Re: Playing Royal Birkdale next week

hi
look up Royal Birkdale.com and you get a map of each hole and the distances.

one tip, the bunkers are deep so try and stay out as they will cost you shots. and the greens take a bit getting use to as the have lots of humps and bumps but you should have a great day and you will love links golf, hope the tides out and it not to windy. try and check the tide times and when you tee off as the wind gets up when the tide comes back in.
have a great day out
it a great challenge playing links golf and on such a wonderful course too.
cheers
bill

Use your putter whenever you can.

Links golf is not about extravagant cut-up shots and back-spin. Whenever you can, (and very often on a links course you can), use your putter.

If you're playing Stableford round there, 28 points is par!! Don't get down on yourself if you're not scoring well or you'll spoil your day.

Re: Playing Royal Birkdale next week

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your advice Bill and Blu it really helped me out.

I must admit on the first tee getting my name called out was very scary plus with it only being 9 weeks till the open the course had nearly all the spectator stands up which added more pressure and not to mention butterflies in my stomach.

Even though we where playing off the yellow tees it was amazing to see how far the pros would hit their drives from the blue tees. I got 31 points from a 21 handicap which I was chuffed with knew if I played more risky shots then could of got more even hit the flag pole twice chipping onto greens because they where fast.

Bill your right about the bunkers i did managed to find 2 of them one on the tenth from the tee which I had to give 3 strokes to get out and ended picking up on that one.

The greens were impossible to read as you thought they went left but didnt. You thought they went straight they didn't. Even one off my playing partners in my fourball whos handicap was 2 couldn't read them. One hole for him took 4 in which his putter was changed and a few harsh words.

All in all had such a great day and loved every minute of it in fact we did take our time (5 1/2 hrs with a pint at the 10th mind you) as just enjoying the course, gorse, views and some great shots. Truely was a day to remember.
In fact havent told you about the best bits yet as Justin Rose was there practicing got his autograph and shook hands with him. Plus not to mention that he saw my swing on the 14th and said nice shot on to the green.
Also todays golfer magazine was there and our group got asked questions bout the course plus views who would win this years open. Just hope it gets past the editor

I will sure be watching the open and will have a great smile on my face to see the pros in some areas I was and think "I know what your feeling - should I go for it or play safe lol"

Cheers
Mark

Re: Playing Royal Birkdale next week

nice review mark
sounds like a great experience

Re: Playing Royal Birkdale next week

Sounds a fantastic day Mark & a great score on that course.

Good to read the report.

Re: Playing Royal Birkdale next week

hi again
sounds like you had a great day and did enjoy your taste of links golf even if you found the bunkers a nightmare.
the great links courses are so hard to read the greens but when putting its like putting on the best grass in the world and feels so different from a inland green and the ball always seem to run so much faster than you think it will.
when you stand on the long par fives and see where the pros have to tee up you wonder how they can ever score under par.
really so glad you met Justin and that must of just toped off a wonderful day for you.
do you have the bug to play more links courses.
cheers
bill