GOLF.AI • Oct 29, 2025

The Old Course Fights Back

In a bold move to preserve its historical challenge, the Old Course at St. Andrews, the most sacred ground in golf, is undergoing significant renovations. Ahead of the 155th Open Championship in 2027, the course is being adapted to defend itself against the power and technology of the modern game, ensuring that its strategic intricacies remain a true test for the world's best golfers.

The changes are being overseen by renowned architects Martin Ebert and Tom Mackenzie, who serve as consultants for most courses on The Open rota. The renovations include adding over 130 yards of length through new championship tees on several holes, including the 7th, 10th, and 11th. Additionally, fairway bunkers are being repositioned to bring historic hazards, like the Shell bunker on No. 7, back into play and penalize aggressive lines that have become commonplace.

Grant Moir, an executive director at The R&A, explained the rationale behind the updates. He noted that during recent Opens, "more players... being able to get on or near the greens with their tee shots than in the past." The modifications are a direct response to the mastery displayed by players like 2022 champion Cameron Smith, who expertly navigated the course with modern equipment. Instead of regulating the ball or driver, the R&A has chosen to fortify the course itself.

This renovation project at St. Andrews is more than just a course update; it's a statement in the ongoing debate between tradition and technological progress in golf. It raises the critical question of how iconic venues can adapt to challenge today's "bomb and gouge" style of play, a topic that resonates deeply with both golf purists and casual fans.