Out: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th

In: 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th

1st, Burn, 370 yards Par 4

Open Championship 2005: Difficulty ranking 12, stroke average 3.97.

Open Championship 2000: Difficulty ranking 9, stroke average 4.00.

The line to the hole is on the International flags that stand to the left of the Old Course Hotel. This is arguably the widest fairway in the world to hit, with out of bounds on the right, you should be attempting to have the ball landing centre or left of centre in the fairway. 240-250 yard drive is a comfortable tee shot and will set you up for a 120-110 yard approach to the middle of the green.

The 1st tee position does line you up to play down the right side of the fairway which brings the out of bounds fence down the right into play for those that have a fade and if hit straight on this line the Swilcan Burn sits at 258 yard run out. Stay left of the flag poles on the left side of the green or even on the small gorse bush left of them and you shall be fine.

There are no bunkers on the 1st hole but there is a hazard, the Swilcan Burn. It runs across the front of the green and it has caused far too many golfers no end of problems. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and in the Open of 2005 Colin Montgomerie have all managed to plunge the ball into this "lousy creek" as Lee Trevino once described it.

You must take enough club to avoid the Swilcan Burn running hard against the front of the green and I would recommend taking a yardage to just short of centre of the green. At the back of the green there are some undulations that can leave a tricky downhill putt and if the shot is overhit and goes through the green will leave a difficult chip out of deep rough.

With the tricky approach over the burn, the severe slope at the back and left of this large single green you are best to play into the centre, take 2 putts and be pleased with a par on the first.

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