Scotland is for Lovers (Part 2 "A morning of golf")

Not because of the fun I had did I not catch a wink of sleep, no way it was not that. I was to play golf in the morning at Lothianburn Golf Club on the outskirts of Edinburgh with a classmated named Jess. I had asked reception the day before what the course was like and this is what he told me "Ay Lad, I hope you packed your hiking boots." Anyways, I wake up in the morning around 6:30, put on my golf shoes, grab my tees and golf balls and walk down to the lobby to get some much needed breakfast before my round. The guy at the desk told me, "Well nothing opens in Edinburgh until 8:00AM, so you're best bet for breakfast is McDonalds." Haha I thought, starting a round out the same way I would in Fort Wayne. After a very good cup of white americano java and a sausage egg mcmuffin I was ready to play golf. I knocked on Jess's door and we ended up in a black cab on our way to the course.

I really don't know how to describe the next four hours. Amazing... doesn't even begin to describe it. We wait for the head pro to get to the course in order to get our rental clubs and end up talking to about every Scottish member of the club, each of them asking us... (are you sure you want to play this course). They were right for the most part about the warning, the course was impeccably different than what I am used to in the states. I got my clubs, A Slazenger driver, John Daly Dunlop irons, and a putter that made a ping sound... (I don't remember the name of it, only that when I putted It sounded like the oven was done cooking something)

Jess and I get to the first tee, (bounce tees as they call it) basically you have medal tees where the big boys play, and (bounce tees where your everyday golfer tees it up). Two Scottsmen offered to play with us and show us the course, and let me tell you if it wasn't for those two gentlemen John and Allen we would still be out on that course trying to get off it. I really can't describe what the course was like, built into the mountains, hills, pot bunkers, heavy rough, heather, gourse, and all the works were in it. I could see the entire city of Edinburgh from a few of the holes and the views were breathtaking. I kept wondering how my dad was playing back in the states, and kept telling everyone that I'm going to come back to Scotland one day to play with Dave. It was unreal, on the first nine I was just getting my swing back and went 10+, but on the back I tore it up. Driving two greens under reg. and making pars on 5 holes. 16 was a test of my skills. A 290 yard entirely downhill fairway I was told to pull out a seven iron. I get caught up in the rough about 140 yards from an entirely down hill green. I look at Allen and say, "what do I do here, I'm literally looking straight down on the green and I'm not sure what to do." In true Scottish fashion he says, "Putt it" and heeding his advice I put 140 yards completely downhill and the ball falls on the back left fringe of the green.... (this is the difference really in Scottish golf). I ended up at 5+ on the back and shoot an 86. Pretty good I thought with not having my own clubs and playing on an impossible and unfamiliar course. To all the golfers reading this (grandma, grandpa, dad, uncles aunts, this was the most amazing experience in Scotland and I hope to be able to share with you what it is like to play a truely amazing hillland links style course). ((Dad PS.. we are heading over there in 10 years at the max, so start saving up for the most amazing golf trip you are ever going to have, plus its fine to put out of the fairways there *cough*)

I witnessed generosity as Jess and I said our goodbyes to John and Allen. A Scotsman from the club offered to spare us cab fare expenses and drive us back into the city. When you keep in mind that gas in the UK is about $10 a gallon, this was an amazing act of generosity and friendship. We thanked him again and again, all he said was, "Just tell your friends in the US that you met one decent Scotsman in Scotland." To you sir I raise my glass of coffee and will pay it forward whenever that opportunity arrises though I don't think I run into many tourists in Fort Fun.

I was exhausted after my round of golf, quite possibly the most extraneous and tiring rounds ever. I took a two hour nap to recover and as I wake up I wonder what to do next. My #1 dream done, what do you do with yourself after that??? I was soon to find that Scotland is for lovers. And yes, I do love this country!