I took a screenshot, but do not think I can put pictures up on the website quite yet. If you go to Gotterups second shot on the 16th hole, it’s a perfect example of what the guys have been talking about on the podcast. He misses so far right that it’s out of the troublesome heather and into a very trampled down area. A miss would’ve made par difficult.

I saw this morning that Shackelford is advocating they put the pin front right one day. It would leave it somewhat blind behind the front mound which he believes would be more difficult for the pros. If the hole is playing downwind I could see it being very difficult to get it close judging hitting just over that mound would be a challenge and could lead to some interesting bounces if players are a bit off

I played Aberdovey last year and loved it. You can take the train there, as the station is closer to the front gate than many places in the parking lot. I stayed in a dormie room right on the 18th green. The people were great. Loved the links course. Wales is very much overlooked as a destination for golf but I highly recommend it.

I have made solo golf trips to Scotland and Wales and fully endorse doing so. Clearly, I don't have anyone I can ask, "Remember the time when we ...?" but I have lots of great memories and I have had trips I fully wanted to make. I love the whole process of planning trips (literally one reason I am reading this page) and as a solo traveller, that's a necessity. So Brian, go to these places and have enjoy them instead of waiting to find somene who wants to join you.

Not off the beaten path by Ireland / Scottland / UK trip standards, but the feel of a Southwest Ireland trip is very low key despite world class golf courses. Couldn't recommend it enough. If comparing a trip to Bandon, Sand Valley, etc. I would absolutely include Ireland for consideration. Ballybunion, Lahinch, Dooks, Waterville and Tralee are all incredible in their own right and that part of the world is the most hospitable I have been.

Yes - great article and glad you covered this. My caddie at Dumbarnie in Scotland a couple of years ago had played in this event, and he had an amazing swing and power with one leg, and was a UK military veteran from the war in Afghanistan after 9/11 - very humbling experience.

Yes - great article and glad you covered this. My caddie at Dumbarnie in Scotland a couple of years ago had played in this event, and he had an amazing swing and power with one arm, and was a UK military veteran from the war in Afghanistan after 9/11 - very humbling experience.

Really enjoyed the profile and comments!

I played Ardglass last summer and really enjoyed it. The caddies at RCD were arguing about if it was a "parkland" or a "coastal" course in a derogatory way to piss off my caddie who is an Ardglass member - all because it's not built on sand. I said "well, Pebble Beach isn't on sand and it's a pretty nice place to play golf regardless?" Despite not being sand based the day we played the course was very firm and fast. The opening stretch is incredible and scenic for sure. I like the routing where is flows toward town and along a low coastal area. The last handful of holes are more inland but the new 17th is cool and the new par-5 with the wall will be a good change. To me it feels almost like a Northern Irish North Berwick? Overall it's a fun round and a number of the guys I was with said they had more fun playing Ardglass than any other on the trip. After the round we walked over to the "Commerical Bar" which is like 100 yards away (maybe) from the parking lot. We got there right at 4pm and a guy who was caddying two groups ahead of us unlocked the place and started pouring us beers. Our caddies joined as well and what we intended to be a quick beer turned into like 4 or 5. It's a wonderful little pub - wouldn't miss it. Also, fun fact is 2002 PGA Champ Rich Beem is a member and swings by a couple of times a year. They love him at Ardglass! His favorite bar is the Commercial and there is a whole wall of photos of him with regulars. Super fun.

The 16th at Kettle Forge brings back a bit of PTSD - looks like a carbon copy of the 6th at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, IL.