Oakmont greens

[Michael Blake]

Was skimming through The Word Atlas of Golf, 2005 edition over morning coffee and this caught my eye.

On page 21 a caption under a picture of Oakmont's 18th green, "Oakmont's greens are fair because they contain no grain, which affects not only the distances putts will roll but also in which direction if will bend."

How can a green contain no grain?  

Is it simply because they're mowed in different directions and/or cut so short?

Are there other explanations?  Am I missing something?

[wsmorrison]

Michael,

Being predominantly Poa Annua, I believe there is little or no grain in Oakmont's greens.  

Bent Grass, even cut as low as found on Merion's greens have grain that strongly influences putts.  All the grain goes towards the 11th green.  Personally, I love grain on Bent Grass greens due to the added demands it makes on players.  

[Michael Blake]

Thanks Wayne.

I guess I neglected the obvious explanation...species.

[Joe Hancock]

Wouldn't Oakmonts greens be "fair" because of they way they were shaped and how they work with the rest of the architecture? Since when does grain=unfair?

Joe

[Jim Sweeney]

Joe-

Perfect.

We should next hold a nice little execution and burial for the word "fair" used in any golf context.

Now that ought to elicit some responses!