Jack Nicklaus believes the revamped Gleneagles will provide an ideal setting for the 2014 Ryder Cup after supervising changes to the Scottish golf course he originally designed almost 20 years ago.
Nicklaus, widely regarded as golf’s greatest player with 18 majors to his credit, had often bemoaned the trend for golf balls to fly ever greater distances, which many within the sport believe has taken the challenge out of many courses.
But given that golfing chiefs show no sign of stopping the advance of ball technology, many courses have undergone the expense of being redesigned to make them suitable for the modern game.
Nicklaus, speaking after playing Gleneagles on Wednesday, said: “The golf course, first of all, was not meant to be the toughest golf course in the world. It was a golf course for Gleneagles and its hotel and guests.
“When I was asked to do the course more than 20 years ago, in those days, it was a pretty challenging golf course.
“With the equipment and the golf ball and everything going so much further, it needed alterations.
“I would prefer golf balls being altered, personally, but until that happens, alterations need to happen to golf courses.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a golf course that breaks the back – it’s not meant to be that.
“There are plenty of opportunities for birdies — birdies are exciting in the Ryder Cup – but it also makes you play golf,” the American added.
“It’s more about being a good test and a good place to have an event than breaking your back.”
Nicklaus said the game could become less time-consuming if a halt was put to the advance of ball technology.
“There are 17,000 golf courses in the States that are obsolete to the professionals,” he explained.
“Say you brought the golf ball back 10 per cent, you reduce maintenance by 10 per cent, you get shorter golf courses, you get shorter length of play which has been a tremendous issue.
“Of those 17,000 courses that are obsolete, you could get 10,000 back to tournament level.
“It costs very little to adjust the golf ball but you look at what’s happening at all these golf courses.
“They spent a fortune changing Augusta (the home of the US Masters). The cost to change this golf course for the Ryder Cup was ridiculous.”