GHIN
Contrary to my general apathy and burnout about the week-to-week world of men’s professional golf, I’m so unbelievably excited for Pinehurst No. 2 and this week’s U.S. Open.
The reasons for this are mostly obvious and if you're reading this, I’m sure they align with the reasons you are excited. All the players are back together. It’s going to be a world-class execution test at a fascinating venue. The weather looks fantastic. Carnage is potentially looming. Plus, there is no better consistent agent of unpredictable chaos in the golf world than the USGA. Sign me up for all of it. I can’t wait.
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D.J. wrote this in last week’s G&T and it was proved prescient, even sans any USGA hijinx. To say we at NLU were excited about last week’s U.S. Open was an understatement - we were downright giddy. And most of the time when that’s the case, we end up being disappointed. While “our” guy didn’t win (more on that below), that somehow only added to how substantive and consequential the entire championship felt. The result edified just how hard it is to win one of these things – to play truly great golf for 68 holes – and then have it ripped away by a momentary loss of focus and a guy who makes Rory’s game look downright old-fashioned. The golf course demonstrated just how brilliant and multi-dimensional golf can be on firm, fiery surfaces and thoughtful greens. That we get to see this place again in ‘29, and then every six years thereafter plus Women’s Opens, gives us all something to look forward to. And in ‘29, the hope is that the game returns in a different place – with equipment somewhat under control and the game back in proportion, which should only make Pinehurst shine that much more.
I tweeted this out about what I'd like to see next time around:
Upon reflection, most of that still tracks.
Here are some stream-of-consciousness thoughts: I think there are certain spots where there needs to be more wiregrass to maintain the integrity of the hole (5, 18). Speaking of integrity, the regularity with which TIO relief comes into play during major championships remains a laughable occurrence, with the 13th hole on Sunday serving as the finest example in recent memory. Pushing that tee up (in conjunction with the hole location used) made the hole far less interesting for the best players in the field. Rory stepped up and hit driver, knowing he had a backstop with the grandstand long right and a straightforward up and down from there. The previous days we were treated to engaging drama and disaster, with guys making double and triple with wedge in their hands - the challenge as much mental as it was physical (and on both the tee shot and the approach). We got none of that on Sunday, as the longest hitters thoughtlessly bashed it up there. And while Bryson’s 3-wood was brilliant, it didn’t make up for what was lost. If the USGA is hard up for another driveable four, then maybe take a long look at the seventh hole, which would play beautifully. This is all setup/rules stuff. The course itself played beautifully, even if certain greens don’t make as much sense with the current green speeds and the switch to the bermudagrass. If it’s between firmness and speed, let’s pick firmness and slow them down a bit, but keep them rock hard. All for variety and offering up a little bit of different tests and a focus on the integrity of the strike with irons. I imagine the USGA will be using a different seating vendor moving forward ;)
I’ll add two more related things to the list: enhance the focus on pace of play. Whan’s a marketing guy - make enforcement of pace of play in the U.S. Open a shining example of what is a scourge at all levels of the game (and seemingly only getting worse with each passing year). That’s what stewards do. It’s a tough problem, but bring in more officials so there is someone timing on every hole. Be consistent and uncompromising across the board. When they’re setting the golf course up a certain way to avoid pace of play disasters or not finishing a round on one of the longest days of the year, then that’s a compromise that’s being made in the attempt to identify the best player. And the best player is one who also completes the task in the allotted time and without adversely impacting his competitors. That’s part of the equation. Let’s stroke some guys and see what happens!
Speaking of stewardship, Pebble Beach should take a long look at Pinehurst’s philosophy and rebirth over the last decade plus. You want to talk about resting on your laurels (and the Pacific Ocean)...