Question About Fairway Heights

[John Blain]

Could someone tell me what the "average" fairway height is at a nice private club in the northeast? And what about a high-end public or semi private facility? In the GW interview with Mike Davis he mentioned that the fairway height at the 2013 U.S. Open @ Merion was 1/2' which was higher than it was for the 2005 U.S. Amateur which was also hosted by Merion.


It seems like fairways are tighter than ever....is this good for the game, i.e. enjoyablity or is it hurting the average player who half jokingly prefers to play out of the first cut of rough? At what point are they too tight?


Thanks for all feedback.


-John

[Greg Chambers]

.500" or just slightly lower is pretty standard...has been for a couple decades.  Unless they're bentgrass, then down to .250" isn't unreasonable for a fairway height.

[Anthony_Nysse]

Could someone tell me what the "average" fairway height is at a nice private club in the northeast? And what about a high-end public or semi private facility? In the GW interview with Mike Davis he mentioned that the fairway height at the 2013 U.S. Open @ Merion was 1/2' which was higher than it was for the 2005 U.S. Amateur which was also hosted by Merion.


It seems like fairways are tighter than ever....is this good for the game, i.e. enjoyablity or is it hurting the average player who half jokingly prefers to play out of the first cut of rough? At what point are they too tight?


Thanks for all feedback.


-John

I believe that they were higher for the US Open to slow the ball down a bit because of the lack of length.


Some of these new zoysia's are being maintained a .300" or lower, bentgrasses, too.