I agree with all that Shinnecock is one of the nation's finest designs and needs little or no work done by an open doctor to prepare it for the 104th open. However, with the advancement of technology, and if the track is fast, the 6944 championship yardage will play more like the high 6700s. I remember in the 4th round that Pavin hit driver 9I to no.12. No.16 remains one of my top 5 tournament par 5s in the world.
My thoughts are numerous:
1. Lengthen the par 4s downwind;
2. Lengthen the par 4s into the wind;
3. Lengthen both par 5s by 20 yards each;
4. There is no need to lengthen any of the par 3s;
5. Finally, agronometric practices are so precise that the course could play even quicker than 1995.
The following is a spreadsheet of the thoughts listed above.
1995 down in
394 395 395
226 230 230
453 475 455
408 415 435
535 555 555
471 490 475
188 190 190
367 370 370
447 450 450
409 415 415
158 165 165
472 495 480
377 385 385
444 465 450
415 415 435
544 565 565
186 185 185
450 455 455
6944 7115 7090
I like both choices, although if I had one to make, it would probably be the one into the wind.
Matt...I believe Whistling Straits will play it all the way back. They played the PGA Club Pro Championship at 7208. Also, commencing with Medinah in 1999, they have begun to play their courses all the way back (Medinah, A.A.C. (with the exception of holes 1 and 11), Hazeltine, Oak Hill will grow before 2003, etc.). I wonder if no. 16 will play as a par 4, however. With the exception of 18 (not that great), there isn't a long brute of a par 4 and 16 represents the best chance to create one.