joshing_man

Scotland is not known for its good weather. You are just as likely to get heavy rain and cool temperatures in August as you are in March. If you want to play links courses then the wind will clearly be a big factor but this just makes it all the more enjoyable. I haven't played the big well-known courses yet but I can highly recommend the place (I would avoid August as this is the busiest time) but many smaller courses can be virtually deserted April to June, you can even leave your Green Fee in a box by the club house if no-one is there! A nice course is Elgin but it won't challenge the better golfers in the same way as Carnoustie etc. If you intend driving in Scotland remember it is a small country and the roads are generally small and it takes a while to get anywhere. There are plenty of larger cars available just not the size of some of the US behemoths! Hope you enjoy the trip.

Rather than just dumping your Burner 420 driver I'll happily take it off you. I will pay postage of course!

From this side of the Pond... A great weekend all round Sergio is great for the Ryder Cup but as in the singles he finds the temptation to overplay too much and this may well cost him a Major. Arrogant, maybe but who at the top of the tree isn't - Woods? Mickelson? Monty? Team spirit counts for a lot but at the end of the day Europe has more strength in depth now even if the USA does have the Top 3 in the world. Woods played awful until Saturday afternoon when suddenly it all began to click. He may not enjoy it but at least he tries - not sure Mickelson was all that bothered. One point briefly mentioned earlier. The Americans get paid very well for being mediocre week in week out. They expect Tiger to win and settle for a good cheque for coming down the field. The European Tour is more competitive and less financially rewarding so performance and finishing position matter much more. Does this account for the lack of fight in one to ones? I reckon 2008 will be a true judge of how the USA responds to this turnaround. Another defeat on home soil and calls for Europe aginst the Rest of the World (Els, Singh, Goosen etc) will increase. Then I think it will lose it's appeal as although I can just about get behind Europe once every 2 years how many Americans will be happy to get behind a R.O.W team? More of the spirit and fight of Nicklaus, Trevino etc without the arrogance and vitriol of Azinger and 2008 will be a fantastic contest. I can't wait.