If the British Open Were to Be Restricted to a Single Course, Which Course Would You Select? Why?

[woodzie264]

I’ve played only four of the Open Rota courses, but really enjoyed Carnoustie the most.  St Andrews Old was great to play from the tradition standpoint, but was nothing exciting. I really liked Turnberry and Troon as well, but Carnoustie was my fav. 
 

I have not played Prestwick but was told it’s fun to do once, but is also fairly short and nothing special. 

[Darkfrog]

I wish I was more familiar with The Open rota courses; except for The Old Course they all feel foreign to me. But of the ones listed Carnoustie is my favorite, probably because of the van de Velde drama and more recently Tiger’s near miss.

[iacas]

The Old, and let them score if the weather lays down, and let them deal with the weather if it doesn't.

[DaveP043]

I'll agree with @iacas, if there was only one course to be played, I'd prefer it to be the Old Course.  I've only played two current rota courses, the Old and Carnoustie, and the Old is infinitely more charming, even though Carnoustie is much much tougher.  I've also played the other two original rota courses, Musselburgh (9 holes with hickory-shafted clubs) and Prestwick (completely different from the original 12-hole layout).  This summer I'll get to play three more, Troon, Turnberry, and Muirfield, which could make me rethink my opinion.   

[ChetlovesMer]

I'm picking Troon. 

St Andrews makes sense and so does Prestwick or Carnoustie. There are more arguments I think to select Prestwick or St Andrews. 
But I like Troon and always look forward to when The Open is held there. 

[jsgolfer]

I would say the Old Course for the History, but I might change my opinion after I get back in July, after having a chance to play several of them with @DaveP043.

[bkuehn1952]

From a tradition standpoint, Old Course. Our guide in Scotland said Muirfield was the best course in Scotland. We did not play there so I can’t select that venue.

[David L Yskes]

I've never played any of them, but my vote is for Carnoustie 

[GolfLug]

Based on last year's finish - The Old course, it seems can drum up as much drama as any other course. It already has the pedigree. 

[BogeyBen]

Muirfield. Fairest and best test.

[guitarget]

I rode past a number of these courses in 1978, but at the time golf was still "cow pasture pool" to me.

[colin007]

Augusta National

[Beastie]

30 minutes ago, colin007 said:

Augusta National

Just one small problem…. Not a links course!?

[BamaWade]

Tough one, because the thing I enjoy most about, and at the Open, is when the course is difficult and the weather in full force, with final scores over par.  But I've often felt like Carnoustie--which is probably the toughest rota track IMO, can play a little unfair at times--so I voted Troon.  I like Troon's layout (has the most variance, to me), so I find it the most interesting--and is plenty difficult, particularly when the weather is poor.

Hard to vote against the birthplace, because the first track I'd probably look to play over there is St. Andrews--but honestly it just seems like (didn't go back and check, so take that fwiw) that the weather has been quite accommodating in recent memory, and the players eat it up.

[colin007]

38 minutes ago, Beastie said:

Just one small problem…. Not a links course!?

I don't see a problem with that 😁