RANT: I'm sick and tired of the USGA manipulating course par for their championships

[Spitfisher]

The course would have stood on it's own.

You are very mistaken.

[mdl]

I agree with the par doesn't matter thing.  Though it can be slightly annoying as a viewer when there are a bunch of holes that average 4.5 or 3.5 strokes and you're not actually sure unless you've been watching the whole tournament (or they display the hole average on the telecast) whether par is relatively average for the hole or with a par the player is actually losing (or gaining) 1/2 stroke versus the field.

But in general I like the super long par 4s.  I like some short holes too, but I like the increased variance of a larger number of long distance approach shots.  I'd rather watch a tournament where a couple par 4s require long irons or even high woods for the short hitters.  Those full shots are where pros are most better than us.  I think it's more exciting to watch a guy win the tournament by stuffing a few 3i approach shots and keeping the rest of them on or really near the green through the week versus watching a guy win by averaging shorter distance to the pin on approach wedge/high irons and sinking more mid-range putts.  Of course that has its place and excitement too.