Game Changers: St Andrews' hard and easy holes
The British Open is starting today at Scotland’s St Andrews Old Course, and unlike other golf courses the famous links has seen little changes made to its layout. The last rerouting of the course took place 137 years ago, for some that may seem like a long time but considering its 600 year history, 137 years represents a only a third of the links existence.
There has been a significant tweak to the Old Course for the 2010 British Open. The course has been lengthened at the famous “Road Hole”. The 455- yard No.17 hole is considered amongst golfers as the hardest par four hole in the world, and notably so. The unique hole has a tee shot played over a building, yes – played over a building, and a road and wall that is in play behind the green. The greenside pot bunker has seen many a ball and player trapped there, and lies at the bottom of a slope off the green.
A bad episode on the Road Hole can throw the whole game. It has been lengthened 40 feet to a total of 495 yards and will challenge players and determine who the best in the game is - or at least who is having the best luck. Padraig Harrington defends the changes and insists it will restore the fear the hole once held over golfers. The Irish golfer believes the challenge does not lie in its length but in the angle of approach:
“It’s an intimidating tee shot and a tight fairway but the way I look at it you always want to make sure that the guy who wins the Open is tested at some stage coming down the stretch.”
The Road Hole is one of about ten that will have a serious effect on who walks away with the trophy and $7 million purse. Here is a list of some other tough holes to make sure you watch:
The No. 2 par four “d**e”, 453 yards
This hole has a deep unforgiving bunker that goes by the name Cheape’s bunker. Golfers are well away of this hazard, and will try to steer clear of the left side of the fairway where it resides. If a golfer is unlucky enough to find themselves there it will not be an easy shot to get out of. In 2005 40 yards were added for the Open and really brought the bunker into play.
No.9 par four “End”, 352 yards
The End is the last hole going out, and is an obtainable par four though no easy feat. A golfer must pass two bunkers in the middle of the fairway just short of the green. The hole never scores as easily as one might think, and gorse and heather line the left side.
No.14 par five “Long”, 618 yards
Aptly named, Long Hole is the longest on the course and its difficulty level is dependent on the direction of the wind. With an east blowing breeze, the hole is a long three shot par five. The tee shot is difficult; and out of bounds on the right and four bunkers to the left make getting to the steep green a challenging feat.
No.11 par three “High”, 175 yards
Like so many of St Andrews’ holes the wind direction and speed can dramatically impact a shot. The green slopes at a severe angle from left to right and front to back. The gully behind the green prohibits a come-back approach, and the ball can’t be short or it will run away off the green. There is also little bunker in front of the green and a deeper one to the left.
Some of the easier holes are the No.6 par four “Heathery” hole which sees a plentitude of birdies, as does the No.7 “High”, No.10 “Bobby Jones”, and No.3 “Cartgate”. By far the easiest hole is the No.5 “Hole O’Cross”, and can be easily reached in two shots although the 90-yard green can increase the difficulty of an eagle putt.
The most dramatic hole is the No.18 “Tom Morris”, named after the first British Open winner in 1861. Around 1863 Morris separated the first green from the 17th hole to create an 18th hole on a course that includes seven double greens.
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