On site at Feddinch
Bruce McKay monitors progress of the rough shaping of the 16th at Feddinch.
Bruce McKay monitors progress of the rough shaping of the 16th at Feddinch.
Without question, a dramatic and most challenging hole with the magnificent clubhouse forming a memorable backdrop. At 410 to 465 yards, and the longest par 4 on the back nine, this hole demands the golfer is decisive from the tee. The safe play is to lay up short of the burn crossing the fairway landing area. However, those who try for the heroic shot over the burn on the left will be rewarded with a much shorter shot to the green. The second shot must avoid a revetted wall bunker on the right and front of this green. The large putting surface, shared with the 9th hole has many subtle movements which supports the view that this is a truly great finishing hole.
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This par 3 of 160 to 217 yards crosses the burn which runs in front of the 16th green and skirts the irrigation pond to the left of the fairway. The green is well protected by bunkers including a deep revetted bunker on the left. The bunkers on the right will catch any balls aimed too far away from the “trouble” on the left. The pitting surface provides may testing positions and so this hole is likely to be a very demanding and difficult par 3.
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At 490 to 543 yards, an accurate and long tee shot is demanded if a birdie is the aim. Bunkers down the right provide good directional indicators from the tee however a burn and small wall to the front of the green must be crossed if a decision is made to go for the green in two. The split level green is protected by two bunkers on the right hand side.
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With a length from 310 to 362 yards, this is the second of two driveable par 4’s on the golf course. All the bunkers on this hole must be avoided. Playing safe out to the right will leave a scary semi-blind approach shot over a bunker and grass mound. Challenging the left fairway bunkers provides the best chance to reach the serpentine shaped green from the tee. The putting surface has three distinct levels that are separated by ridges and rolls, which add to the challenge and difficulty of this short risk/reward hole.
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Sitting just in front of a majestic ash tree, the green of this 150 to 189 yard par 3 has a narrow approach between two bunkers and is surrounded by bunker protection on all sides. The front right bunker is deep, revetted and of pot style whereas the front left bunker is long and the back lobe of this bunker has a collection area that will grab stray shots. Good club selection and accuracy should reap rewards on this hole.
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One of the most unique and dramatic holes on the course, the fairway of this 390 to 427 yard par 4 plays next to an ancient stone wall before plunging down to the green. The most rewarding strategy on this hole is to place the tee shot as close to the edge of the wall as possible for the best angle into the green. A spectacular view of the entire golf course awaits the player as they hit their second shot from this elevated fairway. The green is well protected by a bunker short right and two bunkers left. The putting surface is challenging and adds to the enjoyment of this hole
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The tee shot of this relatively short dog leg right par 4 of 360 to 404 yards is semi-blind and is played to a wide fairway. From this location, the second shot plays downhill to a green which sits left to right and is flanked on the right by a deep revetted bunker. The right pin placement will be the most difficult, as this section of the green is perched above the bunker and has steep slopes all around.
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Running west along the top of the slope to the South of the clubhouse, the longest hole on the course at 500 to 595 yards affords incredible views of St.Andrews and beyond. The generous fairway will accommodate tee shots slightly off line, however the second landing area presents challenging cross bunkers left and right. The long and narrow green is protected by three bunkers and is sited in a beautiful area just beyond a former field boundary stone wall close to a large tree, which, a hazard in itself, also provides a good focal point. A revetted bunker just below the tree may catch players trying to reach this green in two.
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This semi blind dog leg right par 4 of 360 to 419 yards plays in a southerly direction up the slope and is characterized by three directional bunkers. The strategy off the tee is to drive the ball directly over the centre of the short right fairway bunker. The second shot must then be played to the green over the bunker that is placed in the large native grass mound in the centre of the fairway short of this green. The green is large and has three distinct pin areas.
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At 488 to 523 yards, this par 5 will be reachable to those who execute the hole properly. The tee shot must be aimed between two penal fairway bunkers one right and one left. In order to reach the green in two shots, the second shot must carry the burn short of the green and land between two bunkers right and left. Situated in front of the very impressive clubhouse, the large green is a double green with hole 18. This hole is a great example of risk reward.
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The longest par 3 at 200 to 242 yards, this hole also has one of the largest greens. A spacious deep revetted bunker on the right and two “nostril” bunkers behind the green, along with a swale left front provide the green with ample protection. Considered to be a very difficult in all weather conditions, par will be an excellent score anytime, any day on this hole.
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The best position to attack this medium length par 4 of 405 to 454 yards is to challenge the right fairway bunker off the tee. The second shot is played down from the landing area plateau to the green green which sits on a right to left angle with a large deep bunker short and to the left of the green. Less challenging than most other holes, provided played appropriately, this hole should give up some pars and possibly birdies.
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This three shot par 5 hole measures from 495 to 565 yards and the mounds on the right provide an interesting amphitheatre effect. The tee shot is framed by two bunkers on the right side of the fairway. From there, with the second shot, a decision must be made to either lay up short of the deep swale in front of the approach which adds definition to the plateau green, or try and carry it for a shorter third shot. The contoured green is small and is guarded in the front centre by a deep revetted collection bunker.
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For the longer hitters, this is a driveable hole of 310 to 354 yards. The hole plays downhill and the tee shot must avoid bunkers right and left in the landing area. Challenging the left fairway bunkers should deliver the best outcome in order to run the ball up onto the putting surface which has a large steep false front and plenty of rolling movement to test the putting skills.
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Measuring from 450 to 502 yards, this is the longest par 4 on the course and although there are two bunkers, one right and one left in the tee shot landing area, there is ample space for the well hit and directed shot. The green sits amidst 3 bunkers, but has plenty of room on the front and right approach to run low shots onto the putting surface. This is one of the largest greens on the course and has many subtle contours.
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This 420 to 472yards par 4 places a premium on length and accuracy. The bunker left and short of the green is 13 yards away from the putting surface with a deep swale separating it from the green, creating the illusion that the second shot is shorter than it appears. An ancient stone wall is located to the right and above this green offering a bounce in situation. This is a testing par 4.
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– At 120 to 162 yards, this is the shortest of the four par 3’s yet provides a significant challenge. A very deep bunker protects the green front and left. Most will use a short iron while playing this hole, but, it is a small target which adds to the difficulty. Subtle rolls and uneven contours will add delight to the putt.
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This dramatic opening par 4 hole plays in a northerly direction towards the historic city of St. Andrews which provides a striking and memorable backdrop. At 331 to 429 yards, this slight dog leg right has bunkers right and left which test the tee shot. The large green is protected on the left by two bunkers and a revetted bunker on the right.
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