The aims of the carefully managed greenkeeping project include softening the contours on the surrounds of the 12th and 14th greens and improving the composition of the course's turf. On the 389-yard, par-four 12th (pictured), for example, fewer undulations will allow easier approach shots and facilitate a greater variety of pin positions. With work on the hole now complete, a temporary green will be in operation until the beginning of April to ensure the new turf knits-in properly.
Work has also started on the 350-yard, par-four 14th to lessen the mounding around the green and remove unsuitable material which constitutes most of the surrounds and presents greenkeepers with maintenance difficulties. Once again, a temporary green will be in play until the end of March, but as Gordon Moir, links superintendent at St Andrews Links Trust, indicates, the short-term disruption should lead to significant long-term improvements.
He said: "We're always trying to present a broad range of golfing challenges at St Andrews. The Strathtyrum is an important part of this, and we regularly review the layout to ensure it meets with both local and visiting golfers' expectations. The initial disruption caused by the re-shaping of these two greens should result in an improved golfing experience."
The temporary greens, which will not alter the Standard Scratch Score (SSS) of the course, will be superseded by the re-contoured greens at the start of April. Opened in 1993, the Strathtyrum was the first new 18-hole layout at St Andrews for almost 80 years and takes its name from the adjacent Strathtyrum Estate from which the land was purchased.