On Monday 17 October 2011 The PGA Centenary course closed to allow work to commence on some exciting changes, proposed by Jack Nicklaus, to the layout of a number of holes, and to let us carry out a program of scheduled winter maintenance.

Under the supervision of Scott Fenwick, Golf Courses and Estate Manager, the team have been hard at work and some impressive changes have already taken place in a short space of time.

The Gleneagles Hotel is currently testing a “sub-air system”, an aeration and moisture removal system, on the tenth green. If successful, this could be implemented on all 18 greens in addition to the putting green.

The main work to date has been to the 9th and 10th holes, with work just beginning on the 12th and 18th holes.

The 9th Hole

The significant changes to the 9th hole, a par 5, have taken place towards the green and approach shot landing area. The large fairway bunker that flanked the pond to the right of the fairway has been dug out and this area will form a larger pond that comes in to play for those who try to get to the hole in two.

For those that are thinking of laying up and playing the hole in regulation by keeping the ball out to the left, they will have to navigate two new bunkers to the right side of the fairway, close to the pond, as well as a bunker on the left hand side that will narrow the landing area.

A well struck and accurate second shot will be required for longer hitters while precision will be the key for those who choose to play the lay-up shot.

The 10th Hole

The major change on the 10th hole is the position of the tee boxes. On this long, downhill par 3 the championship tee and white medal tees have been moved significantly to the left of their current position.

This change will mean that the angle of approach in to the green will change and the greenside bunker to the left will come more in to play.

This change to the teeing area will allow a better flow of spectators between the ninth and tenth holes. The banking behind the ninth green will also be lowered allowing for better viewing areas.
 
The 18th Hole

The hole will remain a par 5, with much of the work being carried out from the landing area of the fairway up to and including the green and surrounding area. During tournament play we have the benefit of being able to change the tees according to the weather conditions and ensure it can be reached in two shots.

The championship tee will be moved slightly forward and to the left of the current position and raised by approximately two metres giving a better view of the fairway and landing area. This first change will mean the new landing area will be approximately 30-40m in front of the current one.

The tee shot should be aimed to the left hand side of the fairway as a strategic bunker will be placed on the right hand side within range of the tee shot. The bigger hitters may choose to try and carry it.

From the landing area, approximately 289yards up, the fairway will be levelled with some 35,000 tonnes of material being moved. The majority of this work is to remove the rise in the hole and flatten it out. The hole currently rises seven metres from the landing area to the centre of the green. The fairway will now only rise two metres from the landing area until you get to the changes in elevation at the green.

There are then a number of options for attacking the green depending on the outcome of the tee shot. The new green is now to the right of its current position and is angled towards the hole.

For those who have struck a good drive, the green is there to be taken on with the second shot by clearing the front left green side bunker.

For those who need to lay-up, there are a number of possible options. Take the centre bunker as your line and lay up short on the lower part of the fairway. Those who are a little greedy can play left of this on to the elevated section of the fairway but risk the two fairway bunkers and from there a difficult shot out of the bunkers to the green awaits.

Alternatively, you can choose to go to the right and land on the fairway path in front of the green. Beware of the small fairway bunker that is short of the landing area.

The green then provides its own challenge, sloping one metre from front to back and with three tiers. There are also swales that will gather any errant shots towards the bunkers.