Official 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Discussion Thread

[phan52]

Second hole at Merion, 556 yard par 5. They pushed the fairway way right, along the road and OB. You can actually see where the fairway used to be on the left. If the players are smart, they will play the par 5's as three-shotters and make hitting the fairways off the tees a premium.

[BostonBrew]

As a golfer whose misses are to the right, that hole is incredibly intimidating hahaha. Can't wait to see how punishing this course is for the guys who miss the fairways.

[phan52]

I'll be over walking the course tomorrow and I'll try to get some more pics. Won't be allowed during the tournament.

[jeremehubbard]

Looking forward to the US Open in just over a week... I can honestly say that the 2012 Open was what got me interested in golf seriously...

Still have lots of guys I pull for each week, but pulling for Kuchar and Snedeker next week especially, and my 7 year old is pulling for Rickie Fowler!

[Stretch]

Time to break out the belt again!

[boogielicious]

Erik,

Did you hand paint the third picture?

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Erik,

Did you hand paint the third picture?

I assume it's a Linda Hartough? I checked out a book of her prints, "Hallowed Ground", from the local library and had it on my bedside table for a few weeks. Beautiful work with great historical write-ups on each of the featured courses. It played a significant role in forming my wife's opinion of me, she thinks I'm a dork

For those that like Golf Art, check this out. Images of Hartough's work at various stages of completion:

http://www.hartough.com/2013-us-open-championship-painting-merion.html

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

The fairways look ridiculously hard to hit (very small width)... I hope the greens hold shots from the rough...  If not, we could all be seeing a tournament where even par wins on Sunday afternoon.

What is wrong with even par being the wining score?

[Golfingdad]

What is wrong with even par being the wining score?

What, exactly, in his post suggests to you that he thinks there is anything wrong with even par being the winning score? You sound like me, in that you're waiting for somebody to complain about the way the USGA sets up their courses to try and "protect par." I think it's great, but know a lot of people that whine about it. But I don't think Beach was whining, just predicting. :)

[Ernest Jones]

I'm all for even par taking the prize, keep these pricks humble!

[phan52]

There's a tropical storm heading our way that may or may not hit the Philly area over the weekend. A real soaking rain is the last thing they want, but I guess there would still be time for it to dry out by Thursday.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Originally Posted by phan52

There's a tropical storm heading our way that may or may not hit the Philly area over the weekend. A real soaking rain is the last thing they want, but I guess there would still be time for it to dry out by Thursday.

I think it is going to be to many days in front to soften it in a major, if we get the rain they are talking about it could make a smaller storm later in the week much bigger issue than it would have been. the courses locally are all running hard  and fast right now...i have assume Merion is at the top of the scale this week!

[3putter]

Holy fairways! This is ridiculous. I'll say put that driver in the bag and start teeing off with an iron all day!

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

What, exactly, in his post suggests to you that he thinks there is anything wrong with even par being the winning score?

You sound like me, in that you're waiting for somebody to complain about the way the USGA sets up their courses to try and "protect par." I think it's great, but know a lot of people that whine about it.

But I don't think Beach was whining, just predicting. :)

First off, the "wining" was a typo for winning, not a slap at him.  So I certainly apologize to him for the unfortunate implication my typo gave.

Secondly, when he says " I hope the greens hold shots from the rough...  If not, we could all be seeing a tournament where even par wins on Sunday afternoon." then it certainly sounds like he doesn't want par to win.

Personally I don't really care if par wins or if -10 wins.

The real whining is going to occur if Tiger wins while only hitting a (small) handful of drivers, just as there was when he won the Players that way.

[phan52]

!8 tee at Merion. They will not use the tee next to the bunker; only be using the two back tees. 255 carry to the fairway from the farthest back tee.

[BostonBrew]

Maybe it's just the angle, but the tee box beside the bunker looks really sloped... ? As you stated, it won't be used, but I'm still curious.

[k-troop]

I think the fairways are far too wide, and the course is playing too short.  With the ridiculous jacking of the modern ball, any major championship course under 8500 yards is a total joke.  The winner should have to hit driver 15 times per round (yes, at least once on a par-3) so that they're facing the same type of test the average golfer faces on the average weekend, and they should be missing at least 60% of the fairways.

Winning score should be around 300, just like the typical club championship.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by phan52

!8 tee at Merion. They will not use the tee next to the bunker; only be using the two back tees. 255 carry to the fairway from the farthest back tee.

Wow.  I honestly would have issues on this hole!!  Maybe I would hit a Lob wedge from the back tee - to the forward tee?  Then hit my 3W from the forward tee to reach the fairway?! LOL