Standing on the first tee of the Old Course at St. Andrews, a strange calm washed over me. The nerves that typically plague my game had vanished. Six holes later, after holing out an eagle on the ninth, I turned to where my father would have stood and whispered, "That's for you, Dad." Twenty years after his passing, I broke down in tears on golf's holiest ground, feeling his presence in a way I hadn't experienced since losing him.

This transformative journey through the UK revealed the stark differences between American and Scottish golf cultures. While American courses often emphasize manicured aesthetics and cart-based play, Scottish links golf embraces the natural terrain and walking. At Carnoustie, I watched children and women casually enjoying the same championship courses the pros struggle with during major championships. The local clubs function as community centers where golf is accessible to all – with memberships at world-class venues costing a fraction of American prices and programs ensuring every child receives free lessons and equipment.

Course design philosophy differs dramatically as well. Conversations with architect Mike DeVries reinforced that great courses should be playable and engaging for everyone, not just elite players. This contrasts sharply with American golf's obsession with length and difficulty that caters to professionals while forgetting that most golfers shoot in the 90s and drive the ball modest distances. The Scottish approach treats golf as more than a game – it's a communal experience, an honor code, and a way of life connecting generations.

After playing 169 holes in seven days (all rounds under four hours while walking!), I've returned with a renewed connection to why I love this game. The experience at St. Andrews wasn't just about golf – it was about reconnecting with joy on the course and feeling my father's influence once more. If you have the means to take the person who introduced you to golf to St. Andrews, do it. There simply isn't a better way to honor what this game truly means.