St Andrews

Golf was sufficiently prevalent in the 15th century for King James II of Scotland to ban it, for he thought it was contributing to the nation's poor performances on the battle field.

Contents 1 The Course 1.1 Hole 1 1.2 Hole 2 1.3 Hole 3 1.4 Hole 4 1.5 Hole 5 1.6 Hole 6 1.7 Hole 7 1.8 Hole 8 1.9 Hole 9 1.10 Hole 10 1.11 Hole 11 1.12 Hole 12 1.13 Hole 13 1.14 Hole 14 1.15 Hole 15 1.16 Hole 16 1.17 Hole 17 1.18 Hole 18

After several ignored attempts to ban it, (even his successors ignored him), golf flourished. In 1691, St Andrews was described as "a Metropolis of golfing."

The first official golf club was set up in 1754, by twenty-two 'Noblemen and Gentlemen'. They founded the St Andrews Society of Golfers. In 1834, this became the Royal & Ancient Golf Clu, courtesy of King William IV.

St Andrews is regarded as the home of golf.

The golf course itself is unique. It is "out and back," which suggests no variety in the holes. It has double greens and shared fairways, which are not seen on many other courses in the world. The numerous pot bunkers (which are named, again unique to St Andrews) allow, as Bernard Darwin put it, "for an angry man and his niblick." The double greens occasionally are more than an acre in size. The Old Course does not resemble any other golf course in the world.

[edit] The Course

[edit] Hole 1

"Burn", Par 4, 376 yards

With its wide fairway and short length, this should be one of the easiest holes on the course, but if the wind blows from the north east across the Eden Estuary, the second shot can be quite formidable. Judging the carry across the burn is very difficult, especially if the pin is close to the front. Add to this the nerves everyone experiences on the first tee of the Old Course, especially in The Open championship.

[edit] Hole 2

"Dyke", Par 4, 413 yards

The skill of the ancient design shows here. The best way for a second shot to the green comes from the right, but that is where the gorse is to be found. A much safer drive to the left, provided you miss Cheape's Bunker, leaves an awkward approach route to the flag.

[edit] Hole 3

"Cartgate-Out", Par 4, 397 yards

There is trouble on the right from the tee, so the temptation to drive safely to the left can leave a difficult second shot over undulating terrain… a bad bounce can be the reward.

[edit] Hole 4

"Ginger Beer", Par 4, 464 yards

The decision-making process starts after the tee-shot. Golfers can either hit their second shot left or right of the hump in front of the green. With the Students bunker on the left, the general option is to go right.

[edit] Hole 5

"Hole-O'Cross-Out", Par 5, 568 yards

Although long hitters have the power to get home in two, a severe slope in front of the green can kill the second shot. On the other hand, if such a shot reaches the green, it can bound across one of the game's biggest putting surfaces… many a three-putt is the result.

[edit] Hole 6

"Heathery-Out", Par 4, 412 yards

There is a ridge in front of the green, which means golfers have to be spot on with their judgement if they decide to run the ball in. Most prefer the lofted shot.

[edit] Hole 7

"High-Out", Par 4, 388 yards

A greedy tee shot, attempting to cut the corner on this dog leg, can find an unplayable lie on the right. Even a safe drive leaves a difficult second over Cockle bunker onto a green which sweeps the ball away to the right.

[edit] Hole 8

"Short-Out", Par 3, 175 yards

Only the top half of the flag can be seen from the tee, so it is easy to think the hole is shorter than it is. The green is relatively tame.

[edit] Hole 9

"End", Par 4, 352 yards

If you are going to make a birdie on the outward nine, this is the best chance. Avoid Boase's Bunker and you could tame this one with a good pitch to a flat green.

[edit] Hole 10

"Bobby Jones", Par 4, 379 yards

This hole looks easy but a ridge in front of the green makes the second shot difficult to judge and the green, shared with the 8th, is one the players find difficulty in reading.

[edit] Hole 11

"High-In", Par 3, 174 yards

The wind plays a key role in deciding how to tackle the hole. If it comes from behind, then the best option is to drop the tee-shot short and allow the ball to run onto the green. If the wind is against, then there is the chance to go straight at the flag.

[edit] Hole 12

"Heathery-In", Par 4, 314 yards

Possibly the most deceitful hole on the course. Hidden fairway bunkers turn what appears to be a simple drive into the opposite. Then the green, particularly if the pin is put to the right, finds the hole on a small table top. A fraction short with the pitch and the ball rolls back. Aggression finds it rolling over and off the other side. Either way, down in two more is considered a great success.

[edit] Hole 13

"Hole-O'Cross-In", Par 3, 198 yards

A ridge of rough ground protrudes from the right and leaves only a narrow gap to place the tee shot if any view of the flag is to be enjoyed. Then a short deep bunker tempts you to "be up" and results in a monster first putt as the ball generally bounds way past.

[edit] Hole 14

"Long", Par 5, 581 yards

A frightening tee shot. From the elevated championship tee, your eyes are drawn to the dyke which runs along the right of the hole, with the costly out of bounds over it. A safe drive to the left must find its way past the Beardies bunkers. Anyone driving short and safe has to then carry the mighty Hell Bunker with the second, which is a huge carry even from a long drive.

[edit] Hole 15

"Cartgate-In", Par 4, 456 yards

Finish up on the right off the tee and the green is obscured. That makes the bunker just short of the green on the left even more dangerous.

[edit] Hole 16

"Corner of the Dyke", Par 4, 424 yards

The green has undulations front and back, so it is easiest approached by a tee shot played past the fairway bunker on its right. But this means travelling between it and the out of bounds fence. Many prefer to drive safely left and take a chance with the second.

[edit] Hole 17

"Road", Par 4, 455 yards

Probably the most difficult 17th hole anywhere. Imagine when it was originally intended as a par five. The tee shot played safely left of the railway sheds and club-making factory. The second laid up to the right, where a pitch could avoid the deep bunker. Then reduce that to a par four. You drive over where those buildings were. As far right as you dare, in order to open up the green and pass the bunker, yet avoid running over onto the road. Very tough!

[edit] Hole 18

"Tom Morris", Par 4, 357 yards

Shared with the 1st, this is probably the widest fairway in golf, but he who drives bravely down the right finds the better route to the green. The safe drive left means judging the best way through the Valley of Sin: a Scottish chip and run, or a full pitch searching for backspin. Doug Sanders tried the latter and three putts later it had cost him The Open.

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