St. Andrews Links - Old Course

Description

The Kingdom of Fife is regarded as the birthplace of golf, solely on the heels of the world renowned Old Course at St. Andrews, which has history of the game dating back to the 15th century.

The Old Course makes the history of Pebble Beach or Augusta National seem infant.. It's the home of the British Open in 2005 and has been home to some of the Open's most memorable moments, most recently Tiger Woods' victory in 2000 and Constantino Rocca's famous duffed chip followed by a 70-foot putt to force a playoff with John Daly on the 18th green. For all these reasons, the course is a challenge to get a tee time but it is possible.

The course itself was the foundation for the game and was originally 22 holes before being narrowed down to 18 in the 18th century, setting the standard length for the game.

The 17th, better known as the "Road Hole," is one of golf's most famous and most difficult holes. It demands a drive over a satellite building of the Old Course Hotel. The hole got its name, however, from the turnpike road which forms a boundary on the right side and guarded by a rock wall.

The history and dramatic setting make the Old Course perhaps golf's most coveted round of golf. The Old Course will host the 2005 British Open this summer.