The R&A has announced that The 155th Open will be played at St Andrews from 11-18 July 2027.

[The Squirrel]

That could justify playing it on a mini-golf on concrete.
The lengths of drives, and all their shots does matter, if the goal is to find a best golfer and worthy Open champion. TOC was fine when the best drove it 240. Not today. And its more than that. The holes we all know best, 1st, 17th, 18th must be the three most dull and flawed holes of all the courses that have held any major in decades. If they were on your own course people would be wondering when is work starting to fix them or replace with properly designed golf holes. Only their sacred status preserves them has holy relics. Which is fine. But they arent fit for purpose for testing todays worlds best.

In the spirit of Bryson’s house, surely in hitting over a building, the 17th couldn’t be any more up to date for 2025….

 

[KenL]

That could justify playing it on a mini-golf on concrete.
The lengths of drives, and all their shots does matter, if the goal is to find a best golfer and worthy Open champion. TOC was fine when the best drove it 240. Not today. And it’s more than that. The holes we all know best, 1st, 17th, 18th must be the three most dull and flawed holes of all the courses that have held any major in decades. If they were on your own course people would be wondering when is work starting to fix them or replace with properly designed golf holes. Only their sacred status preserves them has holy relics. Which is fine. But they arent fit for purpose for testing todays worlds best.

Rubbish!

 

[Slab]

In the same way they'll always hold a grand prix at Monaco they should always have an Open at St Andrews

 

[Lord Tyrion]

In the same way they'll always hold a grand prix at Monaco they should always have an Open at St Andrews

As that is the worst race of the year, not the greatest endorsement

 

[NearHull]

As that is the worst race of the year, not the greatest endorsement

For ‘race’, substitute ‘’procession’.
The qualifying is more interesting than the main event.

 

[Slab]

As that is the worst race of the year, not the greatest endorsement

It wasn't meant as an endorsement, just an example of why TOC won't ever leave the Open rota
They're both iconic venues and ingrained into the sport to such a degree that despite their shortcomings they won't stop hosting

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It wasn't meant as an endorsement, just an example of why TOC won't ever leave the Open rota
They're both iconic venues and ingrained into the sport to such a degree that despite their shortcomings they won't stop hosting

I think your right but that's a poor reason for choosing it, even more so using it more frequently than other courses. Once every 10 yrs would be okay. Every 5 or so, the course isn't interesting enough for that.

 

[Slab]

I think your right but that's a poor reason for choosing it, even more so using it more frequently than other courses. Once every 10 yrs would be okay. Every 5 or so, the course isn't interesting enough for that.

being the world's most iconic golf venue is a poor reason for it to host one of the biggest tournaments every 5 years, that's a real shame for the sport

Can the sport afford to ditch courses like this though. How long before it's the turn of Carnoustie etc etc
Maybe turn the R and A building into a virtual TGL type course extending the old course holes by 25% on screen

I'd much rather they took irons off each tee to stay at TOC

 

[Lord Tyrion]

being the world's most iconic golf venue is a poor reason for it to host one of the biggest tournaments every 5 years, that's a real shame for the sport

Can the sport afford to ditch courses like this though. How long before it's the turn of Carnoustie etc etc
Maybe turn the R and A building into a virtual TGL type course extending the old course holes by 25% on screen

I'd much rather they took irons off each tee to stay at TOC

Iconic doesn't equal great, or even good, it just means it's historic. I'm not saying never use it, just not as frequently.

 

[KenL]

I think your right but that's a poor reason for choosing it, even more so using it more frequently than other courses. Once every 10 yrs would be okay. Every 5 or so, the course isn't interesting enough for that.

In your opinion of course.

 

[KenL]

being the world's most iconic golf venue is a poor reason for it to host one of the biggest tournaments every 5 years, that's a real shame for the sport

Can the sport afford to ditch courses like this though. How long before it's the turn of Carnoustie etc etc
Maybe turn the R and A building into a virtual TGL type course extending the old course holes by 25% on screen

I'd much rather they took irons off each tee to stay at TOC

It is 7300 yards. Are the other Open venues longer than this?

 

[Backache]

being the world's most iconic golf venue is a poor reason for it to host one of the biggest tournaments every 5 years, that's a real shame for the sport

To be honest it sounds like a pretty good reason. TOC brings through more viewers.

 

[Beezerk]

To be honest it sounds like a pretty good reason. TOC brings through more viewers.

Makes it a bore fest for the millions of tv viewers though. I’ve been there and walked the course, the sense of history is immense but the course itself is so bland, imo of course

 

[Lord Tyrion]

In your opinion of course.

Absolutely, it's all about opinions. Life would be dull if we all thought the same.

 

[tobybarker]

Meh i know it's tradition and all that but i can't be the only person who dislikes watching golf at st Andrews..... Such an ugly, dull course.

 

[evemccc]

Turnberry may be getting an Open sooner than those with TDS may think…as per BBC Golf article today….a feasibility study re: traffic is being commissioned

Didn’t rate Slumbers at the R&A, but the source for this news is the new R&A Chief Exec, Mark Darbon

Turnberry is probably the best course in Britain

 

[ExRabbit]

As that is the worst race of the year, not the greatest endorsement

But in the past, it wasn't - such an iconic venue, much like St Andrews.

Car technology got in the way there, much as golf technology got in the way of St Andrews - but I'd rather have St Andrews every 5 years as a major venue than Augusta every year.

It was still too difficult to overtake, but a thrilling race.

How I miss that commentary with those two!

 

[SteveJay]

Lots of work underway at Royal Lytham St Anne's with the aim of getting back on the Open Rota.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Turnberry may be getting an Open sooner than those with TDS may think…as per BBC Golf article today….a feasibility study re: traffic is being commissioned

Didn’t rate Slumbers at the R&A, but the source for this news is the new R&A Chief Exec, Mark Darbon

Turnberry is probably the best course in Britain

What’s TDS ?

And the Chief Exec is being polite

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Turnberry definitely a great venue and there feels a big hole without it on the rota