Dan Hermann:
I have putted on the "new" twelfth green in both competition and, more importantly, with 3 balls from 10 different places on that green. I assure you it is anything but mundane and/or boring. However, a downhill putt is now going to actually stay on the green unless it is simply struck too firmly. The risk of human error has not been eliminated. I can only conclude that 1) you are the world's greatest putter or 2) you have not putted on the "revised" edition. If the latter, your comments are uninformed. If the former, congratulations.
Dean:
While your caddy was correct, he was not correct about applying his judgement only to Merion and the U.S. Open. The higher and farther today's players can hit it (technology + better athletes), Pat Mucci is even more correct that Mother Nature now dictates scoring conditions in every major championship on every course everywhere. Bethpage, Torrey Pines, Pine Valley, Shinnecock Hills, Winged Foot, Pinehurst, etc., etc. - not just Merion.
Tim Weiman:
I don't agree with your Pat Mucci approach. "Of course we should increase green speeds" is not a positive, but it is permanent reality unless/until the monetary cost becomes unbearable for all but the top clubs that will always be able to afford it. While Pat and you would like this discussion to transcend Merion, the fact is that the 2013 U.S. Open is, in fact, coming to Merion and things needed to be done. It happens at Augusta, it happened at Bethpage and the U.S. Open tee boxes at Shinnecock are so far back you have to look for a few them. Any suggestion that Merion's East Course is, somehow, more sacrosanct than Winged Foot, Shinnecock et al is nice to hear, but 1) I don't see why that is so and 2) by definition, that denies the club the ability to host a USGA men's Amateur or Open. Should that decision not rest with the club and the USGA?
Patrick:
#7 green at Shinnecock and #18 green at Olympic were not the USGA's finest hour. However, it won't happen again (at least, not there), Olympic has since hosted another Open and SHGC will, undoutedly, do the same. Even Pinehurst has come back from the "architectural dead" after having been made into the ultimate resort course.
My sources at the PA Golf Association and the Golf Association of Philadelphia say they have no plans to use the U.S. Open tee boxes at any future state/city Amateurs or Opens. Will they "cheat" on that in a couple of places? Of course. However, several holes would be unplayable for 90% of the field. In fact, for cost reasons, it would not surprise me if 3 or 4 of the 2013 tee boxes are not maintained after the event. They simply make no sense for anyone but the longest and the best.
Ed:
You are correct that you will see plenty of right side "bail-outs" off the 15th tee come June. I have two observations on that. 1) Between the inevitable high rough and the tall pines blocking the approach to the 15th green, playing it "safe" to the right will keep the ball in-bounds but more bogies will result than not, I wager. 2) Forcing the player to aim towards the OB is what Hugh Wilson was all about! That third fairway bunker + the added length creates the same brave play off the tee that #'s 2,4,5,7 and 18 have always required in order to set up the best approach. Also, the second shot on #2 must be played towards/along the OB in order to set up the best angle for the shot to the green - especially with the new fairway bunker that is short/left of the green. #15 has been "Wilsonized"!