As Tom Doak notes, though a prairie shouldn't be confused for links land, there is a great temptation to compare Prairie Dunes to the famous UK links - they both feature wind, humpy-bumpy fairways, similarly nasty rough, firm playing conditions, etc.
So.....how would you compare/contrast the merits of Prairie Dunes to the courses on the Open rota (I pick the rota courses for ease of comparison)?
My take would be:
1. It is one of the few courses in the world that has greens as vexing as those at St. Andrews. Plus many of its fairways enjoy the same continual rolls as the ones found at St. Andrews.
2. It is less heavily bunkered than Muirfield, in part because it enjoys significantly better topography. For instance, a hole like the 8th at MuirFIELD needs all those bunkers in the crook of the dogleg whereas the 8th at Prairie Dunes does not.
3. It isn't nearly as long as Carnoustie but conversely, Carnoustie can't begin to match it for short game interest. Plus, like Bethpage Black, as part of its tough guy image, Carnoustie doesn't really challenge the golfer to hit some crisp short iron shots, like those at the 14th or 17th holes at PD.
4. It doesn't have the romantic setting of Turnberry but conversely PD's weaker holes demolish those at Turnberry as each hole at PD is loaded with architectural interest. Plus, who would argue that PD's finest holes aren't the equal of the coastline holes at Turnberry?
5. The uneven stances than one finds at PD adds heaps to its overall challenge and interest and the continual fiddling with one's stance/set-up is the very thing that Royal Birkdale lacks.
6. PD goes a great job of continually getting the golfer to the highest points around the property (e.g. 3 tee, 5 tee, 6 tee, 9 tee, 12 tee, 18 tee) where he is exposed to the full effect of the wind. These high points are unsettling to the man who has started to lose his swing and the flatter Troon doesn't enjoy a similar opportunity to expose such frayed nerves.
7. While there are a few views of homes (and a couple of poorly placed cart paths) at PD, the overall sense is one of escapism and at being at one with nature, which is about the only thing that Royal Lytham & St. Annes lacks.
8. Royal St. George's is one of my all-time favorites too but all its one shotters have been drastically altered with time. While they remain a good set, they don't begin to compare against the excellent set at PD.
The purpose of the post isn't to nit-pick the few weak aspects of the Open courses but rather to highlight the abundant merits of PD relative to other world class courses.
The Women's Open in the first week of July should make for great, great viewing, especially if a breeze is about.
Cheers,
PS I hope to have a PD course profile posted with perhaps as many as 25 pictures by Tuesday evening.