Royal St. William's Golf Club with Pics
Mar 19, 2021 12:06:58 GMT -5
blueblood1995, tpetro, and 2 more like this
Post by smoknpirate on Mar 19, 2021 12:06:58 GMT -5
I published this course a couple of weeks ago, but never posted it in this thread. Following are some brief hole descriptions. If you like and appreciate traditional-style links courses please give this one a go. It's a good idea to take a look at the greens before simply pulling a club and firing at the pin. Skilled golfers will certainly dismantle it like other courses in this game, but those that are more on my level will hopefully view it as an entertaining challenge involving some thoughtful strategy to score well. All yardages are from the back (Black) tees. Play it with high or very high wind to up the level of "fun".
Located not far from Edinburgh, Scotland is Royal St. William's Golf Club. Originally established in 1754 as a 9 hole course at the foot of Saint William's Cathedral, it has evolved over time to a full 18 hole links course. It was named after the Scottish Saint. "William of Perth", the Patron Saint of Adopted Children.
-Predominant Wind-NorthEast
-Fairways should be set to Very Firm
#1 Highlands-419yds, Par 4
A straightforward par 4 that should allow for a good shot at an opening birdie or a stress-free par. Distance control is key as short or long could turn par into a great score.
#2 MacKenzie's Cave-180yds, Par 3
Named after a cave that was located on the property where the MacKenzie clan would hide out as they operated as scouts for William Wallace during the English invasion of 1298 by King Edward I "Longshanks".
Pay attention to the elevation change and getting your ball on the proper section of the green. The shelves and slopes could present more of a challenge than the length of the putt.
#3 Big Yin (Big One)-582yds, Par 5
Depending on the wind this can easily play as a 3 shot par 5. A major key to success is avoiding the penal pot bunkers which will certainly lead to a pitch out and considerably lengthening the hole. Eagles will likely be rare and a birdie is a very good score.
#4 Kirk (Church)-488yds, Par 4
Named for St. William's Cathedral which overlooks the 4th green, this lengthy par 4 will test your game. The two fairway pot bunkers must be avoided to allow for any scoring opportunity. Playing to the center of the green and taking your chances on a long putt is not a bad play.
#5 Piper-337yds, Par 4
Every evening at dusk a Piper will travel down from the Cathedral to the shoreline to play a haunting version of "Amazing Grace"
While it is a short and straight Par 4, a birdie should not be taken for granted, but an eagle is possible. Again, penalizing pot bunkers will play a role in the outcome of this hole. The green is multi-tiered and slopes away from the fairway. Steep runoffs can make an up-and-down very challenging.
#6 Bonnie-401yds, Par 4
Another short par 4 that can provide an excellent birdie opportunity. A good drive and a pitch may be all you need.
#7 Gorse-220yds, Par 3
A long par 3 with a difficulty that can be largely dependent on the strength and direction of the wind. Be sure to avoid the greenside pot bunkers and surrounding gorse bushes if you want a chance to walk away with a well-earned par.
#8 Caroline-452yds, Par 4
A beautiful, medium-length par 4 that shares its green with the 1st hole. Utilizing the slopes on the green to get close to the hole for a putt is key to scoring well.
#9 Beach-439yds, Par 4
A tailwind on this hole could take driver out of your hand if you want to avoid rolling into the burn that divides the fairway. A small green with out of bounds long elevates the challenge here.
#10 Tionndadh (Turn)-461yds, Par 4
A slight dogleg left with out of bounds left. This is a good opportunity to get your inward 9 off to an excellent start.
#11 Glen-488yds, Par 4
Possibly the most difficult hole on the course. You must avoid "Hell Bunker" off the tee to give yourself a reasonable chance at par. If you do find yourself in there, a sideways pitchout may be your only option. Your approach must be well-thought out and avoid the "Valley of Sin" short of the green. (Obviously, I stole some nicknames here. They fit )
#12 Tad-153yds, Par 3
The key to this short par 3 is finding the right part of the green. Your resting place from your tee shot can determine a good shot at birdie, or a stressful chance to save par.
#13 Overlook-457yds, Par 4
Another beautiful par 4 that gives you a good shot at scoring well. Avoiding bunkers and using the green to your advantage are keys.
#14 Heather-583yds, Par 5
Probably the easiest hole on the course that will certainly give up many birdies and a number of eagles. A generous fairway allows you to avoid the pot bunkers, but may make your approach a little more challenging the further right you go.
#15 St. William's Path-482yds, Par 4
The stretch of "easy holes" now out of the way you are faced with a challenging long par 4. The very penal fairway pot bunkers must be avoided or you'll be hard-pressed to get your par. There is out of bounds long of the green which is marked by the path, but it should not come into play.
#16 Hedgerows-478yds, Par 4
Hitting the fairway with your tee shot will largely impact your likelihood of avoiding a bogey or worse. Finding yourself in one of the fairway pot bunkers will lead to a layup with a short iron while missing the fairway to the right could bring the bunkers short of the green into play.
#17 Erika-228yds, Par 3
A long par 3 that shares its green with #11. That means it also shares the "Valley of Sin" if you end up long and left. There is ample room to run a tee shot onto the green if the wind is in your favor.
#18 Macallan-566yds, Par 5
A mid-sized par 5, but not a simple birdie. Once again the burn will divide the fairway and require a decision as to how much risk you're willing to take on to score. The deep pot bunker left side of the fairway and short of the burn will stretch this hole out if you're unfortunate enough to find it.
Now head to the clubhouse and get yourself a few pours of Scotch (neat of course), you earned it.
Located not far from Edinburgh, Scotland is Royal St. William's Golf Club. Originally established in 1754 as a 9 hole course at the foot of Saint William's Cathedral, it has evolved over time to a full 18 hole links course. It was named after the Scottish Saint. "William of Perth", the Patron Saint of Adopted Children.
-Predominant Wind-NorthEast
-Fairways should be set to Very Firm
#1 Highlands-419yds, Par 4
A straightforward par 4 that should allow for a good shot at an opening birdie or a stress-free par. Distance control is key as short or long could turn par into a great score.
#2 MacKenzie's Cave-180yds, Par 3
Named after a cave that was located on the property where the MacKenzie clan would hide out as they operated as scouts for William Wallace during the English invasion of 1298 by King Edward I "Longshanks".
Pay attention to the elevation change and getting your ball on the proper section of the green. The shelves and slopes could present more of a challenge than the length of the putt.
#3 Big Yin (Big One)-582yds, Par 5
Depending on the wind this can easily play as a 3 shot par 5. A major key to success is avoiding the penal pot bunkers which will certainly lead to a pitch out and considerably lengthening the hole. Eagles will likely be rare and a birdie is a very good score.
#4 Kirk (Church)-488yds, Par 4
Named for St. William's Cathedral which overlooks the 4th green, this lengthy par 4 will test your game. The two fairway pot bunkers must be avoided to allow for any scoring opportunity. Playing to the center of the green and taking your chances on a long putt is not a bad play.
#5 Piper-337yds, Par 4
Every evening at dusk a Piper will travel down from the Cathedral to the shoreline to play a haunting version of "Amazing Grace"
While it is a short and straight Par 4, a birdie should not be taken for granted, but an eagle is possible. Again, penalizing pot bunkers will play a role in the outcome of this hole. The green is multi-tiered and slopes away from the fairway. Steep runoffs can make an up-and-down very challenging.
#6 Bonnie-401yds, Par 4
Another short par 4 that can provide an excellent birdie opportunity. A good drive and a pitch may be all you need.
#7 Gorse-220yds, Par 3
A long par 3 with a difficulty that can be largely dependent on the strength and direction of the wind. Be sure to avoid the greenside pot bunkers and surrounding gorse bushes if you want a chance to walk away with a well-earned par.
#8 Caroline-452yds, Par 4
A beautiful, medium-length par 4 that shares its green with the 1st hole. Utilizing the slopes on the green to get close to the hole for a putt is key to scoring well.
#9 Beach-439yds, Par 4
A tailwind on this hole could take driver out of your hand if you want to avoid rolling into the burn that divides the fairway. A small green with out of bounds long elevates the challenge here.
#10 Tionndadh (Turn)-461yds, Par 4
A slight dogleg left with out of bounds left. This is a good opportunity to get your inward 9 off to an excellent start.
#11 Glen-488yds, Par 4
Possibly the most difficult hole on the course. You must avoid "Hell Bunker" off the tee to give yourself a reasonable chance at par. If you do find yourself in there, a sideways pitchout may be your only option. Your approach must be well-thought out and avoid the "Valley of Sin" short of the green. (Obviously, I stole some nicknames here. They fit )
#12 Tad-153yds, Par 3
The key to this short par 3 is finding the right part of the green. Your resting place from your tee shot can determine a good shot at birdie, or a stressful chance to save par.
#13 Overlook-457yds, Par 4
Another beautiful par 4 that gives you a good shot at scoring well. Avoiding bunkers and using the green to your advantage are keys.
#14 Heather-583yds, Par 5
Probably the easiest hole on the course that will certainly give up many birdies and a number of eagles. A generous fairway allows you to avoid the pot bunkers, but may make your approach a little more challenging the further right you go.
#15 St. William's Path-482yds, Par 4
The stretch of "easy holes" now out of the way you are faced with a challenging long par 4. The very penal fairway pot bunkers must be avoided or you'll be hard-pressed to get your par. There is out of bounds long of the green which is marked by the path, but it should not come into play.
#16 Hedgerows-478yds, Par 4
Hitting the fairway with your tee shot will largely impact your likelihood of avoiding a bogey or worse. Finding yourself in one of the fairway pot bunkers will lead to a layup with a short iron while missing the fairway to the right could bring the bunkers short of the green into play.
#17 Erika-228yds, Par 3
A long par 3 that shares its green with #11. That means it also shares the "Valley of Sin" if you end up long and left. There is ample room to run a tee shot onto the green if the wind is in your favor.
#18 Macallan-566yds, Par 5
A mid-sized par 5, but not a simple birdie. Once again the burn will divide the fairway and require a decision as to how much risk you're willing to take on to score. The deep pot bunker left side of the fairway and short of the burn will stretch this hole out if you're unfortunate enough to find it.
Now head to the clubhouse and get yourself a few pours of Scotch (neat of course), you earned it.