Ardgowan Hotel St Andrews
In the previous post I announced the gallery of images of the biggest hotel in St Andrews, the Fairmont. The Fairmont is a short drive from downtown St Andrews and from the Old Course. It is a very posh place with large rooms/suites.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Ardgowan Hotel, built in 1847.
Location Location Location
The key feature to the Ardgowan is its location along with a more affordable price as compared to the Fairmont or other more fancy places in the “Auld Grey Toon.” The Ardgowan is located about a 30 second walk from the 18th green and 1st tee of the Old Course, and a 20 second walk from the most famous pub in town, the Dunvegan. I’ve made that 20 second walk home from the Dunvegan at 2 a.m. on many a night. I’m guessing it was a little longer than 20 seconds, but then again I don’t really remember.
Rooms
The Ardgowan’s 29 rooms are quite small but clean. They’re so small and the stairway to get to them so tight that most golfers store their clubs in the locker behind the hotel’s front desk.
There are a few different room options which feature single or double beds.
Features
The Ardgowan features the minimum I need as a traveling golfer and nothing more: a place to store my clubs, a bed, a bathroom, a desk with wireless internet connection (for emailing pictures of the Old Course back home to my jealous friends), and a pub/restaurant in the basement (see first image).
Top Floor?
I have to share a slightly embarrassing and funny story. One of my stays at the Ardgowan was in the top floor in a single-bed room. The architecture of the building is that of a Georgian townhouse, and most buildings on North Street share the same slanted roof style. The top floor room is basically in the attic, so part of the room “features” a slanted ceiling (see image below).
Ardgowan Hotel Room – St Andrews, Scotland
In the wee hours of the morning and after a few too many wee pints at the Dunvegan, I had the sudden need to get to the bathroom and quick. An urgent need, if you catch my drift. One or two too many wee pints I suppose. When I very quickly got up from bed in the dark I didn’t realize the ceiling was slanted. I hit my head so hard getting up fast that I nearly knocked myself out.
That morning I had to cancel my tee time at the New Course and sleep off the wee pints and the cranial impact. I did however enjoy the rest of the morning exploring the St Andrews castle while my pals were off golfing.
Conclusion
The Ardgowan serves purpose and does it well. It provides a perfect lodging location within walking distance of the Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course. Strathtyrum Course, and Eden Course. No car required and that’s a good thing. Parking in the Auld Grey Toon can be tough.
This is not the Ritz Carlton. If that’s your fancy, perhaps consider the Old Course Hotel or the Fairmont. If location is important, the Ardgowan is one of the best lodging options in St Andrews.
I’ll be posting a full review of the Fairmont Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland soon. In preparation for that review, I’ve processed a gallery of Fairmont Hotel Scotland photos and posted in the Hooked On Golf Blog photo gallery. Click the photo below to see the full gallery.
Fairmont Hotel – St. Andrews, Scotland – As seen from the Torrance Course – click to see full gallery
The Fairmont is quite a place. Very large. The rooms are so much bigger at the Fairmont than the tiny rooms at the hotels close to the Old Course. In fact, I’d guess that my room at the Ardgowan last time was the same square footage as the bathroom in my suite at the Fairmont.
Stay tuned for my Fairmont Hotel St. Andrews review coming soon.
This post-Ryder Cup week and pre PGA Tour wrap-around (not reach around) week is one in which I have great interest. This is the week of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Fife, Scotland. The event is contested on three of my favorite courses in the world, the Old Course in St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, and Kingsbarns. As I’ve played fair amount of golf on all three of these wonderful layouts, I’m doing a small post on each one with some photos so you can enjoy watching the event a little bit more.
My good friend and caddie John Boyne of CaddieGolfTours.com (left) and myself at the Home of Golf – No better walk in the world than with John on on the bag and my putter in my hand on the par-3 8th at the Old Course.
The first course I’m going to feature must be the Home of Golf, the Old Course. The Old Course is quite old, an estimated 1,400 years old in fact. The Old is located in the town of St. Andrews, yards from lodging, restaurants, pubs, and next to the North Sea.
Playing the Old Course is quite an experience, one I’m happy to have had four times now. The course is not long by today’s standards, and the hard ground makes it play even shorter. With no wind, modern tour pros will score some very low numbers on the Old. If the wind kicks up though, watch out.
Some of my favorite holes on the Old include #2, a par-4 with a blind tee shot. If one were playing that hole for the first time and without a caddie, that player would have no clue where to hit the tee shot. The green on #2 is amazing. There is a huge hump in front of the green and approach shots must go over that hump and down onto the putting surface. The right side of the green has a huge hump which literally looks like a Volkswagen Beetle was buried there.
The par-3 11th hole is a “bugger” as they say in Scotland. The best I’ve managed on that hole in four attempts is bogey. The tee shot is very difficult as winds are often shoving the ball hard left to right. The green slants back to front severely and bunkers guard the front, making chip shots tough.
My favorite hole at the Old is the Road Hole, the tough par-4 17th. This is the most famous single golf hole on the planet. The Road Hole is where I scored by far the greatest par I’ll ever have. I know I’ll NEVER top it in my lifetime. I went out of bounds on my tee shot, hitting the Old Course Hotel observatory. After re-teeing and ending up in the left rough, I holed out a hybrid from 196 yards for par.
My great golf friends all bunkered in the Road Hole bunker!
The 17th is also the location of one of my worst single hole scores, when I could not get out of waist deep rough left of the fairway.
Pulling my amazing hole-out par ball from the hole on the 17th Road Hole. FORE!
The 18th at the Old is the hole I have the best record on. In four rounds I’m -2 lifetime. Two pars and two birdies. Many modern pros can drive the green on this short par-4. Upon further reflection, I’ve played this hole more than four times. There are a couple of “midnight” rounds on this hole where the only two clubs in the bag were a putter and a 5th of scotch. My best score on the 18th when using only a putter? Bogey. Brilliant.
Conclusion
Playing the Old Course is a unique experience in golf. There is NO course like it with its shared greens, holes which crisscross each other, and of course the amazing terrain. It is truly a special experience, and one which is best experienced with a local Old Course caddie on the bag.
Swilcan Bridge
More Old Course Photos
Click the following link to access my library of St. Andrews Old Course photos
Two days ago I had intended to write a great blog post and course review featuring Carnoustie Golf Links in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. At that point in time writing a single word became as difficult as this legendary golf links is to play. Where would I start? How could I possibly convey how special of place it is? I felt like my limited blogging/writing skills could not do justice to this golf course which is known by many as the toughest test of golf in the world, a place which has hosted seven Open Championships, a senior Open Championship, the British Amateur Championship, and Women’s British Open.
Carnoustie Golf Links – click for larger image
Getting There
Carnoustie is about an hour’s drive north of St. Andrews, but not as the crow flies. The North Sea is due north of St. Andrews, and you can actually see Carnoustie way off in the distance across the water. The drive to Carnoustie takes you northwest through the town of Dundee, Scotland, crossing the River Tay via the Tay Road Bridge.
From there the drive is somewhat down the coastline northeast, but not much of the coast can be seen. It is mostly residential and industrial areas.
18th Green and Carnoustie Golf Hotel
The Place
When arriving at Carnoustie the first thing you notice is the large white hotel, the Carnoustie Golf Hotel, an Oxford property. The pro shop used to be in the hotel, but was moved when a new clubhouse was built.
The new clubhouse is a unique structure architecturally. Inside is a nice open center area with many windows. The pro shop is very well appointed with a ton of fantastic Carnoustie apparel, accessories, and golf gear. As you walk in, there’s a display of showing the Claret Jug and a tribute to the seven Open Championships played there.
There are actually three golf courses on the property, the famous one being the Championship Course. The other two courses are the Burnside and the Buddon. Those two are fun to play as I’m told by my golf playing partners who were lucky enough to play them the day before I arrived.
History
There is so much history at Carnoustie. Nearly every Open Championship contested there had an amazing moment or story behind it.
Ben Hogan Plaque
Perhaps the most famous Carnoustie Open win, and that point could be a great argument to have, was Ben Hogan’s win in 1953. This was the ONLY Open Championship Ben Hogan ever played in. And did you know at that time the British Golf ball Hogan had to play with was smaller? The victory at the Open was Hogan’s third major championship in the calendar year 1953. There’s a plaque on the 6th hole at Carnoustie, a 578 yard par-5, denoting the hole’s name, “Hogan’s Alley.”
Tommy Armour won the first Open at Carnoustie with a score of +8 for four rounds in 1931. In 1937 Henry Cotton won the Open there with a score of +6. Tom Watson won his first major championship at Carnoustie in 1975. Padraig Harrington won the Open there in 2007 after hitting two shots in the Barry Burn.
The most infamous Open at Carnoustie was in 1999 when French golfer Jean van de Velde only needed a double bogey on the final hole to win. He famously ended up in the Barry Burn and attempted to hit a shot out, to the astonishment of everyone on the planet except himself. He ended up carding a triple bogey and losing in a playoff to Paul Lawrie. Having stood near that spot, not IN the burn mind you, I cannot believe the thought even crossed his mind.
The Course
I’m not sure what I expected out of Carnoustie. I thought perhaps the course would have fangs, claws, and hurricane force winds. I thought a round in which I finished alive would be good. Two golf pals found out I was playing there. Both bet that as a two handicap, I could not break 100. That became my goal, break 100. One of the two gents bet me $100 and the other $200.
There were certainly winds, but after being in Scotland for several days, I hardly noticed them. I started out very well with a solid par on the first hole. Fairway in regulation, green in regulation, 2-putt and move on. One of my friends encountered trouble on the first hole. He was left of the dunes on the left side of the fairway. I don’t believe he ever found it.
Fantastic bunkering at Carnoustie – click to zoom
On the 2nd hole I hit a fine drive and once again found the fairway. I then struck a pure 6-iron to about 12 feet short right of the pin. I made the putt. One under par after two on one of the world’s toughest courses. No complaints.
I made two more pars on the 3rd and 4th. The first five holes of the course are par-4’s. The 5th hole took a small bite out of my score. I made a bogey after missing the fairway and then missing the green in regulation. The green on #5 is amazing, very deep with three large tiers.
So here I am, coming into the 578 yard par-5 6th hole, better known as Hogan’s Alley. Left of the hole is a road and left of that one of the other two courses out of bounds. To the right are some massive bunkers which Hogan made a point to avoid in the 1953 Open Championship. The bunkers got me psyched out so naturally I hooked by drive OB left. Ball on road. Double bogey here I come.
For my 3rd shot I hit a nice drive left of the big bunkers and right of the OB fence. In the wind I hit a 6-iron layup to the fairway. My approach wedge was held up by the wind and ended up on some crazy undulations left of the green just a few feet. Somehow my caddie and I read the putt right, only about 20 feet of break in a 15 foot putt. I made it for a bogey. Made a birdie on the 2nd ball.
Carnoustie Golf Links – click to enlarge
Through six holes and after going OB on Hogan’s alley, I was quite happy to be only one over par.
I made a double on the par-4 7th because of finding an impossible bunker way right of the fairway. Made bogey on the par-3 8th. Nine, a beautiful hole, was a par.
Four over on the front with an OB ball and a double. Not bad.
The back nine was a bit more of a blur. The winds were kicking up and I was finding it tougher and tougher to keep it going. I started out bogey-bogey-double. The double was the result of the one terrible shot I hit that day, a drive which went about 30 feet into gorse in front of the tee.
On the 459 yard par-4 15th my caddie told me to put the driver away and hit 4-iron. I listened and I’m glad I did. My iron kept the ball short of the bunkers on the right of this dogleg left. I was 256 out with a little wind at my back. The caddie handed me the 5-iron and told me to aim about 20 yards left of the flag. Once again I listened. Once again I’m glad I did. The ball hit hard and released to the right, finishing 10 feet past the pin. That was easily the best 5-iron I’ve ever hit. Unfortunately I didn’t make the birdie putt but had an easy tap-in par.
The next hole was the very tough par-3 16th, 245 yards. My caddie handed me the 4-iron. At this point I completely trusted his club selections. Glad I did. The solid iron shot ended up about five feet past the hole. My putter failed again, but once again had a tap-in par.
17 is a tough par-4 where the Barry Burn comes into play. I pulled my driver left, naturally on a line to the spot where the burn was closer. I lucked out and my ball ended up about three feet short. Missed approach shot, two-putt bogey.
The finishing 18th is a tough hole as well. Just ask Johnny Miller, who took two to get out of the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Those two strokes blew his shot at an Open Championship. I beat Johnny Miller then, because it only took me one shot. A solid 8-iron to the green and I two-putted for a bogey. My friend Shane scored an amazing par on the 18th, never having hit any woods. Iron-iron-two putt.
Back nine score: 42. Total score 82. Broke 100 with 18 shots to spare! Pay up pals.
After the round our car was not ready to pick us up, so we had a “wee pint” across the street at the Caledonia Golf Club bar, a pleasant experience with some local flavor.
Carnoustie 8th Tee – Click to zoom
Conclusion
Had I not gagged on a few shots I could have easily broken 80. But had I had a few more bad swings or the wind was stronger, I could have easily had a hard time breaking 90.
Carnoustie is a very unique course, not like any other course I’ve experienced. The bunkering there is neater, cooler, better, more strategic than any other course I’ve ever played. The dunes and landscape there are stunning. Despite being a “links” course, no water can be seen from any hole.
My caddie was a young chap, probably 18-19 years old, and a member of the club. He was fantastic and I enjoyed the round that much more because of him and his solid skills.
Finally, the experience was special because I spent the round with three great golfing pals, a group of buddies who has now done two Scotland golf trips together. We are forming a unique scottish bond, we three chaps. The “four lads” plan to return to Scotland in 2015.
Can’t wait. I hope to return to Carnoustie in 2015.
Welcome to part dos of the 2013 Hooked On Golf Blog Year in Review. The 2nd half of this great year started off in golf mecca…
Carnoustie Golf Links – click for more images
July
On July 1, 2013 I played the Old Course in St. Andrews with my best friend in the world, and the best Old Course caddie John “Boynie” Boyne of Caddie Golf Tours. I made a tactical error by reducing the loft of my driver one degree because it was so bloody windy. That made my driving accuracy awful as I had more sidespin. Consequently the Old Lady ate my lunch and crushed my confidence! I gained new respect for the Old Course.
Through the first week of July my Scotland golf trip continued. I played the absolutely fabulous Kingsbarns Golf Links in mega-wind. I hit a downhill 4-iron 128 yards and a crushed hybrid 132 yards! Solid!
I played Carnoustie, considered the toughest golf course in the world. I was even par after passing through Hogan’s Alley! I was -1 through 4. Solid 82.
Played two rounds on the Castle Course, another on the Old Course, and a round on the Torrance Course.
The final round of the Scotland trip was special, and the first round I broke 80. We played the wonderful Balcomie Golf Links in Crail. That round changed my perspective with regards to what I’d like to do the next time I’m golfing in Scotland. The next trip will be a tour of the coastline, playing every course which comes along the way.
Two weeks after I got back from Scotland my heart was aching to be back in Scotland as I watched Phil Mickelson win the Scottish Open, then the Open Championship a week later.
Continuing on with possibly the best July on record for me, I did a media trip to Cabo San Lucas and played the #1 (Diamante Dunes) and #2 (Cabo Del Sol) courses in Mexico. So in a one month period I played 4-5 of the top 50 courses in the WORLD.
Yeah, July did not suck.
Homestead Resort – Midway, Utah
August
Forgot to mention that starting at Kingsbarns in Scotland, I proceeded to play every round from the first week of July to August 8th without losing a golf ball. In total I played 199 holes of golf without losing a ball. Yeah, I couldn’t get to 200. Idiot. Choker.
In the most groundbreaking golf apparel event EVER, I posted my PGA Championship apparel script.
Jason Dufner won the PGA Championship in boring fashion. Then, the most exciting part of the week was when he grabbed his wife’s ass on the 18th green in front of about 20 billion people. Nicely played.
Sadly, the new club president at my men’s association ran the club into the ground. Only six people showed up for the championship.
The HOG World Tour went to Midway, Utah.
Diamante Dunes 16 Green
September
I released a new Hooked On Golf Blog site design which adapts to the screen size of the device, such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
I did a lot of apparel reviews in September, including underwear guaranteed to shave strokes.
I posted my review of Mexico’s #1 golf course, Diamante Dunes. Fabulous.
Jack Nicklaus released his own golf balls. Ironically they were not “rolled back.”
Nice shoes…
October
In a yawner, the USA Team won the Presidents Cup. The International Team has only won the event once, EVER.
A skinny female streaker who wasn’t quite naked ran at the Presidents Cup because “golf is boring.”
Somehow, someone stole a 200 pound 3×3 foot golf ball. FORE!
Sadly, one of my home clubs, Hidden Valley CC, was sabotaged and many trees killed. Around the same time the club members voted down a Rees Jones redesign. Smart!
My wife bought me a gift for my birthday which changed my whole perspective on photography and video, literally. It is a remote control helicopter with camera mount.
My son Seve’s 1st birthday. What a special time.
Aerial Golf Photos!
November
Caught the first look at the new HOG headcovers from Ecktron Performance. Coolest head covers ever.
Started posting aerial photos of golf courses.
HOG World Tour visited Kanab, Utah and the Grand Canyon.
I reviewed the Cleveland Golf Smart Square putter.
I called out golf media for their shameless objectification of hot lady golfers like Natalie Gulbis, Anna Rawson, Blair O’Neal, and Holly Saunders.
Chi Chi Rodriguez hit himself in the chi-chis. OUCH.
In possibly my best and most in-depth review ever, I wrote about the Little Tikes golf set my 1 year old baby plays with.
December
Posted the 2013 Hooked On Golf Blog Turkey of the Year Awards. The winner was not Tiger Woods…
I reviewed The Ball, the Ecco Street Evo One shoes, the Cobra Baffler XL Hybrid, and the Under Armour Phenom sunglasses.
Jason Dufner won the inaugural “Most Entertaining Golfer of the Year” award.
I posted a reality check for golf inventors after finding about 50 versions of a ground breaking invention on ebay and online.
« Previous
1
…
3
4
5
6
Next »
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
