Isn't this what we have been waiting for?!

[RKoehn]

Despite having been *no* rain (so far), the course is not playing fast, the greens are not very fast, and the lies in the rough are generally good.

For all the talk of this being such a tough layout, 7500 yds etc. etc., it seems unlikely to play out that way.

They put a lot of water on the course (fairways and greens) last night (why?), moved a lot of the tees up (course is 200 yds shorter than the card) and the course frankly isn't that penal.  The USGA, for all the talk, seems to be living in fear of Shinnecock 2004, and seems afraid of letting the course really play tough.  Probably also afraid of the course getting too dry for the ladies next week.

If it rains, all bets are off and my earlier -8 prediction will be too high, look for double digits.

[Tim_Cronin]

This is just marvelous. Compelling to play, I'm sure, and fun to watch. Some of the backgrounds from the fairway shots looked like oil paintings because of the heat haze.

As a bonus, right now, Van Pelt and North are using a flipped-over salad bowl to explain how hard it is to hold the greens.

[Tim_Cronin]

Despite having been *no* rain (so far), the course is not playing fast, the greens are not very fast, and the lies in the rough are generally good.

For all the talk of this being such a tough layout, 7500 yds etc. etc., it seems unlikely to play out that way.

They put a lot of water on the course (fairways and greens) last night (why?), moved a lot of the tees up (course is 200 yds shorter than the card) and the course frankly isn't that penal.  The USGA, for all the talk, seems to be living in fear of Shinnecock 2004, and seems afraid of letting the course really play tough.  Probably also afraid of the course getting too dry for the ladies next week.

If it rains, all bets are off and my earlier -8 prediction will be too high, look for double digits.

A course never plays as long as it's listed. That's the max length for each hole.

[Jim Hoak]

Not to speak in hyperboles, but I think we may be seeing a monumental point in US golf course architecture.  This Open and the C&C redo of Pinehurst No. 2 may be the watershed event for golf.
I think it is right that this is what many of us have been waiting for--the return of golf course maintenance and construction to the days before the recent period of manufactured, housing development courses.
I think much of the credit needs to go to Mike Davis, and the ownership of Pinehurst, for taking a chance.  And it must be recognized that the water crisis in this country is a happy happenstance to induce such a change.  No one should underestimate the importance of limiting water usage on golf courses.  The C&C renovation reduced the water usage on No. 2 by 40%!!  This is an incredible fact.  And we may be lucky that water usage may necessitate a return to the course design that we love.
Mike Davis has said that water is the number one issue facing golf--not just cost but availability.  The American public is not going to stand for lush green golf courses while they are compelled to ration water at home.  The times they are achangin'.  And I think for the better--and this event may be the reference point for the change when we speak about golf course architecture in the future.

[David_Tepper]

This is as close to "proper golf" as a U.S. Open can get:

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2014/06/this-is-as-close-to-proper-gol.html

[Jud_T]

Despite having been *no* rain (so far), the course is not playing fast, the greens are not very fast, and the lies in the rough are generally good.

For all the talk of this being such a tough layout, 7500 yds etc. etc., it seems unlikely to play out that way.

They put a lot of water on the course (fairways and greens) last night (why?), moved a lot of the tees up (course is 200 yds shorter than the card) and the course frankly isn't that penal.  The USGA, for all the talk, seems to be living in fear of Shinnecock 2004, and seems afraid of letting the course really play tough.  Probably also afraid of the course getting too dry for the ladies next week.

If it rains, all bets are off and my earlier -8 prediction will be too high, look for double digits.

No way.  They can make it play 3-4 shots harder just by tucking pins and stretching it all the way out.  They likely won't be doing more than spot watering the rest of the weekend, and they can cut and roll these greens and make it as tough as nails.  This is the "easy" setup and the best anyone can muster is -2?  I wouldn't be surprised if noone is under par come Sunday afternoon.

[John Kavanaugh]

Not to speak in hyperboles, but I think we may be seeing a monumental point in US golf course architecture.  This Open and the C&C redo of Pinehurst No. 2 may be the watershed event for golf.
I think it is right that this is what many of us have been waiting for--the return of golf course maintenance and construction to the days before the recent period of manufactured, housing development courses.
I think much of the credit needs to go to Mike Davis, and the ownership of Pinehurst, for taking a chance.  And it must be recognized that the water crisis in this country is a happy happenstance to induce such a change.  No one should underestimate the importance of limiting water usage on golf courses.  The C&C renovation reduced the water usage on No. 2 by 40%!!  This is an incredible fact.  And we may be lucky that water usage may necessitate a return to the course design that we love.
Mike Davis has said that water is the number one issue facing golf--not just cost but availability.  The American public is not going to stand for lush green golf courses while they are compelled to ration water at home.  The times they are achangin'.  And I think for the better--and this event may be the reference point for the change when we speak about golf course architecture in the future.

Yes, this year will be remembered for when the USGA replaced the US Open with the Pub Links. 

[jeffwarne]

Not to speak in hyperboles, but I think we may be seeing a monumental point in US golf course architecture.  This Open and the C&C redo of Pinehurst No. 2 may be the watershed event for golf.
I think it is right that this is what many of us have been waiting for--the return of golf course maintenance and construction to the days before the recent period of manufactured, housing development courses.
I think much of the credit needs to go to Mike Davis, and the ownership of Pinehurst, for taking a chance.  And it must be recognized that the water crisis in this country is a happy happenstance to induce such a change.  No one should underestimate the importance of limiting water usage on golf courses.  The C&C renovation reduced the water usage on No. 2 by 40%!!  This is an incredible fact.  And we may be lucky that water usage may necessitate a return to the course design that we love.
Mike Davis has said that water is the number one issue facing golf--not just cost but availability.  The American public is not going to stand for lush green golf courses while they are compelled to ration water at home.  The times they are achangin'.  And I think for the better--and this event may be the reference point for the change when we speak about golf course architecture in the future.

Yes, this year will be remembered for when the USGA replaced the US Open with the Pub Links.  

nope, that was 2004
after turning Bethpage in 2002 into a private course

[John Kavanaugh]

I believe that it is a legitimate concern that in five years we will see both Pinehurst #2 and Chambers Bay play tougher for the public golfer than they did for a US Open participant.  Photoarchitecturalism is best presented through the lens of a camera after an extensive prepping.  Sadly the average golfer will never see courses so prepped.  Scruffier scruff is inversely proportional to mowed rough.

[Jason Hines]

Absolutely beautiful.....

I usually avoid resort courses like the plague, Pinehurst is now on my list.

[Alex Miller]

I believe that it is a legitimate concern that in five years we will see both Pinehurst #2 and Chambers Bay play tougher for the public golfer than they did for a US Open participant.  Photoarchitecturalism is best presented through the lens of a camera after an extensive prepping.  Sadly the average golfer will never see courses so prepped.  Scruffier scruff is inversely proportional to mowed rough.

Tougher? Debatable. The course will not be pushed to its limits in terms of fastness/browness. Everyday players are also not playing the same tees; not even close.

But what's great is they'll play a course that is equally strategic and intersting! And I say that not because the everyday golfer hasn't had that priviledge before, but the pros were likely the ones who played the ribbon fairways with high rough to fast firm greens surrounded by long grass.


The jury is still out on what will become of the scruff. It was very playable 2 years ago when I was there (unsurprisingly), but as mentioned with Pinehurst's budget I'm sure they will be able to keep it under control.

[Paul Gray]

I believe that it is a legitimate concern that in five years we will see both Pinehurst #2 and Chambers Bay play tougher for the public golfer than they did for a US Open participant.  Photoarchitecturalism is best presented through the lens of a camera after an extensive prepping.  Sadly the average golfer will never see courses so prepped.  Scruffier scruff is inversely proportional to mowed rough.

So what?

I've been watching proper golf at a US Open for the first time in my life. Are you seriously suggesting a return to knee deep lush rough simply because you believe it easier to replicate but tone down for a club golfer?

[John Kavanaugh]

Sure it was playable two years ago, they knew they had the Open coming.  I don't think anyone can dispute that this renovation made the course easier for the expert player while becoming harder for the average player.  When I played a few years back the rough was cut very reasonably short.  One of the most pleasurable golfing days of my golfing life was where for the first time while on vacation alone I finished walking my first 18 and went in to pay full freight to walk 18 more.  I do not see that possible given the difficulty of finding balls, walking in, and hitting out of the scruff.

I mean, weren't the greens enough?  I don't get the appeal of the scruff to the average golfer.  Let's use common sense here, if this is what a resort golfer wanted and was willing to pay for while at the same time increasing the profit margin of the owners, it would have never gone away.

Part of my opinion is based on my cynical nature that believes everything I see on TV is a bait and switch.  I do not believe the scruff will be maintained as close as we see it today until the course is on the world stage again.

[John Kavanaugh]

I believe that it is a legitimate concern that in five years we will see both Pinehurst #2 and Chambers Bay play tougher for the public golfer than they did for a US Open participant.  Photoarchitecturalism is best presented through the lens of a camera after an extensive prepping.  Sadly the average golfer will never see courses so prepped.  Scruffier scruff is inversely proportional to mowed rough.

So what?

I've been watching proper golf at a US Open for the first time in my life. Are you seriously suggesting a return to knee deep lush rough simply because you believe it easier to replicate but tone down for a club golfer?

I'm not a fan of watching golf, I like to play.  I do not see a benefit of changing a course to make it easier for experts than for me.

[John Kavanaugh]

I'm also old enough to know that when everyone thinks it's great it ain't.  It sure is easier for the equipment manufacturers to make drivers and balls that go further rather than straighter.  Now you got the purists and the bomb and gougers in the same camp.  This is bad, very very bad.

[Paul Gray]

Ridiculous. Do you think the conditions are the same for an Open Championship as they are for Auntie Dorothy and her gang of girls in the Women's Thursday Stapleford in January?

To effectively say it's not fair for a professional golf tournament to have more time and money thrown at it than your ten quid match is utterly childish. But apparently we should not promote proper golf at a Major because you won't be able to play the course in exactly the same way when you next find yourself in the vicinity of Pinehurst.

[John Kavanaugh]

Paul,

How much longer do you think resort rounds will take with the scruff than with a two inch rough?  Don't you think your inner seņor speed is going to be troubled by watching tourists search for balls?  Pinehurst was famous for hit it and find it.

I do not want to play US Open courses in US Open conditions.  I'm saying the scruff will soon be even tougher than what we see this week.

[Paul Gray]

John,

Have you ever played from links rough on dry conditions?

An acidic sand base simply doesn't promote thick growth. Long and wispy, yes, but not luscious thick stuff. Unless the soil is wrongly fed you need not worry.

[John Kavanaugh]

Yes I do play a sand based course with scruff on a regular basis.  I believe it is simple to hit out of especially when playing to greens designed to feed to the hole.

I doubt that the climate of Pinehurst is conducive to keeping the scruff sparse without extensive labor.  It just feels like the east coast of the US is getting wetter every year.  Hurricanes and snow, really?!

I have also played a ton of corporate golf.  Looking for balls is part of that culture.  It is the worst type of golf imaginable and sadly what feeds the American resort monster.  The greens at Pinehurst are all a corporate outing can stand.

[Joe_Tucholski]

Paul,

How much longer do you think resort rounds will take with the scruff than with a two inch rough?  Don't you think your inner seņor speed is going to be troubled by watching tourists search for balls?  Pinehurst was famous for hit it and find it.

I do not want to play US Open courses in US Open conditions.  I'm saying the scruff will soon be even tougher than what we see this week.

John your comment about the publinks gave me a good chuckle.  I think what you are getting at in the comment may be the thoughts of many.  I do disagree with you on the difficulty finding balls in the scrub.  That being said maybe those who play public courses will be a bit prouder of where they play and some of those who play at privates who look down on "muni golf" won't. 

I am not at the event yet but my wife worked as a hole marshal during the practice rounds.  You may have seen the little pink flags they give the marshals to mark balls in the rough at the US open.  My wife said she never used the pink flag (and there were quite a few who missed the fairways).  Further she told me someone who was marking the balls in the scrub with the flags was instructed to stop because the locations of the balls was very easy to identify.  When I worked the Open in 01 at Pebble the flags were definitely necessary.  In 01 a ball 1 foot off the fairway could be lost due to the ridiculous height of the rough.  Also as others have said I believe the opposite of your expectations will occur.  The scrub will be controlled not left to grow crazy.

[BHoover]

Here is what one poster on GolfWRX thinks of the course setup:
"just turned it on after work, why are they playing the us open on dirt? why can't the usga set up a golf course properly? augusta manages to put on a good show every year with basically perfect conditions, why does the usga feel the need to get things so extreme?"

This is the view of, what, at least 90% of the golfing public?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ran,

The Open, this year, is the antithesis of the Masters and the weekly PGA Tour events where "GREEN" is constantly fed to the viewer.

This is a refreshing change that will hopefully lead to a new trend in conditions.

Let's hope that Mother Nature co-operates and doesn't ruin our party.

Stay well

[Brent Hutto]

If the previous Open at Hoylake didn't sell the golfing world on brown then this year's event at Pinehurst ain't gonna do it either. Not sayin' it's good or bad, I'm just sayin'...

[Phil McDade]

Here is what one poster on GolfWRX thinks of the course setup:
"just turned it on after work, why are they playing the us open on dirt? why can't the usga set up a golf course properly? augusta manages to put on a good show every year with basically perfect conditions, why does the usga feel the need to get things so extreme?"

This is the view of, what, at least 90% of the golfing public?

+1; I didn't have the guts to go on that site today to see the hemming and hawing.

[Patrick_Mucci]

If the previous Open at Hoylake didn't sell the golfing world on brown then this year's event at Pinehurst ain't gonna do it either. Not sayin' it's good or bad, I'm just sayin'...

Brent,

That's a night and day statement.

Everyone understands that conditions in the UK vary significantly from the U.S. and noone, for the last 60 years has been trying to import the playing conditions presented in the UK, to the US.

Pinehurst # 2 represents a significant departure from ALL previous Opens.

I've already had numerous golfers contact me about the conditions.

The telecast is having a positive impact on golfers.

Hopefully, so much so that a trend will be established.

Let's hope that Mother Nature co-operates and doesn't rain on our parade.