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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 6, 2007
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While I agree that making this hole long and only reachable to a chosen percentage is basically making it a 100-110 yard par three, I don't think the answer is to shorten it so everyone in the field can hit it in two.
Longer hitters will now be hitting medium irons or even short irons into the green. Sure the green will be hard and fast but they will still have a putt at eagle, albeit a lengthy one most times. It will play as a par four and an eagle will mean nothing more than a birdie when the stroke average will be 4.2 or whatever.
It will be equally boring watching, your favorite player not have a chance to use the risk reward, which this hole provides, because his opponent is sitting next to him on the green after hitting a 5 iron. The tour has just made it a putting contest for the win.
Sorry, but I'd rather see them play a 100 yard par three than Putt-Putt.
I think the answer is to make it a 2 or 3 iron for the long hitters who may not feel the need to apply that risk, and 3 wood or "driver off the deck" for the medium to shorter hitters who forgo the risk, to entertain the reward.
I want to see a memorable shot like everyone else, not a forgettable two putt!
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 16, 2007
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I think you have some good thoughts, but I think you are forgetting two things:
1) To set up your middle-iron scenario, you have to drive the ball into the fairway. That is no easy task in the US Open, especially if you are on the 72nd tee and are down one or up one.
2) The front portion of 18 is guarded by water. Really, the hole looks bit like the 18th hole in the "US Open" course used for the movie Tin Cup.
I think these two things will make the shorter set-up a solid challenge without making the hole an easy two-putt birdie.
While my preference would have been the 502 yard par 4 (sorry I like watching the pros get their rear-ends kicked), if they keep it a 5 par, I think the risk/reward set-up is the best option.
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Reputation:85
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 28, 2006
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I disagree, you say long hitters will hit mid to short irons? if a player drives the ball 300-340, that leaves somewhere between a 6 and 3 iron. Shorter drivers will have to take out the woods, and with greens as fast as US Open greens, a well-struck ball could easily hit on the rface of the green and bounce and/or roll off. I don't think Eagle is going to be easy to achieve, but it is definitely a bridie=par hole.
the only thing I dislike about this setup: The easiest hole on the corse should not be the finishing hole. Par should equal a birdie on the 18th hole, like at TPC Sawgrass.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 27, 2007
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I say keep the tradition alive. If a par 5 is what you want on a finishing hole, keep it long.I thought the U.S open was about golf shots not long drives.Drive for show, put for dough.I feel if you can when this tournement by making less mistakes than your oponents, thats a positive.Do you realy want to see someone posting -18 or -23 to win this.this is the toughest to win.Keep it that way.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 20, 2007
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I don't think that it is a mistake because it will make the hole too easy. If you have seen or had the lucky opportunity to play Torrey, you know that 18 is guarded by water in front. The green is horizontally long, but not very deep depending on the pin location, so anything under a 7 or 8 iron will require enormous amounts of spin to clear the water and stop before rolling off the back. I don't think it will be easy, but I also agree with the above poster. The US Open is supposed to be hard. You are supposed to shoot 5 over to win. I want to see it play long. With a back left pin location, most people even it playing short are going to lay up. The only way someone goes for the green in two on Sunday is if they are required to and have a chance. It would take a weird set of facts for that, so no matter who is playing the hole, they are going to lay up. A player would have to be 2 down and require an eagle to go for it. Any player would take a lay up to 100 yards and try to pitch and putt to make up one stroke.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 21, 2008
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Great idea! I bet there will be more pars made out of the two bunkers and water than there will be two putt birdies. That green will be so firm there will really only be about 12-15 guys that can hit it high enough with even a five iron to keep it on the green. And that finishing hole will in no way play the easiest on the course. Number 13 will max out at 540 and probably play directly down wind with no water in sight.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 21, 2008
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Oh yeah! "Driver off the deck" into that green! That would be some serious entertainment! The ball drop would look worse than the driving range tee by weeks end. Nothing could be finer than dropping into a divot on late Sunday at the US Open.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 10, 2008
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I hear ImNo1 - how about scaling back the length, but placing more hazzards around it?
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Reputation:52
Level:Pro
Since:Jan 7, 2008
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I like the idea that players would have a chance to eagle the hole, bit I'd like to see them have to riverboat gamble with a long iron or fairway wood. The idea that players can hit a 5-6 iron into the green doesn't really make it that much more exciting. I'd like player to go to the hole knowing that he has to hit a driver, and then a tremendous second shot to set up that chance. If the longest hitters can hit a middle iron in, that really takes away from the risk. Part of the risk should simply be to hit the green from that distance (or to stay our of the drink).
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Reputation:78
Level:Pro
Since:May 11, 2008
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The PGA seems to be having an identity crisis the last few months.... Do we want the winning score to be +1 or -22 ?
Yes, Technology helps, yes, distance is the easiest way to combat new technology - but it's not the best.
Lets see some "shot makers" holes - Huge doglegs with water and trees, Fairways that run into the trees rather then 'rough', bunkers protecting the front and back of the green rather then just the sides..... I could go on for hours but in the end I would rather see a masterfull 3 iron - 6 iron - 1 putt then a Driver - wedge - 1 putt.
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