Dye "Bubba-Proofs" Whistling Straights

[Emile Bonfiglio]

Here is the article from Golf Channel. Seems like pretty specific measures to counter a specific player....


SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Call it Bubba’s Hillock.

OK, that’s not the official name of the small mountain going up in front of the new back tees at Whistling Straits’ fifth hole, but you wouldn’t be far off saying Whistling Straits owner Herb Kohler and architect Pete Dye have Bubba-proofed the hole. Actually, they’ve protected it from all long hitters like Bubba Watson, but Watson made the largest impression shrinking the course during his run into the PGA Championship playoff a little more than a year ago.

Whistling Straits’ head professional Mike O’Reilly gave this writer a sneak peek of some of the new tees in a visit during the U.S. Amateur last week. With the new fifth tee, the course will measure about 7,825 yards from the back tees. That’s 318 yards longer than the PGA Championship layout last year. Notably, it’s also longer than Erin Hills played (7,760 yards) during the U.S. Amateur, the longest layout in U.S. Golf Association championship history. Erin Hills is 60 miles southwest of Whistling Straits.

Whistling Straits will host the PGA Championship again in 2015 and the Ryder Cup in 2020.

Dye’s new back tee at No. 5 isn’t officially open for play yet, but it’s close. The new tee box adds 35 yards to the par 5, which will soon play to about 635 yards.

It’s a dogleg-right, around a pond. Watson used his driver to take a shortcut not imagined when Dye first built the hole.

“Bubba was hitting driver and 9-iron,” O’Reilly said. “It was a 310-yard carry the way he played it. That’s a 340-yard carry now.”

Notably, Dye also built a large mound (hillock) just to the right and front of the new tee box, which would help block a bid to cut the corner. Specifically, it blocks a favored left-handed Bubba fade.

There are also new tees at the 10th and 14th holes. With Dye mulling the possibility of building another new tee at the 16th, the course could soon play to 7,850 yards from the back tees, though there’s no guarantee the PGA Championship will be played from there when it returns in four years. Heck, by then, there might be even more new tees.

[jeffwarne]

Here is the article from Golf Channel. Seems like pretty specific measures to counter a specific player....


SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Call it Bubba’s Hillock.

OK, that’s not the official name of the small mountain going up in front of the new back tees at Whistling Straits’ fifth hole, but you wouldn’t be far off saying Whistling Straits owner Herb Kohler and architect Pete Dye have Bubba-proofed the hole. Actually, they’ve protected it from all long hitters like Bubba Watson, but Watson made the largest impression shrinking the course during his run into the PGA Championship playoff a little more than a year ago.

Whistling Straits’ head professional Mike O’Reilly gave this writer a sneak peek of some of the new tees in a visit during the U.S. Amateur last week. With the new fifth tee, the course will measure about 7,825 yards from the back tees. That’s 318 yards longer than the PGA Championship layout last year. Notably, it’s also longer than Erin Hills played (7,760 yards) during the U.S. Amateur, the longest layout in U.S. Golf Association championship history. Erin Hills is 60 miles southwest of Whistling Straits.

Whistling Straits will host the PGA Championship again in 2015 and the Ryder Cup in 2020.

Dye’s new back tee at No. 5 isn’t officially open for play yet, but it’s close. The new tee box adds 35 yards to the par 5, which will soon play to about 635 yards.

It’s a dogleg-right, around a pond. Watson used his driver to take a shortcut not imagined when Dye first built the hole.

“Bubba was hitting driver and 9-iron,” O’Reilly said. “It was a 310-yard carry the way he played it. That’s a 340-yard carry now.”

Notably, Dye also built a large mound (hillock) just to the right and front of the new tee box, which would help block a bid to cut the corner. Specifically, it blocks a favored left-handed Bubba fade.

There are also new tees at the 10th and 14th holes. With Dye mulling the possibility of building another new tee at the 16th, the course could soon play to 7,850 yards from the back tees, though there’s no guarantee the PGA Championship will be played from there when it returns in four years. Heck, by then, there might be even more new tees.

zzzzzzz....
a Hinkle mound?
whatever risk reward there is, take it out.
Do you need an architect to do that?
more 6 minute abs.... (or is it 8000 yard abs?)
In fact why  not just go to 10000 yards?

[Matt Day]

that's a lot of effort for one bloke whose going to possibly play there in 2015

[Jud_T]

Now it truly plays like that ancient template "Serpent" Pete saw on his first trip to GB&I. :

[Kalen Braley]

"That’s a 340-yard carry now."

...I wouldn't be surprised if Bubba could make that carry 4 years from now.

[jeffwarne]

"That’s a 340-yard carry now."

...I wouldn't be surprised if Bubba could make that carry 4 years from now.

Absolutely, and the PGA can go one up on the USGA with a "driveable par 5" concept

[Anthony_Nysse]

Pete is out of control....

[PCCraig]

Being able to take additional risk by taking that line should be rewarded. Does Pete want to make sure that it's the worst hole on the course through 2020?

[Matt Kardash]

To be fair, I don't think Dye ever wanted or planned for anyone to ever cut that corner. When he designed the hole he didn't want it to ever play that way. So honestly I don't see how ensuring the golfer actually drives it in the intended driving zone is that big a deal. To me it's the equivalent to a hole where some people play down an adjacent fairway to cut 100 yards off the hole. Would it be that big a deal if the architect suddenly planted a stand of trees near the tee to make sure they actually hit it down the correct fairway? I don't really see the drama here.

[Jud_T]

The sad part is that it's actually a better hole if going for it is an option....

[Garland Bayley]

that's a lot of effort for one bloke whose going to possibly play there in 2015

Not to mention that all the regular players are paying high fees to play there so that they can spend the money on the course to prepare it for the tour bombers.

[George Pazin]

Matt K, why is it necessary for any architect to dictate how his holes are played?

[Garland Bayley]

Matt K, why is it necessary for any architect to dictate how his holes are played?

Pete Dye in particular is known for his delight in giving the tour player fits. In this case, he has provided plenty of tees for the regular player to decide how he wants to play the hole. However, Pete would rather be in control when the tour player comes to visit.

[Jud_T]

Does this mean the hole now has 6 tee boxes? 

[PCCraig]

The sad part is that it's actually a better hole if going for it is an option....

ding ding ding

[Matt Kardash]

Matt K, why is it necessary for any architect to dictate how his holes are played?

I don't understand your logic. The hole was NEVER meant to incorporate that option. I don't understand how this is not understood. What would happen if hell's half acre was suddenly driveable because distance got so out of hand? Would you say ''moving the tee back is removing the option of driving it over the bunker?'' The hole was never meant to be played that way. Yes, I agree it sucks that it has come to this, but what do you want to do? Besides, it's not like adding one tee changes anyhting for the resort golfer. I think you are making way too much of this.

Also, if a couple of golfer's were able to take that shortcut in 2010, by 2020 maybe half the field will be able to? Would you still be saying to leave the hole the way it is?

[Brian Hilko]

I do not find this that big of a deal. They do not even put the back tees there for regular play. The line Dustin and Bubba were taking for the PGA was crazy. I do not like to watch guys hit 9 iron into a par 5. It is to big an advantage for the 5 players that can pull off that carry.

[Ulrich Mayring]

True. I also think that they should flatten the greens considerably, because right now it is too big an advantage for the best putters in the field. Generally, courses should cater to all abilities and skills in the same way, so that everyone has the same chance of winning. Another idea would be even simpler to implement: allow players to make that huge carry, but if they do, then count the hole as a par 4 for them. Then their birdie is just as difficult as the birdie for the short player going around the lake - everyone hits 9 iron into the green. Perfectly fair I should think.

Ulrich

[jeffwarne]

True. I also think that they should flatten the greens considerably, because right now it is too big an advantage for the best putters in the field. Generally, courses should cater to all abilities and skills in the same way, so that everyone has the same chance of winning. Another idea would be even simpler to implement: allow players to make that huge carry, but if they do, then count the hole as a par 4 for them. Then their birdie is just as difficult as the birdie for the short player going around the lake - everyone hits 9 iron into the green. Perfectly fair I should think.

Ulrich

Urich,,
Please tell me there's some sarcasm in there.........

[William_G]

Let's just call it a manufactured course and get it over with, LOL

[Tony Ristola]

Pete is out of control....

I'd say the game is out of control, Pete is just reacting. It's pathetic. The snoring we hear is coming from the USGA and R&A HQ's. Have another pint lads.

Hell, Pete should add 10 to 15-yards to each of the other holes and make it a smooth 8,000-yard course.