I think Winged Foot was much more difficult in 1974

[ChipOat]

Nantz and Miller were saying that the scores in 2006 weren't so much different than in 1974.  Erego, it may be that all the fuss back then was overdone and that it's just as difficult now as then.

I've played both versions within 45 days of both tournaments.  The rough was deeper in 1974 and the equipment was, for all the reasons we know, inferior as well.  And I'm no better now than I was then - in fact, I'm about 4 shots worse per round.  Plus there were lots of Stupid Trees back then and almost none now.

It ain't easy now but it was REALLY hard in 1974, IMO.

[Glenn Spencer]

IMO, there is no question about it. With the technology gain, the 6950 they were playing back then was longer than the 7264 they just finished playing yesterday. If you look at the scores. 74 winner was higher, but also +12 finished in about 5th place, +7 finished in fifth in 2006. The winner is on and see Pebble 2000, it can skew some thoughts. The rest of the top 10 is a key number for difficulty. This definitely indicates that 74 was a lot more difficult. Maybe not more difficult now, but Jack Nicklaus was more tested mentally and physically in 74 than Tiger Woods was in 2006. The weather you would have to say was pretty similar. The only thing against 74 is one could say that it was the first to some degree and maybe remembered as more difficult.

[tlavin]

What were the greens like, speed-wise, back then?  I thought it was interesting that the USGA kept the speed down because of the slope of the greens.  I also thought it was interesting that Winged Foot never went to some of the newer strains of bent grass on their greens.  NBC reported the greens were poa, and they sure looked like it.

[JESII]

Chip,

Do you have a fairway width comparison between '74 and '06?

If the fairways were comparable width's I would think it easier to hit one with a balata than a ProV1.

[Brad Klein]

2006: average score per round, 74.99

1974: average score per round, 76.99

[Glenn Spencer]

2006: average score per round, 74.99

1974: average score per round, 76.99

How many people made the cut in each? The cut was 153 in 74, what was the leader at after 36? Did 10-shot rule come into effect?

[ChipOat]

tlavin:

I think the greens were pretty quick both years although I didn't hear of anybody putting it off #1 from above the hole this time as APalmer did in 1974 and JNicklaus did in 1984.  They were certainly harder to hold in 1974 - not sure how much of that was equipment/ball "improvements" between then and now.

JES II:

I'm guessing the fairways weren't much different - pretty narrow USGA-style both years.  Crowds much bigger in 2006 so trampled rough zones also bigger despite the USGA moving the galleries back.

No question the rough was DEEPER in 1974.