I've played many of the ROTA courses. And, I've played Turnberry. Turnberry belongs with the other ROTA courses. It is a gem. I hope that the R&A can put politics aside and give this course its due.

I understand the sentiment on the PGA going global, but it's the PGA of AMERICA's championship. Therefore, it will be in America. It would be nice but it's not a realistic thing to ever expect. The R&A leaving GB&I for The Open would make me physically ill. With all due respect to Le Golf National in Paris, the thought of seeing this championship contested there rather than one of the links courses you mentioned is repulsive.

Not to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm but, trust me, you can go wrong over here! That’s not to say that there aren’t hundreds of courses worth playing - including many that may never have seen an international visitor - but we have our fair share of absolute dog tracks as well (mainly built on unsuitable agricultural land in the 80s and 90s).

Is Royal Dornoch just a non starter due to lodging? While I’d sort of hate for it to be even harder to get a tee time there I’d love it to be shown off for the glorious course that it is. Other options like Kingsbarns have shown they can host major tournaments like the Dunhill. Would those ever come into rota consideration?

I just stopped in and played KP on drive from Boston back to NYC. I got there at 6p so only had time to play the front 9 (Emmet). Such a cool course! The greens were super interesting - a lot of great contours. Really enjoyed it. Not super long. Fun, easy walk with some awesome greens. Definitely check it out. I think I paid $20 for twilight.

I don't understand the negative perception of the Renaissance. I wouldn't say it is my favorite course, but I think it's a good test. For me, functionally, there would be very little difference watching a tournament on TV held at Renaissance vs. Gullane or Dundonald. Playing the courses yourself? Sure, massive difference. Watching it on TV? It's a links test enough for the pros that I can't tell a difference. I am all for nitpicking, but we get such little time to watch the pros play on the links that even Tom's "quasi-neo-modern links" test feels precious. I don't want to waste that precious time wishing for something marginally better.

I don't see how the Open going to a course outside of GB&I would do anything positive to their brand. The R&A needs to learn a lesson from the Masters playbook. The Masters, at least in the US is far and away the most profitable golf brand. They have a global brand that stretches to the most remote corners of the sporting world. It would be asinine to argue the Masters should travel to other golf courses. That being said, every year when the Latin America Amateur Championship rolls around, the golf world tunes in to a small course south of the equater to see who will get a shot at a green jacket. I can't imagine how positive ANGC's presence in Latin America and the Pacific has done for their brand. I know the Open has the Open Qualifying Series, but that is still so far removed from the average everyday golfer. I also know they have a presence at Latin America and Asia Pacific Amateur, but, at least to me, their presence is overshadowed by Augusta's. It is possible to grow your brand without throwing your history in the trash. They should lean into what they do best instead of trying to rewrite the script.

Ideal world the Open would stay UK and PGA would go international on occassion. Also really wish Scottish would have a boutique event every 5 years or so when Muirfield is going to be used. Forget par, forget infrastructure. Go to North Berwick or Royal Dornoch or Aberdeen area, or Western Gailes, etc. Give us somewhere coastal most haven't seen thats exciting to watch.

I really enjoy the Scottish Open. It's a National Championship and worthy of the field it attracts. That said, I would like to see it move from Renaissance Club. No disrespect to Tom Doak, trust me on that, but there are so many other links venues in the country - why not a rota for that tournament? The fact that it's a tournament co-sanctioned with PGA and DP Tours probably means no can do. It's all about the money and TV rights, and I do understand that aspect. I would just love to see the "smaller" courses get some love. North Berwick? Not a chance, too small. But how fun would it be to see the best guys play those greens, and think of the cool aerials. Either way, thank you for the content (as always) and look forward to your Open coverage. Rob

The cadence of Southern Pines, Mid Pines and Pine Needles extols Ross through his early architectural work. Small quirky and challenging greens at SP with more broad shoulders and less contour on PN. Mid Pines is the perfect blend of both with intimacy built into the routing. I am a fan.