MERION GC EAST- Just the Course

[Bill Crane]

During the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion, the USGA was playing the 3rd hole from the back of the 7th Tee.   Looked like about 240 yards !!

The USGA execs included David Fay were camped out watching the players go through.

Curious to see if they play the 3rd from the 7th tee during the Open as well.

[Joe Bausch]

Looked like about 240 yards !!
 

I think that tee plays between about 245 all the way to 275 yards.

[Dan Herrmann]

Bill - I doubt it.  IIRC, at Muccifest last year, Mike Davis said #3 wouldn't be played from #7's tee for the open.

But it was pretty darn amazing to see Fowler hit (I think) a 5 wood to the green from there.

[Bill McKinley]

I think you guys are talking about #3 being played from the back of #6 tee, not #7. 

Bill - I doubt it.  IIRC, at Muccifest last year, Mike Davis said #3 wouldn't be played from #7's tee for the open.

But it was pretty darn amazing to see Fowler hit (I think) a 5 wood to the green from there.

[Joe Bausch]

I think you guys are talking about #3 being played from the back of #6 tee, not #7. 

Bill - I doubt it.  IIRC, at Muccifest last year, Mike Davis said #3 wouldn't be played from #7's tee for the open.

But it was pretty darn amazing to see Fowler hit (I think) a 5 wood to the green from there.

Good pick-up Bill.

[JSlonis]

In addition to some of the changes they highlighted on that show, the first fairway was narrowed, 40 yards was added to #4, fairway narrowed on #7, fairway shifted and narrowed on #8, new left tees built/rebuilt on #9, total redo of the 12th green, new bunkers on the right of the drive zone on #15, new addition to the 15th green on the front left (created a little plateau). Fairway narrowed on #16 with a new fairway bunker added on the left side.

Having had the opportunity to play Merion many times over the past 15 years, I'm actually surprised with how much they've changed the course in preparation for the 2013 Open.  What's odd is that compared to years ago, quite a few of the preferred lines off the tees are now covered on rough.  My preferred lines on holes 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 would now leave me in the rough on all these tee shots.

[Sean Leary]

Jamie,

How did 12 green turn out?

[JSlonis]

Jamie,

How did 12 green turn out?

Sean,

I know my opinion doesn't count for much but it seemed a bit out of character upon first impression.  Perhaps an expert in the field would disagree but I didn't see a continuity to the redesign compared to the rest of the greens on the course. It's hard to describe in words here but I'll try...

I consider many of the original greens at Merion to be some of the very best designed greens in the world. They all have some great slope and contour but on a larger scale. The new 12th seems to have a lot of subtle stuff going on in the green that you don't find elsewhere on the course. Does that make sense?

[Sean Leary]

Jamie,

Sure does. Disappointing. I was hoping that it would be changed just enough to give it more locations at the higher speed (raising the front a bit). Sounds like a redo where they may have tried too hard to inject character where it wasn't needed.

[JSlonis]

Jamie,

Sure does. Disappointing. I was hoping that it would be changed just enough to give it more locations at the higher speed (raising the front a bit). Sounds like a redo where they may have tried too hard to inject character where it wasn't needed.

I understand. Once the club was awarded the Open I knew this green wouldn't remain as it was. Like you, I was hoping for the smallest change possible. The work done is certainly more than a subtle change.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jamie,

How did 12 green turn out?

Sean,

I know my opinion doesn't count for much but it seemed a bit out of character upon first impression.  Perhaps an expert in the field would disagree but I didn't see a continuity to the redesign compared to the rest of the greens on the course. It's hard to describe in words here but I'll try...

I consider many of the original greens at Merion to be some of the very best designed greens in the world. They all have some great slope and contour but on a larger scale. The new 12th seems to have a lot of subtle stuff going on in the green that you don't find elsewhere on the course. Does that make sense?

Jamie,

That's unfortunate.

Historically, every time Merion hosts an Open and narrows/alters their fairways, they never get returned to their Pre-Open configuration.

Unfortunately, that seems to be true for every course hosting the Open

[Mark McKeever]

Jamie,

Sure does. Disappointing. I was hoping that it would be changed just enough to give it more locations at the higher speed (raising the front a bit). Sounds like a redo where they may have tried too hard to inject character where it wasn't needed.

Jamie,

Did you notice a similar pattern on the 15th green?

Mark

[JSlonis]

Jamie,

Sure does. Disappointing. I was hoping that it would be changed just enough to give it more locations at the higher speed (raising the front a bit). Sounds like a redo where they may have tried too hard to inject character where it wasn't needed.

Jamie,

Did you notice a similar pattern on the 15th green?

Mark

Mark,

No. The 15th green remains largely untouched except for the front left portion of the green.  They created a smallish plateau area there and left the rest of the green alone.  To my eye, the new area looked a bit out of place and didn't tie in as seamlessly as I would've hoped with the surrounds and the existing green.  Perhaps there will be some tweaking of that spot but I don't know.

As I've said many times over the years, Merion is one of my favorite places.  It's such a great course and always has been.  That is why I'm surprised how much has changed in prep for the US Open.  I suppose advancing technology is to blame but it's a shame that such a classic venue just can't host it with what was already in place. We were talking about the approach shots of the tour players that will be competing next year and I figured that there will be short iron/wedge approaches on holes 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and possibly short-mid irons on 15 & 16. That's a lot of short shots for guys of that talent level.

[Mark McKeever]

Thanks for the update Jamie.  Glad that 15 wasn't altered too much.

Mark

[Sean_A]

I looked up this blast from the past in the hope that folks might tell me how Merion is doing these days. Reading the tour I notice three things. First, I mention the importance of interior views a few times. I didn't realize I was thinking about that stuff back then.  Second and related, a lot more trees could be removed in the name of aesthetics.  Third, 9 years later and I still have not played a better course than Merion! Anyway, updates are much appreciated!


Ciao

[mike_malone]

I drive by it often. The high grass at the back of the bunkers is outrageous.

[MCirba]

Rumor has it that the course is in goid hands and there may be some changes afoot.

[Dan Boerger]

Mike - That grass around the bunkers make it almost a water hazard once in it! I also heard chatter about some additional investment in conditioning. It's an amazing test of golf and I'm always impressed with the challenge presented during any round I've ever played there.

[JESII]

"Additional investment in conditioning"?


What could this possibly mean at a place like Merion?

[JMEvensky]

"Additional investment in conditioning"?


What could this possibly mean at a place like Merion?

+1


What else could they possibly do?


Toured the maintenance "barn" and brought back photos for our Superintendent. He still thinks they were photoshopped.

[Mac Plumart]

Merion blew me away.  I mean, blew me away.  I knew it would be good...but wasn't ready for what it was. 


Best short par 4's in the world?

[JESII]

And 2 or 3 of the best long par 4's in the world as well.


My point was simply that, good or bad, they've had pretty much an unlimited budget for the golf course.

[JESII]

I would put 5 and 18 in with any long par 4's I've played.

[Nate Oxman]

"Additional investment in conditioning"?


What could this possibly mean at a place like Merion?

+1


What else could they possibly do?


Toured the maintenance "barn" and brought back photos for our Superintendent. He still thinks they were photoshopped.

SubAir?

[Dan Herrmann]

Rumor has it that the course is in goid hands and there may be some changes afoot.

I've heard the same things.   This week, actually.