Gullane, Scotland, United Kingdom
If you haven’t heard of the Firth of Forth, you will during your first round here, because that’s where the wind is likely to be coming from. Jack Nicklaus called the 1st, one of the most difficult opening holes in world golf, the wind may have influenced that opinion. This is the home of the oldest Golf Club in the world, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers wrote the original 13 Rules of Golf in 1744. The course is steeped in history, having hosted The Open no less than 15 times and other tournaments such as the Ryder, Curtis and Walker Cups.
The layout is unique. The front nine is a clockwise loop returning to the clubhouse, while the back nine follows an anticlockwise loop inside that of the outbound nine. The effect is that the wind affects play from a differing direction on each hole. Add that to the fact that there are few level areas and you have a perfect challenge. It’s difficult to pin down a signature hole on the course, but the final three are as good as any on the course. The 18th places bunkers on the dogleg of the 444 yard par 4 with a creek and trees on the left for your approach. A double tiered, contoured green waits for the fortunate amongst 4 large bunkers. It’s one of Scotland’s finest – you have to play it.
(Image from Wikipedia)
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