St. Andrews course 'Hole from Hell' about to get tougher

[Captain Hilts]

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/St-Andrews-hole-from-hell.5742456.jp

AS ONE of the most famous and treacherous holes in golf, it has proved to be the undoing of many a pro.
But now one of the game's greatest challenges – the 17th at St Andrews – is being made longer for next year's Open.

Unchanged for a century, the par-four hole is to be lengthened by 25 yards.

Known as the "Road Hole", the 17th is notorious for its tiny cavernous bunker in front of the green and the fact that drives have been known to hit the Old Course Hotel on the inside of the dogleg.

But it has remained the same length for more than 100 years.

Now, a new tee is going to be constructed on the practice range across the disused railway line, lengthening the 17th from 465 yards to 490.

Peter Dawson, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's chief executive, said: "The 17th was played at the same yardage in 1900 as it was in 2005 and this fuelled our belief that the formidable challenge of this iconic hole should be returned for the Open Championship.

[Kingofalldems]

1. With the equipment they had in 1900, that hole must have been hell

[Captain Hilts]

2. Yes. The clubs today are so different from even those that were used in the '60s. It's a different

game. I supported lengthening the holes at Augusta.

[backwoodsbob]

3. I agree with that hole being lengthened BUT...

I wish they would figure out simply lengthening every hole kills the game for all but the longest hitters.They need to use a little imagination on the holes that are being overpowered.Put in some bunkers at 300 yards,cut off the fairway..do something to take the driver out of the players hands once in a while instead of making everything longer and longer

[Captain Hilts]

5. Yes!! That's why I did NOT understand Woods' fans saying that lenthening Augusta...

was an "anti-Tiger" renovation. Quite the opposite.

It's the middle game that has suffered. Kind of like the net game in tennis now that the raquetts are so much more powerful.

[backwoodsbob]

6. hell I'm a weekend hack and with todays equipment

I can get the occasional 275+ yard drive.

It's not rocket surgery to figure out these guys will beat out lengthening a hole by 20 yards.

Give them a 90 degree dogleg at 280..anything to bring skill instead of pure power back into the game.

Corey Pavin..my favorite player..cant hit the ball 250..but 10 years ago he could compete because he can shape his shots so well.Today he has no chance because every long ball guy hits driver/wedge on the 4's and driver 6 iron on the 5's

[PVnRT]

7. That would require imagination

And it doesn't make for good TV ratings. The 350 yard drives down the middle of the fairway are what the fans "want" to see.

However, I do agree with you. Sculpt the course, add hazards, don't just lengthen the fairway.

[Forkboy]

4. I knew they were talking about the 17th before I even clicked on the thread.

:scared:

[underpants]

8. Stay to the right

read a great article about that one hole- stay towards the road