Road Hole

One hole that does not possess a double-green or double-fairway is the 17th, a brilliantly difficult par 4. One of the toughest holes in golf, Road requires four perfectly executed shots to make a coveted par.

The tee shot alone is the source of much debate, with players required to hit a tee shot close to the left edge of The Old Course Hotel. Many pundits even suggest hitting over certain letters of the hotel sign, a prospect terrifying to the amateur slicer.

The hotel, however, has changed so much over the last 50 years, that it becomes quite a difficult job to find the right line to play your tee shot on the Road Hole.

Trust the local knowledge and hit your ball over the peak of the railway shed," Stephen said, "and you should find yourself in a pretty good spot when you head onto the fairway.

Alongside the Road Hole is the Jigger Inn, which has not changed in all the years that the hotel around it has.

The Jigger Inn used to be the old station keeper's cottage back when there was a freight railway station here," Stephen said. "Now, it's a really good pub, popular with players and spectators.

Louis Oosthuizen showcased just that in 2010, as he had the entire pub booked out to celebrate his success at The Open. Navigating the infamous Road Hole Bunker and the wall over the road alone is cause for celebration for the amateur player, and certainly deserves a pint at the famed public house.

Read the rest here:

The Features and Evolution of The Old Course - The Open