Report from Merion; the 12th and 15th greens

[Mike Nuzzo]

Mike Nuzzo:
You'll just have to trust me re: the small details.  I've seen it over and over again at multiple Top 20 Golden Era courses in the last 5-8 years.  IMO, Merion has made a big step in the right direction.  Whether it was a club decision or a USGA decision is unknown to me.  The important thing is that it happened.

Chip
I never said they did the wrong thing for them.
I was trying to understand the detailed justification - other than they didn't work.
Cheers

[ChipOat]

Mike,

I can only say you need to experience it to really appreciate it.  I have no better explanation than what I've already offered.

If you have played Merion on a dry day, think "5th green" or "putting from the back fringe on #15".

Chip

[TEPaul]

Chip:

Now that you are on #15 would you care to issue a report on what you think of those new bunkers on that fairway and the fairway itself?

That one just might be the most debatable or ultimately one of the most discussed of all the Open changes on the course (other than perhaps the bunker on #2). It was my suggestion on #15 that they actually remove those 3-4 trees along the road out about 350 yards and take the fairway right up to the road where they were and beyond. I think doing that will visually tempt more players to use driver as doing that it just looks from the tee like there is quite a lot more room (fairway) out there over those bunkers.

[ChipOat]

tom,

As with the #6 "Open tee box", I haven't played or studied that part, just yet.

Will add it to my list.

[TEPaul]

Chip:

On the tees added to #6 and #3 I'm still a bit confused if they it is one and they can double or if the 6th use can use that one too and also has it's own somewhere back there a bit farther over. I think it is possible though to play one of them for the 3rd at something around 250! Now THAT would be one MOTHER of a REVERSE REDAN!!