x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Old Course Confidential: Is St. Andrews too easy for modern-day pros?
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

Old Course Confidential: Is St. Andrews too easy for modern-day pros?

By: James Colgan
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
July 14, 2022
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
hideki matsuyama hits bunker shot

The Old Course at St. Andrews is an international delight.

Getty Images

GOLF’s Top 100 course panelists are among the most respected and well-traveled course evaluators in the game. They’re also keen to share their opinions. In this GOLF.com series, we’ll unlock their unvarnished views on all questions related to the Old Course, host of this week’s Open Championship. The goal is not only to entertain you but also to give you a better understanding of how to understand and appreciate the architecture of the home of golf.

In 2000, Tiger Woods shot a winning four-day score of 19-under here.. In 2010, winner Louis Oosthuizen was 16-under. Five years later, Zach Johnson was 15-under. Is the Old Course too easy for modern-day pros? 

Philip Gawith: All links are vulnerable when not protected by the wind. It was also -15 at Sandwich last year, which seemed a great outcome given little wind (also, like Old Course, a par 70, which is relevant). The short answer is, probably yes, but not uniquely so among championship courses.

News
john wood caddies at the open
Think like a St. Andrews caddie: A 7-point plan to contending at the Open
By: James Colgan

Tim Gallant: Nonsense! They just need to slow the greens down, which will allow them to play in wind that locals play on a daily basis. If the pros play the Old in 30 mph  winds, the winning score would be much higher than in previous years. 

Will Davenport: As much as I love the Old Course, it is certainly the most scorable of venues in the rota. That said, if the winning score at St. Andrews is a few shots better than at sister courses, the world will keep on turning. I hope it never leaves the rotation. But I also pray for a bit of extra wind and elements. As dry as it has been, I expect to see firmness like we haven’t seen in some time!

Christian Faergemann: Today it seems like almost all courses are too easy if the pros are given easier conditions such as soft greens and little wind. The old links courses are defended by firm playing conditions in windy weather. Personally, I would say, who cares what the score is. Let’s just hope for a few windy days to rock the boat a bit. 

Latest In News

33 minutes ago

J.J. Spaun survives rain (& chaos) at Oakmont to win the U.S. Open

34 minutes ago

Here's how much money every player made at the 2025 U.S. Open

2 hours ago

U.S Open playoff rules 2025: Format to decide winner at Oakmont

2 hours ago

Former U.S. Open champion accused of damaging historic Oakmont lockers

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Gear
Todd Hamilton Hybrid, Royal troon

His Open win made this hybrid famous. But its manufacturer couldn't capitalize

By: Ryan Barath
News
ivor robson holds mic open

Ivor Robson, beloved Open Championship announcer, dead at 83

By: James Colgan
News
Brian Harman checks his yardage book and scorecard on the 11th hole green during the final round of The 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 23, 2023 in Hoylake, England.

How did Brian Harman distract himself during Open Championship week? A sci-fi novel

By: Jack Hirsh
News
jon rahm palms to the sky

Open Championship stock report: Ryder Cup (up!), TV ratings (down!) from Royal Liverpool

By: James Colgan
Travel
From top right, clockwise: Royal Liverpool's 17th, Open winner Brian Harman, Wallasey Golf Club, the Tasting Bar and Kitchen in Hoylake.

Lessons from Hoylake: A hidden golfing gem, a contentious par-3, the next Brian Harman and more

By: GOLF Editors
News
Tommy Fleetwood at Royal Liverpool.

10 Open Championship scenes you couldn't have seen on TV

By: Dylan Dethier
News
Brian Harman

Brian Harman hate, Rory, Beatles: 50 Open Championship observations 

By: Nick Piastowski
Travel
17th at royal liverpool

He designed the Open's controversial 17th hole. Here's how he thought it played

By: Josh Sens
News
Brandel Chamblee

Brandel Chamblee says Rory McIlroy is past his physical prime

By: Jessica Marksbury
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version