The Royal and Ancient Golf Club have announced changes to the St Andrews course ahead of the 2015 Open Championship.
The work is part of a programme devised by architect Martin Hawtree, which will see a total of nine holes undergo alterations.
Among those being reshaped is the famous 17th 'Road Hole', where the greenside trap has been widened by half a metre.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said that their aim is to always make the course more challenging for the players.
"We have considered the challenge presented to the world's top golfers by each of the Open Championship venues and carried out a programme of improvements over the last 10 years," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.
"While some holes have been lengthened on the Old Course in recent years it has otherwise remained largely unaltered.
"The Championship Committee felt there was an opportunity to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. The proposals from Martin Hawtree should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course."
The other holes being altered are the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 15th.
Michael Penkman
