Pinehurst or St. Andrews - 2005 Open set up

[Shane Gurnett]

Which is/was better and why?

[Danny Goss]

Disappointed in the 17th at TOC. With US Open style rough grown down the left and right it doesnt seem to have provided the highlights of the past. The best line in is from the right and side and these guys are hitting irons from the tee but they cant get close to the boundary on the right because of the rough. It seems an attempt by the R&A to "tiger proof" the place which plays right into his hands.
It seems that both events are becoming quite similar in that respect.

[Shane Gurnett]

Guys, the 17th aside, which set up do you think was better? What are the strong and weak points of each course set up?

[Mark_F]

Shane,

I think TOC still has the advantage in that its width still allows more strategic decisions and options than Pinehurst.  There isn't the uniform rough, and the gorse tends to be more sporadic, although undoubtedly more venal.

What's disappointing is that both are stretched to such ridiculous degrees.  Look at the news reports in Melbourne earlier in the week with the shorter hitters bemoaning their opportunities now.  

I guess Olazabal makes a mockery of that to some degree, but he's about the only one.  

[Mark_F]

Shane,

Both still pale in comparison to RM, though.  

[A_Clay_Man]

TOC wins hands down!

I find the green speeds, to be the key factor in both Opens.

The USGA deliberatley slowed'em down at the duece, which to me, only proved what a bunch of co-dependant weenies they are, bowing to the pressures of the Jack Thompsons of the world, and those that thought Shinny was too much.  boo hoo hoo


TOC greens appear to be a tad on the slower side too. With pros like JN having dfficulty in getting the ball to the hole. Once they figured out the slower speeds the scores went low, now with the wind up, she's fight'in back.

[Michael Plunkett]

St. Andrews-  I like when golfers compete against each other, birdie for birdie, etc., then hang on to survive a tricked up course like some amusement ride. The courses in the Open rota are  challanging, let them compete and play golf.