New greens at Pebble Beach

[Hal Hicks]

Watching the AT and T tournament this afternoon on ESPN plus.  Commentators noted that Pebble Beach was gradually changing all the green sizes and contours.  Watching Rory play the 13th hole, I noticed from playing there the 13th green was totally different.
The right side of the green was not only enlarged but had a fairly flat plateau where it used to be a slope all the way to the middle of the green.  I know Pebble Beach is a resort and green speeds are increasing but doesn't these changes make the course much easier for championship play? This seems to be a trend on all the renovations going on at championship courses throughout the United States.  Your thoughts!

[Rich M]

Watching the AT and T tournament this afternoon on ESPN plus.  Commentators noted that Pebble Beach was gradually changing all the green sizes and contours.  Watching Rory play the 13th hole, I noticed from playing there the 13th green was totally different.
The right side of the green was not only enlarged but had a fairly flat plateau where it used to be a slope all the way to the middle of the green.  I know Pebble Beach is a resort and green speeds are increasing but doesn't these changes make the course much easier for championship play? This seems to be a trend on all the renovations going on at championship courses throughout the United States.  Your thoughts!

I believe the main issue lies with green committees requesting glasslike surfaces and greens rolling at 12'+ on a regular basis. Old golden age green contours lose pinable locations and greens suffer excessive wear around the few remaining pins. I've seen Champion Bermuda greens roll at 15', and they were basically unplayable on certain greens. Realistically if the standard went back to everyday play at 10' and tournament play at 12' or 13', the old pin locations might be usable in tournaments and the character of the architecture can remain.