The intention of this blog is to show you a little more about Golf in Scotland, an insight into the Golf Tourism Business, golf course, accommodations and Charity Golf events amongst other things
Why St Andrews? why Scotland? why promote this place at all?
Many people look at St Andrews in various ways, I'll explain to you what St Andrews means to me
In the late 70's, as a Golf enthusiast, my parents used to enjoys holidays/ vacations in various parts of Scotland.
We went to Tain once, where my good friend Iain Mcleod has since won plaudits worldwide for his fine work, and even won Greenkeeper of the Year a few years ago
Another place we visited 3-4 times was Blairgowrie, home of one of the most peaceful golf courses I know, and the highlight of the week was always a round on Rosemount.
There was also a little hidden beauty there called the 'Wee Course' , a must play if you want to play a wonderful 9 hole course, and at that time they built the 'Landsdown course' another 18 hole gem
However, we seemed to more often than not stay in St Andrews, mainly at the several self catering/ renting places in town
I bought a junior weekly pass to play the Eden, New and Jubilee 'unlimited' and always had enough to get onto the sacred turf of the 'Old Course' at the end of the week
St Andrews was a place I fell in love with from day 1
Joining the RAF in 1983, made my posting choice obvious, RAF Leuchars, which is 6 miles away from St Andrews and over the Eden Estuary. Chances for cheap golf on the Links and membership of St Andrews !
Most of my time in the RAF was spent at Leuchars
After 12 years service, in 1995, I left the RAF (thanks to Margaret Thatchers 'option for change' streamlining of the forces)
It was then I created the Barbers Pole, which gives away a 'free nip of whisky' with every haircut!
The shop raises an incredible amount for Charity through various events and fundraising
My long term staff - Jo, Marie, Christina and Allison deserve special mention
In 1996 I was invited to become an executive of St Andrews Merchants Association
In 2004 St Andrews Golf Vacations was thought up, catering for all types of Golfer, offering affordable Golf Tours, and the Golf experience of a lifetime
In 2005 we visited all major Golf Courses and Accommodations and had our first group of customers through
2006 was a proud moment, after a wee adventure in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka helping Tsunami Victims I was invited to join St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club
that's enough about me, now onto a little what we hope to achieve with this blog
We'll be playing a lot of the local Courses and doing online Golf Course Guides (this job sucks!)with pictures in the next few weeks
Starting off at the world famous Carnoustie Golf Links which is home to 3 golf courses, not forgetting the small fact that it home to the British Open in 2007
Thanks must go to Colin McLeod for arranging for myself and Graham Murray to play the courses and do online guides, including one early Sunday morning when we took over the 18th fairway and recreated some famous Golf moments !
Anyone who is interested in playing at Carnoustie Golf Links please contact us,
You may know a group of golfers who may want to book an event?
have transportation arranged
accommodation and everything else that is required
2006 alone has seen us welcome guests who have had 30th, 40th birthdays, a Silver wedding anniversary, and all tend to choose a meal from one of the worlds best Indian/ Bangladeshi restaurants - The Balaka of St Andrews
I'll be personally visiting the Royal and Ancient St Andrews and the newly refurbished Old Course Hotel and will give the latest updates from both
Many thanks for taking time to read this, and if you are planning a trip to Scotland, please get in touch !
Kind regards
Steve Cooke MD
St Andrews Golf Vacations
http://www.golfgroups.org
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Golf Course architecture and design
While no two courses are alike, many can be classified into one of the following broad categories:
Links courses: the most traditional type of golf course, of which some century-old examples have survived in the British isles. Located in coastal areas, on sandy soil, often amid dunes, with few artificial water hazards and few if any trees. Traditional links courses, such as The Old Course at St. Andrews, are built on "land reclaimed from the sea," land that was once underwater. Parkland courses: typical inland courses, often resembling traditional British parks, with lawn-like fairways and many trees. Heathland – a more open, less-manicured inland course often featuring gorse and heather and typically less wooded than “parkland” courses. Examples include Woodhall Spa in England and Gleneagles in Scotland. Desert courses: a rather recent invention, popular in Australia, parts of the USA and in the Middle East.
Can be played in Arctic or subarctic regions during winter. In the United States design varies widely, with courses such as the entirely artificial Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, where a course complete with waterfalls was created in the desert, and on the other end of the spectrum, Rustic Canyon outside of Los Angeles, which was created with a minimal amount of earth moving resulting in an affordable daily green fee and a more natural golfing experience.
http://www.golfgroups.org/
Links courses: the most traditional type of golf course, of which some century-old examples have survived in the British isles. Located in coastal areas, on sandy soil, often amid dunes, with few artificial water hazards and few if any trees. Traditional links courses, such as The Old Course at St. Andrews, are built on "land reclaimed from the sea," land that was once underwater. Parkland courses: typical inland courses, often resembling traditional British parks, with lawn-like fairways and many trees. Heathland – a more open, less-manicured inland course often featuring gorse and heather and typically less wooded than “parkland” courses. Examples include Woodhall Spa in England and Gleneagles in Scotland. Desert courses: a rather recent invention, popular in Australia, parts of the USA and in the Middle East.
Desert courses require heavy irrigation for maintenance of the turf, leading to concerns about the ecological consequences of excessive water consumption. A desert course also violates the widely accepted principle of golf course architecture that an aesthetically pleasing course should require minimal alteration of the existing landscape. Nevertheless, many players enjoy the unique experience of playing golf in the desert. Sand courses: instead of a heavily irrigated 'green', the players play on sand. Snow courses: another rather recent invention; golf being played on snow, typically with an orange colored or another brightly colored ball.
Can be played in Arctic or subarctic regions during winter. In the United States design varies widely, with courses such as the entirely artificial Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, where a course complete with waterfalls was created in the desert, and on the other end of the spectrum, Rustic Canyon outside of Los Angeles, which was created with a minimal amount of earth moving resulting in an affordable daily green fee and a more natural golfing experience.
http://www.golfgroups.org/
Monday, February 13, 2006
Golf - What is Team play
Team Play
A foursome (defined in Rule 29) is played between two teams of two players each, in which each team has only one ball and players alternate playing it. For example, if players A and B form a team, A tees off on the first hole, B will play the second shot, A the third, and so on until the hole is finished. On the second hole, B will tee off (regardless who played the last putt on the first hole), then A plays the second shot, and so on. Foursomes can be played as match play or stroke play.
A four-ball (Rules 30 and 31) is also played between two teams of two players each, but every player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole is counted. Four-balls can be played as match play or stroke play.
There are also popular unofficial variations on team play. In a scramble, or ambrose, each player in a team tees off on each hole, and the players decide which shot was best. Every player then plays his second shot from that spot, and the procedure is repeated until the hole is finished.
In a greensome both players tee off, and then pick the best shot as in a scramble. The player who did not shoot the best first shot plays the second shot. The play then alternates as in a foursome.
www.golfgroups.org
A foursome (defined in Rule 29) is played between two teams of two players each, in which each team has only one ball and players alternate playing it. For example, if players A and B form a team, A tees off on the first hole, B will play the second shot, A the third, and so on until the hole is finished. On the second hole, B will tee off (regardless who played the last putt on the first hole), then A plays the second shot, and so on. Foursomes can be played as match play or stroke play.
A four-ball (Rules 30 and 31) is also played between two teams of two players each, but every player plays his own ball and the lower score on each hole is counted. Four-balls can be played as match play or stroke play.
There are also popular unofficial variations on team play. In a scramble, or ambrose, each player in a team tees off on each hole, and the players decide which shot was best. Every player then plays his second shot from that spot, and the procedure is repeated until the hole is finished.
In a greensome both players tee off, and then pick the best shot as in a scramble. The player who did not shoot the best first shot plays the second shot. The play then alternates as in a foursome.
www.golfgroups.org
What is a Golf Handicap
Handicap systems 
A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's ability. It can be used to calculate a so-called "net" score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on equal terms. Handicaps are administrated by golf clubs or national golf associations.
Handicap systems are not used in professional golf. Professional golfers typically score several strokes below par for a round.
www.golfgroups.org
A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's ability. It can be used to calculate a so-called "net" score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on equal terms. Handicaps are administrated by golf clubs or national golf associations.
Handicap systems are not used in professional golf. Professional golfers typically score several strokes below par for a round.
www.golfgroups.org
Golf rules and other regulations
Golf rules and other regulations
The rules of golf are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which was founded 1754 and the United States Golf Association (USGA). By agreement with the R&A, USGA jurisdiction on the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the United States and Mexico. Because the rules of golf continue to evolve, amended versions of the rule book are usually published and made effective in a four-year cycle.
The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As declared on the back cover of the official rule book: "play the ball as it lies", "play the course as you find it", and "if you can't do either, do what is fair". Some rules state that:
every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a rule allows or demands otherwise (Rule 13-1) a player must not accept assistance in making a stroke (Rule 14-2) the condition of the ground or other parts of the course may not be altered to gain an advantage, except in some cases defined in the rules a ball may only be replaced by another if it is destroyed, lost, or unplayable, and a penalty is incurred in the latter cases The Decisions on the Rules of Golf are based on formal case decisions by the R&A and USGA and are published regularly.
The rules of golf are internationally standardised and are jointly governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which was founded 1754 and the United States Golf Association (USGA). By agreement with the R&A, USGA jurisdiction on the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the United States and Mexico. Because the rules of golf continue to evolve, amended versions of the rule book are usually published and made effective in a four-year cycle.
The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As declared on the back cover of the official rule book: "play the ball as it lies", "play the course as you find it", and "if you can't do either, do what is fair". Some rules state that:
every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a rule allows or demands otherwise (Rule 13-1) a player must not accept assistance in making a stroke (Rule 14-2) the condition of the ground or other parts of the course may not be altered to gain an advantage, except in some cases defined in the rules a ball may only be replaced by another if it is destroyed, lost, or unplayable, and a penalty is incurred in the latter cases The Decisions on the Rules of Golf are based on formal case decisions by the R&A and USGA and are published regularly.
The etiquette of golf, although not formally equivalent to the rules, are included in the publications on golf rules and are considered binding for every player. They cover matters such as safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play, and players' obligation to contribute to the care of the course.
There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Essentially, everybody who has ever taught or played golf for money (or even accepted a trophy of more than a modest monetary value) is not considered an amateur and must not participate in amateur competitions.
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