Binned off yesterday's medal in favour of an invite to Crail (Balcomie Links). These views from around the putting green to #14 tee, and the tail end of the course, will tell you why. First links round of the year, hopefully not the last. Still a bitter breeze blowing with blue skies and sunlight for that unique Scottish experience of getting slightly sunburnt and windbeaten at the same time ...
This is the signature #14 hole, a 140+ yard par 3. Water hazard not really in play but a bunker you could hide a submarine in is.
Parred it, parred most of the par 3s and a fair number of the 4s, but birdies were unfindable, even with a good ball striking round and good putting (especially from distance).
Highlight #12, tough par 4 into the wind with a green whose front half slopes severely towards you as you play it. Good drive, 9 iron punch shot, dragged it left, onto the green - briefly - before it ran off the green narrowly missing a pot bunker.
"A" wedge, popped up in the air and was blown sideways as it was landing on the green - briefly - then rolled off again, stopping 10 yards from the fringe.
P wedge this time, keep it a bit lower and run it up that slope - holed for a par. 🤷
Good day out but tiring. It's a 90 minute drive there, around 4 hours of golf (4ball, could have been quicker), and 90 minutes home again. Didn't take me long to fall asleep last night.