The Road Hole

The 17th at St Andrews is universally known as the most famous and toughest hole in world golf. I can't think of another hole where the majority of a field of professional golfers will knowingly attempt to miss the green short and right with their approach shot.

The reason is that you can still putt from this position, and it is often the safest way of achieving par. But the problems actually begin a few minutes hence. From the back markers the hole measures 455 yards, so it is a reasonably lengthy par 4. The main trouble from the tee is that instead of looking down the fairway, you are treated to a view of the old green-stained railway shed - now converted into offices for the Old Course Hotel. There is only one route to the fairway, and that is up and over. But the trick here is hitting your drive down the correct line. If you wish to play safe, there is always the option of bailing out left to the patch of rough adjacent to the 2nd hole, but a par from here becomes extremely demanding if not impossible. There is actually more room than you think down the right here, and although it takes a few deep breaths before missing the hotel by a whisker, a 230 yard carry should see even the most attacking tee-shot finish in a safe position.

Leaving yourself on the right half of the fairway, or even in the semi-rough, means you can see most of the green for your approach. This is a huge advantage, because from the centre of the fairway you don't have an awful lot to fire at. A little too much draw and you will find yourself in The Road Hole Bunker and praying for an unrestricted stance. Get greedy by taking too much club, and you will very likely finish on the road itself. Unlike many other courses, The Old Course requires you to play off all paths and roads, so this leaves a particularly difficult chip shot off tarmac or gravel. The ideal shot, as I mentioned earlier, is to try and finish on the front right edge of the green.

I'm afraid a par is still not guaranteed however. With an Open Championship 'Sunday pin position' this putt swings anything up to ten feet from right to left and just giving yourself an uphill putt for four is a success story.

Once played it is never forgotten. It is possibly the most famous scorecard wrecker in professional golf. Nothing is set in stone with two holes to play on The Old Course. Just ask David Duval. Chasing Tiger Woods in 2000, he attempted an audacious escape from the face of the bunker. And another. And another. And then finally managed to get it out. Tommy Nakajima actually putted into the sand here in the 1978 Open and suffered a similar fate. I will admit that the bunker itself it slightly less penal since the changes were made before the '05 installment. The face was lowered 9 inches, but it was also widened and given a larger collection area. So although the bunker shots aren't as tricky as they once were, there are now plenty more Titleists finishing up in its grasp.

It's one of the most fearsome sights in golf, but you must embrace it and enjoy the experience. 9 times out of 10, it will eat you up and spit you out. But on the rare occasion when things do go to plan, the first pint of beer in the Jigger tastes oh so good.