Going for the Green

Robert Thompson's comments, criticism and opinion on the world of golf.

Golf Course Reviews – Scotland

Prestwick, Western Gailes, Nairn and Cruden Bay — a tour of Scotland

While I prepare to get around to writing up some of my thoughts on my recent trip to Scotland, I thought I’d point you to Ian Andrew’s blog. Ian, a golf architect of some repute, came along on the trip with me to Europe and is busy writing the details of each visit. He’s already ... read more »

Preview: The Carrick in Loch Lomond, Scotland

Course preview: The Carrick, Loch Lomond, Scotland Doug Carrick is among Canada’s leading golf architects, having created Angus Glen, Bigwin Island and Eagles Nest, among others. In the past two years he’s had the chance to branch out a bit — including a project called, interestingly, The Carrick next to the Loch Lomond course in ... read more »

Review: Crail Golf Club

Review: Crail, Balcomie Links, Crail, Scotland: One of the world’s oldest golf courses, Crail is sublime, strange, wonderful, whimsical and weird — all at the same time. It is also one of the truly great golf experiences to be experienced anywhere.#1 — Boathouse, 328 yards The opening hole is steeply downhill, a strange opener and ... read more »

North Berwick, West Links review

How can you truly review one of the wonders of the golf world? That’s the issue when it comes to North Berwick’s West Links, undoubtedly one of the world’s great golf experiences. Quirky? Yes. Remarkable? Surely. The first issue is finding the course — it is a hard left off the main road as you ... read more »