The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews has announced it will be doing its part to ruin golf. In preparation for the 2010 British Open, R&A has announced it will be lengthening the famous 17th hole of Saint Andrews Golf Club. Apparently even the birthplace of golf isn’t immune to needing “Tiger-proofed?”
The 17th hole, famously known as The Road Hole, will be lengthened by 35 yards, making it a 490 yard par 4. The idea behind the added yardage is to put driver back in to the hands of more pros. Peter Dawson of the R&A said, “Over the years, we have seen the threat from the road behind the green, and to a lesser extent the Road Bunker, diminished as players have been hitting shorter irons for their approach shots allowing them to avoid these hazards more easily. This change will ensure that the hole plays as it was originally intended.”
But at what cost? Saint Andrews is the most sacred of golf courses! And to be honest, I don’t see what 35 yards is going to accomplish. With tour pros hitting fairway metals well over 300 yards, a player like Tiger Woods could easily hit 3-wood and a 7-iron into the 17th hole. I think Ryan Ballengee with Waggle Room Golf put it best, by saying that Peter Dawson is bastardizing the most famous golf hole in the world.
You know this gets me thinking…since the green shared by the 5th and 13th holes is so large and easy to hit in regulation, maybe we could add a rotating windmill? Or a clown’s mouth that opens and closes?