Dublin and St Andrews

[scarlethorn]

My wife and I just got back from a month long trip that ended in Dublin and then St Andrews. Hitting 70, I decided I wasn't sure how long I'd be playing from the regular tees so off we went. In Ireland, we played Royal Dublin, The Island, Portmarnock and the K club (a parkland course). Then on to St Andrews where we played Crail, the Jubilee course and my favorite course Kingsbarn. It was a great trip and what you all saw in the Irish, Scottish and Open is what we played on during our stay. 

I felt like I was 30 again as I routinely hit drives over 300 yards (with a 100 yard roll) and we pretty much used the putter from about 50 yards out. We were in St Andrews about 15 years ago and the golf was great but the town itself, not so much. But now, restaurants are terrific and there's more to do. And I learned the longest drive with a feathery golf ball was 361 yards over 100 years ago. Ground must have been hard then too. 

[iacas]

What was your favorite course? Hole?

[scarlethorn]

My favorite course was Kingsbarn followed by the Jubilee course at St Andrews. A lot of people say the old course has the history but the Jubilee course is now the nicest course. Favorite hole was probably#4 at Kingsbarn. 412 par 4 dogleg left. Caddy told me to aim at a bunker because I wouldn't reach it. When I hit the drive, he thought I might actually reach it. I was about 5 yards short. Ian, caddy, told me we're going to have a great day because I can hit the ball straight. And it was a great day. I shot an 80. Worse hole, a double bogie on 18 or a break 80. 

[iSank]

That’s a great trip, thanks for sharing. Interesting to hear how you see changes in St Andrews. We went 2-years apart so did not see much change but we did see big differences between Dornach and St Andrews but one is not the other. We missed Jubilee but won’t do that again.

[FLOG4]

St Andrews is fantastic. With Kingsbarns second round at 1/2...Shoulda done that. So many great places near by too.  The Old is why you dream of going to St Andrews....last year our group of 9 had no tee time in advance. But we all played. Mid August. The walk on to guarantee play required 3 guys to arrive at 4am.  And they weren't in first 10 there.. 4 hit ballot. And 2 walked up mid day and were lucky.   The Island my fave in Dublin area. From all I have heard from several travel buds...It has been a great summer to be there.

[scarlethorn]

The Island was a great course. Would play it again if I get back there. I played the old course years ago. My friend and I sat outside drinking coffee early in the AM just hoping we'd get on. Two members had a 7 tee time, saw us and told the starter we could join them. After the round, they invited us to their club for a pint. It was the "new" club. What a great history for St Andrews.

Now I'm too old to sit outside at 4-5AM. Back then it was well worth it.