Early Look at Oakmont

[GoHogs1091]

The USGA now has Oakmont course information up on the U.S. Open Web site.  The following is a course map and also the flyover video for each hole.  After each page loads, on each hole's dedicated information page will have to click on the arrow on the top left portion of the flyover video box to play the flyover video.  Immediately below the flyover video box is a written description of the hole.

An aspect to note is that in 2007 at Oakmont the stroke average on every hole was above Par.

Course Map

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/index.html

Flyover video for each hole

Hole 1

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=1

Hole 2

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=2

Hole 3

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=3

Hole 4

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=4

Hole 5

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=5

Hole 6

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=6

Hole 7

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=7

Hole 8

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=8

Hole 9

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=9

Hole 10

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=10

Hole 11

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=11

Hole 12

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=12

Hole 13

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=13

Hole 14

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=14

Hole 15

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=15

Hole 16

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=16

Hole 17

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=17

Hole 18

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=18

[Jackrabbit Hog]

The USGA now has Oakmont course information up on the U.S. Open Web site.  The following is a course map and also the flyover video for each hole.  After each page loads, on each hole's dedicated information page will have to click on the arrow on the top left portion of the flyover video box to play the flyover video.  Immediately below the flyover video box is a written description of the hole.

An aspect to note is that in 2007 at Oakmont the stroke average on every hole was above Par.

Course Map

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/index.html

Flyover video for each hole

Hole 1

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=1

Hole 2

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=2

Hole 3

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=3

Hole 4

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=4

Hole 5

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=5

Hole 6

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=6

Hole 7

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=7

Hole 8

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=8

Hole 9

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=9

Hole 10

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=10

Hole 11

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=11

Hole 12

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=12

Hole 13

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=13

Hole 14

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=14

Hole 15

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=15

Hole 16

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=16

Hole 17

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=17

Hole 18

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/course/hole.html?n=18

Substandard pitch 'n putt if you ask me.

[PonderinHog]

Substandard pitch 'n putt if you ask me.

The windmill on #13 is a bitch.

[GoHogs1091]

Substandard pitch 'n putt if you ask me.

To win at Oakmont will require the following 3 aspects.

Exceptional precision on the tee shots.  Have to stay in the fairway off the tee, because the chance at Par basically becomes zero if off of the fairway.

Approach shots into the green will have to be spot on.

Putting distance control will have to be spot on.

In short, it will be a total and complete examination.

It will be the best course the Pros play on this season.

[Pulled(PP)pork]

To win at Oakmont will require the following 3 aspects.

Exceptional precision on the tee shots.  Have to stay in the fairway off the tee, because the chance at Par basically becomes zero if off of the fairway.

Approach shots into the green will have to be spot on.

Putting distance control will have to be spot on.

In short, it will be a total and complete examination.

It will be the best course the Pros play on this season.

seems like I e heard this before....oh wait, I have


PP

[Jackrabbit Hog]

seems like I e heard this before....oh wait, I have


PP

Thought you couldn't hear!     

[MikePiazza]

To win at Oakmont will require the following 3 aspects.

Exceptional precision on the tee shots.  Have to stay in the fairway off the tee, because the chance at Par basically becomes zero if off of the fairway.

Approach shots into the green will have to be spot on.

Putting distance control will have to be spot on.

In short, it will be a total and complete examination.

It will be the best course the Pros play on this season.

False. Royal Troon.

[GoHogs1091]

False. Royal Troon.

The only thing that Royal Troon has going for it is the Par 3 8th hole (hole that is named "Postage Stamp").

If I wanted to play any of The Open Championship rota courses, Royal Troon would be down my list of what I would want to play.

[campushog23]

The only thing that Royal Troon has going for it is the Par 3 8th hole (hole that is named "Postage Stamp").

If I wanted to play any of The Open Championship rota courses, Royal Troon would be down my list of what I would want to play.

And how does you not wanting to play it mean that it's not a great course? You continually pass off your extremely closed-minded opinion as if you're at the forefront of the golf architecture world.

[ricepig]

And how does you not wanting to play it mean that it's not a great course? You continually pass off your extremely closed-minded opinion as if you're at the forefront of the golf architecture world.

He read a book, doesn't that count??

[GoHogs1091]

And how does you not wanting to play it mean that it's not a great course? You continually pass off your extremely closed-minded opinion as if you're at the forefront of the golf architecture world.

If I wanted to play any of The Open Championship rota courses, then why would I choose a course that is not as good as some of the others in the rota?

Royal Troon is generally regarded as not as good as The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Turnberry (provided Donald Trump doesn't butcher Turnberry), and Royal Birkdale.

[clutch]

If I wanted to play any of The Open Championship rota courses, then why would I choose a course that is not as good as some of the others in the rota?

Royal Troon is generally regarded as not as good as The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Turnberry (provided Donald Trump doesn't butcher Turnberry), and Royal Birkdale.

You didn't answer his question. People can rank it lower than all those courses you mentioned and it still doesn't mean it's not a great course.

[GoHogs1091]

You didn't answer his question. People can rank it lower than all those courses you mentioned and it still doesn't mean it's not a great course.

It is a good enough of a course to host The Open Championship, but it is not great like Oakmont.

The level of greatness that I am talking about is that Oakmont is at least a Top 10 in the world course.  Royal Troon is not a Top 10 in the world course.

[GolfNut57]

It is a good enough of a course to host The Open Championship, but it is not great like Oakmont.

The level of greatness that I am talking about is that Oakmont is at least a Top 10 in the world course.  Royal Troon is not a Top 10 in the world course.

hahahaha.......it is hilarious that you really think your opinion on the matter means anything to the rest of the golfing world.

[GoHogs1091]

hahahaha.......it is hilarious that you really think your opinion on the matter means anything to the rest of the golfing world.

Well, Royal Troon is not even in the following Golf Digest Top 100 in the world 2016 ranking.

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/worlds-100-greatest-golf-courses-2016-ranking

I don't agree with some of Golf Digest's rankings in that list.

[ricepig]

Well, Royal Troon is not even in the following Golf Digest Top 100 in the world 2016 ranking.

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/worlds-100-greatest-golf-courses-2016-ranking

I don't agree with some of Golf Digest's rankings in that list.

And we don't agree with any of yours.....only difference is the Golf Digest list is put out by "professionals", not some keyboard lackey.

[GoHogs1091]

And we don't agree with any of yours.....only difference is the Golf Digest list is put out by "professionals", not some keyboard lackey.

Ron Whitten is hardly a "professional."

First of all, Whitten makes it sound like that Hugh Wilson was the only one who finished Pine Valley.  William Flynn had a big hand in the finishing of Pine Valley.  Later on, Perry Maxwell did some tweaking to Pine Valley (just like Maxwell did some tweaking to Augusta National).

Second, he has some glaring omissions from his Top 10 of his Top 100 in the world ranking.  Ballybunion (Old) in County Kerry, Ireland and El Saler in Valencia, Spain are glaring omissions that he made.  El Saler is probably the best course in Continental Europe. 

El Saler is a mix of links golf and pine forest golf.  Here is a photo tour.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37350.msg766879.html#msg766879

[ricepig]

Ron Whitten is hardly a "professional."

First of all, Whitten makes it sound like that Hugh Wilson was the only one who finished Pine Valley.  William Flynn had a big hand in the finishing of Pine Valley.  Later on, Perry Maxwell did some tweaking to Pine Valley (just like Maxwell did some tweaking to Augusta National).

Second, he has some glaring omissions from his Top 10 of his Top 100 in the world ranking.  Ballybunion (Old) in County Kerry, Ireland and El Saler in Valencia, Spain are glaring omissions that he made.  El Saler is probably the best course in Continental Europe. 

El Saler is a mix of links golf and pine forest golf.  Here is a photo tour.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37350.msg766879.html#msg766879

He is much more a "professional" than you, lol. Do you get paid for your thoughts, I didn't think so.

[Pulled(PP)pork]

The only thing that Royal Troon has going for it is the Par 3 8th hole (hole that is named "Postage Stamp").

If I wanted to play any of The Open Championship rota courses, Royal Troon would be down my list of what I would want to play.

you probably don't even own clubs


PP

[Pulled(PP)pork]

Well, Royal Troon is not even in the following Golf Digest Top 100 in the world 2016 ranking.

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/worlds-100-greatest-golf-courses-2016-ranking

I don't agree with some of Golf Digest's rankings in that list.

have you wrote their editor and told him that?  you should, and tell him about the hours and hours of studying you did


PP

[Pulled(PP)pork]

Ron Whitten is hardly a "professional."

First of all, Whitten makes it sound like that Hugh Wilson was the only one who finished Pine Valley.  William Flynn had a big hand in the finishing of Pine Valley.  Later on, Perry Maxwell did some tweaking to Pine Valley (just like Maxwell did some tweaking to Augusta National).

Second, he has some glaring omissions from his Top 10 of his Top 100 in the world ranking.  Ballybunion (Old) in County Kerry, Ireland and El Saler in Valencia, Spain are glaring omissions that he made.  El Saler is probably the best course in Continental Europe. 

El Saler is a mix of links golf and pine forest golf.  Here is a photo tour.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37350.msg766879.html#msg766879

if only Perry was here to tweak you......


PP

[GoHogs1091]

He is much more a "professional" than you, lol. Do you get paid for your thoughts, I didn't think so.

To be frank, he may not be paid to do his lists.  His Golf Digest rankings lists has given him a lot of notoriety though.

One aspect that is perplexing that he does is his minute moving around of courses in his lists, particularly his minute moving around in his Top 10 section of his overall ranking lists.  Top 10 overall lists are usually old, classic courses, and new build courses are simply not going to be as good as those old, classic courses.  It would stand to reason that certain old, classic courses get initially ranked in a specific spot, and then they stay in that spot without needing to be moved.  To minute move around those courses is like "splitting hairs."

I have posted on here before what I feel is the Top 10 in the United States, but I never have posted on here what I feel is the Top 10 in the world.  Here is what I consider is the Top 10 in the world.

1.  Crystal Downs

An extensive 12 page thread that contains a photo tour of Crystal Downs.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49858.0.html

2.  Southern Hills

Ben Hogan called Southern Hills one of the top three in the world.

Johnny Miller once stated that Southern Hills has as good of a set of Par 4s as anywhere.

3.  Pine Valley

Pine Valley ought to be very good.  The following six golf course architects worked on Pine Valley.

George Crump
Harry Colt
Charles Blair Macdonald
Hugh Wilson
William Flynn
Perry Maxwell

Additionally, George Crump received some advice from Charles Alison and A.W. Tillinghast.

Some good pictures of Pine Valley.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57264.0.html

4.  The Old Course at St. Andrews

5.  Merion (East Course)

Jack Nicklaus once stated about Merion (East Course) that "acre for acre, it may be the best test of golf in the world."

6.  Oakmont

7.  Ballybunion (Old)

http://www.ballybuniongolfclub.com/courses/the-old-course-hole-by-hole/

8.  Augusta National

The history of golf and the history of The Masters Tournament were forever changed when Perry Maxwell completed his work on the Augusta National course in 1938.

9.  Cypress Point

Cypress Point has been called the best 17 hole course in the world (some feel that the finishing hole is not very good).

10.  El Saler

[ricepig]

Or.....he's paid well, as most writer's/contributors are. Looking at pictures, doesn't give one the perspective of a course, actually playing them does. Also, living vicariously through another's view of it, doesn't count, either.

My Top 10, of courses I've actually played.

Cypress Point
Pebble Beach
TPC Sawgrass
La Cantera
Plantation Course Kapalua Golf Club
Cabo Del So- Ocean Course
Las Colinas
TPC Southwind
El Dorado-Los Cabos
Ridgepointe CC

[campushog23]

2.  Southern Hills

Ben Hogan called Southern Hills one of the top three in the world.

Johnny Miller once stated that Southern Hills has as good of a set of Par 4s as anywhere.

We know, we know, we know... If Perry Maxwell the Magnificent didnt touch it then it's a dump.

[Pulled(PP)pork]

8.  Augusta National

The history of golf and the history of The Masters Tournament were forever changed when Perry Maxwell completed his work on the Augusta National course in 1938.

Are you saying or implying that PM made it the tournament is today, over a few greens?  You have lost all sense of reality, if you ever had it in the first place


PP

[GoHogs1091]

Jordan Spieth played 27 holes at Oakmont this week.  Here is what Spieth said afterwards.

"I'd sign for even par right now for 72 holes in June."

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/jordan-spieth-oakmont-the-hardest-course-in-america

Spieth is incorrect about the bolded part in the following that he said.

"I know that Oakmont is in the rotation and I know that if you win a U.S. Open at Oakmont, you can go ahead and say that you've conquered the hardest test in all of golf, because this is arguably the hardest course in America day-to-day," Spieth said. "Normally the hardest U.S. Open, at least what history shows."

Here is the average winning score at U.S. Opens at the following (in years in which there was a playoff, I used the winner's playoff score, not the winner's score after the 4th round before the playoff).

Oakmont    +1.13

Winged Foot (West Course)    +1.6

[Pulled(PP)pork]

Jordan Spieth played 27 holes at Oakmont this week.  Here is what Spieth said afterwards.

"I'd sign for even par right now for 72 holes in June."

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/jordan-spieth-oakmont-the-hardest-course-in-america

Spieth is incorrect about the bolded part in the following that he said.

"I know that Oakmont is in the rotation and I know that if you win a U.S. Open at Oakmont, you can go ahead and say that you've conquered the hardest test in all of golf, because this is arguably the hardest course in America day-to-day," Spieth said. "Normally the hardest U.S. Open, at least what history shows."

Here is the average winning score at U.S. Opens at the following (in years in which there was a playoff, I used the winner's playoff score, not the winner's score after the 4th round before the playoff).

Oakmont    +1.13

Winged Foot (West Course)    +1.6

can you post what he quoted the first time he played augusta, competatively?  how about The British Open??  I'm sure he gives accoladed to every fricken course he plays competatively....who wouldn't?



PP

[GoHogs1091]

can you post what he quoted the first time he played augusta, competatively?  how about The British Open??  I'm sure he gives accoladed to every fricken course he plays competatively....who wouldn't?



PP

No one may have cared what he said because he wasn't the defending Champion the first time he played competitively at those places.  There is a lot of focus on what he is saying about Oakmont because he is the defending U.S. Open Champion.

Personally, I think this venue (Oakmont) is not a good venue for him because of his tee-to-green game.  It was already not his strongest suit to begin with, but throughout the Green Blazer Tournament at the border of Georgia/South Carolina it appeared he has had a regression in regards to consistent tee-to-green play.

[Pulled(PP)pork]

No one may have cared what he said because he wasn't the defending Champion the first time he played competitively at those places.  There is a lot of focus on what he is saying about Oakmont because he is the defending U.S. Open Champion.

Personally, I think this venue (Oakmont) is not a good venue for him because of his tee-to-green game.  It was already not his strongest suit to begin with, but throughout the Green Blazer Tournament at the border of Georgia/South Carolina it appeared he has had a regression in regards to consistent tee-to-green play.

ahh, yes, the "tee-to-green" raises it's ugly head



PP

[GoHogs1091]

Golf.com had an 18-Handicapper play Oakmont on the Media Day.  The following is one thing the 18-Handicapper said.

"Don't tell Gary I said this, but he's right: Every shot must be perfect. That seems like an impossible standard, but I can tell you that after walking off the 18th hole on a beautiful spring day, I didn't feel like the course had put one over on me. The course didn't beat me. I just couldn't beat it."

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/what-18-handicap-learned-playing-oakmont-two-months-us-open

[GolfNut57]

Golf.com had an 18-Handicapper play Oakmont on the Media Day.  The following is one thing the 18-Handicapper said.

"Don't tell Gary I said this, but he's right: Every shot must be perfect. That seems like an impossible standard, but I can tell you that after walking off the 18th hole on a beautiful spring day, I didn't feel like the course had put one over on me. The course didn't beat me. I just couldn't beat it."

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/what-18-handicap-learned-playing-oakmont-two-months-us-open

Seriously? You're now down to quoting a golfer with an 18 hdcp to show how tough Oakmont is? hahahhahaha..........

[GoHogs1091]

Seriously? You're now down to quoting a golfer with an 18 hdcp to show how tough Oakmont is? hahahhahaha..........

Just providing some information.  That link doesn't really totally show the level of difficulty.

The following shows the level of difficulty.

Notables in 2007 at Oakmont

Justin Rose   +11               71-71-73-76--291
Hunter Mahan   +12          73-74-72-73--292
Vijay Singh   +14                71-77-70-76--294
Charl Schwartzel     +17      75-73-73-76--297   
Graeme McDowell   +17    73-72-75-77--297   
Lee Westwood   +18          72-75-79-72--298
Zach Johnson   +20          76-74-76-74--300   
Chris DiMarco   +20          76-73-73-78--300   
Ernie Els   +21                   73-76-74-78--301
Jason Dufner   +25          71-75-79-80--305

Notables who Missed Cut in 2007 at Oakmont

Phil Mickelson   +11           74-77--151
Sergio Garcia   +14             79-75--154
Henrik Stenson   +15          79-76--155
Adam Scott   +18                 76-82--158

[ricepig]

2015 bottom feeders at the U.S. Open

Luke Donald   73-71-73-75--292   $25,358
Brad Elder   76-68-76-72--292   $25,358
D.A. Points   74-71-77-70--292   $25,358
Jimmy Walker   72-73-72-75--292   $25,358
a-Beau Hossler   71-72-73-76--292   
a-Jack Maguire   73-68-73-78--292   
Phil Mickelson   69-74-77-73--293   $23,822
Angel Cabrera   70-75-74-74--293   $23,822
Colin Montgomerie   69-76-72-76--293   $23,822
Marcus Fraser   71-71-77-74--293   $23,822
Cheng Tsung Pan   71-72-76-74--293   $23,822
Ben Martin   67-70-86-70--293   $23,822
George Coetzee   72-73-72-77--294   $22,652
Andy Pope   74-71-77-72--294   $22,652
Zach Johnson   72-72-78-73--295   $22,067
John Parry   72-73-71-79--295   $22,067
Camilo Villegas   72-73-80-75--300   $21,628
Chris Kirk  70-73_80-78--301     $21,332

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Cheng Tsung Pan   71-72-76-74--293   $23,822

I call BS on that one.  That ain't no golfer.  That's the #7 on the lunch menu at Fu Lin's.

[ricepig]

I call BS on that one.  That ain't no golfer.  That's the #7 on the lunch menu at Fu Lin's.

Ok, you caught me, now I'm ready for lunch....

[Jackrabbit Hog]

So GoHogs, who do you like for the US Open?  Inquiring minds want to know.

[GoHogs1091]

So GoHogs, who do you like for the US Open?  Inquiring minds want to know.

I don't know who would be a good pick.

I do know that Oakmont is going to require over all 4 rounds elite ballstriking like the ballstriking done by Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst #2 in 2014 and the ballstriking done by Bernhard Langer at Royal Porthcawl in 2014.

I do know Oakmont is going to require over all 4 rounds the type of putting done by Retief Goosen at Southern Hills in 2001 and the type of putting done by Goosen at Shinnecock Hills in 2004.

I just don't think that Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy will be able to do the above over all 4 rounds at Oakmont.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

I don't know who would be a good pick.

I do know that Oakmont is going to require over all 4 rounds elite ballstriking like the ballstriking done by Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst #2 in 2014 and the ballstriking done by Bernhard Langer at Royal Porthcawl in 2014.

I do know Oakmont is going to require over all 4 rounds the type of putting done by Retief Goosen at Southern Hills in 2001 and the type of putting done by Goosen at Shinnecock Hills in 2004.

I just don't think that Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy will be able to do the above over all 4 rounds at Oakmont.

I agree about Spieth (just not sharp at all right now) and McIlroy (no confidence in his short game, especially putting).  Day, however, seems to have proven that he can now put four consistent rounds together, in different types of conditions and on different types of courses.  I think it's asking too much of him to win, but I do think he will contend and have a shot on Sunday.

My picks right now would be Branden Grace and Zach Johnson.

[GoHogs1091]

I agree about Spieth (just not sharp at all right now) and McIlroy (no confidence in his short game, especially putting).  Day, however, seems to have proven that he can now put four consistent rounds together, in different types of conditions and on different types of courses.  I think it's asking too much of him to win, but I do think he will contend and have a shot on Sunday.

My picks right now would be Branden Grace and Zach Johnson.

Someone has to win the tournament, but more than likely no one is going to conquer Oakmont.  It could very well be the case of the PGA Tour Pros "having to try to hang on for dear life."

The PGA Tour Pros better hope and pray that it rains right before the tournament, or that it rains during the tournament.  They also may need to hope that the advancement in golf equipment technology since 2007 has been enough to help them with dealing with Oakmont.

[ricepig]

Someone has to win the tournament, but more than likely no one is going to conquer Oakmont.  It could very well be the case of the PGA Tour Pros "having to try to hang on for dear life."

The PGA Tour Pros better hope and pray that it rains right before the tournament, or that it rains during the tournament.  They also may need to hope that the advancement in golf equipment technology since 2007 has been enough to help them with dealing with Oakmont.

You do realize that they all will be playing the same course? Like most US Opens, the premium will be placed on fairways and greens, nothing new.

[GoHogs1091]

You do realize that they all will be playing the same course? Like most US Opens, the premium will be placed on fairways and greens, nothing new.

Much, much more of a premium at Oakmont than at other places such as Pebble Beach, Congressional (Blue Course), Chambers Bay, and Torrey Pines (South Course).

As Johnny Miller says, "Oakmont's mean."

[ricepig]

Much, much more of a premium at Oakmont than at other places such as Pebble Beach, Congressional (Blue Course), Chambers Bay, and Torrey Pines (South Course).

As Johnny Miller says, "Oakmont's mean."

I'll give you some homework, pull up the fairways and greens hit at those Opens and get back with me on how they correspond to the respective top 10's.

[GoHogs1091]

The recent weather has sharpened Oakmont's bite.

"The recent spate of dry, warm, weather has sharpened Oakmont's teeth and has the course playing at its nasty best, or, in this instance, difficulty. Anyone who played there this past week has felt as though they took a beating from Tyson Fury."

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/golf/2016/05/29/Weed-is-key-to-Oakmont-greens/stories/201605290111

[GolfNut57]

The recent weather has sharpened Oakmont's bite.

"The recent spate of dry, warm, weather has sharpened Oakmont's teeth and has the course playing at its nasty best, or, in this instance, difficulty. Anyone who played there this past week has felt as though they took a beating from Tyson Fury."

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/golf/2016/05/29/Weed-is-key-to-Oakmont-greens/stories/201605290111

Bet the members are pissed about that. But no problem for the pros. After all, the USGA/PGA will soften up the course for them. 

[GoHogs1091]

Bet the members are pissed about that. But no problem for the pros. After all, the USGA/PGA will soften up the course for them. 

The Members there like it tough.  That is the culture at Oakmont. 

[GoHogs1091]

Interesting article from yesterday written by Peter Kostis over on Golf.com.  From the article.

"How can today's best players slay this monster? To start, power and accuracy off the tee will be paramount. Players who put their drives on the short grass will be rewarded with shorter irons into the green, and thus a better chance to knock the ball closer to the hole. Wayward drives will be punished by rough that will make reaching the green in regulation a challenge. And hitting the wrong part of Oakmont's quicksilver putting surfaces is akin to knocking one in the bunker. I'm not kidding. The greens are so large, fast and challenging that three-putts will be plentiful, even from a seemingly good leave. Players will need extreme precision to give themselves a makeable birdie putt or a stress-free two-putt for par."

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/us-open-2016-brutal-beast-oakmont-will-test-best

Another interesting article, which pertains to the 5 toughest shots the Pros will face at Oakmont.  The article doesn't even talk about Hole #1 and Hole #10.  Those 2 Holes, #1 and #10, will demand and require elite play over the entirety of the hole.

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/us-open-2016-5-toughest-shots-pros-will-face-oakmont

[GoHogs1091]

The PGA Tour Pros are starting to get prepared for Oakmont.  The following is from an article posted today, and it was stated by Jim Furyk after a recent visit.

"It's penal, it's tough," he added. "The layout is as hard as I've ever seen. Add the Open conditions, you have to be on top of your game. You can play well there and shoot 76. It kind of has a way of snowballing on you. I look forward to going there but I'm cautiously guarded because I know how tough it is."

Also from the article, Jason Day played 1 Round at Oakmont 10 years ago.  Here is what Day had to say.

"My initial reaction was about how hard and fast the greens were," Day said. "And it was just a normal day, no tournament. I couldn't get over it. I got to the eighth hole, the 290-yard par 3, and I'm like, What? I've never seen a 290-yard par 3 in my life. It really surprised me how difficult the course was. I shot 76 or 77 and thought, Man, this is a brutal golf course."

http://www.golf.com/golf-plus/us-open-2016-players-prepare-confront-big-bad-oakmont

A statistic that I have discovered that puts a lot into perspective pertains to Adam Scott.  In 2007, Scott missed the cut at Oakmont.  He hit six of 36 greens.

I personally hope what doesn't get lost during the coverage next week amongst the aspects of high rough, a nearly 300 Yard Par 3 Hole, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, fast greens, and 200 bunkers is the aspect of just how good architecturally is Oakmont.  Architecturally, it is highly regarded and highly respected.  The way the holes lay on the terrain, which leads to canted fairways, made it's architectural attributes tee-to-green at a very high level.  Additionally, the design of the greens is very high level.

The PGA Tour Pros next week should feel fortunate to be able to play on such an architecturally high level course.  They could very well get frustrated at times next week, but since they have the reputation of being elite golfers, then they should relish the fact that they are on an elite course that will completely test their game. 

[EastexHawg]

Phil Mickelson has played Oakmont this year and said it's the hardest course he has ever seen.  Dennis Paulson just said on PGA Tour radio that the greens there are the most difficult in the world. 

The only thing I don't like is tricked up courses or greens.  Don't design a hole or a green where it is basically impossible to land a well struck shot with proper spin on the green and keep it on the putting surface. 

[GoHogs1091]

Phil Mickelson has played Oakmont this year and said it's the hardest course he has ever seen.  Dennis Paulson just said on PGA Tour radio that the greens there are the most difficult in the world. 

The only thing I don't like is tricked up courses or greens.  Don't design a hole or a green where it is basically impossible to land a well struck shot with proper spin on the green and keep it on the putting surface. 

Mickelson also said that it is hard but fair.  Additionally he mentioned that most courses that are difficult tee-to-green have/give a reprieve at the greens, but there is no reprieve at Oakmont's greens.

There is 5 sub 400 yard Par 4 Holes, with three of the 5 being on the Back 9.  Five sub 400 yard Par 4 Holes is actually a lot on a Major Championship course.

Holes 2, 3, and 4 can be birdied if played well.  Hole 4 is a long Par 5, but can be birdied.  Holes 11, 14, and 17 can be birdied if played well.

Holes 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 18 will be some of the most difficult, if not the most difficult holes the PGA Tour Pros will play all season.

It will be difficult to birdie any of the Par 3 Holes (6, 8, 13, and 16).  Of the 4 Par 3 Holes, the best chance for Birdie will be Hole 13 (will still require very good play to birdie Hole 13).

Someone over on Golfwrx who plays there with some regularity posted that 2/3rds of the holes, you cannot be above the hole (which means being above the hole could be impossible for a Par chance).

There is an aiming pole there on some holes to help players with knowing where to focus the aim of their shot (those poles are always there).

Oakmont presents a kind of a double-edged sword.  It requires length off the tee and elite precision.  The flip side is if a player tries to stay back on their drives in order to be more precise with their drives, then it makes for longer approach shots into the green.  Longer approach shots into their greens is not a very good method for a Birdie chance.

Some people feel that Oakmont has the best set of greens in the world.  They pose a significant challenge even for top-flite putters (Spieth's putting ability could very well be neutralized).

Tee-to-green it is a world class course with a very good routing.  Some people feel that it is even underrated.

[ricepig]

Oakmont is a typical USGA trumped up course set to make par or worse to be the winning score. As was mentioned earlier, there has to be a place to reward well hit shots on the greens, and stick.