Course length

[hurley9192]

interesting thought...most say that longer courses benefit guys who hit the ball better, but a Southern Hills type course brings everyone into the equation because it takes Driver out of the bigger hitters hands.

I was thinking about that...why is it considered better if a course takes driver out of longer hitters hands? Shouldn't someone that can hit the ball farther benefit from being a better player? Heck, why don't they just play a pitch and putt and determine the winner. Different courses put different premiums on shots, but it's funny to hear that SH brings in the shorter hitters which should make it more exciting. I guess that there are more guys that can challenge, but why does handicapping the longer hitters make it better?

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I don't think it's handicapping the longer hitters. They can still hit driver if they want to. The course is going to play at over 7,000 yards at par 70. But I like the fact that the course puts a premium on accuracy. The fact is most of the longer hitters are not the most accurate and thus can't get away with their errant tee shots at a course like this. I like that. I don't like the courses when players can bomb it 40 yards offline and still end up with a clear path to the green.

[philipy]

... I don't like the courses when players can bomb it 40 yards offline and still end up with a clear path to the green.

I wish I could play on courses like that!

[thumper07]

look at fred funk, i feel sorry for him he is numer one in driving accuracy yet he usually doesn't win because he doesn't hit it far, play a tight course with alot of hazards and fred funk has a better chance. i mean if you take away tigers driver it makes him a better player, i.e '06 open chamionship. but if he needs to hit driver i'd say its 50/50. shorter, tighter courses do bring in a different group of competitors abd i think it makes it more interesting. just my 2cents though.

-matt

[golfchief]

Courses are long enough,If they want the players to stop hitting it 340+ in the rough and wedge unto the green all they have to do is start adding deep pot bunkers in those areas. If they can hit that far and keep it in the fairway more power to them.

[lamebums]

I don't like the courses when players can bomb it 40 yards offline and still end up with a clear path to the green.

Perhaps I'm the opposite - the tighter the course is, the higher I score, even if it's shorter. I prefer a wide-open course that allows some room for error and allows you to hit driver. Besides, hitting the big dog is more fun. (If woods are in play on the left side, I have the potential to get some big numbers.)

Now, the pros hitting the ball 350 yards is another matter, and I think the ball is going too far for them, but not the average Joe.

Courses are long enough,If they want the players to stop hitting it 340+ in the rough and wedge unto the green all they have to do is start adding deep pot bunkers in those areas. If they can hit that far and keep it in the fairway more power to them.

I agree. To discourage bomb and gouge, grow some more penal rough, especially in the 300-320 yard range where drivers would most likely land. Thing is, not every pro bombs and gouges. I watched the press conference last night where Tiger was talking about his 63 - he hit a lot of irons off a lot of tees. The other guys, trying to make up shots, hit driver - and usually paid for it. Which is probably why everyone else collapses around him.

[golfchief]

I watched the press conference last night where Tiger was talking about his 63 - he hit a lot of irons off a lot of tees. The other guys, trying to make up shots, hit driver - and usually paid for it. Which is probably why everyone else collapses around him.

Thats Tigers new golf management this year, play the course from the fairways and light rough, hit it close on the green, hopefully birdie and move on. Always better to make a good shot from the fairway than a great shot from the rough.

[thumper07]

do you guys know that only 9 people on tour average over 300 yards?? and tiger is not one of them. so yeah they can hit it 350 but thats not where i would put the pot bunkers and junk, it would be 290-320.

[Mhinderaker]

do you guys know that only 9 people on tour average over 300 yards?? and tiger is not one of them. so yeah they can hit it 350 but thats not where i would put the pot bunkers and junk, it would be 290-320.

Do you know how they average distance?

I didn't think so. I am quite sure I read somewhere that they just measure drives on 2 holes. That means that if Bubba hits his driver on one and his 3-W on one, his "driving distance" comes up a lot shorter, meaning no he really hits his driver a lot farther than like 315.

[golfchief]

It's not what they avg. It's how far then can hit it when they want to.