The Old Course St Andrews, May 10, 2013. Cold rain and wind from the 9th through 15th holes turned sunny for our last three holes at the Home of Golf

What's in your golf bag?

We golfers take ourselves seriously and believe anything is possible. Why take a penalty stroke if you can get your club back and might be able to hit your ball to the fairway or maybe even onto the green? Remember those miraculous shots Ken Venturi showed us to save strokes? Why not give it a try?

With a little dash of optimism and the mentality of "if you can see the green, you can hit the green" you just might be able to pull off a 'miracle shot' of your own.

And then there is the concept of "Risk / Reward". What’s the worst thing that can happen? "I'll just take a club and climb up there to see for myself". You can always count on your golf buddies to offer some encouragement and help you focus on the “reward" and forget the “risk”. Just the push you need to give it a go, though these type of shots used to be easier when metal spikes were allowed.

All your mates really want is to see good theater or at least some bit of entertainment. After all the "Risk / Reward” for them is zero risk and the reward might be priceless. They might witness your 'miracle shot' or have a good laugh at your expense.

Every shot is serious business. And if you do manage to pull off the shot….Hallelujah! Faith renewed! Anything is possible.

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Hole# 18 Duel in the Sun

The finishing hole of the Ailsa course was renamed in honour of the 1977 Open Championship, which is regarded by many as the finest Major Championship ever played. With three bunkers on left side of the fairway, a good tee shot down the right-hand side is required, however; too far right and the gorse will be waiting for you. The approach shot should be aimed for the right half of the green as there is an incline on the left that may leave a tricky chip from a valley of rough. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).

Hole #17 Lang Whang

A Long Whack is required to reach the fairway over the mounds, but be wary of the bunker on the right as the contours of the fairway will gather shots towards it. It doesn't end there. A good second shot is required if players are looking to carry the steep ridge and miss the pot bunkers either side of the fairway. The green is bowl shaped at the front and will help gather the ball towards the centre of the putting surface. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

Hole #7 Roon The Ben

Round the Mountain is the translated name of this hole. A long par 4 which requires a tee shot between the bunker on the left of the fairway and the two smaller bunkers on the right. The longer player may be able to cut off a fraction of the dog-leg and take a braver line over the ridge on the left. The approach shot is uphill and the green slopes from the back to the front. Bunkers to the right of the green and a valley of deep rough on the left, will require a well executed shot to find the putting surface. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

Hole# 6 Tappie Toorie

Tappie Toorie calls for players to Hit to the Top since the green sits at the summit of a particularly steep slope. The name emphasises the importance of reaching the green as the bunker, short of the green on the right-hand side, will test the skills of the finest golfers. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).

Hole# 10 Dinna Fouter

Dinna Fouter translates to Don't Mess About and it is best to adhere to such advice. The Firth of Clyde awaits players who hit their tee shot too far left and, if that is not enough, even more trouble awaits players in the middle of the fairway, in the shape of two pot bunkers and a further bunker on the right side of the fairway. The famous island bunker protects the approach and the green will gather shots from the right-hand side. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).

Hole#4 Woe-Be-Tide

Woe-Be-Tide is a light-hearted warning to be aware of the Firth of Clyde and other possible hazards on the left of the hole. The large eye-catching bunker short and right of the green should be avoided at all costs. The green is bowl shaped and any ball hitting the surface should filter into the middle from either side. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).

Hole# 5 Fin Me Oot

The fifth green is set in a cove at the bottom of the dunes. Fin Me Oot meaning find me out is appropriately named to encourage players to seek out the putting surface. Players should look to hit their tee shot down the right side of the fairway to leave the best possible view of the green. The approach shot must be accurate as three devilishly hard bunkers are waiting for any errant shots. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

Hole# 15 Ca' Canny

Any errant shots will be heavily punished so Take Care is the warning. A steep banking in front of and to the right of the green will consume errant shots and leave players with an unpredictable lie and certainly no view of the pin. Waiting on the left is more trouble in the shape of three bunkders and the contours of the green will require a gentle touch as the slopes will make any bunker shot periously fast. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).

1rst hole starter hut.

Hole# 1 Ailsa Craig

The Ailsa Craig, named after the Ailsa rock in the Firth of Clyde, is visible from almost every hole on the course. This short opening hole must not be underestimated as it is one the most heavily bunkered holes on the course. It is advisable to hit a full shot to this green, so players should look to play short of the fairway bunkers from the tee. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

Hole #8 Goat Fell

Goat Fell takes its name from the tallest peak on the Isle of Arran, which is visible directly across the Firth of Clyde. The narrow fairway is guarded by three bunkers on the right and therefore requires a precise tee shot. The majority of trouble is short of the green and visible on this hole. Careful club selection is paramount on this two-tiered green. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

Hole# 12 Monument

The monument on the hill above the green commemorates the lost airmen stationed at Turnberry during the World Wars. A brave tee shot is required down the left side of the fairway and players will have to flirt with the fairway bunkers in order to gain the best view of the green for the approach shot. The green is bigger than it appears and the rise in elevation may require players to hit an extra club in order to find the putting surface successfully. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course Guide)

"Drive at the gap in wall" was the Pro's tip in the strokesaver. Again, not a gentle hole, 464yds into the gale...

Hole# 16 Wee Burn

This hole is named after Wilson's Burn. The Little Burn running across the front of the green may not seem so little when you are faced with the task of either carrying it or suffering the consequences. A good tea shot down the right half of the fairway will leave the optimum angle to approach the green; however a watery grave awaits those who are not successful. (Source of description: strokesaver, Golf's No1 Course guide).