about 6 years ago, and before that I'd probably not played for 3 or 4 years previously.

Really enjoyed it. Went round in 103. 3 pars on the back 9. Much better than I expected. If it wasn't for some truly horrific putting I'd have scored much better.

I played Longniddry last Monday and I'd give it a 5 star rating. It was absolutely superb from tee to green, I couldn't fault it in anyway.

I was signed on as a members guest and he only took twenty quid from me. That's the way to do it !!

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Originally Posted by Chuck Rhoades

Played Linlithgow yesterday for the first time. Lovely course, greens were excellent. There was a memorial trophy on before we played, 2-man scramble, one group that were five groups were beyond slow. We had a 2 ball and 3 ball. Ended up playing a 5 to try save time for the folk behind. 2 of our 5 walked off after 9, another after 11. On the 14th tee the final two of us had, had enough when there was 4 groups, totalling 13 people, waiting to tee off! We’ve have been a 45min wait on that hole alone to tee off. There was a sign on the 13th tee saying “slow play causes delay. You should taken no more than 140mins to reach this hole” - we were 220mins! Round would have been 6hrs+ all because of an inconsiderate group. Really hope the members in front of us have said something to the club captain.

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Slow play - I absolutely hate it and as I get older I get even more grumpy if I'm getting held up.

😆

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Originally Posted by Chuck Rhoades

Played Linlithgow yesterday for the first time. Lovely course, greens were excellent. There was a memorial trophy on before we played, 2-man scramble, one group that were five groups were beyond slow. We had a 2 ball and 3 ball. Ended up playing a 5 to try save time for the folk behind. 2 of our 5 walked off after 9, another after 11. On the 14th tee the final two of us had, had enough when there was 4 groups, totalling 13 people, waiting to tee off! We’ve have been a 45min wait on that hole alone to tee off. There was a sign on the 13th tee saying “slow play causes delay. You should taken no more than 140mins to reach this hole” - we were 220mins! Round would have been 6hrs+ all because of an inconsiderate group. Really hope the members in front of us have said something to the club captain.

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It ridiculous at any time but thats actually outrageous for a two man scramble.

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Originally Posted by Golden Bear

I played Longniddry last Monday and I'd give it a 5 star rating. It was absolutely superb from tee to green, I couldn't fault it in anyway.

I was signed on as a members guest and he only took twenty quid from me. That's the way to do it !!

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Glad to hear that

I was a member at Longniddry for 30 years before leaving in late 90’s as I wasn’t playing a lot of golf due to a young family.

Played it 2 years ago and it was bloody awful, although it was better last year when I played it but still not great.

Glad to hear it has recovered, used to be a fabulous course back in the day.

Has the clubhouse seen any work done to it?, was very run down last year

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Originally Posted by BSEJVT

Glad to hear that

I was a member at Longniddry for 30 years before leaving in late 90’s as I wasn’t playing a lot of golf due to a young family.

Played it 2 years ago and it was bloody awful, although it was better last year when I played it but still not great.

Glad to hear it has recovered, used to be a fabulous course back in the day.

Has the clubhouse seen any work done to it?, was very run down last year

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IIRC they sacked their head greenie about 2 years ago.

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Originally Posted by BSEJVT

Glad to hear that

I was a member at Longniddry for 30 years before leaving in late 90’s as I wasn’t playing a lot of golf due to a young family.

Played it 2 years ago and it was bloody awful, although it was better last year when I played it but still not great.

Glad to hear it has recovered, used to be a fabulous course back in the day.

Has the clubhouse seen any work done to it?, was very run down last year

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I'm not entirely sure about the clubhouse. It's still the same building but I can't comment on any changes to the indoor decor. I do know that there are new Caterers and by all accounts they're providing a very good service.

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Originally Posted by Golden Bear

I'm not entirely sure about the clubhouse. It's still the same building but I can't comment on any changes to the indoor decor. I do know that there are new Caterers and by all accounts they're providing a very good service.

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Thanks for update

Externally the clubhouse looks okay but internally it was very tired/tatty

I have great memories on Longniddry from my boyhood/youth as my father and uncle were both members and so were lots of ex Hibs players not least Eddie Lawrie & Tommy Younger

They did some strange unnecessary things with the course which I hope they undo

The 12th used to be an intimidating tee shot with gorse on both sides but they removed the stuff on the right which lost it definition and brought 2nd green/3rd tee into play

They have put in ridiculous bunkers on the hill up the 5th which make it very difficult for their older members to run it up the hill

Paul McGinley on Sky starting to look more and more like Fletcher from Porridge, just the wrong accent.

Lost in the final of the senior singles this afternoon 3&2, putted shockingly bad, 3 putted numerous times while giving my opponent 13 shots with his 20 handicap.

Wouldnt mind but i hammered him a fortnight ago in a stableford by 7 points. :rolleyes:

Still theres always next week. :greengrin

MacIntyre doing well at the PGA

Courses aren’t half firey. Hate to say it but badly needing rain.

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Originally Posted by greenlex

Courses aren’t half firey. Hate to say it but badly needing rain.

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:agree: I hit a 9 iron to a green 168 yards yesterday, flew through the green 30 yards past.

It was uphill too.:greengrin

We are supposed to be getting rain down here by the weekend, we could certainly do with it. :agree:

Played Niddrie Castle yesterday. Their greens are also a shambles. Unlike Shotts it looks like their maintenance has been the culprit and not disease. Hollow tine holes on all greens that are so burnt having any part of them ( and there was actually one or two) green was a novelty. The holes were not new and had been there a while. It was like trying to stop your ball and also putt on a monoblock driveway. The ones that were indeed part green were like **** pile carpets on the green bits. Shambles.

Harburn is loverley. 😁

Deer park is in fantastic nick even more so with a bit rain last few days.

Played The Roxburghe yesterday, one of my favourite courses but often in fairly iffy condition.

Other than the rough it was absolutely fabulous yesterday, greens were excellent.

If you get the chance to play there soon take it up. I have played it a lot over the years and yesterday was the best it has been by a country mile.

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Originally Posted by BSEJVT

Played The Roxburghe yesterday, one of my favourite courses but often in fairly iffy condition.

Other than the rough it was absolutely fabulous yesterday, greens were excellent.

If you get the chance to play there soon take it up. I have played it a lot over the years and yesterday was the best it has been by a country mile.

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I'll be playing in their Senior Open on 7th July. Already looking forward to it. 👍

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Originally Posted by Golden Bear

I'll be playing in their Senior Open on 7th July. Already looking forward to it. 👍

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Honestly it is night and day better than I have ever seen it before.

Only criticism would be the rough, it's full of nettles very long in bits and very clumpy.

Thankfully I was never in it :-) but my opponent would have lost 5 balls

Having started playing again after a long long break, I'm finding the mid/upper right side of back (think it's the right rhomboid muscle) isn't enjoying this at all and I'm constantly in pain after a round of even 9 holes and having to rest up for a good 5 or 6 days before it settles back down again. Trying to get some lessons sorted as no doubt it'll be my swing mechanics causing it. Any recomendations on how to speed up the recovery time or some stretching exercises before heading out? I've been all over the internet looking for stuff but as ever online, lots of conflicting info.

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Originally Posted by The_Exile

Having started playing again after a long long break, I'm finding the mid/upper right side of back (think it's the right rhomboid muscle) isn't enjoying this at all and I'm constantly in pain after a round of even 9 holes and having to rest up for a good 5 or 6 days before it settles back down again. Trying to get some lessons sorted as no doubt it'll be my swing mechanics causing it. Any recomendations on how to speed up the recovery time or some stretching exercises before heading out? I've been all over the internet looking for stuff but as ever online, lots of conflicting info.

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Similar problem since I started trying to concentrate on a more in to out swing and following the same swing path on the downswing. I suspect the frontal paunch I have acquired over the last few years isn't helping. Losing a few pounds and strengthening my core would help but....

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Originally Posted by Greenbeard

Similar problem since I started trying to concentrate on a more in to out swing and following the same swing path on the downswing. I suspect the frontal paunch I have acquired over the last few years isn't helping. Losing a few pounds and strengthening my core would help but....

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I think I'm in a similar boat, I tend to slice the ball so my natural swing will be out to in. Also trying to lose a wee bit of weight, 14 stone down to 12 is the goal, I'm not particularly built to carry weight well, my frame is slight and all the weight is round my middle which won't be helping my back when I'm rotating. Easier said than done though :agree:

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Originally Posted by greenlex

Played Niddrie Castle yesterday. Their greens are also a shambles. Unlike Shotts it looks like their maintenance has been the culprit and not disease. Hollow tine holes on all greens that are so burnt having any part of them ( and there was actually one or two) green was a novelty. The holes were not new and had been there a while. It was like trying to stop your ball and also putt on a monoblock driveway. The ones that were indeed part green were like **** pile carpets on the green bits. Shambles.

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Was the same when I played it a few weeks ago and they'd left a big hose out on the green at the last par 3, it was off. No staff anywhere to be seen and the clubhouse was closed. Was £25 each too which seemed steep for there. Not many on the course.

Also grumpy to shoot over 100.

Did get my best score of 84 this week though, as a last outing for old clubs I'd just replaced :rolleyes:

Nae gowf the day then.

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Originally Posted by greenlex

Nae gowf the day then.

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How have the courses been looking after having had the odd shower following the dry spell?

Is a good dousing like today not potentially a very good thing for them?

I’ve not got out yet this year. My annual lads outing next Friday, I normally like to have at least 4 of 5 games behind me by this point but work and family commitments have made it impossible.

Brechin this year, really looking forward to it.

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Originally Posted by Smartie

How have the courses been looking after having had the odd shower following the dry spell?

Is a good dousing like today not potentially a very good thing for them?

I’ve not got out yet this year. My annual lads outing next Friday, I normally like to have at least 4 of 5 games behind me by this point but work and family commitments have made it impossible.

Brechin this year, really looking forward to it.

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Theyve certainly had the fire rained out of them over the last few weeks. Today’s deluge whilst won’t do them any harm it’s not required. :greengrin Crow Wood was cancelled today. Im at Musselburgh tomorrow. I hope the Esk behaves itself.