Was the 2nd hole at Merion...

[Mark Bourgeois]

Was the right side much different than this picture last week?

I think it would have blown the golf worlds mind if they had mown a big wide fairway from Ardmore Avenue to the creek...

So we're in agreement on that. How idiotic are the other suggestions in my post? Hit me with your best, I can take it!

[JESII]

I would fully endorse a fairway that began at Ardmore Ave and rolled into the creek next to 5.

Both holes are par 4.5 that way. No need to do anything else. If it were firm and downwind players would have mid irons into both.


EDIT...just keep some arrangement of trees up there in the middle please.

[Brent Hutto]

I would fully endorse a fairway that began at Ardmore Ave and rolled into the creek next to 5.

Both holes are par 4.5 that way. No need to do anything else. If it were firm and downwind players would have mid irons into both.


EDIT...just keep some arrangement of trees up there in the middle please.

So is there any counter-argument other than "If you did that, someone could bomb a driver way offline and still make birdie"? I think that's basically the supposed down-side that makes deep rough the only option under consideration.

[JESII]

Nope.

I understand the USGA thought on setting up a course for their Open. These guys are so good with every part of the game that wall to wall fairways on a soft golf course would result in minimal challenge almost no matter how great the greens are...and Merion's are great.

On these two holes (2 and 5), the result would be exponentially more long second shots trying to get on or around the green...more pars and birdies, but also more big numbers due to what can happen around those greens. It would be cool, but an unrealistic wish for a US Open perhaps...

[archie_struthers]

 

Jim,   I am totally on board with the fairway idea, itwould b awesome!

[Adam Clayman]

Ted, I've played Merion once. A narrow fairway is  incongruous to the wide open expanse, that lays out in front of you. Dictating where to hit the ball is anti-core principle. But I will defend the members right to have it anyway they want.

[Patrick_Mucci]

 

Jim,   I am totally on board with the fairway idea, itwould b awesome!

Jim & Archie,

I believe that it was close to that in 1948-1950

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ted, I've played Merion once. A narrow fairway is  incongruous to the wide open expanse, that lays out in front of you. Dictating where to hit the ball is anti-core principle. But I will defend the members right to have it anyway they want.

Adam,

The "will" of the membership dictates everything.

But, that "will" is fickle and shifting with trends and fads.

At some point, certain architectural principles should remain true to the design philosophy and intent of the original architect.

Isn't "the members right to have it anyway they want" responsible for disfiguring so many golf courses ?

[JESII]

 

Jim,   I am totally on board with the fairway idea, itwould b awesome!

Jim & Archie,

I believe that it was close to that in 1948-1950

Pat,

You would have been in your late 40's around then...how did the course play for an older guy back then?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jim,

Fast and firm.

There wasn't much in the way of automatic irrigation in those days, making the cant of the fairways more challenging.

[JMEvensky]

Pat,

You would have been in your late 40's around then...how did the course play for an older guy back then?

Only late 40's?

[JESII]

Slipped it by him so far...one can tire early at his age...

[Adam Clayman]

Patrick, I agree with you on all levels you mentioned. But, they certainly shouldn't and wouldn't listen to gca.com on how to present their mow lines. Even if we are unemotional and objective.

A beautiful round of golf is a thing to behold. I highly doubt such a pretty thing could be witnessed, with the current set up.