[Ben Jarvis]

I wake up on the morning of Tuesday 5th June, 2012, and count myself lucky to not have to line up at the starters hut at some ugly hour of the day. Instead, I wonder downstairs in my B&B for a full Scottish breakfast and then take a leisurely stroll through the town. My tee-time is not until midday. I'm relaxed but excited, and as I stroll the cobbled streets of St Andrews, my round plays out in my head. Will I be nervous on the 1st tee? Will I hit a decent shot from the 1st tee? Please! Will I hit my approach on #17 into the bunker, or overshoot onto the road? Could I do both? How many bunkers will I have to come out sideways or backwards from? Will I have to contend with the Valley of Sin?

The answers to the questions I asked myself before the round: I was relaxed when stepping onto the 1st tee, but once I put the tee and ball on the ground, the occasion hit me like a train! The heart was pounding like I've never experienced before; I hit one of my best drives for the day off the 1st; I didn't get into the bunker or on the road on #17 - still made bogey though; Only found one bunker for the round - greenside on #11 and made a 6; Had to putt up and through the Valley of Sin and made bogey.

Playing the Old Course at St Andrews is an occasion I will forever cherish and remember for life.

I figured that there have been many a photo tour of the TOC, so I hope you don't mind that here is another!

HOLE 1 (Burn), Par-4: 376 yards

[Ben Jarvis]

HOLE 2 (Dyke), Par-4: 453 yards

[Chris_Hufnagel]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

[Ben Jarvis]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

I'm not sure Chris. It looks natural to me and never really thought about it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 18th hole the "newest" of the them all? Are the contours on this hole, including the Valley of Sin completely natural?

[Sean_A]

I think the first fairway is essentially man made.  It is somehow connected with the flooding which used to occur before the embankment was constructed.  The burn was also altered. 

Ciao

[Ben Jarvis]

HOLE 3 (Cartgate - Out), Par-4: 397 yards

Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the 3rd hole, as it plays. The below pic shows the 3rd green (white flag) taken from the 15th green.






HOLE 4 (Ginger Beer), Par-4: 480 yards

[Ben Voelker]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

I'm not sure Chris. It looks natural to me and never really thought about it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 18th hole the "newest" of the them all? Are the contours on this hole, including the Valley of Sin completely natural?

I swear I read somewhere that the Valley of Sin was entirely manufactured to create the 18th green by OTM.

Correction: From George Peper and Malcolm Campbell's True Links

"The one major change Morris made that, it could be argued, was done for design rather than safety reasons was moving the 18th green from its position in broken ground at Granny Clark's Wynd, a public road, to where it is today.  The site Old Tom chose for the new green was farther east, in a hollow in front of his golf shop.  To create the green, he had to infill the depression with any material he could get his hands on - in fact, it became a repository for more of the town's rubbish.  The famous Valley of Sin in the front left of the present 18th green is almost certainly all that's left of the hollow that Old Tom went to great lengths to fill.  Today the home hole bears the name of the man who created it."

[Ben Jarvis]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

I'm not sure Chris. It looks natural to me and never really thought about it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 18th hole the "newest" of the them all? Are the contours on this hole, including the Valley of Sin completely natural?

I swear I read somewhere that the Valley of Sin was entirely manufactured to create the 18th green by OTM.

Correction: From George Peper and Malcolm Campbell's True Links

"The one major change Morris made that, it could be argued, was done for design rather than safety reasons was moving the 18th green from its position in broken ground at Granny Clark's Wynd, a public road, to where it is today.  The site Old Tom chose for the new green was farther east, in a hollow in front of his golf shop.  To create the green, he had to infill the depression with any material he could get his hands on - in fact, it became a repository for more of the town's rubbish.  The famous Valley of Sin in the front left of the present 18th green is almost certainly all that's left of the hollow that Old Tom went to great lengths to fill.  Today the home hole bears the name of the man who created it."

Thanks Ben. I should have know that, as I have a copy of True Links.

[Ben Jarvis]

HOLE 5 (Hole O’Cross), Par-5: 568 yards

[Ben Jarvis]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

I'm not sure Chris. It looks natural to me and never really thought about it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 18th hole the "newest" of the them all? Are the contours on this hole, including the Valley of Sin completely natural?

I swear I read somewhere that the Valley of Sin was entirely manufactured to create the 18th green by OTM.

Correction: From George Peper and Malcolm Campbell's True Links

"The one major change Morris made that, it could be argued, was done for design rather than safety reasons was moving the 18th green from its position in broken ground at Granny Clark's Wynd, a public road, to where it is today.  The site Old Tom chose for the new green was farther east, in a hollow in front of his golf shop.  To create the green, he had to infill the depression with any material he could get his hands on - in fact, it became a repository for more of the town's rubbish.  The famous Valley of Sin in the front left of the present 18th green is almost certainly all that's left of the hollow that Old Tom went to great lengths to fill.  Today the home hole bears the name of the man who created it."

Thanks Ben. I should have know that, as I have a copy of True Links.

Scott Macpherson's St Andrews: The Evolution of the Old Course backs up the statement in True Links;

"Around 1866 Morris moved the 18th green back from Granny Clark's Wynd possibly 50 or 60 yards to its current location. The ground where the green sits today was a hollow in front of Morris's shop. To make the green, Morris filled the hollow up with a variety of materials including refuse from the town, for the formation of an artificial table land. Perhaps only the base of the hollow known as the 'Valley of Sin' is representative of the original ground level."

Furthermore, A.W. Tillinghast (a friend and student of Old Tom Morris) stated that "Morris told him that the Home Green 'had been built over the bones of dead men', indicating that perhaps the site had at one point been an informal cemetery!"

[Tony_Muldoon]

I am guessing there is an easy answer for this, but I am going to ask it anyway - what is the explanation for how flat the first fairway is here versus how rumpled the eighteenth fairway is?  I am always amazed at how different they are, especially in some of the overhead shots with shadows across the property. The first fairway sits essentially between the Valley of Sin and the Ladies Putting Green and it is for the most part a flat polo field...does anyone know why?

Chris I asked Melvyn on here why it was so flat and he said wait for part 2 of my interview.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/melvyn-hunter-morrow-february-2012-part-2-page-3/

it tells you what was done, but like you I'm mystified why no undulations were made .   

In play I think it sort of somehow adds to the nervousness of the golfer. You know there's really no excuse for hitting it in the burn.

[Jason Topp]

One of my favorite memories of playing the Old Course was being 40 yards short of the green on number five and the caddie handing me a seven iron for my third.  The pin was in back and we had some headwind.  It was the right club.

[Ben Jarvis]

HOLE 6 (Heathery - Out), Par-4: 412 yards

[Brett_Morrissy]

Ben,
How did you find the textures of the turf, how do you compare to the turf you play at home - fairways & greens.

Just one bunker, well done - again, what did the sand look like? Did it appear consistent across the course?

[Ben Jarvis]

Ben,
How did you find the textures of the turf, how do you compare to the turf you play at home - fairways & greens.

Just one bunker, well done - again, what did the sand look like? Did it appear consistent across the course?

Brett

The course was playing really well. Firm and fast, as I'm sure it always is. The Links Trophy was being played the week after. Greens were firm but on the slow side.

While our course, or at least one of them is fescue, it plays very differently. Its a joy to watch your drives bound on and on at St Andrews. Whereas at home, you would always see the ball run out in a controlled fashion.

I can't really comment on the sand, as I fortunately found just the one bunker. Upon observation, it looked consistent.

[Ben Jarvis]

HOLE 7 (High - Out), Par-4: 371 yards

[Mac Plumart]

This is awesome!

Thanks, Ben.

[Stephen Davis]

Thanks for posting this! I am really enjoying the pictures and discussion.

[SteveOgulukian]

I forgot which famous person said so, but there's a quote I came across in the past that said something along the lines of "if someone tells you they loved the old course after playing it for the first time, then that person is lying."

Does anyone know the exact quote?

Do any of you find any truth in this?

I've never played or seen the course in person.

[Ben Jarvis]

I forgot which famous person said so, but there's a quote I came across in the past that said something along the lines of "if someone tells you they loved the old course after playing it for the first time, then that person is lying."

Does anyone know the exact quote?

Do any of you find any truth in this?

I've never played or seen the course in person.

Steve

This was the first time I played the Old Course. However, I had previously caddied in the 2007 Women's British Open.

I loved everything about it and think it is one of those rare courses that gets better with each play.

No truth to the statement, in my opinion.

[Mac Plumart]

I believe it was David Fay who made that quote. 

I had read it prior to my playing The Old Course and, therefore, I was a bit nervous taht I wouldn't like the course my first go round.  But I did.  In fact, I loved it.  After playing the course and thinking about his quote, I have to believe he is the stereotypical "Championship" style of golfer.  In my opinion, anyone who loves options and thinking golf will LOVE The Old Course immediately.  BUT, you can see from these pictures the course most likely isn't "beautiful" to non-golfers.  However, if you "get" golf...you can't help but fall head over heels for The Old Course.  IMO.

[SteveOgulukian]

I forgot which famous person said so, but there's a quote I came across in the past that said something along the lines of "if someone tells you they loved the old course after playing it for the first time, then that person is lying."

Does anyone know the exact quote?

Do any of you find any truth in this?

I've never played or seen the course in person.

Steve

This was the first time I played the Old Course. However, I had previously caddied in the 2007 Women's British Open.

I loved everything about it and think it is one of those rare courses that gets better with each play.

No truth to the statement, in my opinion.

Ben,

I'm sure most people would agree with you.  I'm sure 99.9% of the people who play TOC for the first time do love it.  Even if they can't appreciate the architecture and strategy, they'll love the history and environment/ambiance.  Giving the benefit of the doubt, I believe whoever made this comment was probably trying to say that one enjoys the course more and more with each round, and sees new things every time, that, in hindsight, they have missed so much on their first play that they couldn't truly appreciate it.  

I guess I could see that if someone played it for the first time, with no caddie, and no sense of the history and importance of the place, then they may not enjoy the round.  I don't know - just trying to make sense of the comment.

I'm sure that many people, if given 1 round to play anywhere, would choose places like Pebble, Cypress, NGLA, Augusta, etc over TOC (and even maybe Pine Valley), but it would be interesting to find someone who has played, let's say, the top 50 courses more than 20 times each, and see where they would choose if they could play one last round.  We all know Mr. Nicklaus thinks Pebble.  However, this doesn't mean more than someone picking a spot to play golf rather than a course to play.

I don't want to change the direction of this thread into TOC vs other courses, I just wanted to mention this comment I once heard to get feedback from those who can actually speak from experience and give their own thoughts.

[Carson Pilcher]

I believe it was David Fay who made that quote. 

I had read it prior to my playing The Old Course and, therefore, I was a bit nervous taht I wouldn't like the course my first go round.  But I did.  In fact, I loved it.  After playing the course and thinking about his quote, I have to believe he is the stereotypical "Championship" style of golfer.  In my opinion, anyone who loves options and thinking golf will LOVE The Old Course immediately.  BUT, you can see from these pictures the course most likely isn't "beautiful" to non-golfers.  However, if you "get" golf...you can't help but fall head over heels for The Old Course.  IMO.

I loved it the first time I played it...and that much more each time afterwards!  I pine over these pictures.

[Jason Thurman]

I'm sure that many people, if given 1 round to play anywhere, would choose places like Pebble, Cypress, NGLA, Augusta, etc over TOC (and even maybe Pine Valley), but it would be interesting to find someone who has played, let's say, the top 50 courses more than 20 times each, and see where they would choose if they could play one last round.  We all know Mr. Nicklaus thinks Pebble.  However, this doesn't mean more than someone picking a spot to play golf rather than a course to play.
 

Steve, I’m confused. You posed a hypothetical question for a hypothetical golfer, and then dismiss the response of one of the few people in the world who might fit the profile of the hypothetical golfer you conceived. Pebble Beach is a wonderful golf course in a fantastic location with an unbelievable amount of history. It’s a perfectly legitimate choice as far as I’m concerned. Am I misunderstanding your post?

For those who loved The Old Course on your first play, did you do any extra work to familiarize yourself with it before playing? Would you expect the average American weekend duffer to love it after one play without doing any advance reading or scouting? I’ve always imagined that I would try to play it on a Monday so that I could walk it the day before and get familiar with the lay of the land before playing. I’d also probably do some reading.

[Mac Plumart]

Would you expect the average American weekend duffer to love it after one play without doing any advance reading or scouting?

I would not.  I would imagine it is so out of the norm for the average American golfer that they would be taken aback by the nature of the course and how different it is from stereotypical parkland golf courses.  In fact, I think they might tear their scorecard up and walk off the course the first time they played it.  Oh wait...that was Bobby Jones...my bad.  

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