Hi Folks,
Watching the British Open this weekend brought many wonderful memories flooding back. You see I have been blessed because I have played golf in England and Scotland on 3 different occasions.
My first trip was a trip with my wife, Carol, and NOT a golf trip. We went on a 17 day junket to celebrate our 30th anniversary and traveled throughout England and Scotland. I guess I was behaving myself because I got the "thumbs up" to rent some clubs and play a round.
I walked on at Blackpool Country Club in Blackpool, England. At the time I was an 11 handicapper. The pro rented me a set of Browning blades, a knock off of a Callaway driver, a fairway wood that was a real wood, and a knockoff of a Ping Anser 2 putter.
Since I had not hit blade style irons in over 20 years, I asked where the driving range was. The pro said, "We don't have a range and your on the tee with those 2 blokes on the tee now". I was nervouse as hell because blades have a small sweet spot and no margin for error.
Those "blokes" were a 10 and an 11 handicapper who wanted some "American cash". We settled on a "5 pound" nassau.
I hit an OK drive with the knockoff driver and had about 180 yards downhill into the wind to the green. I was scared as hell to hit my first approach shot with those blades! I chose a 4 iron and to my amazement, I flushed it! It landed short of the green and rolled up to 15 feet.
My birdie putt went right in the jar and I went on to shoot 77. The Brits mumbled about "another sand bagging Yankee" as they each handed over their 15 pounds.
My only regret? I did not buy the damned Browning blades!
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
2 comments:
Hey Chuck, nice story. I've been using blades for 6 or 7 years and wouldn't have it any other way. Once on the range a guy came over to me and said "You shouldn't be using blades unless you're scratch." (I was a 10 at the time). He wanted to prove something I guess, and offered me a shot with one of his son's clubs (who he was "coaching" at the time). I said "No Thanks", then went on to shoot a 73 that day. My lowest round ever!
My wife and I have been to Scotland a couple of times. We missed Cruden Bay, but did play many of the more obscure courses in the Highlands like Brora, Wick, Boat of Garten, not to mention North Berwick, Macrahanish, and of course Royal Dornoch. Want to go back, but haven't been able to put it together for a few years.
Hi Rick,
I enjoyed your comment. Congrats on the 73. My "career best" is 74.
On my second trip with a good friend, we played Royal Dornoch, Brora, Cruden Bay, Royal Aberdeen,
Carnoustie, North Berwick, Gullen #2,
Preswick, and the Turnberry courses.
Wow, what a trip!
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