It’s often the question asked by club golfers when a big event starts: How would you play on this course?
One great feature of watching professional golf is putting yourself in the shoes of the stars and contemplating how you’d perform under such pressure and circumstances.
It’s the turn of DP World Tour Q School, an event that leaves nothing to the imagination with tension and what is on the line. Over 150 players competing for a spot on one of golf’s biggest tours, and possibly their livelihood.
While it’s impossible to simulate these emotions, NCG tackles the debate of breaking 90 at Infinitum, the host of DP World Tour Q School.
ALSO: DP World Tour Q School Preview: Players, dates and the gruelling format
ALSO: Exclusive: Eddie Pepperell on Q School, sprained ankles and ditching the driver
Infinitum Golf Spain: How would you play under such intense Q School conditions?
Yes, says Steve Carroll
Could I break 90 on Infinitum’s Lakes course? Well, here’s the thing. I already have. Now a couple of factors were definitely in my favour when I managed this feat a couple of years ago.
A near monsoon had softened up the greens to the point where it was drop and stick and my partner on the day was head golf professional Andy Gordon. A better guide you won’t find.
At its core, this is a golf resort and the Lakes is a great example of what that entails. So, yes, if you get into deep trouble expect to be punished.
Some of the fairways, though, are on the wide side and there are a few inviting targets where you can open your shoulders. You will pick up bogeys – and doubles are definitely a possibility – but there’s also plenty of opportunity to fashion par or better. You can recover. It makes for an exciting round.
While I’ve got many foibles on the golf course, hitting the ball over water is not one of them. The Lakes course lives up to its name in mighty fashion. Seven holes on the front nine and six on the back all have large amounts of liquid as a central feature.
Advertisement
If you relish that challenge – as I do – then what’s the problem? And if I can go around Royal Troon in 35 Stableford points, surely I can replicate that anywhere?
Clearly, under the pressures of Q School and with a livelihood on the line, how I’d react is open to conjecture. All right, I’d panic. But I’d still fancy my chances of posting something in the late 80s.
No, says Mark Townsend
Even the thought of watching golf terrifies me slightly, the thought of playing it always puts me on edge. Put me in among 156 brave hombres who are all trying to sort out their plans for next season and I would be finished.
There are two courses at Infinitum, a par 71 and a 72, so if we were to bogey every hole on the 71 that would get the job done. I play off 8 so losing 10 shots to the course should be doable.
Except I know myself. The simple facts are that I haven’t played a medal for more than three years due to small children that keep arriving in my house. The other bankers are that it takes me half a dozen medals to get the hang of them again, by which time we are into September and I’ve made a mess of another season.
And the real racing certainty is that I can’t chip under pressure. I can barely chip without any undue burden but with the prospect of playing alongside the likes of Rosey and Rors I would be toast.
I’ve not played Infinitum but you would imagine any greenside rough will be the gnarly type where the half-hidden ball either stays where it is or screams through the green, probably into water.
There’s a double right there and this might happen six times. ‘Just play it like a bunker shot,’ they say. I’m rubbish from sand too.
Pop me down for a 94 and I’ll grab your hand off.
NOW READ: This is how to fill time during six rounds of Q School
NOW READ: Does the DP World Tour Q School format need to be so tough?
NOW READ: Should DP World Tour Q School be televised?
Have you been to Infinitum Golf Spain yet? How do you think you’d get on under these conditions? Tell us on X!
Advertisement
