Returning to the Home of Golf

Our blogs are designed to bring you even closer to the action than ever before. So if you aren't already excited about The Open's return to St Andrews, now's the time

St Andrews

The evidence is inconclusive but I think it's fair to assume that golf was first played at St Andrews around the start of the 16th century. What began on this humble stretch of Fife coast 500 years ago has exploded into a multi-billion pound industry that is played in every country in the world.

Next week the modern and ancient will collide as the game's biggest event returns to golf's spiritual home. The usual paraphernalia that comes with the Open Championship will of course be there but on the links itself, where every great of the game has trodden, very little has changed. The best players in the world will again come face-to-face with; massive double greens, criss-crossing fairways, a drive over an old railway shed, roads, dry stone walls and of course, the best natural amphitheatre of them all - the town.

The rise and rise of the health and safety officer means that golf courses aren't built like this anymore. But thankfully our greatest treasure remains untouched offering a unique window into the past. To win The Open here is to reach the very pinnacle of the sport.

The Golf Monthly Team are relocating for a week to the Auld Grey Toon to offer a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the 2010 Open Championship. From the course set-up to the buzz around town, our blogs are designed to bring you even closer to the action than ever before. So if you aren't already excited about The Open's return to St Andrews, now's the time.   

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X