Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club Hole 2

2nd HOLE par 4 - red tee 424, blue tee 481 SI 5
Prevailing wind W

You have only tracked anti-clockwise a few degrees as you head for the second tee but it is enough to alter the wind vector: you now have the 'usual' wind more or less at your back and given that you are almost certainly going to recommend a driving club for the tee shot, some cause and effect will need to be considered.

 Based on the first hole, it's definitely too early to discern your golfer's natural or preferred shot-shape, but a good caddie can always venture the question at this stage because the answer will help to determine the outcome of the tee-shot by suggestion, intent or dare I say, good fortune. It's better to be armed with as much factual data as possible: remember that your golfer's  confidence will be bolstered by your caddie viewpoint of the shot, especially if you match around 75% or more of his expectations on the shot. Of course you need to factor this undocumented equation against his handicap or perception of overall ability. If you're working for a 22 handicap weekend golfer from a nice country club resort somewhere, you can apply some fuzzy outline to the shot criteria and hope it works out. Ironically, this model does work from time to time and the benefits are really welcome: Your golfer has achieved something worthwhile, he's renewed his faith in his own ability, he's entrusted some faith in YOUR ability, and you, as the caddie, have justified your claim to know what you're talking about. If you're working for a top amateur playing off +3, or a tour professional with verified ranking points, then you can of course forget all of the above.

 Such are the extremes of a caddie's supposed wisdom. But again, a good caddie will know how to adjust his counsel-giving on the mythical knowledge slider. Older caddies would be more comfortable substituting 'rheostat' for 'slider'. So, tee-shot on the second: it's around 243 yards to the 3 bunkers guarding the centre of the fairway from the championship tee,(blue), with a carry distance of around 259 yards. The red tee, (members/accomplished visitors), is measuring around 57 yards less, thus equating to 186 yards reach, and 202 yards carry. Now we need to extrapolate for the wind and combine the figures with a non-equitable value for our golfer's driving ability. We are less than 2 holes in, and we have discovered that there is no calculator, ready-reckoner, or nth generation 'app' that can help us recommend an optimum shot. We are flying something with a hitherto-unknown co-pilot where the flaps, ailerons, rudder, and propulsion unit are as yet non-conformed. It's had many excursions, and it's still in one piece apparently, but the black-box flight recorder hasn't been invented yet. Such is the burden of the caddie's pre-requisite ability to improvise...appropriately, winging it seems to fit the process. On this hole, you can only offer one positive recommendation for the tee-shot: it's a driver or 3 wood straight over the trio of fairway bunkers, aiming to carry them cleanly, and leaving a mid-to-long iron to the green. Usual wind assistance will make this shot viable and any placement to the far right of the fairway will open up the green through a bunker protected opening that cants midway between the fairway and the boundary to the right. The converse, and often the norm for average golfers, is to aim left of the 3 fairway traps, possibly daunted by the sand and/or the OB railway fence. I would opine that a good caddie should encourage the former shot example, the tiger line over the traps.( We were using the term 'tiger' in the sixties and I'm sure before that, to denote the booming, optimistic, positive line for any golf shot ). It was appropriate then and still is today, although perhaps for different reasons. If your golfer DOES drive left of the 3 bunkers, whether it skitters out to 190 yards, or booms out to 270 yards and counting, he's immediately placed himself in difficulty. The margin of open fairway between the hazards at the 200 yard mark and the semi-rough is only about 15 yards, and as such should not be considered as a realistic landing point. If the shot has strayed further left than this, regardless of forward distance, a poor lie is almost certainly guaranteed.

 In fact, I have seen many a ball lost in this supposedly harmless patch. Sometimes your best and luckiest bet is that your ball has run out onto a relatively clear area formed by the nexus of the 18th tee, 16th tee, and the rear of the 17th green. Even then, the odds are stacked against you because the course schematics you may have studied beforehand did not accurately portray the real nature or challenge of this hole. If you took a virtual helicopter ride, and scanned an approximate line-of-sight view from your location near the 18th tee say, you would notice bunkers around 120 yards from you in line with the green, together with another around 70 yards further, again along the same flight-path. Should you be unfortunate enough to block your second shot from here in an attempt to steer away from the traps, there is a grassy, rough mound across from the further bunker, close to the OB fence. Unless you're very fortunate, all these hazards are very much in play, simply because  you will have a very poor lie. In fact, the right hand side mound may well be off-limits for you because the nature of your lie would heavily determine your shot outcome right there: a tangled mass of binding grass around the hosel of your 5 iron resulting in a smothered, closed-face shot that will flirt closely with the dense bushes sited just left and beyond the further left-hand bunker. Even if that second shot has carried the further bunker, there is a worthwhile sandy cousin guarding the green at about 7'oclock, usually directly in line with the flag. Meantime, the premium drive down the right opens up the green for something like a 160-190 yard iron shot through a very open gateway to the front apron. Again, the wind has to be factored in. IF we are calculating distances based on a moderate wind speed of 8-12 MPH (gusting), the second shot from optimum position has to be pitched at the front of the green, or perhaps even pre-apron. Accordingly, should the wind be gusting harder, say 15-22MPH and above, it's likely that a good drive will be level or past the left hand fairway bunker at 265 yards red (322 yards blue). Should this be the case, the second shot only measures out at around 140 yards and diminishing with no discernible obstacle between you and the flag.

 This scenario now presents a conundrum that a good caddie will choose to discuss with his client, depending on shots already taken and evaluated, perception of mutual ability between golfer and caddie, trust in shot execution and confidence, and establishment of rapport based on a very recent business transaction. Again, a good caddie might choose to avoid venturing into a complex debate on the merits of customised shot-making if he's already detected a measure of apathy with his man, and sometimes it turns out to be the best decision. However, I know from experience that I if I DO NOT attempt to offer some advice, then I would be failing my cause to some extent. After all, he does have choices and a rejection should not be taken personally. I always place myself in my client's shoes: example - I've travelled 4000 miles and gambled with lost-luggage, poor public transport, mediocre food, and a sub-standard service industry ( I may not even speak English as a first language). I am looking forward to playing Royal Lytham, a personal pilgrimage after years of promises and stories from my clubhouse cronies. Despite the jet-lag and the rain, and the exorbitant green-fees at the other North-West links courses, I'm playing the golf of my life and I'm looking at a 120 yard approach shot to the second green at Royal Lytham with an 18MPH wind behind me and my caddy is trying to sell me a punched, firm-wristed 7 iron, low pitched into the apron with some check-spin on the second hop, dying softly towards the flag on a left-to-right 9 yard run-out on a green barely 36 yards long and only around 25 yards narrow. My speculative gesture towards my 58 degree spin-milled vokey wedge appears to have fallen on stoney ground.... Back with my caddie persona intact, I can fully understand my client's dilemma: he knows that you are acting in good faith and he already trusts your instincts ( which means that you are conveying the best kind of reassurance), and this bodes well. However, you're asking him to step out of his comfort zone, and attempt to play a shot he's only ever read about in a golf magazine. This is right up on the apex of the caddie skillset: if you can convince him completely, and you have the ability to teach him the shot and it works, then you're golden. A good caddie knows if he can take that leap of faith, but he will dismiss the gamble if he has doubts about his ability to convey the necessary confidence. The entire backbone, the core of caddie-player interraction is the instinctive gift to employ extraordinary people skills without conscious variation of effort.

 Away from the philosophy, we now have the holing-out ritual. Technically, the front bunker at 7'oclock has only really trapped a poor second or third shot originating from a misguided left-hand biased drive. The 2 right-hand bunkers at between 2'oclock and 3:30 should not really be in-play unless someone has hit a flyer out of the left-hand rough, or an unfortunate push or block has crept into the second shot following a good right-hand side drive. Caddie mantra here: This second green is fairly flat and it will run out quickly through the back in dry conditions. The pin is more often than not placed mid-to-rear left...which means that the schematic you looked at earlier becomes even more important: you have to play this hole as a mild right-to-left dogleg if you want to score par or better. I have rarely seen par or birdie when the tee shot strays left. Have faith in playing as far right as you can. If the wind is blowing above 15MPH, the bunker at 265 red(322 blue), is in-play for most accomplished players: a 2 or 3 iron off the tee might be the wise option. Any fairway bunker at Royal Lytham will invariably add a shot that you can ill afford from what was marginally a decent drive. Risk management again becomes a major factor. There is, as always on this coast, a slim to medium chance that the tides and weather system will behave out of character and totally reverse the wind direction. It's usually primarily  in the WEST-NORTH-WEST quadrant, switching 6-7% of the time to the total opposite, namely EAST-SOUTH-EAST. In the retentive and precise world of the caddie, it's always a welcome event when the wind changes just as you reach the turn...you've carrried, advised, paced, and stressed for 9 holes with your golfer, knowing that apart from a couple of crosswind holes, you've had the wind at your back. It's tested your clubbing and reading skills but it's benign on the legs and lungs. Then, you start scanning the saddleback halfway up the 10TH fairway and realise that the wind is not ripping into your face. It's changed magically, your legs are thankful, and the walk back in becomes welcome. The eternal problem is that you have to be ready to modify your usual advice regarding prevailing winds and their swift changes of direction, often within just a 10 minute time window. And that's why the second at Royal Lytham, amongst others, changes character when the wind ad-libs:  I have worked with top amateurs and professionals alike who have reached for the driver on this hole knowing full well that the 3 bunkers at 243 yards are unreachable when the wind pinnacles over that 25MPH mark.

 The remainder of the front 9 now becomes a whole new proposition. At this stage, we haven't discussed the effect of the wind-shear on putting. Stroke index 5 - I would concur 85%.

Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club Hole 1

1st HOLE par 3 - red tee 198, blue tee 206 SI 13
Prevailing wind WNW

The only par 3 opening hole on the current British Open course candidate list and as such it appears relatively straightforward. However, as is often the case at Royal Lytham, this would be a false assumption due to some subtle and not-so-subtle features. The tee is somewhat sheltered on the right where the tree-line runs  almost from North-West to South-East directly towards the green. The tree cover thins out after 100 yards or so, revealing the railway track that parallels this boundary of the course all the way to the 9th hole, furthest from the start, and constitutes OB along its entire length. The wind predominantly gusts West-North-West, 'helping over the right shoulder', but can and does change throughout any given day, and with varying speeds. The microcosmic climate on the Fylde Coast is extremely changeable and plays a major part on any round of golf at Royal Lytham regardless of time, trend or season which is why you have to consider the sheltering effect of any tree cover on this first hole. Once your ball is around halfway to the hole, it is fully exposed to the wind, it is typically at its flight apex, and of course it is rotating around the axis of whatever spin you have intentionally (or unintentionally) imparted upon it.

 So far then, no mention of optimum shot-making in respect of bunker positions, green conditions, flag placement, or state of mind considering it's the opening hole of your round and psychologically key. There are 4 bunkers guarding the left-hand side of the green, positioned from 7o'clock to 10 o'clock; 3 bunkers on the right, 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock. As with almost all the bunkers on this course, if you miss one, you'll invariably find yourself in one of its neighbours, and the actual size of each trap can be realistically multiplied by another 70% or so due to the fiendish design of the physical catchment area. There are two bunkers at around 160 yards from the tee, directly in front of the green designed for the mis-hit...or the mis-judge. If the wind is not following its usual pattern, you will have to rethink most of your calculations...whether it's your second round on the same day, or simply a different day. All this before you've even had chance to switch to grooved-swing and muscle-memory mode. The green itself is around 36 yards deep and 30 yards wide, but because of the 'usual' prevailing wind, it's very difficult to hit a stereotypical golf shot that pitches on the green and stops relatively quickly. If the wind is gusting in the opposite direction however, (typically a 1-in-fifteen chance), the pitch/stop factor obviously changes. Another variable though: links greens are not manicured and watered like a a lot of American 'target' golf greens. The grass is predominantly fescue but its characteristics alter and adapt to reflect the local climate. Many well struck tee shots with proportionally crafted backspin will pitch at the very front of the green and run on through the back, leaving a tricky shot in the second or third cut, or even in wispy semi-rough that will have you re-living the dreaded fluff shot.

 Now it's good news because your caddie tells you, (once you've made the green ) that almost without exception, the borrows, breaks, slopes, and whatever customized jargon he's adopted to suit you, are very subtle. And he would be correct: I have adopted the same credo myself and I would like to think I helped originate it. Putting at Royal Lytham is about pace...which varies immensely on each and every green. Temperature, humidity, time-of-day, and especially wind direction/strength, are fundamental components of your reading. There are only around 4 greens on the course where directional extremes come into play, and I'll cover these where applicable. Your caddie may or may not have advised you on your tee-shot and even at that juncture, a whole tour-bag full of variables will have conspired to disrupt or help you with your decision-making process and shot execution depending on your faith and ability. Unfortunately, those same two attributes apply to your caddie, although not necessarily within the same parameters, thus introducing more margins for error. The same model applies to your putting. He may indeed give you a very good line and perhaps add extra nuggets of information regarding moisture on an early green, stimpmeter-defying speed on a glassy inward green, and even some wind-speed factoring, but he cannot entirely depend on your following the guide to the letter. In fact, it's impossible and thereby lies the get-out for both yourself and your caddie should you miss the putt. Likewise, a satisfying sense of concurrence in judgement and execution triggers the same stimuli should you hole the putt, albeit with an entirely polarised completeness.

 My own caddie mantra for this hole is to ensure that the bag does not contain any extra clubs, you have the ball make and number, your cleaning towel is satisfactorily wet, you have the relevant wind data, and that your player is encouraged to make a really good effort from the tee and use it as a positive foundation. Avoid the bunkers because they 'face' each other across a narrow green thus doubling potential hazards. The sand will be inconsistently textured too and as with the majority of holes on this course, it almost pays to be 'big' to the back or through the green in order to miss an unwelcome trip to the beach. Of course, you will need to rake every 'visited' bunker throughout the round ensuring that you make a thorough effort. Golfers and caddies alike will appreciate your following the etiquette.

 When the putting process takes place, caddies need to be aware of the putting order, the holing-out sequence depending on the competition format, the rules, and the variations that can take place depending on the golfers' preferences. The caddies will be attending, removing and replacing the pins throughout the round, avoiding damage to the edges of the precisely cut holes, also taking care to prevent the flag rustling in the wind. On the greens and at certain allowed junctures, the golfers will be expecting their caddies to clean their respective golf balls. I personally would advise initiating this action yourself rather than waiting hesitantly for your golfer to decide, thus setting a precedent for the round. And, unless you excelled as a top slip-fielder or baseball catcher, try to discourage your man from nonchalantly tossing the ball your way, expecting a showboat catch...it looks unprofessional when you drop it. If needs be, use your towel as an improvised catcher's mitt to help your percentages....and never mark his ball on the green unless expressly asked. (Avoid this scenario altogether in a tournament). A good caddie should always try to minimise distractions from all sources at all times but on the greens it's worth exercising some extra care: avoid casting any extraneous shadows, do point out obstructions or irregularities on the putting surface if you think your player has overlooked them, and do try to minimize the amount of steps you take, especially close to the hole itself. You also need to be aware of your own position relative to the active putter. You cannot be standing in his eye-line or even remotely visible behind him on a similar axis because it constitutes a definite distraction. Some golfers have variable sensitivity on this one, but it's prudent to adopt a consistent method, namely placing yourself around 90 degrees to the line of the putt, facing your golfer and just far enough away that he can't see your shoes as he hunkers down over his putt. This positioning tactic actually applies to just about every shot on the course where practical. You will also need to re-position yourself on the greens so that your stance is the same for each and every golfer putting out.

Greens are organically changing as a round of golf progresses and are worthy of consideration when you offer your thoughts. Many factors change as the surface alters. A good caddie is aware of his footprint, how his body weight features, and where he walks, and we haven't even recognised the pitch-mark  yet...

Footwear guidelines have changed over the years and it's worth checking these out in the pro shop so that you don't incur the wrath of the secretary, the greens committee, or even the R&A. It's human nature to apportion blame when failure occurs and it can be directed inwardly or outwardly depending on the circumstances, but I have seen many caddies take the full brunt of a golfer's anger and frustration when a barely visible spike mark or sole impression has 'caused' a deviation on an otherwise 'good roll'. Some might say that this comes with the job, and to a certain extent, there's truth and merit in that argument. However, a good caddie should always try to reduce the volcano quotient whenever possible. If I'm working and we're all on or about the green, I always over-exaggerate my walking around the lines of each putt. I do not step over the lines, I totally circumvent them....and I always make sure that I have been seen to do so by the maximum number of people where practical. Potential risk and damage limitation in action.

 As a consolation on this first hole, it's worth bearing in mind that a thinned shot that carries the two short placed bunkers invariably ends up on the green by virtue of its inherent straightness. Not pretty, but I would take that shot every time over a wild pull-hook left into trouble or a blocky-push or fadey-slice right into the trees or OB. Caddie warning that applies here and everywhere on this course: you can lose a ball from 50 yards out and more despite walking straight to where you think you saw it pitch and stop. Stroke index13 - I would concur 90%.