Erin Hills "One of the Great Championship Courses In the U.S."

[iacas]

Watch this video: http://www.usga.org/videohub.aspx#&&/wEXBAUQdGF4U3ViQ2F0ZWdvcnlJZAUCLTEFDXRheENhdGVnb3J5SWQFCzE3MTc5ODY5NDg0BQZpdGVtSWQFCzIxNDc0ODQxNzc1BQp2aWRQYWdlTnVtBQEx8B79juK6j530XAZ8PnI+JNz6rHg=

USGA Executive Director says "I predict that we're going to see this summer, Erin Hills ends up being long term, one of the great championship courses in the United States."

[GaijinGolfer]

Its a great course.  Its not far from where I live and its truly one of the great courses in this part of the country.

[DarkPrince]

I'm interested in trying it since it's about a 45 minute drive from here, but like most courses that have the "we have/will host a major" sticker, the prices jumped, I don't think I could afford to go if I had to pay for more than one person...and caddies. It's just shy of $300 if you don't want to skimp on your caddie tip (if you get a caddie, which I'd probably recommend since the one at Straits saved probably 20 strokes off my score). $200 is a bit steep for me since that's 1/3 of my membership lol, but if I find myself with the money, I certainly want to play it before the Open comes here, I'll probably Volunteer at it as well as Straits again in 2015 for the PGA if I"m still in the area.

[ThominOH]

Looks to be a beautiful course,, but OUCH @ $200 plus caddie.. I sometimes wonder if this isn't a factor why we see such a significant drop in rounds played per year.. With the economy the way it is, the golf industry is hurting.. I would love to move away from golf being labeled as the "rich man" sport, and get back to it being a public event for everyone (especially kids)

It will be interesting to see how Pinehurst makes their transition, which I whole heartly support..

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

Looks to be a beautiful course,, but OUCH @ $200 plus caddie.. I sometimes wonder if this isn't a factor why we see such a significant drop in rounds played per year.. With the economy the way it is, the golf industry is hurting. I would love to move away from golf being labeled as the "rich man" sport, and get back to it being a public event for everyone (especially kids)

It's never been a "public event for everyone." Golf is at its most accessible right now and continues in that direction.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by DarkPrince

I'm interested in trying it since it's about a 45 minute drive from here, but like most courses that have the "we have/will host a major" sticker, the prices jumped, I don't think I could afford to go if I had to pay for more than one person...and caddies. It's just shy of $300 if you don't want to skimp on your caddie tip (if you get a caddie, which I'd probably recommend since the one at Straits saved probably 20 strokes off my score). $200 is a bit steep for me since that's 1/3 of my membership lol, but if I find myself with the money, I certainly want to play it before the Open comes here, I'll probably Volunteer at it as well as Straits again in 2015 for the PGA if I"m still in the area.

Its not going to be a cheap course now or likely anytime soon.  So what?  Budget for it, play there when you can afford it and have a good time.  I usually try to not play over $20 for a round of golf but I budget for playing an expensive course (usually University Ridge in Madison or Blackwolf Run/Whistling Straits) at least once a year.

Munis are great but theres nothing better than playing an expensive, exclusive course.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

Looks to be a beautiful course,, but OUCH @ $200 plus caddie.. I sometimes wonder if this isn't a factor why we see such a significant drop in rounds played per year.. With the economy the way it is, the golf industry is hurting.. I would love to move away from golf being labeled as the "rich man" sport, and get back to it being a public event for everyone (especially kids)

It will be interesting to see how Pinehurst makes their transition, which I whole heartly support..

Courses like that are the exception, not the rule.

[ThominOH]

Originally Posted by iacas

It's never been a "public event for everyone." Golf is at its most accessible right now and continues in that direction.

Wish I could agree with you on that.. however the numbers show otherwise.. Various golf organizations such as the National Golf Foundation (NGF), that love to keep numbers are showing more golf course closings then openings since the turn of the century.. Less rounds played per year.. I think only 2 years of the last 10 shows a gain of less then 1%, whereas losses have been as high as 5% or more..  Even Phil M. made mention of this in last weeks press coverage.. I'm sure some of it is economic reasons, some poor course designs (penal architecture), and genre change in entertainment..

Maybe in Erie, PA things are different, but here in NE Ohio and elsewhere, golfing is taking a hard hit :(  Here is a snippet I found online:

The golf mecca of Myrtle Beach, S.C., lost 21 courses and more than 2,000 golf-industry jobs as rounds plummeted 22 percent last year, according to the Myrtle Beach Golf Association .

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

Wish I could agree with you on that.. however the numbers show otherwise.

Rounds played numbers don't speak to how "accessible" golf is. Golf is more accessible now. Greater percentages of public courses, more available tee times than before, First Tee and other programs, less exclusion of women and minorities, etc.

[ThominOH]

Originally Posted by iacas

Rounds played numbers don't speak to how "accessible" golf is. Golf is more accessible now. Greater percentages of public courses, more available tee times than before, First Tee and other programs, less exclusion of women and minorities, etc.

And the facts still remain, regardless what agenda you wish to push.. Courses are closing at record rates and rounds are dropping each year..  Your stance of more accessible is even more disturbing considering less people are golfing per year.. Wake up, smell the coffee.. Things are not getting better for golf..  Rumor has it that the networks are planning on cutting back their TV contract with the PGA in 2012.. However, that is just a rumor at this point..

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

And the facts still remain, regardless what agenda you wish to push.. Courses are closing at record rates and rounds are dropping each year..  Your stance of more accessible is even more disturbing considering less people are golfing per year.. Wake up, smell the coffee.. Things are not getting better for golf..  Rumor has it that the networks are planning on cutting back their TV contract with the PGA in 2012.. However, that is just a rumor at this point..

I'm not pushing an agenda. I'm simply putting the facts in the proper categories, which you're refusing to do. I haven't even commented on "things are (or are not) getting better for golf." Duh. I'm in golf. I'm well aware of the trends, the numbers, and the facts and figures.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

Wish I could agree with you on that.. however the numbers show otherwise.. Various golf organizations such as the National Golf Foundation (NGF), that love to keep numbers are showing more golf course closings then openings since the turn of the century.. Less rounds played per year.. I think only 2 years of the last 10 shows a gain of less then 1%, whereas losses have been as high as 5% or more..  Even Phil M. made mention of this in last weeks press coverage.. I'm sure some of it is economic reasons, some poor course designs (penal architecture), and genre change in entertainment..

Maybe in Erie, PA things are different, but here in NE Ohio and elsewhere, golfing is taking a hard hit :(  Here is a snippet I found online:

The golf mecca of Myrtle Beach, S.C., lost 21 courses and more than 2,000 golf-industry jobs as rounds plummeted 22 percent last year, according to the Myrtle Beach Golf Association.

Of course a poor economy and high unemployment have nothing to do with that.

[ThominOH]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Of course a poor economy and high unemployment have nothing to do with that.

This trend of reduced rounds has been going on for 10 years.. back when unemployment was 5%.. And as I have already said previously, the economy is only one variable in the problem.. but if so many wish to bury their heads in the sand.. BTW .. Phil M is in the golf business too, and he is well aware of the issues in this industry and he agrees and has pointed it out.. (which I'm sure the PGA didn't like that outburst)

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ThominOH

This trend of reduced rounds has been going on for 10 years.. back when unemployment was 5%.. And as I have already said previously, the economy is only one variable in the problem.. but if so many wish to bury their heads in the sand.. BTW .. Phil M is in the golf business too, and he is well aware of the issues in this industry and he agrees and has pointed it out.. (which I'm sure the PGA didn't like that outburst)

Phil cited rounds at AAC, and the kicker is this: he got his facts wrong . AAC is seeing MORE PLAY this year than a year ago. Their members love the course, and the ones who can't, play the other course at AAC. Phil's rant had holes a mile wide, including the fact that there are - duh - multiple tees and not every golfer needs to carry the ball 240 in the air to play #15.

Rounds are down. Okay. What are we supposed to do about it? You're on a golf forum. They're not down because of us - we're still playing golf - so why do you keep mentioning these stats? To what point? Are you just a fan of being negative, because I'm not. It doesn't mean I ignore it or pretend it's not there, it just means I prefer to properly understand the problem and, if I care enough, to come up with solutions.

[FowlPlay]

This is my favorite style of course as far and layout goes. Not a very good golfer, but I imagine this would be a great trip to make.

[DarkPrince]

I had to chuckle at their explanation about the glaciers and whatnot, but the Kettle Moraine area is an extremely popular nature area that runs a good length across wisconsin that people use for hiking, walking, cycling, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  There are some pretty big hills and drop offs in the area that some of the courses have used to their advantage, but I could definitely see walking being a bit of a pain for the pros with how hilly it is :P  The pictures I've seen of the place are beautiful though, it's like a semi-authentic looking links course....in the middle of Wisconsin haha.  I think it looks a bit more authentic than whistling straits, but I think it's because they didn't try so friggin hard to make it something, they just worked with the natural landscape.

[FLOG4]

Golf has taken a hit the past decade or so. My analagy would be it's much like America in general.  The wealthy are still quite wealthy....The poor are increasing and the middle class are being driven into extinction.  The great courses  will remain and florish and charge top $ to play them because they can....Analyze what it costs to play the average top 100 course....It's expensive or it's private and very inaccessible to the average Joe.  The mid tier course that is trying to be better and maybe charging above average green fees will stuggle because there are so many decent quality cheap venues also. So course closures will continue and overall for those of us that pay attention to opportunity cost.....Accessibility for you is as good as any time in your life.  I travel all over to play this addiction I have.  I have slept in my car to get a time on Bethpage Black, I buy 4somes off eBay to get on private tracks and cuz so few know this is an option I have got em cheap.  I sign up for every internet offer and get specials emailed to me.  I use EZlinks and get discounts by their NAME YOUR PRICE option.  There are a great many decent courses but there are only 100 top 100 courses.  Of the publics in the top 100 the average rate for a visitor is north of $200....And there's only about 20 in the top 100 right now. And the top 100 public average green fee is north of $100..... So overall I am in the camp of this is a great time to play this game.  But I've been in that camp for 5 decades....Haven't gotten to Erin yet or Chambers but hope to. What you will find with the best publics is virtually every teetime is booked.  The beauty is even with this vast chasm of differential the game is accessible to all. Even in the costly North East I play  a number of quality tracks at $25 including cart when those same places were charging $40/$50 a few years ago.

[act0fgod]

From the quote I'm not sure what exactly what is meant. If we are saying Erin Hills will be in a regular rotation for amateur championships I won't disagree. It's long, demanding and a great setup for amateur golf. If he is saying it is going to be known as a great site for US Opens after this year I'm not sure I agree. When I think of great sites for PGA majors I think of courses that produce great champions. I'm not sure Erin Hills and that style course will produce what viewers want in a champion...we'll see in 2017 though. I also thought it was funny how they talked about data from the amateur at Chambers Bay being invaluable for how it will be setup at the US Open...ie the explanation for changing the course. Gotta love how they change a course to meet the needs of one tournament and then because they host one tournament they can justify increased prices.