By modern standards the Old Course is short and there is concern that in benign conditions the powerhouses could make the ‘Old Lady’ obsolete†
One of the reasons for this is six par fours, five of which are under 400m. Here’s the take from Billy Foster, Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddy for his win at the US Open last month, on the par four that could be broken up at The Open.
3rd – Cartgate, Out
398 yards, per four – It all depends on the wind. The big boys can handle this, although there is the imposing Cartgate bunker guarding the front of the green, which is deep. It is a huge putting area shared with the 15th and it has many undulations and breaks.