what is the hotel that lines the 18th hole at the old course st andrews

by Nickolas O'Keefe MD 10 min read

Where to stay left on a golf course?

Stay left from the tee to avoid the bunkers and gorse on the right. The ideal position is the right of Cheape's Bunker. The approach must take into account the pronounced diagonal ridge which forms the chief obstacle to the green.

Where is the prudent shot on a golf course?

The prudent shot is to the front right corner of the green, while avoiding the road.

What is the shortest par 5 in golf?

This demanding par three has been described as the shortest par five in golf. In any kind of wind it is challenging to find and hold the green which slopes from back to front. Hill and Strath are the archetypal greenside bunkers.

Where is the perfect line on a par 4?

The perfect line on this short par four is left of Boase's and End Hole Bunkers. It may well be that a putt from the fairway is the best way to approach the hole. A definite birdie opportunity.

Where is the best line to the green?

Beware of the enormous Shell Bunker short of the green. The green slopes to the right so the best line is to the left of the flag.

Where should the marker post go on a golf shot?

The marker post guides drives from the medal tee; shots from further forward should go left of it to avoid the bunkers on each side of the fairway. The approach shot has to negotiate the gully in front of the green to reach the pin.

Which way to drive to the plateau?

A drive to the plateau on the left gives a good view of the approach. Attacking the narrow valley is more risky. The shot from the right will avoid the large mound 20 yards from the green. The shot from the left will have to carry an array of bunkers.

Why is St Andrews considered the home of golf?

The Old Course at St Andrews is considered by many to be the "home of golf" because the sport was first played on the Links at St Andrews in the early 15th century. Golf was becoming increasingly popular in Sco tland until James II of Scotland banned the game in 1457 because he felt that young men were playing too much golf instead ...

Who bought the golf course in St Andrews?

This bunker is named after Sir James Cheape who bought the golf course from rabbit farmers in 1821. A later generation of the family sold the golf course onto The Royal and Ancient in 1892, who a year later sold it onto the town of St Andrews. 3. Cartgate bunker. Bunker.

Which holes have their own greens?

The 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th holes have their own greens. All other holes have shared greens.

How many times has the Open been played at St Andrews?

The Open has been staged at the Old Course at St Andrews 29 times. The following is a list of the champions:

Who is the principal's nose bunker named after?

Principal’s Nose bunkers. 4 bunkers. Legend has it that the bunkers are named after Mr Haldane, a 19th century head of St Mary's College who apparently had a prominent nose or that it refers to the front porch of Sir Hugh Playfair's South Street House, which was nicknamed thus. Principal’s Nose bunkers.

What hole has a white flag?

The 18th green has a white flag so that it can seen in front of the red Hamilton Grand building. 7th hole (white flag) 17th hole (red flag) 1 and 18. The Swilcan Burn. Water hazard ( Watercourse) This waterway flows from St Andrews into St Andrews Bay across the Old Course. The Swilcan Burn.

Who first played St Andrews?

Old Course and Bobby Jones. Bobby Jones (who later founded Augusta National) first played St Andrews in the 1921 Open Championship. During the third round, he infamously hit his ball into a bunker on the 11th hole.

What is the second hole in St Andrews?

The Old Course - Hole 2. The second hole on The Old Course at St. Andrews. David Cannon / Getty Images. The second hole at The Old Course is home to the deep bunker known at Cheape's Bunker, and Cheape's is quite costly to any golfer who goes into it.

How wide is the old St Andrews golf course?

The Old Course at St. Andrews opens with one of the easiest tee shots in golf. Hazards are very hard to find off the tee - the fairway is around 100 yards wide, there are no bunkers, no water, no rough.

How far off the tee are the coffin bunkers?

For regular play, The Coffins bunkers are about 200 yards off the tee, making them a real hazard to many Old Course golfers. But the pros had been able to fly them, so prior to the 2010 British Open a new tee was added farther back, and now The Coffins - for the pros - sit around 290 yards off the tee.

What hole is hole 12 on the old golf course?

Hole No. 12 at The Old Course shares its green with the sixth. The 12th's portion of that double green is challenging with two distinct tiers, a recessed front portion and a very shallow, raised back portion. A small pot bunker is in front.

What is the shortest hole in the British Open?

The par-3 11th hole plays the shortest (by one yard) for the professionals in the British Open. But this second of the two par-3 holes on The Old Course is actually the slightly longer of the two short holes for regular play.

What is the first hole of the inward nine?

Par: 4. Yards: 380. The first hole of the inward nine at The Old Course is named in honor of Robert Tyre Jones, Bobby Jones, who won on The Old Course in 1927 (British Open) and 1930 (British Amateur).

What is the shortest hole on the links?

At the 2010 Open Championship, this Short hole's yardage is actually one yard more than the course's other par-3, No. 11. But for everyday play, the No. 8 Short really is the shortest hole on the links.

Which loop is Old Course St Andrews?

Now, except on rare occasions, Old Course St Andrews plays the right loop. Due to a lack of landmarks and trees aligning yourself for the tee shots is a good test of skill. The line in for many shots is the church steeple.

What was the last hole named after St Andrews?

Named Bobby Jones in 1972 after his death in 1971. This was the last hole named at The Old Course St Andrews - the highest honour bestowed on St Andrew's adopted son. Look closely and you’ll find another of the March Stones.

What course was the 18th at?

The 18th at The Old Course St Andrews served as the inspiration and template for the 7th at Augusta National GC.

What hole is Bobby Jones in St Andrews?

Hole 10 - Bobby Jones - St Andrews Old Course. 10 - Named Bobby Jones in 1972 after his death in 1971. This was the last hole named at The Old Course St Andrews - the highest honour bestowed on St Andrews adopted son. Look closely and you’ll find another of the March Stones.

Who built the first teeing grounds at the 13th green?

It is one of the earliest teeing grounds, probably built by Old Tom Morris, still in existence despite not being used. Before you leave the green… read the hole report for 14!

Who designed the golf course at Sunningdale?

Famed golf course architect Tom Simpson called this hole the best in the world. The structure and architectural elements the hole provided a basis for hole designs at Sunningdale, Pine Valley, and Cypress Point. They, in turn, provided the inspiration for many others after them.

What is the easiest hole to play in golf?

You should be looking at picking up some shots here… 8, 9 & 10 are considered the easiest holes on the course.

Where is the Tee shot at St Andrews?

Tee shot played from in front of the R & A Clubhouse at St Andrews Old Course . The fairway is extremely wide and inviting. The Swilcan burn runs across the front of the green which has a few undulations and if the flag is at the front, getting your second shot close can be difficult and risks spinning into the burn.

What is the 18th hole?

One of golf’s most memorable sights, the 18th has an extremely wide fairway with out of bounds down the right hand side. The line for the tee shot is the clock on the R & A Clubhouse which takes you slightly to the left. The fairway is relatively flat until you come to the Valley of Sin which sits in front of the green. Then you have to decide whether to pitch over it or run through it. A fantastic finishing hole, steeped in history. Click here to see image…

How wide is the golf green?

The green is only around 13 yards wide with the pot-hole (road Hole Bunker) at the front making it extremely difficult to hit. An excellent and memorable golf hole. Click here to see image…

What bunkers are on the left side of the golf course?

This hole has the 3 Coffin Bunkers down the left hand side and is one of the most difficult holes on the golf course. Any Miss-hit playing to the right of the bunkers flirts with the out of bounds wall so left of the bunkers up the 6th fairway is the place to go. The huge double green is shared with the 5th and 3 putts are easy to come by. Click here to see image…

How many yards is hole 11?

Hole 11 – High (in) – 174 yards, par 3. This is the shortest hole on the golf course, elevated and guarded by Strath Bunker which is the deepest bunker on the course. Holding the green can be very difficult as it slopes from back to front and anything short can feed into the Strath Bunker.

Is the green on the end of the par 4 driveable?

The green on this hole is certainly driveable. Boase’s and End Hole are 2 deep pot bunkers in the centre of the fairway and if these can be navigated, the hard bounce can take your ball to the green. The green is flat and circular. This is the easiest par 4 on the golf course. Click here to see image…

How many holes are there in the Old Course?

The Old Course only has 2 par three holes and this is the first of them. The green, which is one of the flatter surfaces, cannot be seen due to the front guarding bunker. The tee is quite sheltered so it is difficult to judge the wind. Click here to see image….

Who lifted the jug in the 1995 Open?

In regulation play John Daly blasted out from an improbable lie to limit the damage. An hour later Costatino Rocca faced the same shot in a play off with the American. Rocca needed two attempts. Daly lifted the jug. The Road & Wall.

Can you shoot a par at St Andrews?

St Andrews Road Hole. Any dramatic golf hole requires that "all three scores" are possible. The St Andrews Road Hole obliges. You can shoot a par, a bogey and a double with equal frequency. Since it was lengthened from a sporting 445yds to a brutal 495yds, birdies have been increasingly endangered species.

Is the road hole finished with you?

The Road Hole isn’t finished with you though. A limestone wall runs behind the road. As the ball picks up speed on the road it will nearly always come to rest against the wall leaving you little back swing. This where Tom Watson failed in 1984. There is a classic escape shot however.

Is a road hole bunker steep?

Any ball bouncing or rolling too close will invariably be snaffled, and that’s frequently fatal. The road hole bunker is deep and steep and can require a lateral exit, or even reverse gear.

Is St Andrews Road Hole endangered?

Since it was lengthened from a sporting 445yds to a brutal 495yds, birdies have been increasingly endangered species. The St Andrews Road Hole is undoubtedly one of golf’s greatest and would figure in any world top-five. The shot plays blind over the old railway sheds, now the hotel.

Is there a trade-off between St Andrews and Carnoustie?

There has always been an east (St Andrews & Carnoustie) and west (Troon & Turnberry) trade-off. To get the best of both, the 'classic summer' programme involves combining them

How many par 3s are there in St Andrews?

The first of six holes to be played back towards the Auld Grey Toon of St Andrews, the eighth is one of only two par-3s on the Old Course. As it often plays downwind and has a green that falls away from front to back, it can be difficult to hold the putting surface. Anyone looking to land the ball on the front portion of the green risks finding a high lipped bunker just ahead of the short grass.

What bunker is on the second hole of the Old Course?

The first hole at the Old Course, which shares its fairway with the 18thA view of the green at the second holeThe 'Cartgate' bunker protecting the green at the thirdThe fourth fairway at the Old CourseThe huge green shared by the fifth and 13thA view of the undulating sixth fairway

Where is the ninth bunker on the golf course?

A host of bunkers, including two in the right half of the fairway at approximately 260 and 290 yards from the tee, are in play for those looking to take on the green from the tee, while gorse bushes lurk to the left.

How many par 5s are there in the Old Course?

Expect to see birdies and eagles aplenty at the fifth, the first of only two par-5s on the Old Course. Those who find the fairway off the tee will fancy their chances of firing a second shot over the Spectacles bunkers and finding a putting surface that is an astonishing 100 yards long. A deep swale guards the green and makes it tougher to get home in two, but the world's best will be confident of picking up at least one shot here.

Is ginger beer safe on the old course?

Arguably the toughest test on the Old Course's outward nine, Ginger Beer provides a similar challenge to the third from the tee, with the riskier line down the right half of the fairway opening up an easier second. Those choosing to play safer up the left will have to carry a large mound just short of the green with their approach - no easy feat on a par-4 that nears 500 yards from the Championship tee. A deep bunker to the left of the green must also be avoided.

Is it safe to drive down the right half of the fairway on the 15th?

It is not hard to spot the biggest danger on the third, the huge Cartgate bunker guarding the front of a green that is shared with the 15th. Staying to the left is generally the safest bet off the tee on the Old Course's front nine, but doing so on this par-4 will bring the most significant sand trap into play, whereas a bold drive down the right half of the fairway leaves a much simpler approach to a green shared with the 15th.

Is the fairway wide on the second green?

The fairway is certainly not as wide on the second , where menacing gorse threatens to pick up any tee shots flayed to the right. A good line is just to the right of Cheape's bunker on the left side of the fairway. The subsequent approach is aimed at the first of several huge shared greens, this one also serving as the putting surface for the 16th. Two small bunkers lurk to the right, while a diagonal ridge runs up to the front of the green and will cause trouble for anything landing short at this par-4.

Quick Facts

Course Website: Official Website - Visit St Andrews Links (Old)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole: 18th Hole – 358 Yard Par 4 – The closing hole features perhaps the most famous backdrop in golf with the historic buildings of downtown St Andrews towering over the links and townspeople walking on the street framing the hole.

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