The Old Course is set to host the 150th British Open starting tomorrow. Considered the oldest golf course in the world, The Old Course at St. Andrews is at the top of every golfers bucket list. While I have not had a chance to play the course, I did visit the course and the St. Andrews grounds which an incredible experience, I learned a lot about the course and surrounding area that I never would have picked up on a Sunday broadcast. If your watching the coverage this week and the broadcasters are looking to fill air time, there are likely areas they will not cover.
On 1, A Miss Left is Better Than Right
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Okay you can figure this one out watching the broadcast so I am off to a slow start. The first tee on the Old Course runs parallel to the 18th hole. Roads and pedestrian walking paths line both sides, along with crowds of people. No pressure coming off the first tee or anything.
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The Old Course is also a Sunday park
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While it won't be the case this Sunday, on most Sunday's, the St. Andrews Old Course closes and turns into a 18 hole public park. You hear me correct. I would have never expected it, but fully appreciate it. We saw kids playing, dogs running and frisbees flying everything you would expect from a park, but certainly not one of the most famed courses in golf. Can you imagine the outcry if all courses in the United States closed on a Sunday? The Old Course believes in a break from the sport for a day of leisure and activity and I fully respect it
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The St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club
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If your looking for a easier course to get on than The Old Course, Founding in 1867, The St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club is a soldi options. It's also a pretty fair price at only a pound per putter. A nice leisurely alternative ,situated next to one of the most famous courses in the world.
A Weeks Worth of Courses |
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While the Old Course will steal the show, it is one of seven courses that are a part of St. Andrews Links. Come for the show, stay for the other great courses the area has to offer.
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Traffic Crossing On the Course
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One thing that I had never noticed through the years is that a road passes directly through 1 and 18. These holes are known for the streets lined with cars next to them, but not through them. Between golfing groups, they open the road for cars to drive through. Clearly the road closes during the tournament, but this is a caveat that I would have certainly never picked up through a television broadcast.
Errant Shots on The Road Hole Are Real |
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As someone who has hit my fair share of errant golf shots through the years, I had so much appreciation for this warning sign which is found in the St. Andrews Hotel on the 17th Road Hole.
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