Nlarkins

Played the National two days ago and didn’t have the best of time (thought the course was over rated and the hospitality was poor). Happy to say that revisiting to play the International, all faith is restored. Course conditions and layout worthy of Championship venue commendations and the hospitality was 100% better. Would recommended this without hesitation!

With regards to the course the greens still show signs of airification which took place last month, and the waste areas are that wet, if they are not holding standing water the ball is actually plugging in some of them! The course layout is very forgiving in the large part which therefore doesn’t provide much of a challenge.

However the biggest issue I had was the greeting. With the exception of the pro shop; specially the bag drop to the starter - I found this facility the least welcoming place I have visited in 20 years of coming to the USA! Not to forget, no towels on the cart, the touch screen GPS being misaligned and also being provided with the wrong scorecard made this a below par experience.

I don't normally do this but I felt compelled to make people aware so they get the chance to maximise the experience.

The course is great. Conditioned well, good layout, nice elevation changes and visually appealing, however I did encounter some downsides.

First, take your own clubs if possible. I understand if you play early enough you may get another option, but after 1100 you are limited to a set of basic clubs. Considering you are playing a 7000+ yd course, you are already up against it. My set comprising of only 11 clubs (with no other options available) did not have a 3,4 or 5, iron. It did contain a 3 & 5 wood with a 5 hybrid however if you are a reasonibly long hitter as you need to be on this course, these regular shaft graphite clubs simply do not cut it. You are left with no way of reaching some of the par 4s because the is no significant difference between the 6 iron, the hybrid and 5 wood - This was my biggest problem.

Considering the number of caddies on the course it's a little disappointing to see so many bunkers with footprints and greens with pitch marks.

Arriving at the 1st tee it seemed to be a little disorganised. Having booked a caddie, I was moved up a tee time, then back to the original one, then up again. I was introduced to 3 different caddies because it appeared that they didn't have enough of them available. With regards to mine I'm afraid that he didn't really enhance the experience other than by carrying my clubs for me on a tough walk. Not once did he clean my ball, he raked 50% of my bunkers and more often than not handed me a driver then disappeared into the distance with no advice.

I did expect a slow round, but 6hrs! Not too much of a problem... No rush as I had all day.

My summary is that you must play this course BUT take your, own clubs if possible, buy a yardage chart and don't bother with a caddie and allow plenty of time.