The Opening Hole of the 2022 Open

by | Jul 12, 2022 | Where to Play

THE FIRST HOLE AT ST. ANDREWS:  THE OPENING HOLE OF THE 2022 OPEN

The first hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews is called the Burn.
Here, you must avoid the water with your approach, when it’s your turn.

The Burn is a simple stream that protects the entrance to the green.
Caddies tell golfers to forget pin and aim for the middle, if you know what I mean.

The first hole appears to be meek and mild,
But, when the wind picks up, it can be kind of tough and rather wild.

The first hole has no sand bunker in sight.
And, there never will be as its current design is just right.

The first hole is a simple, straightaway par four.
It’s at the core of the Old Course’s history and lore.

Its stroke index has been labeled as both 12 and 10.
That’s the respective handicap rating for the ladies and the men.

The first fairway of the Old Course is one of the widest in the game.
Whether your tee shot is pushed or pulled, you will find fairway grass that looks the same.

On the first tee, aim for the small gorse bush at the left edge of the stream.
With a strong drive, you’ll have a wedge to the green – that’s your dream.

Standing on the first tee is like walking through golf’s history for you and me.
As Vardon, Hogan, Player, Palmer, Nicklaus, and Woods have been there for all to see.

Roses are red and violets are blue,
Scotland looks forward to welcoming golfers to St. Andrews in 2022.

About the Author

<a href="https://golfonemedia.com/author/mike_may/" target="_self">Mike May</a>

Mike May

Mike May is a freelance golf writer based in Wellington, Florida. Mike, a frequent golfer, and travel writer is the editor-in-chief of the Indiana Golf Journal, a correspondent for Golf Central Magazine, a senior writer for Team Insight Magazine, a contributor to Midwest Golfing Magazine, and a correspondent for both the Michigan and Ohio Golf Journals. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. Mike traces his roots as a golf writer to The 1983 (British) Open Championship which was held at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport, England. He attended all four days of the event and then voluntarily wrote his own account of that major championship. In addition to being a golf writer, Mike is a broadcaster for high school sports in Florida, officiates high school soccer in Florida, and works in the scoring division of R2 Innovative Technologies, which implements and oversees scoring at LPGA golf tournaments. As an avid exercise enthusiast, he also serves on the board of directors of PHIT America, which is focused on bringing daily P.E. back to all U.S. schools. Mike is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in broadcasting. Mike can be reached by email at: mmaymarketing@gmail.com