[mike_malone]

I believe the scores on the North Course at Torrey Pines were about four strokes less than the South. It was mentioned that the South is 700 yards longer. Is it just the yardage?

  It seemed to have deeper bunkers and more of them. What else accounted for this wide disparity?

[Matt_Cohn]

The yardage is the biggest thing for sure. The greens on the North aren't really easier than the South's. I think the other thing besides the depth of the bunkers is the number of them, particularly guarding fairways. almost every hole on the South has significant fairway bunkers whereas it's not as much of an issue on the South.

[wsmorrison]

I know that Tiger mentioned that there was hardly any rough on the North course and you could just bomb away.  There were exceptionally low scores with very few fairways hit.  The ration of GIR to Fairways hit was much higher than courses with deep or inconsistent rough.

Is the depth and density of rough different on the South and the North?  Probably so.

[Pete Lavallee]

A big factor is that all 4 par 5's on the North are reachable for the entire field, they are really playing a par 68 golf course with 2 sub 350 yard par 4, so scores are low. They tuck the pins on every hole of the North course and still it doesn't stop these guys. Bunkering, both fairway and greenside are only a mere nuisance for the Pro's, the orginal flashed style is more condusive to public play than challanging the best players. Ree's stlye of bunker, with the lowered floor and grass walls,  is certainly better for that purpose.

It's probably time to just call it a par 70, changing #1 and #14 to par 4's. Neither can be lengthened; the 1st tee is up against the Clubbhouse and the 14th is on the border of Torrey Pines Preserve. Both would be tough 500 yard par 4's. They may have to do this next year when the Tournament will conclude on the North Course over the weekend; as stated in their contract with the USGA.

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