An Review on Course development

The links land has been played on for many centuries. It started with just five holes, in the 14th century,later expanded to seven, then 12 and finally 22 with 11 going out and 11 coming back. This was reduced to 18 in 1764 with nine out and nine back. The double green feature of the Old Course is unique, born out of limited space 500 years ago.In parts the course is less than 40yd (36.5m) wide. This meant using the same green going out and coming back.

In 1764 there were 18 holes but only nine flags. Even today only the 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th are single greens; the others are huge double greens. The east side of each green is used for the outward holes while the west side carries the flags of the homeward holes. The famous shape of the course was largely fixed by 1842.