Yes, you might think the hazard on the Road Hole is the iconic bunker by the green. But no, it’s the path between the fairway and The Old Course Hotel. I was cycling there yesterday on my way out to the practice area. It was beautiful in the late morning sun and people packed the beer garden of The Jigger.
As I cycled along I got to the point where I think now this is dangerous, because it is directly on the line for a drive on seventeen that will split the fairway, if you carry the wall at 230 yards. And I swear, just as I was having these thoughts there was a thud and a ball landed 2 yards to my left. It had just cleared the orangerie (the Old Course Hotel will have an orangerie not a conservatory), landed on a 20 yard square piece of lawn in Herbert Kohler’s grounds and then leaped back into play. After thinking that was bloody close, I reflected on what is a most strategic and inspired piece of garden design. Five star Herb.
I’ll bet Mr Armitage Shanks would never have considered that.
ps excuse this post’s somewhat lavatorial humour.