Time to finish up the Erin Hills photo tour.
#16. Slightly uphill par 3. Web site description:
This can be our most forgiving par three as the green, fashioned from a natural kettle, may gather some offline shots. However, hidden bunkers from the tee will capture many others that are not so lucky. There is a hidden pot hole short of the surface, narrow bunkers left, deep bunkers short right, a deep bunker back right, and a ridge that bisects the putting surface, creating two distinct levels.From the middle tee box:
The pin was on the back tier and my caddy said he's never seen anybody behind the hole when the hole is cut there. Well, after a well struck 4 iron I told him from now on he'll have to say 'rarely' instead.
From over the green:
#17. Blind tee shot on this bunkerless par 4. Web site description:
A partial drumlin may block views of green from the left sections of fairway, so tee shot should be played as close to the sentinel oak on the right as you dare. The approach should favor left side of green to avoid deep collection areas on the right. Blind shots over the drumlin could well bounce onto green. The putting surface is receptive and relatively flat. Once on, you'll have a welcomed opportunity at rolling in a putt.Middle tee box view:
Approach shot view:
From just short of the green:
The very undulating fw:
From the back of the green:
Look at the bunkerless green on the way to the 18th tee box:
#18. We head back to the clubhouse with a long par 5. Hole description:
The experience concludes with one last test of discipline and shot-making. If playing away from the left bunker off tee, be aware that more bunkers lie in wait to the right. Keep your second shot short or right of center target bunker, as the fairway slopes left into deep rough. Play approach to right center of peninsula-like green, as front and left edges drop off quickly.View from 620 yard tee box:
From the tee shot landing area:
Another:
A good second shot, IMO, takes you out to the right of this centerline bunker:
To leave a 3rd shot view like this:
From the left edge of the green looking back down the fairway:
View from left of the green with #9 green and #10 fairway in the background:
I hope you enjoyed the tour of the 'new and improved' Erin Hills. Perhaps I'll bump this thread when the US Am nears later in the year.
If you wish to view all 148 photos in my album of Erin Hills, go here:
http://www80.homepage.villanova.edu/joseph.bausch/images/albums/ErinHills/index.html