Week 3: The wonderful 3rd at Oakmont

[Ryan Farrow]

John is pretty much spot on but not all bunkers will force you to hit a wedge out. If you are greedy enough you can knock a 6-7 iron out of a FW bunker but its pretty risky and the chances are you still wont be able to reach the green. I found my pictures on an old computer in my house so here are a few shots:

[George Pazin]

Fantastic photos, Ryan, they really add a lot to this thread. Thanks for posting them.

Garland -

I can't even begin to comprehend the statement that there are thousands of holes like these. I am aware of very very few others that I would place in Oakmont's company. I can only imagine that I am not explaining things adequately, but I have no idea what else to say, so I'll just say I'm sorry I can't seem to get my thoughts across to you.

[John_Cullum]

This hole is looking pretty playable to me. I think U.S. Open contestants will be able to go long down the left, and fly past the church pews. Even if they are in the rough, they will be able to get it to the green from there. They always do, even though every year we hear how bad the rough is going to be.

[Ted Kramer]

George believes this course is great in a "clearly better than Pebble Beach" meaning of that term.  I feel confident he finds a lot more to Oakmont than a tough, no nonsense golf course.

To be perfectly clear, I'm a fan of the Goodale Michelin system of ranking, and I think Pebble and Oakmont are both 3 stars, or Doak 10s, or whatever. Each is outstanding in its own way. I think Oakmont may be a better design, by virtue of the unusual way in which it tests each shot.

Ted -

The strategies at Oakmont are much more subtle than the obvious option type holes. Once upon I time, I favored the latter approach, but my time at Oakmont during the Am came to see quite a bit of change in my own thoughts. Maybe someday I'll do a thread on the obvious versus the subtle; maybe even sooner rather than later.

My and your use of the term "subtle" crossed in cyber-space
I'll always prefer subtle as opposed to obvious.
The former insists upon an intimate knowledge, understanding and or appreciation . . .

-Ted

George and Huck,

I hope we can follow up on these earlier discussions as the tournament progresses. I'm really excited to see how the course plays. George, thanks again for your efforts with these threads.

-Ted

[Matt_Cohn]

The chipping area behind the green isn't really a chipping area, is it? It's more like a 20-yard funnel into the rough.

[Ted Kramer]

I think the 3rd has played great so far.
Oakmont looks so friggin cool on TV. . .
The course is playing GREAT!!!!

-Ted

[Kalen Braley]

I'M SO JEALOUS!!!

I'm stuck here at work..