A Pictorial: St. Andrews!!! (18th Hole Discussion Now In Session)

[David Stamm]

I was staggered by all the parked cars up the right of the 18th! I don't know what % of golfers slice their tee shots there but it must be quite high

her t-shot
Last October I played with a person who hit a VW on her t-shot, then hit a BMW with her second and still made a par!

In this particular case, would this type of par be called a German-ie?

[Andy Gray]

This probably isn't the first time someone has said this, but when I walked around the old course (couldn't afford to play - backpacking) the course seemed almost smaller than I imagined. I always had this preconceived notion that the place would be vast, but found it to be quite intimate. I'm not sure if I'm alone in this reaction?

Andy

[Kyle Henderson]

11th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_11.html


The tee shot crisscrosses the line of play for the 7th hole -- that hole runs from left of frame to the white flag on the right side of the green. On this day, the pin was been placed rather unmercifully behind the famed Strath bunker, especially given the strong tailwind.


A closer look at the Shell and Strath bunkers and the steep, shaved fall away fronting the green.


I tried to get cute with my approach and play just left of the Strath bunker. Slight push = Oops. I did manage to get out in one with my 50-degree wedge (I don‘t carry anything with more loft), though my ball clipped the top corner and came to rest just short of the putting surface. Up and down from there for bogey.


Missing long is no bargain either.

Great hole!!!

[Kyle Henderson]

This probably isn't the first time someone has said this, but when I walked around the old course (couldn't afford to play - backpacking) the course seemed almost smaller than I imagined. I always had this preconceived notion that the place would be vast, but found it to be quite intimate. I'm not sure if I'm alone in this reaction?

Andy

Given the shared greens and fairways, TOC occupies very little acreage (does anyone have an exact figure?). But giver the large number of daily players and the Eden and New courses hugging its periphery, I didn't find the course particularly intimate.

[Adam Clayman]

I think the first fact I ever knew about TOC was that it was built on land that doesn't exceed 100 yard yards in width. That always amazed me and implies intimacy. Of course, that first factoid was from the early '80's. Another one told to me at that time... All the Royal courses weren't that great of golf courses. 

[Andy Gray]

This probably isn't the first time someone has said this, but when I walked around the old course (couldn't afford to play - backpacking) the course seemed almost smaller than I imagined. I always had this preconceived notion that the place would be vast, but found it to be quite intimate. I'm not sure if I'm alone in this reaction?

Andy

Given the shared greens and fairways, TOC occupies very little acreage (does anyone have an exact figure?). But giver the large number of daily players and the Eden and New courses hugging its periphery, I didn't find the course particularly intimate.

Perhaps intimate was the wrong word, however I think we are on the same track. The only experience I had of the old course before seeing it was in the Tiger Woods golf game, and the 2005 Open coverage. My imagination had pictured the course being this huge expansive place, with massive bunkers and dunes etc. only to actually see that it is quite small (except for the greens). I was talking more along the lines of first impresisons. My first impression was walking onto the 9th fairway after strolling across to the course from the beach. I also thought that to stand on one tee box and watch 5-6 holes being played was phenomenal (11th tee). I hope you can decipher my jibberish.

Cheers,

Andy

[Kyle Henderson]

This probably isn't the first time someone has said this, but when I walked around the old course (couldn't afford to play - backpacking) the course seemed almost smaller than I imagined. I always had this preconceived notion that the place would be vast, but found it to be quite intimate. I'm not sure if I'm alone in this reaction?

Andy

Given the shared greens and fairways, TOC occupies very little acreage (does anyone have an exact figure?). But giver the large number of daily players and the Eden and New courses hugging its periphery, I didn't find the course particularly intimate.

Perhaps intimate was the wrong word, however I think we are on the same track. The only experience I had of the old course before seeing it was in the Tiger Woods golf game, and the 2005 Open coverage. My imagination had pictured the course being this huge expansive place, with massive bunkers and dunes etc. only to actually see that it is quite small (except for the greens). I was talking more along the lines of first impresisons. My first impression was walking onto the 9th fairway after strolling across to the course from the beach. I also thought that to stand on one tee box and watch 5-6 holes being played was phenomenal (11th tee). I hope you can decipher my jibberish.

Cheers,

Andy

I understand your perception in the context you present. Given that my first vantage point of the course was from behind the 17th green looking out at the enormous fairway shared by the 1st and last holes, I had a much different initial impression. At no point did I ever feel that the course was narrow, but a strong crosswind would be likely to change my mind.

[Andy Gray]

I understand your perception in the context you present. Given that my first vantage point of the course was from behind the 17th green looking out at the enormous fairway shared by the 1st and last holes, I had a much different initial impression. At no point did I ever feel that the course was narrow, but a strong crosswind would be likely to change my mind.
[/quote]

Agreed. Back to the hole in question, I remember standing behind the green looking at the swale thinking "that must be one of the most difficult recovery shots in golf". I was desperate to grab a club and ball from somewhere and just pitch around that area for hours, trying to invent new ways of getting to different sections of the green. It's safe to say I was drooling and very envious of all the happy people around me playing the course.

[Jeff Taylor]

The 11th was my favorite hole on the golf course. On our special day, the pin was placed on the back center shelf. My playing partner found the front bunker but managed to provide the most exciting shot of our trip. Check the sky closely for the little white ball.
What a great hole and what a great place during the round to encounter it.

[Scott Warren]

I hit my shot at 11 onto the portion of the green used for the 7th and three putted from 120-150ft for a bogey. Having looked back at my pics and now at Kyle's, I can't help but feel I got lucky and standing 100+ feet away with a putter wasn't such a bad place to be after all

[Mark Pearce]

Regarding the 9th, my one time playing it I hit driver onto the middle of the green and made a 40 foot putt for eagle.

In all seriousness it is one of the weaker holes on the course and not much of a challenge for a low handicap player much less a pro.  Next year for the Open I suspect every player will consider it a par 3.  Anything over a 3 will be a disappointment.

A post which shows no understanding of how the wind works.  Played into a strong left to right headwind yesterday there was no way anyone but the very best players could get there from the yellow tees, let alone the championship tees.  Of course it isn't one of the hardest holes on the course but in the right wind it can catch good players out, particularly if they feel they should make 3.

[Jeff Doerr]

Just amazing Kyle!

Someday I have got to get over there.

[Kyle Henderson]

12th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_12.html


Tee shots should favor the left or right edges of the fairway to avoid the hidden central bunkers when winds do not allow one to simply bomb their drive straight over them. Many say this hole plays better in reverse, as it was originally routed.


Conservative players can lay up short of Stroke bunker with a mid-iron, leaving a short iron approach (again, assuming winds are relatively calm). Note that the other central hazards are still invisible from this range.


A view of the left/front approach to the 12th pin.


Looking across from the 12th to the 6th pin (right to left with respect to the line of play on the 12th).

 

[Bill_McBride]

My favorite caddy at St Andrews has me drive well right, toward the road that separates the Old from the Eden course.  There are no bunkers over there, and the approach is pretty much down the axis of the green.  You have lots of room to hit 3 wood past Stroke bunker without fear of going in it. It's still tough to get the second shot on the proper tier of the green.

The Reverse play (13th tee to 11th green) is a daunting hole, with the second played over the Hill Bunker, but at least you get a good look at the fairway bunkers from there.  In the standard routing, the fairway bunkers are invisible. 

[Scott Warren]

Bill, I suspected that approaching from the right, so you are rolling straight over the step in the green, rather than from an angle, was the best play. Seems you and your caddy agree. Can't bloody wait to get back...

[Jamie Barber]

I can't remember now where the tee was, but on my one and only visit I hit a 3iron here through the back of the green and my partner hit a 6 iron, such was the strength of the tailwind!

[Bill_McBride]

Bill, I suspected that approaching from the right, so you are rolling straight over the step in the green, rather than from an angle, was the best play. Seems you and your caddy agree. Can't bloody wait to get back...

His name is Bruce Sorley and he is the best I've found there.

[Kyle Henderson]

My favorite caddy at St Andrews has me drive well right, toward the road that separates the Old from the Eden course.  There are no bunkers over there, and the approach is pretty much down the axis of the green. 

Unless of course the wind is howling from the left. Then you might consider a different line!

[Bill_McBride]

My favorite caddy at St Andrews has me drive well right, toward the road that separates the Old from the Eden course.  There are no bunkers over there, and the approach is pretty much down the axis of the green. 

Unless of course the wind is howling from the left. Then you might consider a different line!

Howling from the left?  God help you, laddie! 

[Kyle Henderson]

13th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_13.html

The tee shot.


A look at the fairway and its assorted hazards.


A closer study of Nick’s bunker with The Coffins beyond. Note the wind blown sand. The aiming pole for the 6th hole is seen at left in front of the shelter on the horizon.


I drove left, into the “6th fairway,” and was rewarded with a view through the gap to the 13th green.


A closer view of the approach with the Lion's Mouth fronting the green (scroll right to see a piece of the Walkinshaw bunker).


A close-up view of the massive green shared by the 13th and 5th.

[Leo Barber]

On the teeing ground my playing partner informed me that "this is where the golf course really starts" I guess in reference to the really testing holes coming home into the breeze that we had in front of us.  I somehow threaded the coffin bunkers with my drive which I was never certain of until I approached my ball and had it identified!  I then played possibly the best three iron I have ever struck pin high 6-7m from the hole (bare in mind this is the biggest green by area on the course and 6-7m looks like a tap in in comparison to what putt you may have!).  I am not sure how to explain but the shots you hit on The Old Course, if struck well, will also be regarded as the best shots you have ever played. 

[Kyle Henderson]

14th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_14.html

The 14th can be played any number of ways. It constantly questions golfers that attempt to tame it.

Will you challenge the wall to find the Elysian Fields or play left?

Can you avoid the trouble separating the 5th and 14th fairways (The Beardies, among other hazards)?

Can the green or even the fairway just short of the putting surface be reached with your second shot or will you lay-up short of Hell bunker?

Will you try to attack the flag or play to the right side of the green?

Where is the best place to miss the green (looking across the green from the 14th pin to the 4th, scroll right)?

If you find yourself out of position, can you negotiate the perils that guard the front of the green?

The answers to these questions will ever be in flux.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Kyle wonderful pictures and a great tour. One of the GCA highlights for me. Thank you.

I was hoping you'd go just a little faster because very shortly after I finish this post ...the car is packed, the road is waiting and tommorrow afternoon I arrive in St Andrews for the first time.   The anticipation has been all the sweeter over the past few days while following this thread.

[Andy Hughes]

Hell looks so tidy.

[Mark Arata]

T minus 22 days and counting until my first trip.........cant wait!