[Ben Voelker]

I am for the first time making my way through Charles Blair Macdonald's Scotland's Gift and just finished reading chapter 9 entitled "Inception of Ideal Golf Course".  The chapter is remarkable because it puts together an amazing summary of the best features of golf in the UK during that time, including the best holes, courses and features.  CBM's 100 point scale is magical and really gives me a wonderful understanding of what was expected of a course in 1906.

One thing in particular that stuck with me was a short passage regarding the best par 3's, 4's and 5's in the game.  The Road Hole at St. Andrew's is one of only two three shotters specifically mentioned in the text.  The other is 14 at St. Andrew's

I find this fascinating as it is now considered one of the best two shotters in the world.  Given the severity of the green complex, it certainly makes much more sense in many ways as a short 5 than a long 4.  Additionally, by 1906 the Road Hole would have already been copied on at least #2 at Chicago Golf Club (and probably many others I am still unaware of), which leads me to wonder how these were intended to play.

Does anyone know more about the history of the Road Hole.  How long did it play as a par 5?

When did this change and what were the consequences (if any)?

Did this have any immediate effect on how the hole was viewed?

Does it matter to anyone what "par" is assigned, or is that generally irrelevant as its probably still a half par hole today?

[Scott Warren]

Ben,

I believe the par changed from 5 to 4 in 1964 or therabouts.

[Gary Slatter]

Ben, get Scott McPherson's book about the Old Course.  It is very good!

[Simon Holt]

Ben,

I think that the green suits a long par 4 more than a short 5.  Peter Zarlengo and I played 36 the other day and it was one of the things we were talking about, albeit not this specific hole. 

If you are ever going to miss a green in regulation it is probably going to be a long par 4, so by having a complex area around the green such as 17 does it gives the golfer a really interesting 3rd shot. 

It would be a lot less fun as a long par 4 with a large flat green for example.

As it is a 4 most people will still go for the green and be left with a tricky 3rd as the green area is so unique.

As a 5 I think the pattern of play would change dramatically- which ever side of the 'par is just a number' fence you sit.

[Tom_Doak]

Simon:

Your description of it as a par five rings true today, but you're not thinking back far enough.

Imagine it prior to 1900, when most players could only hit it 180-200 yards at a time.  In those days, it would have been paramount to hit two really solid shots to get you up near the foot of the green, so you didn't have to approach it from 100 yards out.  So there's nothing wrong with the concept as a par five, either, as long as it's long enough.

My favorite Road green that we've done is on a short par-4 (almost drivable) at Cape Kidnappers.

[Simon Holt]

Tom,

So the 4th at CK drivable?

I take it that it is made interesting by the dilemma of how far out you leave yourself?  That way it would be similar to 17 at TOC today in the way that by taking an aggressive approach to the hole you have a comparable level of difficulty for your 2nd (3rd at TOC) if you miss the green?

Point taken about the technology available when 17 was a 5.  I was thinking if they continued to drag the tee back towards the ball dispenser on the range then they might make it into a 5 again!!!

[Ben Voelker]

My favorite Road green that we've done is on a short par-4 (almost drivable) at Cape Kidnappers.

Tom,

It seems to me that a short par 4 would play much closer to a shortish par 5 than a long, taxing par 4.  I am not saying the current hole is wrong or bad, I just wonder if the Road Hole has more interest if there are some perceived options from the fairway on a par 5 (or on the tee in CK's case), than just knocking a 5-iron at the green and hoping it holds or bailing out.

Do you (or anyone) know if there are any examples of Road Holes that were copied as par 5's?  I ask because if the original played as a 5 until the 60's, its strange to me that there aren't copies that play the same.

Ben

Ben

[Bill_McBride]

My favorite Road green that we've done is on a short par-4 (almost drivable) at Cape Kidnappers.

Tom,

It seems to me that a short par 4 would play much closer to a shortish par 5 than a long, taxing par 4.  I am not saying the current hole is wrong or bad, I just wonder if the Road Hole has more interest if there are some perceived options from the fairway on a par 5 (or on the tee in CK's case), than just knocking a 5-iron at the green and hoping it holds or bailing out.

Do you (or anyone) know if there are any examples of Road Holes that were copied as par 5's?  I ask because if the original played as a 5 until the 60's, its strange to me that there aren't copies that play the same.

Ben

Ben

Ben, the Road Hole #7 at NGLA is played as a shortish par 5.  I agree it's more fun as a short par 5 as it intensifies the risk/reward element.

[Adrian_Stiff]

McKenzie designed the 15th at Weston Super Mare, replicating bits of the 17th TOC, the drive is blind and better right but its tight,the left is open but you are blocked out by scrubby trees and the green has a bunker that bites into the left. Its about 460 yards so although today its a par 4 I suspect it was a 5 par - 100 years ago. I never knew it was a road-copy untii was mentioned on this site.

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