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Total Course Score™

The Old Course — St. Andrews, Scotland

Posted on May 28, 2015December 26, 2021

Rating:*

  • Layout: 5
  • Conditions: 6
  • Staff: 9
  • Value: 6

TCS™: 6.5

— Not counted in TCS™, but just as important (imo):

  • Pace of Play: Slow.

*All ratings are out of 10 possible points.

Commentary:

Playing The Old Course is worth it, even if only for the memories. I played with a couple from Germany, and a school administrator from Arizona who stays summers in St. Andrews. I hit a great first drive. In a crosswind, it sailed about 250, just short of the little dug out stream that cuts through the first hole. It was the last great drive I hit all day.

Part of the challenge was the hellish, I mean flat out blowing flag sticks horizontal, wind that was sweeping across St. Andrews that day. However, other than a 2-minute dump, there was no rain, and the day was filled with sunshine.

I had a great time. I didn’t even try to keep score in the wind (and with my slice in full action). I was just soaking it all in. It was great to walk in the footsteps of Uncle Tom!

The nostalgia factor: 10+

That being said, stepping back and rating only the course experience against other courses I have played (keeping in mind it is about $300 US to play), the course really only shakes out at a 6.5. So, on to the rating:

The layout feels…cramped. I mean, who designs two holes to cross each other? Waiting on 8 for people on 11, no! Conditions. For a links, it’s above average, so I’m giving it a bit of a pass, but after playing places like Tullymore or Cape Kidnappers, I just can’t go higher than a 6. The staff are very friendly. The two Scottish caddies go’n round with the German couple were funny and even read some putts for this wanker, despite doing the reading pro bono.

Given the high cost, rough design, slightly above average conditions I am giving an objective 6 for value. Everyone should play this once, then, go play the other courses. I haven’t played any and if I’m in Scotland again I won’t be playing The Old Course again.

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Here is a rubric for how I would interpret the TCS™

10 – Simply amazing, go play this a.s.a.p.! Are you on your way?!
9 – One of the best, just not spot on "perfect" in every way. Play It!
8 – One of the best courses in the area; well worth the trip to play.
7 – Worth a round if you are within a reasonable distance. Good conditions and interesting layout.
6 – An above average course that is worth your time if you're close by. Should provide a nice round.
5 – An average course. Decent layout, decent conditions, and the value hits the sweet spot. The one to play after work for a quick round. However, it lacks an overall wow factor.
4 – Below average, but moderately interesting in places.
3 – A poor course. Conditions are pretty bad but the cost of a round usually outweighs the conditions. Play with your friends who are too cheap to pay for a better round of golf.
2 – Bad, but playable. Play it when you need some practice before spending $$$ on a "better" course.
1 – A very bad course, but often has a deal you can't pass up (e.g., I have played a few like this; got 18 and a cart for only $5, yeah, I'd play about anything for that too).
0 – The only way I'd "play" this course if it was in my backyard and it was free. I mean who turns down a free "driving range" which is all that this "course" is good for, not for golf but to hit balls at and forget about.
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