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

[Kyle Henderson]

16th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_16.html

The tee shot presents several choices.



The famed Principle’s Nose occupies the ideal line away from the boundary that demarcates the starboard side from tee to green. The nose is comprised of three separate traps, one of which is visible from the front.


From the right side of the Nose (“Strictly for amateurs,” according to Jack Nicklaus), one can see another of its traps, with the rake handle providing a clue as to the location of the first trap.



In another repeating theme from several holes, Wig bunker guards the left front angle to the pin, which sits on the right side of an elevated green.



A look over the back of the green from the right shows the similarity of the approach to the 2nd pin on the far side.



The player must focus on the task at hand once they reach the green – it is all to easy to think ahead to the drive over the “shed” on the next tee.

[Kyle Henderson]

17th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_17.html
As perhaps the most famous hole in Scotland, there’s little point in offering further analysis of this gem.

Into a strong wind, is any tee shot more unnerving?

It is best to find your ball well clear of the trouble present inside of the dogleg.

The approach shot will generally be very long to a small, diagonally oriented green.

With a helping breeze, the second shot is shorter, but the approach must land well short of the green to have any hope of holding the surface.

Anything that drifts near the Road Bunker is likely to funnel in.

A flop shot played over the Road Bunker is probably not the wisest choice.

Looking back to the fairway, the extremely shallow nature of the green is evident.

When the pin is at the back left (as pictured) recovery shots are much easier from the left side of the green (the angle seen from the 18th tee in this photo)…

…but taking enough club to find a position long and left could bring the road into play should the approach drift right (this view is from right of the green, roughly pin high).

[Scott Warren]

Great pics again, Kyle. Love that last one looking up 1/18.

I read after my round that Jack once said playing right of the traps on 16 was "a route only for the amateurs". What do those who know TOC well say of that? I hit a 4i off the tee right of the traps and with an iron in hand I didn't feel it was such a tight landing zone.

[Andrew Mitchell]

Great pics again, Kyle. Love that last one looking up 1/18.

I read after my round that Jack once said playing right of the traps on 16 was "a route only for the amateurs". What do those who know TOC well say of that? I hit a 4i off the tee right of the traps and with an iron in hand I didn't feel it was such a tight landing zone.

I agree Scott.  I was surprised at the amount of room to the right of the bunkers given the Nicklaus comments.

[John Mayhugh]

Kyle,
How did you play the 17th?

[Bill_McBride]

Great pics again, Kyle. Love that last one looking up 1/18.

I read after my round that Jack once said playing right of the traps on 16 was "a route only for the amateurs". What do those who know TOC well say of that? I hit a 4i off the tee right of the traps and with an iron in hand I didn't feel it was such a tight landing zone.

But why take the risk?  There is the whole world of room to the left and nothing to deal with at the green from that angle but
Wig bunker and lots of room to either side.   To me TOC is all about minimizing risk!

[Kyle Henderson]

Kyle,
How did you play the 17th?

My drive was on line, but barely carried due to the headwind (2nd photo). I hacked out of a cruddy downhill die for my second, leaving about 90 yards for my third. From there I punched a crafty little 5-iron that turned left for me and ended up about 8 feet right of the flag (5th photo). My putt caught the right edge of the cup and fell for a 4.

Happy days

[Emil Weber]

That strip of fairway seems a bit too narrow to choose a line of play...?


Thanks again Kyle for the wonderful photos!

[Kyle Henderson]

18th hole schematic:
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the_courses/old_guide2004/old_course_hole_guide_18.html

Stay away from the cars and o.b. on the right.

  
Pose for a shot on the most famous spot in golf.

  
Try not to end up on the paved road crossing the fairway.

  
Carefully negotiate the Valley of Sin and finish off in style.


Take a last look at the Auld Sod.


Breathe in the cool sea breeze and pray that you’ll be able to repeat the pleasures of the day sooner rather than later.
  
 

Most importantly, share your experiences with like-minded golf fanatics.

[Adam Clayman]

Really a fantastic journey. Thanks Kyle.

[John Mayhugh]

Really good photo tour.  It's not like I needed encouragement to visit TOC again, but you sure gave me some. 

[Melvyn Morrow]

Kyle

One of the best and most enjoyable reports I have ever seen on GCA.com.

Thanks for all the memories of home, my life and for bring together some wonderful photographs. The pictures seem to shout out your enjoyment of the Scottish Game.

Again, many thanks for sharing your experiences and bringing the wonders of golf to my screen.

Melvyn 

[Michael Moore]

David, No. Guess again?

Bill, Has Bruce ever told you about the first time Tiger came over as a pro?

Adam -

Instead of just boasting about your possession of inside information (as you often do), could you tell us about the first time Tiger Woods came over as a pro? It would be an interesting addition to this thread.

A wonderful and thorough tour. Thank you Kyle.

[Adam Clayman]

Mm. I've related the story before. So how should I react to your borderline insult? I'm not the Typer you apparently are so I try to be efficient. All that implied was a little follow up on bills part. But since you asked. They arrived @ 18. Tiger reached for the driver. Bruce said "its too much." tiger said "I'll cut it". Well Bruce clearly took umberage so he says as he relates the story of Tiger's eagle putt "I gave him a sheit read".

In a normal conversation does one continue answering their own question when no one showed any interest?  

[Bill_McBride]

Mm. I've related the story before. So how should I react to your borderline insult? I'm not the Typer you apparently are so I try to be efficient. All that implied was a little follow up on bills part. But since you asked. They arrived @ 18. Tiger reached for the driver. Bruce said "its too much." tiger said "I'll cut it". Well Bruce clearly took umberage so he says as he relates the story of Tiger's eagle putt "I gave him a sheit read".

In a normal conversation does one continue answering their own question when no one showed any interest?  

I responded that no, Bruce didn't tell me that story.  But he did tell me a lot of other great stuff!

[Kyle Henderson]

Thank you again to all for the bevy of positive feedback. It's good to know that others appreciate my efforts and share my enjoyment of golf's best.


One question: Does this Bruce fellah know anything about the genesis of Merion?

[Scott Warren]

One question: Does this Bruce fellah know anything about the genesis of Merion?

I'm glad you brought Merion up, Kyle. I finally bought the World Atlas Of Golf the other day and it says Hugh Wilson designed it. I meant to let Tom P, David M, Tom Mc, Wayne, Pat and co know!

[Adam Clayman]

Actually Kyle, Bruce did relate his deepest secret. Apparently everyone over "there" knows it, but they choose to be humble and not brag about it. Alan Robertson designed Merion and that's the truth. Phllphhh

Kyle,
 I've been trying to find the scene from 'Amadeus" where Salieri gets wheeled out in his wheelchair. No luck yet, but, I came across this and thought of this thread. Pay particular attention to the opening lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxgZcMGmkkI&feature=related

[Kyle Henderson]

Actually Kyle, Bruce did relate his deepest secret. Apparently everyone over "there" knows it, but they choose to be humble and not brag about it. Alan Robertson designed Merion and that's the truth. Phllphhh

Kyle,
 I've been trying to find the scene from 'Amadeus" where Salieri gets wheeled out in his wheelchair. No luck yet, but, I came across this and thought of this thread. Pay particular attention to the opening lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxgZcMGmkkI&feature=related

I hope you're comparing the works of Mozart to the majesty of the Auld Sod and not to my whimsically superficial thread.

[Adam Clayman]

I'll never forget the woman in Farmington wearing a St.Andrews sweat shirt. She described the look of the course as a cow pasture. That opening line of it looking like nothing on the paper reminded me. Same with the first notes being basic then transforming into greatness due to its context and simplicity.  It also reminds me of some of the more subtle grounds for golf that I have seen.

[Matthew Mollica]

Thanks for the wonderful images and commentary Kyle. Great thread.

MM

[Ross Tuddenham]

Hi

A quick question.

Is the blue circled area usually rough or fairway, or has it ever been fairway?

It's just I sadly only walked the course on Sunday and i was surprised to see this area was rough, for some reason I always thought this area was fairway.

[Kyle Henderson]

A bump for those seking a glimpse of the Auld Sod before the upcoming championship.

[Kyle Henderson]

The greens are reported to be stimping at a 9 this week, about the speed at which I played them. I dearly hope they are firm if not fast.

Is anyone at The Open? How does the course look?

[Mike Cirba]

Kyle,

Those are the best pictures I've seen of the 13th hole.   Thanks for sharing all of your pictures here and reviewing them provides great atmospherics for the coming week.