I've only seen a few pictures of The Old Course on here, so I though I'd offer up some that I took last week.
In short, TOC is even more fascinating, memorable, beautiful, etc. than I ever imagined. Describing the experience fully is beyond my expressive abilities, and I doubt I have anything to say that hasn't been said before, so I'll pretty much just leave it to the pictures.
#1. Much tougher opener than I expected. A very long 350 yards into the wind.
Understated but oh so beautiful
The opening drive--so wide and intimidating at the same time
Not a typical approach but where you can end up if you bail left (which I did)
#2. Probably the best hole on the course that the average fan knows nothing about
Tough driving hole, w/ more room to the right than it looks
Very difficult to get it close w/ the pin on the left
A typical third shot on the 2nd, which could end up anywhere. Had never seen anything like this before on a golf course.
#4.
Blind approach if you bail left
#5. Reachable par 5 but far from a gimme birdie, especially into the wind. Hard to get it close on the 100 yard green.
Decision must be made whether to try to clear the bunkers on the second shot
#6.
The blind drive
Fairly straightforward approach with a solid drive
#7.
Another (at least semi) blind drive
The approach to the left takes Shell Bunker out of play and uses the width of the green
#8. Tough to get it close at this Par 3 that's little more than a pitch from the regular tees. Probably plays tougher downwind
#9. More to this hole than it looks. The drive must avoid the bunkers (apparently Tiger played 7 iron off the tee here in 2000). And the green can lull you to sleep with it's lack of definition--saw a lot of birdie putts lip out here.
Don't go in the bunkers
#10.
Again, just stay out of the bunkers
Tough to get this chip close
#11. My favorite hole and the toughest par on the course. Unbelievable how long it plays into the wind. I didn't realize how good my intial par was here; I'd take a 4 anytime.
Photo does not do the slope of the green justice. This putt is next to impossible to get close, or even keep within 20 feet.
#12. Brilliant hole, where I found out you can make anywhere from 3 to 8
No idea where all the bunkers are so just go ahead and hit it
Devilish little second shot
#13.
Good driving hole; gotta keep it right of or hit it over the bunkers
Very difficult approach where you just can't get a line--leads to a lot of 100 foot putts, especially downwind.
#14. Best par 5 I've ever played. The view into town from the tee is worth the greens fee alone.
But don't get too distracted or the Eden course comes into play
While maybe not for professionals, Hell Bunker is in play for most amatuers
#15.
The approach, about as straightforward as it gets on TOC
#16.
Unless you challenge the OB right you're left with this ticklish approach
#17. Everything it's cracked up to be. You simply have to hit a series of very good golf shots, or at least one brilliant one, to make a 4 here.
I hit the hotel and/or the Jigger Inn my first two times.
The approach--insane if you don't aim short and right
Not the place to miss
The view from behind in the early morning
#18. Tough to make a 3 here with the nerves and the green contours
All the room in the world off the tee (though as I found out the Rusacks Hotel is well in play)
At least 2 golfers in each group seem to have this shot from the Valley of Sin...and three putt
