So are the critics here complaining of the redesign from the PGA/USGA hosting perspective, or from the typical player perspective? Please specify because I'm confused.
I've played the course about 10 or 12 times - twice since the redesign. As a high handicapper (15), I think the course is now more difficult, and at the same time more enjoyable than it was prior to the redesign. The often discussed addition of the cape design on 7 is a great example. I understand that some tour players had wedges in, but most of us will not, and the hole is just much better than it was. Overall, but especially on the 7th, the grass faced bunkers are very cool, and they reduce the negative impact that their original jigsaw design used to convey. The 16th green now plays with some excellent movement, and if you risk it, you can get a ball to roll through the apron, and into an excellent top right pin position. I always loved the 16th, and now it is even more fun. The same goes for the 15th, the movement in the greens is more prevalent, and that was with them playing at around a 10.
The course is not perfect. The 42 different tees that are dramatically in view on the 9th hole are indeed ridiculous and superfluous, and yes, there are some problems with the lack of variety in most of the par threes (excepting 14 of course). However, overall, I think that the redesign was successful. It is said that the Jemseks want the course to be enjoyable for the public - I think they have stayed true to their word. I know it yielded a low number to TW, but what course hasn't? The rest of the tour didn't murder it, and we all agree that the rough was SHORT. I played it late in the afternoon on Sunday, August 29, and the rough was a little over 2 inches. I found the rough more often than I would've liked, though I didn't have as much trouble as I would've expected. I was sort of surprised to learn that they were keeping it short. If they had grown it out, wouldn't many of you been complaining that the course is still a cupcake, but for the egregiously long rough? I must agree with Shivas though, I remember losing a ball or two on 13 and re-teeing. I can only imagine they figured it would speed up play to change the setup on 13 to lateral. Anything to speed up play on tour is fine by me, but he is right, that makes it easier.
This group is collectively a tough critic. I understand that. I doubt I'm competent enough to rate it on a Doak scale, nor have I played enough private tracks in Chicagoland to accurately suggest where it rates in town, but we're not talking about Warwick Hills or Liberty National here. The redesigned Dubs is not a mediocre track. It is an excellent course, and I hope at least a few respected voices (certainly not yet me) will stand up for it.