St. Andrews Links, Fife, Scotland...

As many of you are aware I travelled to the Open Championship this year. It was a fantastic life experience!  Some personal reflections and my event photos.   

My entry to Scotland... the Scottish border in the northern highlands of Northumberland!  I was in Scotland for 7 days... sunshine was hard to come by!

 

The famous #17 "road hole" at St. Andrews.  The center "pot bunker" divides the green in half.  Most of Thursday we sat in the bleachers from this vantage point... we saw only a very few pars.  The hole was playing 495 yards, against a 25 mile/per hour wind.  YIKS!

  

 

The first tee to the left in front of the clubhouse... the 18th green below the grand stands to the right..  The Open Championship had 20,000 grandstand seats.  A remarkable setting! 

Looking up to the 18th green.  The inside walkway was for ticket holders, the outer was for the non ticket holders; I suspect St.Andrews city folk.  It was so impressive to get so close to the actual play.  The town. the spectators and golf course are as one.  

  

Just one of the fascinating historic sites of the old course and town.  The famous Tom Morris Pro Shop. Tom Morris was the Head Professional from 1865-1903.  His shop looks out onto the 18th green. Tom Morris & son Young Tom Morris Jr. won the Open 8 times!     

The remains of the ancient Cathedral of St. Andrews.  Built in 1158, the remains of the Cathedral structure share common ground with the cities historic cemetary.  Many of the early pioneers of the game of golf rest in this most fascinating and ghostly place.    

Historical Background about The OPEN:

1. The tournament first started in 1860 @ Prestwick Golf Club, Scotland 
2. The first winner was Willie Park Sr.
3. Oldest winner was Tom Morris Sr. @ 46 years.
4. Youngest winner was Tom Morris Jr. @ 17 years
5. Three amateurs have won the event: John Ball, Harold Hilton x 2, Bobby Jones x 3.
6. Most Victories...Harry Vardon won 6. (The creator of the famous Vardon Grip)
7. Lowest score...Greg Norman 267... 66, 68, 69, 64 @ Royal St.Georges in 1993  
8. Notables re multiple victories: Tom Watson 5, Nicklaus 3, Tiger 3, Ballesteros 3, Faldo 3, Palmer 2, Trevino 2, Norman 2

This was the 29th Open Championship at the Old Course...

 

 St. Andrews Links... Course particulars:

 

*  The course is located on the 56th latitude... equivalent to Fort St. John, B.C.

*  The course played Par 72, 7305 yds.

*  The field was 156 players

*  This year's Champion Golfer... Zach Johnson.... -15 under

*  St. Andrews is considered and referred to as the HOME OF GOLF

 

 www.standrews.com

Rated as one of the great golf courses of the world, Royal Dornoch Golf Club is situated 210 miles morth of Edinburgh.  The town of Dornoch is only 70 miles from the top of the island. The course was designed by Old Tom Morris in 1886 on Dornoch town property.  Located adjacent to the beach and the North Sea, the course is a traditional 9 out, 9 in links design.  Simply spectacular!  The finest I have ever seen!   

The Royal Golf Hotel... situated above the first tee the hotel holds a commanding view over the golf club.  I was told to visit the magnificent bar inside the hotel... good counsel indeed and a most memorable experience!  Please note the weather... a solid Scottish day! 

Looking out over the course. Well defined fairways combined with a plethora of hearty gorse.  Add a strong breeze from the ocean... very tough indeed!  Notice too how green the fairways are... according to the locals, summer had yet to begin... this was late July!

A great view and example of the course moving in concert with the beach front.  Looking back to the clubhouse, the right hand fairway is the out front nine; the closer to the beach fairway is the back nine in.  There is no escaping a blustery day! 

 The traps... Royal Dornoch has 82 sand bunkers; most small and rather nasty in nature!  Much like St. Andrews, the bunker construction is done to punish the errant golfer with limited advancement offered.  Great thought and strategy must be given in playing the holes. (Consistent positioning of the rakes I found interesting!) 

It is my understanding greater Dornoch has a population of approximately 2000 people.  Each Sunday evening the local Pipe Band plays in the town courtyard.  A very cool tradition, in a most interesting and charming place.  I love this place!  Scotland at it's best!   

www.royaldornoch.com

Lastly and most importantly, I had the opportunity of staying with my travel partner's relatives at their lovely home in Dornoch.  Sharing time with them and family was truly one of the highlights of my trip.  They were wonderful folks!   

Triangular Golf... 

Thought I might share with you an interesting technical detail and geometric component of a great golf swing.  Below I have illustrated 3 swing motions at the top of the backswing..... that of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott.  Please notice I have added the geometric lines to the photos. 

A common problem I deal with as an instructor is when a student's upper body/ torso moves in sympathy with the swing motion.  Meaning the upper body is tilting towards, or away from the target at the top of the backswing.  This type of swaying motion moves the center of the swing (which I believe is the head) out of position, thereby creating excessive movement, and most common than not an inconsistent shot outcome.  

Recently I have added an additional "basic fundamental" to my recommended list of achieving better golf.  In my clinics I stress "fewer moving parts" as an essential idea to consider.  In support of that, we hear said of great athletes the common phrase"... he/she makes it look so easy"; I believe the essence of this expression lies in simplicity, efficiency and balance.  I have said it before, I believe golf is a circular game... the triangle proves it!