Favourite Open Venue

The inevitable question this week. Vote for your favourite venue and feel free to expand on why.

I'm going for Carnoustie narrowly shading out the scenic beauty of Turnberry as I think it's the most difficult and it always produces a dramatic finish (the last 3 opens there have all gone to play-offs).

I'm going for Carnoustie too because JAS has

Seriously though, probably the toughest and such a dramatic closing stretch.

I'm waiting for Diggers going for RSG

I've gone for Turnberry as from a spectators point of view i think it's the most beautiful to look at with the Ailsa Craig, the lighthouse, the clubhouse etc

Carnasty would be 2nd though!

Wonder what Mac will pick, not sure if he can vote with just one hand though, the other is preoccupied.

I've gone for TOC - just purely for tradition

RSG cos it's nearest!

If I was doing it objectively on the courses though, Carnoustie produces the best tournaments.

NedB-H wrote:RSG cos it's nearest!

If I was doing it objectively on the courses though, Carnoustie produces the best tournaments.

St.Andrews is undoubtedly the worst for the drama it is capable of producing.

Lytham, since I am paying 36 holes on 6-7 sept, better be good

Royal Birkdale
Couple of reasons; probably the fairest challenge in that there are very few hidden surprises, what you see is what you get, fairways are generally flat and no ludicrous bounces.
Also, great for spectators with so many fairways running between the dunes.

Turnberry. 2009 was a great open. Good finishing holes.

PS. Where are the "St. Andrews-is-not-a-major-championship-course" comments?

Muirfield - because.........it's the only one I have played. I know that's not a fantastic reason, but it's the best I can do.

Just out of interest has anyone played all of them?
To date I've played 4 off them.

I have to say I dont enjoy watching the Open as much as some other events as I find the links courses look a bit bland on TV and samey. So I suppose Id go for Turnberry becasue of the views.

Diggers, you better keep an eye open whilst sleeping tonight, Mac will be after you after such a blasphemous statement.

Hey Im not talking about how they play, Im sure they are great. Just saying you can get that dull, flat light effect which can make everything seem quite grey and uninteresting in terms of the scenery. And I like pretty scenery.

I have to agree, Heathland and Parkland can be a far more photogenic course to watch a tournament on. Links can be quite dreary viewing.

TOC for me.

Carnoustie seems the toughest, Turnberry has the beauty and RSG is personally a favourite because I've played it a few times. The players seem to want to win at TOC more though and this just gives the whole tournament a buzz about it. On the rest of The Open venues, the players seem to trudge around and just get through it but at TOC there is a bit more life to the event.

Played 3 of them and I go for Muirfield as it is the nearest you can get to perfection in the design of a golf course.

Troon is not really up to Open standards.

Doon the Water wrote:Played 3 of them and I go for Muirfield as it is the nearest you can get to perfection in the design of a golf course.

Troon is not really up to Open standards.

the back nine on troon sorts the men from the boys especially with the left to right wind thrown in

As I said...watching links golf can be pretty depressing.

Diggers wrote:As I said...watching links golf can be pretty depressing.

speak for yourself, I'm enjoying this

It's just a hack fest.

Rather that than a birdie fest

Would agree either extreme can be equally bland but would rather see neither in a major.

Offthehosel
Don't disagree with that, the first nine is very poor for an Open course.
Darley on the other side of the railway line is as good a test.

Doon the Water wrote:Offthehosel
Don't disagree with that, the first nine is very poor for an Open course.
Darley on the other side of the railway line is as good a test.

at under 6400 yds and the one club greens....it is every bit as tough.