[Patrick_Mucci]

It's a good question and the answer in play will sure be interesting.

Personally, I would break a question like this into two parts from a distance perspective, and the other hole I'm thinking of is Merion East's #4 which can probably play 650-660 in the 2013 US Open:

1. Is it possible for them to reach a hole of that length in two-shots, period?
    
    TE, I know you're familiar with the 16th at Pine Tree (666-670 from the Gold Tees)
     I would never think that someone could hit a 366-370 drive followed by a 300 3-wood, yet, several have done so.
     It boggles the mind.
     Now it's a fairly straight hole and usually plays downwind, but, hitting a 670 yard hole in two seems so alien, so ridiculous to those of us
     who grew up in the persimmon and balata age that it defies logic.
     Yet, on the Remax Driving Championship last week, guys were carrying it 380-390.
     It's just unimaginable.

2. Even if they can possibly do it, what is it about a hole of that length that will stop them from trying even if they can reach it in two shots?
   Probably the crescent nature and the "heavy" air.


I think the smallish creek fronting Merion East's #4 would dissuade a number of players from going in two even if reaching it distance-wise is possible. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? In other words, should a hole like that be shortened enough to tempt more to go in two and make mistakes?

I think it may be a bad thing, the inability of the architect to test the golfer's ability to hit three consecutive shots with precision.
We have to do it all the time, why shouldn't the best golfers in the world face the same test ?

Risk/Reward!! It's all about RISK/REWARD and risk/reward can be a very tricky and nuancy thing. Is it the essence of great golf architecture?

[Sam Morrow]

I thought Olympic was the land of the 140 yard six iron.

[Howard Riefs]

Here's your answer from Bubba. In short: No.

"You can't reach that hole in two from the forward tee," Watson said. "I don't know why it needs to be 670 with the deepest rough of the golf course. There's going to be people that don't get there in three because they hit it in the rough and the lie is bad."

And not much love from Phil:

"It's definitely the hardest  and arguably the worst," Mickelson said of the longest hole in U.S. Open history.

He continued:

“I believe that you play 15 holes of really tough, tough golf, and you finally get to your first par 5 and it's the toughest hole on the course,” Mickelson said. “I think 16 will play more over par in stroke average than any hole on the course. That would be my prediction.”

Done yet, Phil?

“With the tee back, it eliminates any options,” Mickelson said. "You hit it here, then here and everybody hits to the same place. ... The best holes give you options -- let the player figure it out."

Any final words for now?

“I would never say it's an unfair hole. I just don't think it's a good hole.”



http://scottmichaux.drupalgardens.com/content/olympic-16th-toughest-arguably-worst

[Sam Morrow]

If I was a betting man I'd bet against Phil and Bubba.

[William_G]

Phil and Bubba...bomb and gougers

Best quote was from Matt Kuchar ""par is relative" after this week I will be looking forward to making a lot of birdies", LOL

Agreed that DJ will have the best chance to reach with Driver, Driver

[Ronald Montesano]

A) 2012 marks the 100-year anniversary of the only Par 6 hole in US Open history (CCBuffalo, original course)

B) When every guy on tour hits the 670 yard par 5 in two, we have a distance issue. When one freakish athlete ( for example, http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2012-03/video-dustin-johnson-warmup) can do it. it's an anomaly and a tribute to human excellence.

[Sam Morrow]

A) 2012 marks the 100-year anniversary of the only Par 6 hole in US Open history (CCBuffalo, original course)

B) When every guy on tour hits the 670 yard par 5 in two, we have a distance issue. When one freakish athlete ( for example, http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-instruction/2012-03/video-dustin-johnson-warmup) can do it. it's an anomaly and a tribute to human excellence.

You are 100% right but people would rather run around claiming the sky is falling.

[Ronald Montesano]

Sam, if I'm right, then the sky is indeed falling.

[Sam Morrow]

Sam, if I'm right, then the sky is indeed falling.

I'll give $500 to charity if you don't post for a year.

[Matthew Rose]

So, when does the 700 barrier get broken?

Erin Hills potentially has one, right?

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