The second hole on The Loop is the eighth, Short. The main concern here is the Short Hole bunker on the front-left of the green. It’s one of the most challenging bunkers to escape on the course, and pins that put it in play should bring caution, because the green slopes away from the bunker and a pin in this position cannot be directly approached.
“A hole that at one time I despised was the 8th at St. Andrews. It is a huge flat green, and is guarded by one small solitary bunker. It appears absurdly simple, but so far from familiarity breeding contempt, it is precisely the opposite effect. On medal day the flag is usually placed behind the bunker and it is surprisingly difficult to get near it.
A pitch over the bunker usually lands yards behind the hole. On the other hand, there is a ridge 100 yards from the tee on the right which runs diagonally toward the bunker. A well-played run up shot will climb this ridge, curl round the edge of the bunker and lie dead at the hole, but unless the ball has sufficient topspin to climb this ridge it will turn off at right angles and be deeply buried in the bunker to the left.”