Royal Lytham & St Annes is one among golf’s nice programs. It’s a venue steeped in historical past, outlined by its brutal bunkering, and celebrated for the champions it has topped. But, because the Open rota continues to evolve, there’s nonetheless no signal of Royal Lytham returning? However it ought to!
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NCG Prime 100s Tom Irwin and Mike Robertson, went as much as Blackpool for his or her 48 hours in Blackpool video. The pair had nothing however admiration for the Championship course with loads of glorious golf holes. Right here’s what they thought as they hit the North West shoreline…
WATCH 48 HOURS IN BLACKPOOL
The Final Take a look at
Tom Irwin completely captures the essence of Lytham’s problem. “It’s extremely strategic, very properly bunkered, it’s all the time in mint situation no matter what time of the 12 months it’s”, he mentioned. “I’d suppose that is in my high three, alongside Muirfield and Carnoustie.”
He continues: “When folks ask, ‘why is it more durable?’, ‘how is the take a look at of golf harder?’ The bunkers appear to be only one after the opposite. When you’re within the bunkers they aren’t flat American fashion the place you may comfortably hit an eight or 9 iron out, you’re merely pitching out hoping to not hit it into the fence.”
That penal, old-school character defines Lytham. Its 174 bunkers demand accuracy and self-discipline, whereas its comparatively modest dunes imply that the course’s defence lies not in its surroundings however in its strategic subtlety.
“It’s not underrated, it’s simply unloved,” Irwin provides. “Folks don’t have a great deal of affection for it. I feel primarily due to what’s round it, relatively than the golf course itself. This can be very penal and properly bunkered and is what I’d contemplate a correct strategic golf course. Notably in relation to the stretch alongside the railway which I feel is a number of the greatest holes in golf.
“When it comes to the golf holes, in the event you overlook about what’s round them as i perceive the course doesn’t have the views of a Royal Portrush and probably doesn’t have the spectacular dunes of a Birkdale, I do suppose it’s an unbelievable take a look at of golf.”
A Century of Championship Legacy
As Tony Bradley from the Golf Operations group at Royal Lytham notes, “The historical past could be very wealthy right here and it’s ingrained throughout the constructing. The golf membership was shaped in 1886 after which 11 years later they constructed this one and solely clubhouse. We have a good time 100 years of Open historical past subsequent 12 months.”
That milestone underlines Lytham’s significance in golf’s oldest main. Since internet hosting its first Open in 1926, when Bobby Jones lifted the Claret Jug the Lancashire hyperlinks has staged golf’s oldest championship 11 occasions. Legends of golf from Bobby Locke and Peter Thomson to Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, and David Duval have all received at this storied venue. But the final time the world’s greatest walked these fairways was again in 2012.
A Correct Golf Course
For fellow 48 hours in… host Mike Robertson, the magic of Lytham lies in its purity. “It is a correct golf course”, he mentioned. “Such an awesome take a look at. Each shot you must be on it. The course will hand over some probabilities however not in the event you’re not hanging the ball properly, it is going to simply eat you alive. It truly is a good looking take a look at of golf.”
That’s precisely the sort of examination The Open ought to embrace. Practically 100 years on from its Open debut, Royal Lytham has each cause to be again within the dialog. It provides a basic problem, one which rewards management and braveness over brute power. I feel all of us golf followers can agree that these are the qualities that outline the essence of hyperlinks golf.
WATCH 48 HOURS IN BLACKPOOL
HAVE YOUR SAY ON ROYAL LYTHAM
Have you ever performed Royal Lytham earlier than? Which of the golf programs on The Open rota have you ever performed, if any? Let me know your experiences of Championship golf by leaving a touch upon X.
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