Interesting tidbit I found on the USGA website just now:
The USGA selects venues for the U.S. Open that rank among the most challenging courses in the United States. We intend that the U.S. Open prove the most rigorous examination of golfers. A U.S. Open course should test all forms of shot making, mental tenacity, and physical endurance under conditions of extreme pressure found only at the highest levels of championship golf.
At the same time, we try to ensure that a well-played stroke produces a positive result for an Open competitor. We formulate a detailed, careful plan for conducting the Open over four-to-five days, but unanticipated variations in weather and other conditions may force consideration of daily adjustments to maintain appropriate playing conditions.
The following list of 14 factors impact overall U.S. Open course set up. The mix of these factors varies from course to course, year to year. Evaluation of course set up should not focus on any single element but consider the composite result.
1. Length, variation and playing characteristics of individual holes
2. Length of overall golf course relative to total par
Teeing ground locations (i.e., angles of play, variation of distance day to day)
3. Fairway width and contours
4. Fairway firmness and speed;
5. Green speed relative to percentage slopes and contours of the putting greens
6. Putting green firmness
7. Rough height, density and stages of severity
8. Bunker preparation (i.e., create challenge of recovery)
9. Green surrounds (e.g. closely mown areas -vs.- primary rough);
10. Hole locations (relative difficulty, balance in location of left-vs.-right, front-vs.-back, anticipated wind, anticipated length of approach shot)
11. Risk and reward options
12. Anticipated weather conditions
13. Pace of play.
There is no USGA target score for a U.S. Open. While the final score at some U.S. Open sites will be at or near par, the USGA does not try to formulate a course set up that will only produce a winning score of at or near even par.
The Association typically begins preparing for a U.S. Open five to seven years in advance of the actual championship. This preparation process continues regularly throughout that extended period. The complexities of course set up, gallery management, traffic, transportation and parking, lodging, security, volunteers, media, corporate hospitality, and player needs continue to increase annually. Our goal is to provide everyone attending a U.S. Open with the finest experience possible, whether they are located inside or outside the ropes.
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So -opinions???