Home of Golf - "A Golfer's Dream"

Our team had the opportunity of a life time to go play golf where the sport was originated, St. Andrews Scotland.

The team got to stay at the Old Course Hotel. Our back window view was the St. Andrews Old Course. (Pictured above)

Our Experience in Scotland

Once I became an avid golfer, my dream was to play golf overseas in #Scotland, where the game of golf began. Part of our Golf Program in College we got to go to Scotland for 8 days and play golf. All of us were counting down the days as it got close. No one cared how long the travel days were because they were itching to get out and play some pristine golf courses. We knew which courses were on the itinerary so we can prepare for each course. I am going to tell you about the experience we had at the top courses we got to play.

Crail Golfing Society

I don't think any of us really knew anything about this golf course when we first arrived. When you think of Scotland, this golf course was different not on the list of names. We had no idea what to expect out there. I remember it wasn't a long golf course but did it ever play tough! What made this golf course so great was the views you would get on every hole. There were a lot of elevated tee shots that allowed you to see the water, it was truly amazing! Below, are a few photos from our experience at #Crail Golfing Society.

Kingsbarns Golf Links

This was my favourite golf course on our trip and I shot my best round there out of all the courses. The Superintendent and his team did a great job maintaining the golf course as it was spectacular when we played. It was a windy day when we played so it made it very difficult to make good shots. There were many holes that I enjoyed out there but my favourite was the 15th hole. It was a long Par 3 playing 195 yards over water and the wind was straight into our face so it probably played longer than the set yardage. Below, are a few photos of our experience at #Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Carnoustie Golf Links

The last course on our trip was Carnoustie Golf Links. Carnoustie has hosted the PGA Open Championship for many years including the one in 2018. I was looking forward to playing this golf course because of the challenge it gave golfers especially if the weather was windy. When we arrived on property, the weather was really nice and there was no wind at all! The starter on the first tee said he hasn't seen this weather all year. We must have got really lucky coming on this day. One thing I found fascinating was the camera that was looking at the first tee. Anyone can stream people hitting their first shot on Carnoustie. Overall, a lot of us didn't find Carnoustie to be challenging but we also had great weather with no wind. The course had a great design and the conditions were superb. I would recommend playing this course if you were in Scotland. Here are some photos of our experience at #Carnoustie Golf Links.

Old Course - St. Andrews

If you were to ask any true golf enthusiast where the one place they would want to play anywhere in the world, there should really only be one answer. Now most would be expecting places such as Augusta, Pebble Beach,  TPC Sawgrass to be the golf course people are thinking of. But like I said this answer should be from the true golf enthusiast, there should only be one answer. That is the Old Course at St. Andrews. Too many golfers throughout the world, it is a dream to play The Old Course and walk the same fairways that the home of golf was created on. Some have had the chance to play and some haven’t been so lucky. Fortunately for myself I have had the opportunity to play the Old Course and believe me when I tell you, it doesn’t disappoint. Sure it’s not the best golf course I’ve played in terms of the way it’s manicured but from having a true love for the game it is something I will never forget. The experience started off much like others have, waking up at 4am and putting on my rain suit just to keep warm while I try to catch maybe an hours worth of sleep until the starter arrives at 7:30-8am. Secured an 11:20 tee time with three of my closest buddies to have arguably the best golf experience we’ve ever had.

Hours pass then next thing you know I’m standing on the first tee trying to peg the ball up but can’t because my heart is going 100 mph and hands are doing anything but being steady. The first shot is off and the round begins! At first your still shaking and can’t actually believe that your playing the course that created the game we all know and love as well as walking the same fairways where all the worlds greats have walked. The round continues as you settle in and kind of forget where you are as your focusing on actually trying to play half decent. You begin to realize that it’s not what you see on TV as there is hills that are far greater in size than the screen portrays or that holes begin to cross one another and greens are shared between holes. Like I said you continue to play your round until you start nearing the infamous 17th hole. As we all know it’s one of the most iconic with having to nearly aim at balcony’s where people are staying but what else are you supposed to do? Take a line that they tell you not to? Not a chance! Start over the “O” in hotel and fire away! After that tee shot everything starts to become surreal, you’ve played 16 holes and are about to hit a second shot with Hell’s bunker staring you right in the face from about 170 yards out! Your heart begins to pound again. You hole out on 17 and then time slows right down. As for me I stood on the 18th tee really thinking where I was in the world and how grateful I was to be there. I tee the ball and try not to miss 150 yards wide worth of fairway. Thankful it caught the short grass and I continued my way to take easily the best golf photograph one can ever take! Everyone in the foursome got the same picture, each standing by themselves, smile from ear to ear on the Swilcan bridge! At that very moment in time the hair on the back of your neck stands and you sort of black out for a split second as you realize that you accomplished what every true golfer has wanted to do their entire lives, play 18 holes at The Old Course at St. Andrews.  You hit  your second shot and walk to the green like every other golf hole but it’s different when you actually get to the green. Unlike any other golf experience, people who are walking by will stop what ever they are doing and watch as you finally putt out and clap as the ball falls in the hole, which to me is absolutely amazing and nothing like I’ve seen before.

As a golfer and true lover of the game, if anyone were to ask me where the one place I wish I could play a round at, without a doubt my first answer will once again be The Old Course at St. Andrews. Below, are a few photos of our experience at Old Course at St. Andrews.