THE SPECS AND NUMBERS ARE IN. So inside and out the distance and numbers do add up. A better fit, a better feel & more distance. Add a pair of Sqairz. See Sqairz.com.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X @GogBlogGuy or connect at LinkedIn/Facebook/IGram
Rory Spears on Pinehurst #2 the 18th green, where Payne Stewart made his historical U.S. Open Winning Putt.
THE 124th U.S. Open
HOSTED BY THE PINEHURST RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB.
The 124th U.S. Open is the fourth open hosted by Pinehurst in 25 years. But if you add the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, it would be the fifth open.
Pinehurst #2 is the classic Donald Ross design, that stands above his work at some other 400+ courses Ross designed. The elevated green on #2 will challenge the worlds best players. The usual question remains, will the approach shots hold. Will the putts stay on the green. Can putting from off the green help (yes it does) and how much will we see players do that.
THE WASTE BUNKERS have been enhanced to make those area’s even tougher to play. Because the fairways have been shrunk down to size, how often will they be hit. U.S. Open championships are won by the players who hit the most fairways.
WHEN BILL COORE and BEN CRENSHAW came in to work the redesign, they restored #2 to what they found in aerial photo’s on Christmas Day in the early 1940’s.
PINEHURST was restored with more waste area’s on all the holes, the shorter par-5 fourth hole, became a par-4. The shorter par-4 fifth, was lengthened and changed into a par-5. But the fact is, it’s still a hard hole to play. So after the 5th, it’s two of the most demanding holes on the course have been played, but tough holes are not finished by any means. Because even the par-3’s have plenty of bunkers to navigate around the greens.
FROM PLAYING the 18th hole in January, and seeing the hole now. Par will be a great score. So you want a high pressure hole, it will be 18 on Friday if your struggling to make the cut. But even better, will be how the players attack it on Sunday, should they need a par or better to win, or be in a playoff.
BUT SPEAKING OF PLAYOFF’S the U.S. Open playoff has now shrunk to two holes on Sunday night. But if there is still no winner, it becomes a sudden death format on the third playoff hole. The par-3 17th hole and the 18th hole are the playoff holes.
The 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst on Pinehurst #2. This week on NBC.
SO WHAT YOU SEE this weekend may not always be what you see going forward, such as in 2029. Because since Pinehurst is now a USGA anchor site, numerous USGA championships will be headed to Pinehurst over the next 25 years. IN 2029 when the U.S. Open is a double with men’s and women’s opens going back to back. The entire hospitality look could be different by then. Because much of what you see in 5 years, will depend on what works or didn’t work this week.
THE OPENING TWO HOLES should not be real tough ones for the players. But if someone hooks the ball through the trees on to Midlane Road, then there is a real issue. The trees right, are an issue, but not as bad as what could be, should the drive go left.
WHILE 4 & 5 will be tricky, lets not rule out the par-3’s. The 6th and 17th will be the toughest. Because they play longer and the greens have more slope, and more bunkers defending them. Par-3 holes 9 and 15 won’t play as long or as tough. So this is where you could see some birdies.
SINCE 16 is not playing as a par-5, like it does for members and resort guests. The 16th with it’s small pond and all, will play a little different. But it’s not likely to be a birdie hole. So the winner of the 124th U.S. Open might be the player that makes par on 16-17-18.
THE TWO PAR-5’s are holes 5 and 10. So if you are starting out back-nine first. A birdie right out of the blocks is a must to help post a solid round. But 10 will be the longest hole on the golf course, while the green might be one of the easier ones.
THERE HAVE BEEN different ways to win the U.S. Open. The strategy changes from venue to venue, and what the weather conditions turn out to be. But serious grind along golf, where par is always a good score. Is a strategy that could play out well this week in Pinehurst.
SINCE PINEHURST #2 sits right in the USGA’s back yard, or across the street from their new offices. The USGA and it’s championship team has had plenty of time to study the golf course and how it can or will play this week.
BEN CRENSHAW AND BILL COORE brought Pinehurst back to it’s roots 13 years ago. That style and look has help up well. So there is no reason to doubt that it won’t hold up this week.
IT WON’T TAKE LONG for members and resort guests to be back out on #2, testing it out in U.S. Open like conditions. But if your ready for a test, you can try booking a time for #2 in the weeks and months ahead. There won’t be many times available for a while. But if you book the right golf package, and pick some good dates. The old saying of playing where the pro’s play (or in this case some top amateurs as well), could come true for you.
BUT FOR THIS WEEK, if you do not have tickets for the championship. Do sit back and enjoy the coverage on television, it should be pretty good. But if you have not been to Pinehurst before, or have played Course #2, watch closely this week.
But for information on the Pinehurst Resort and all of it’s golf courses, historic hotels and more. See Pinehurst.com the Home or Cradle of American Golf.
THE YEAR END TWIN ORCHARD CC Golf Sale returns from Thursday November 21st to Saturday November 23rd.
