2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Discussion Thread

[ChrisP]

Normal is a course that has green grass, has discernable fairways and greens, and doesn't make you wonder if you're playing outdoor pinball.

Like I said, that's fine if you call it ugly. But don't call it unfair or out of control where everyone's getting 10s and 11s like some are. Scores suggest otherwise.

[Chilli Dipper]

Normal is a course that has green grass, has discernible fairways and greens, and doesn't make you wonder if you're playing outdoor pinball.

So... you're not planning to catch much of the Open at St. Andrews, I'm assuming.

[nevets88]

Anyone know the logistics of the USO - are the people who do course maintenance mostly locals, or is there a annual staff that they reuse?  A combination of both probably, I wonder if it's more of the latter or former. The planning manual must be something.

[AmazingWhacker]

Always been a luke-warm fan of Jason Day but . .I gotta say . . .nobody can know exactly how he feels except for him . .but true, severe vertigo you can not play golf with whether you are a tough guy or not.  So, in my opinion, what he has must be less than severe vertigo . .perhaps mild vertigo with some intermittent spells of moderate vertigo, some nausea, etc.   But if he had true vertigo . .the kind where you're so dizzy you can't even walk . .he could not play through that.  Of course the commentators, desperate for anything to make it more interesting, are making the most of it . .but I can't help but feel like it's just a bit exaggerated.

Go ahead and flame me but I'll be rooting for Jordan . . not because I am a huge fan of his, either . .but I'd like to see him continue on the path to the grand slam just for the extra excitement it will add to the Open Championship next month.

Just to be fair . .I'm a big Tiger fan and I usually/always think his injuries are exaggerated, too.

[Chilli Dipper]

Anyone know the logistics of the USO - are the people who do course maintenance mostly locals, or is there a annual staff that they reuse?  A combination of both probably, I wonder if it's more of the latter or former. The planning manual must be something. [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/125377/] [/URL]

The USGA has its own superintendent in charge of the setup for its championships. Whether they use the club's groundskeeping crew or their own (or a combination of both), I don't know; but the USGA is calling the shots in regard to maintenance from a couple of months prior to the tournament.

[nevets88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevets88

Anyone know the logistics of the USO - are the people who do course maintenance mostly locals, or is there a annual staff that they reuse?  A combination of both probably, I wonder if it's more of the latter or former. The planning manual must be something.

The USGA has its own superintendent in charge of the setup for its championships. Whether they use the club's groundskeeping crew or their own (or a combination of both), I don't know; but the USGA is calling the shots in regard to maintenance from a couple of months prior to the tournament.

Yes, that makes sense. I'm wondering for example the operators in the photo above, if they're local, or specialists in that they're very experienced w/the logistics and have done other USGA events. Because of the money involved and the contingency planning they must be familiar w/in case of heavy rain or other conditions that might delay the championship, I'm guessing more than a majority of the guys operating the more specialized equipment aren't local. Or do you just need solid managers. Anyways, just a nitpick I was wondering about.

[Lastpick]

Regardless of one's opinion on the course layout, the putting surfaces are horrible, especially in the late groups.

[wannabe]

Regardless of one's opinion on the course layout, the putting surfaces are horrible, especially in the late groups.

No worse, in fact probably better, than Torrey or Pebble late in the day.

The only real complaint that's justifiable this week is the fan experience/access to walking all the holes.  Seems they could've build more walkways/structures to make that happen.

Like it or not, the USGA's priority is around preserving par and providing the sternest test of golfers - physically and mentally - of the year.  That's been accomplished.

The "fairness" is relative, and if truth be known, I bet the USGA places a higher priority on the test than the fairness aspect.

Overall, thumbs up.

[Silent]

I like the courses, only thing I can't really see where the greens are from my couch. But it's challenging, asking a lot from players and you need to be patient, play good, and fight to make par. Not concentrated enough or making bad shots and you get punished; great.

[iacas]

The golf course is ugly.  The greens are of very poor quality.  Good shots often are punished.  The course is not designed for live spectators.  One of the reasons that I may not like this US Open is because of the coverage by Fox.  Not a fan of Weiskopf.  The interviews by Holly Saunders are not professional.   Can't pick up the ball on the green on shots.  Most of all I hate the punishing 50 yard roll outs on shots that are not great, but not horrible.  The USGA has once again screwed up the national championship by making a course almost unplayable.

I've yet to see a good shot get punished. The slopes are all known by the golfers.

I think this is one of my favorite U.S. Opens thus far.

No worse, in fact probably better, than Torrey or Pebble late in the day.

Yup.

[Shindig]

I'm [i]really[/i] enjoying this one, more than any since possibly the last Pebble Beach one (and more than that one, too). [quote name="wannabe" url="/t/81357/2015-u-s-open-at-chambers-bay-discussion-thread/1314#post_1158157"]Like it or not, the USGA's priority is around preserving par and providing the sternest test of golfers - physically and mentally - of the year.  That's been accomplished. The "fairness" is relative, and if truth be known, I bet the USGA places a higher priority on the test than the fairness aspect. Overall, thumbs up. [/quote] I haven't really seen anything so far that I'd rate as unfair. Is there something I'm missing?

[usgasucks]

Again, the USGA screwed the spectators at this US Open. Great tournament but would be even better if spectators could see golf being played. Where can a request be sent to ask that if they ever play at Chamers Bay again, that all players are required to use an orange ball so it can be seen on tv. The USGA in its arrogance completely ignores the spectators. And yes I am in the area and have heard many fans that are disgusted with not being able to see much.

[newtogolf]

I've yet to see a good shot get punished. The slopes are all known by the golfers.

I think this is one of my favorite U.S. Opens thus far.

Yup.

I'm changing my opinion on the course.  I don't have the skills to play it but I do see there's a method to the madness and the best golfers can score on it.

IMO there's a fine line between trick shots and good golf shots and I do still believe this course introduces a bit more luck into the equation than more traditional courses but it's pretty obvious by the scores that the pro's had enough time to identify where they need to land the ball to get their desired result.

I won't likely ever get good enough to play CB, but I will enjoy watching them battle it out today on it.

[Shindig]

I won't likely ever get good enough to play CB, but I will enjoy watching them battle it out today on it.

The white tees are a 70.2/127. You're good enough to play those on occasion. You probably wouldn't enjoy making it your home course at your current level, but you're capable of playing that. Don't play the tips. They're 75.6/139, and I imagine the U.S. Open setup and tees are higher rated.

[32quattro]

Same place , different story.

[phillyk]

Again, the USGA screwed the spectators at this US Open. Great tournament but would be even better if spectators could see golf being played. Where can a request be sent to ask that if they ever play at Chamers Bay again, that all players are required to use an orange ball so it can be seen on tv. The USGA in its arrogance completely ignores the spectators. And yes I am in the area and have heard many fans that are disgusted with not being able to see much.

It's too much of a liability to let spectators wonder on the dunes.  You could break an ankle, fall down, or whatever the case is.  Granted, I understand, as I was there Wednesday and Thursday, but I had binoculars and could see every ball hit and follow it in the air.  A lot of people have broken the rules of where spectators can go anyways.  It's definitely iffy though for how to set up the course for spectators to walk safely.

[ChrisP]

[URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/125380/] [/URL] [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/125381/] [/URL] Same place , different story.

So if you say it's s so ridiculous and unfair, how do you explain Louis oosthuizen playing the last 30 holes in 10-under par and several guys being under par? You must hate Winged Foot.

[iacas]

Again, the USGA screwed the spectators at this US Open. Great tournament but would be even better if spectators could see golf being played. Where can a request be sent to ask that if they ever play at Chamers Bay again, that all players are required to use an orange ball so it can be seen on tv. The USGA in its arrogance completely ignores the spectators. And yes I am in the area and have heard many fans that are disgusted with not being able to see much.

As for me… I'm enjoying the tournament more than most in the past decade.

I'm changing my opinion on the course.  I don't have the skills to play it but I do see there's a method to the madness and the best golfers can score on it.

IMO there's a fine line between trick shots and good golf shots and I do still believe this course introduces a bit more luck into the equation than more traditional courses but it's pretty obvious by the scores that the pro's had enough time to identify where they need to land the ball to get their desired result.

I won't likely ever get good enough to play CB, but I will enjoy watching them battle it out today on it.

Shocking! Someone who can admit to changing their mind! Kudos.

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It takes time to adjust to playing golf along the ground. Undoubtedly the pros are starting to adjust somewhat as the week goes on, and several have made comments about it. It took me awhile to get used to it in Scotland despite KNOWING and TRYING from the outset. It just takes time to know what a ball will do along the ground, and how to play bumps and hollows and side- and back-boards.