The Railway HOLE 11 / 498 YARDS / PAR 4
The expansion of golf across Scotland in the 19th century follows almost one-to-one the expansion of the country’s rail lines, as courses were frequently developed near transit stops and population centres. As the name suggests, the defining feature of Troon’s 11th is the out-of-bounds rail line that borders the fairway and green on the right. Impenetrable gorse bushes form the opposite boundary, making this the course’s leanest fairway. Facing another blind tee shot, drives that carry the furthest expanse of gorse to challenge the right side will earn the best angle to the green, though each shot is exacerbated by either headwinds or crosswinds off the sea bringing OB into play. Among the most difficult holes in Open golf, the 11th plays as a par 4½ and in 1997 and 2016 had the highest stroke average in relation to par the professionals played all year.
54 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JULY/AUGUST 2024
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