The overall philosophy of a U.S. Open setup has not changed significantly over the last half century. Prior to the event, the golf course is carefully studied to ultimately provide conditions that test a player's accuracy, distance control, ability to recover from trouble, and overall shot-making skills.

Preparing for Golf at the Championship Level The facts about u.s. Open site selection and golf course setup. BY MIKE DAVIS

he u.s. Open Championship was first for tents, operational compounds, admission played in 1895 at Newport Golf Club, entrances, and spectator transportation. The golf Tbut, unlike today, preparation for the course must have enough space between and early Opens was minimal. In fact, the inaugural around golf holes for grandstands, TV towers, National Open Championship was postponed concession areas, and for the relatively unimpeded by a month when the USGA decided it was best movement of thousands of spectators. Outside not to compete over the America's Cup yacht the golf course, we examine the potential space race dates. Agronomic conditions of the courses for parking upwards of 14,000 to 20,000 vehicles, were substantially different then - consistent the likely traffic conditions to shuttle spectators and near-perfect playing conditions were not via bus between parking and the golf course, the available. Furthermore, the USGA had little to availability of thousands of hotel rooms and a do with the golf course setup; that was left to the convenient airport, and the anticipated coopera- host club. tion from the state and local governments, as Now let's fast-forward 112 years and see what well as the local business community. happens in preparation for a u.s. Open. The USGA Championship Committee Before a venue is selected to host a U,S. Open, generally awards U.S. Open sites six to eight it is carefully examined by the USGA to ensure years in advance. In addition to having the it meets key criteria. First and foremost, the golf quality of the golf course and logistics analyzed, course must be of excellent quality and design. the Committee also takes geography into con- Can it be set up to adequately test the world's sideration. The national Open should and does best players? If the answer is "yes," the USGA move around to different parts of the country. A staff then thoroughly study the operational few of these golf courses have required rather aspects of the site and local community. There substantial makeovers, both architecturally and must be enough land surrounding the golf course agronomically, in order to obtain an Open bid.

16 GREEN SECTION RECORD For instance, Bethpage Black, site of the 2002 The first part of an Open golf course setup and 2009 Opens, had a complete facelift in the happens a couple of years in advance and late 1990s, as did Torrey Pines, host of the 2008 involves analyzing how each hole should play Open. ideally. What was the architect's intent for the These two venues aside, the USGA generally hole? Where is the intended drive zone? Is the prefers not to suggest or dictate architectural architect's original intent still valid, given the changes at Open venues other than when new modern changes in golf equipment and agro- championship teeing grounds or modifications nomic preparation? If not, this change may to fairway widths and contours are needed. In support the cause for a new teeing ground. Was fact, the USGA recommends widening fairways the approach shot designed for a long, medium, .• post-Open. Permanent course changes are or short iron? Is the putting green open in front decided and made by the host venue, with to allow for a run-in approach, or is it fronted by guidance from its architect of choice. Most of a hazard or some other obstacle? What the USGA involvement with the Open setup are the ideal hole locations, and how do revolves around agronomic preparation (e.g., they relate to the overall strategy for a determining various mowing heights, how hole? much water should be applied to the course, In an ideal championship setup, there ete.) and the selection of hole locations and must be a good balance - balance in teeing grounds. long, medium, and short-length par 3s, So what is involved with a U.S. Open setup? 4s, and Ss; balance in a mix of holes What actually is the USGA trying to accomplish where some are hard and others are with this somewhat legendary brutal test of golf? relatively easy - par ought to be a good The overall philosophy of a U.S. Open setup has score on some holes, but the golf course not changed significantly over the last half most definitely ought to offer some birdie, century. Prior to the 19S0s, the Open setup perhaps even eagle, opportunities. Most varied from year to year and seemed to be based golfers love risk-reward holes and, ideally, on each host club's desires rather than a USGA a championship test would have several t mandate. Then in the 19S0s, Richard Tufts, then holes that tempt the player. A par 5 reach- USGA president and owner of the Pinehurst able in two shots, and, if the course allows, Resort, introduced what to this day is still the perhaps even a drivable par 4, can provide blueprint of a U.S. Open setup and test of golf interesting options. Winged Foot's sixth This plan called for firm and fast conditions, hole was a dramatic and drivable par 4 at relatively narrow fairways, penal rough, and fast the 2006 Open. In the final round, when Hole locations are a critical there was a particularly inviting hole putting greens. The idea was to test all aspects of aspect of the U.S. Open player shot-making abilities under difficult setup location, the majority of the players tried to setup. conditions. A by-product of this tough test was drive the putting green. The result: many that players' mental and course management birdies, several eagles, and quite a few do.uble

.> skills also were rigorously tested. bogies. Oakmont, the site of the 2007 Open, While the overall U.S. Open setup philosophy will have three risk-reward par 4s that can be has not changed over the years, the actual setup driven under certain conditions. There should specifications have evolved as the game has be balance in an Open so that both power and changed. As clubs have gone from wood to steel accuracy are rewarded, but neither overly so. to titanium, and balls have evolved from gutta- Doglegs and different angles of play are percha to balata to the modern urethane-covered tremendously underrated in today's game at golf ball, the game and how it is played by the the highest level. Offering incentive to players world's best have changed rather substantially. who can accurately curve their ball in either Additionally, the science, technology, education, direction is a wonderful aspect of championship and resources behind golf course maintenance golf Gradually bending doglegs mandate that also have changed how the game is played. With shots either be curved or played at a certain all these changes over the years, the USGA has angle and a certain distance. These types of attempted to evolve the U. S. Open golf course doglegs challenge even Tour-level players. In setup while staying true to Tuft's vision of a fact, this may be one of the very few areas where stern test of golf modern equipment likely has had a negative

MAY-JUNE 2007 17 impact on the players' ability to score - the recovery from U.S. Open rough. At Winged modern driver and ball make both distance Foot last year, the USGA slightly altered its control and the ability to "work the ball" some- long-standing tradition of one stand oflong, what more difficult. penal rough; graduated rough was introduced. Once the hole-by-hole analysis is done, the This stepped-cut rough was adopted with a goal USGA then formulates a golf course preparation of better rewarding accuracy and more equitably letter that is sent to the golf course superintendent. penalizing inaccuracy. Two, rather than just one, This letter outlines the mowing heights for fair- heights of cut were used for the primary rough. -. ways, rough, collars, teeing grounds, The first cut closest to the fairway was approxi- and putting greens. The letter also mately seven paces in width and was mown on a addresses putting green speeds, daily basis at 3.5 inches. At this height, the grass • changes to fairway widths and was low enough so players could play to the contours, bunker preparation, daily putting green, but high enough so their ability maintenance schedules, water to control distance was lessened. The first cut management, and a myriad of other was and is supposed to be a bit less penal than particulars relevant to U. S. Open past U.S. Open rough. Outside the first cut of golf course preparation. primary rough was a higher second cut. This The trademark of a U.S. Open rough, at 6-plus inches in height, more severely course setup is difficult playing penalized the truly errant shots. In addition to conditions. Perhaps more than any the graduated roughs, the spectator rope lines other tournament in the world, the were moved further away from the fairways so Open rigorously tests a player's players who really hit an errant shot would less accuracy, distance control, and ability often get a fortuitous lie in grass trampled by to recover from trouble. This is spectators. accomplished by providing relatively The putting green speed for each U.S. Open narrow fairways, penal rough, and is determined by carefully studying the slope firm and fast conditions. In other and contour of each of the 18 greens. This speed words, the margin of error for shot- changes from year to year because the design of making is lessened. Depending upon putting greens varies so greatly from course to the length of the hole, the slope and course. Inevitably, one or two of the greens are contour of a drive zone, fairway more severely sloped or contoured than the widths for an Open will range from others. Those greens ultimately end up dictating 22 to 34 yards. On a relatively flat overall putting green speeds for all 18 greens. and straightaway hole of medium Flatter, less-undulating greens are prepped for I length, 26 yards of width would be faster speeds. U.S. Open putting green speeds the norm. In the days of persimmon vary from 10.5 to 14-plus feet on the Stimp- . and balata, that norm would have meter, depending upon the design of the greens . been around 32 yards. The advances The USGA wants greens fast, but not so much U.S. Open rough always is a topic of discussion in modern equipment have not only allowed for so that good hole locations cannot be used. Fast each June. The under- increased distance, but the players also are able greens require a deft putting touch and a great lying principle is that to hit the ball straighter; thus the reason for the imagination when trying to recover from around a player should be gradual narrowing of U.S. Open fairway widths the greens. The USGA also considers how wind penalized for an errant over the past 15 years. might affect playability of putting green speeds. shot, but not overly so. In the last couple years, the USGA has given Pebble Beach, for example, is typically prepped a In 2006, a step-cut graduated rough was considerable thought on how best to prepare the bit slower than the slopes would otherwise allow introduced to more rough grass. Ideally and under Tufts' method, due to the likelihood of strong winds. equitably penalize the rough should be at a height where players are How are hole locations chosen? As anyone inaccurate shots. penalized for errant shots, but not overly so. The who has ever picked hole locations knows, USGA wants to test shot-making and reward setting 71 out of 72 good ones is not good recovery skills; thus "pitch out" rough really is enough. Fast speeds coupled with undulating not desirable unless the player misses the fairway and sloping putting greens can sometimes, as the by a significant margin. Jack Nicklaus, winner USGA unfortunately has seen a few times, be of four Open Championships, was a master at the recipe for the dreaded bad hole location. The

18 GREEN SECTION RECORD Measuring the prospective area for a hole location must be care- cognizant of balancing the lefts and rights, as percentage slope six fully studied. Knowing the amount of slope well as fronts and backs, so as not to advantage or so feet out from a prospective hole around a prospective hole, say within a 6- to 7- or disadvantage a certain playing style. There is location can better foot radius, is critical. In the last couple of years, no attempt to make the final round any more ensure a fair setup. the USGA has used a digital level to calculate difficult than the first round; however, there the percentage slope. On the higher end ofU.S. might be times when a dramatic (i.e., more risk- Open green speeds (13 to 14-plus on the Stimp- reward) location is saved until the final round. meter), we begin to be very cautious with a We also consider the approach shot being played. percentage slope greater than 2.4% or 2.5% Will it be a long iron or a wedge? Firmness of within a 6- to 7-foot radius of the hole. When the putting greens also must be strongly con- green speeds are on the lower end (10.5 to 11.5 sidered. Tucking a hole location right behind a on the Stimpmeter), percentage slopes up to front greenside bunker on a long, downwind 2.8% or 2.9% seem to be the cutoff mark. We hole may be too difficult, but placing a hole near also look for ample "roll-out" - the ability to the edge of the green may be fine when mostly stop a golf ball within 6 or 7 feet on the low side wedges are being played for approach shots. of the hole. More roll-out is given if winds are Placing a hole location in the very back of a soft forecasted in the downhill direction.The other green on a short hole may be a great test of shot- tricky part in avoiding a bad location lies in making - can a player take enough spin off his anticipating possible scenarios where green golfball to get it close, or will he risk going over speeds might increase as the day goes on. Will the green by flying the ball the whole way to the conditions dry out? Could it get windy? Is there back? We also believe it is okay to have one or dew on the green in the early morning when the two so-called "sucker" hole locations over the holes are being picked that might fool you into a course of a championship as long as it doesn't dicey location? Was a chemical growth retardant cross over into being unfair or downright goofy. used on the green? These occasional "sucker" hole locations can test Assuming four good hole locations can be a player's course management skills when it found per hole, the USGA tries to balance these might be best to play an approach away from locations for each stipulated round. We are very the flagstick.

MAY-JUNE 2007 19 Water management is one of the most crucial greens were faster, the rough was taller, and aspects of championship setup. Firm and fast sometimes the course was firmer. The USGA conditions are ideal. It brings out a wonderful has changed its philosophy a bit oflate. We now aspect of the game - what will happen when strive for relatively consistent setup conditions the golf ball lands. A player must plan for the for the whole event, including practice rounds. bounce and roll. Firm conditions require a That is not to say we want the course to play greater ability to control ball flight and spin. exactly the same every day; adapting to changing This is one reason the British Open is such a conditions is part of the game. The real influence fascinating championship. In an ideal world, on change ought to come from Mother Nature, every U.S. Open would be played on a course not from the USGA purposefully giving the

built on a sandy-loam terrain like Pinehurst, players a golf course they have not seen before. <". Shinnecock Hills, Olympic, and Bethpage. It is the job of the USGA and the course super- These sites allow us to better control firmness intendent to react to changing weather condi- even when Mother Nature is providing unwel- tions and modify course setup accordingly. This come rain. Most U.S. Open sites, however, are sounds easy in concept, but it can be very diffi- built on heavier soils that retain moisture much cult in execution. Sometimes the USGA has longer. That unfortunately means Mother done an admirable job in this regard; a few times Nature sometimes dictates softer playing condi- we have not. And when a course is set up to be tions than wanted. The key with firmness is as difficult as an Open, the margin for error can trying to provide fair conditions for the players. be razor thin. A wrong weather forecast or poor Ideally, the firmness of putting greens and their reaction to a good one can potentially push an approaches ought to be consistent. The USGA otherwise fair but tough setup into an unfair works hard with the superintendent to provide setup where good shots are not rewarded. firm approaches to the putting greens. Typically, There is one final question that often comes every time greens are aerated or topdressed, the up about the Open test of golf - Is the USGA USGA recommends the same procedure for the really after a winning score of even par? The approaches. It is downright unfair to provide simple answer is no. Windy and dry versus soft greens that are too firm and won't adequately and calm conditions can make for a 15- to 20- hold well-struck shots. This can be a tremen- shot swing in the winning score. The USGA dously fine line, especially when dew points are obviously cannot control wind or rain. So, while dropping or it gets windy. an even-par winning total is not a goal, the The USGA's philosophy on bunker prepara- USGA is genuinely focused on testing the tion for national championships differs somewhat players' shot-making and course management from the norm. We still believe in the concept skills under the most rigorous and challenging that bunkers are hazards. A penalty should be setup conditions. Some years that test is more paid. Adapting to the look and feel of the sand rigorous than others. ought to be part of the challenge. Bunkers Moving the national open around to different should not always be perfectly prepared with courses provides a wonderfully interesting firm, consistent sand. In fact, in the last few variety. It is apropos to say there are different years we have purposely had the grounds staff courses for different horses. Some are long- soften up the bunker bottoms by vigorously and Torrey Pines next year will be more than 7,500 deeply raking. Softer sand translates into less yards; some are short - Merion in 2013 will ability to spin and control the ball. Could the play to around 6,900 yards. Some have large, players get the occasional "fried egg"? Yes, and relatively flat greens, while others are small and the USGA believes recovering from a buried lie undulating. Some are open and subjected to is still a skill required for playing the game. strong winds, and others dogleg their way Consistency of the overall golf course from through towering trees. But they all end up one day to day is part of the setup plan. For years the way or another doing one thing - identifying difficulty of the U.S. Open setup seemingly the national champion of golf in the United increased as the week progressed. Sunday's final States. round has many times played more difficultly, sometimes significantly so, than during practice MIKE DAVIS is senior directorif USGA Rules and rounds and early championship rounds. The Competitions.

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