Video: Pinehurst No. 2's First Hole

The USGA has again posted flyovers to Pinehurst No. 2, so to get in the mood for this June's U.S. Open I'll be posting one a day until the Sunday prior. Yep, the U.S. Open is only 18 days away.

The opener is subtle but a perfect way to initiate the golfer into the Pinehurst No. 2 experience, with the new look sandy scrub off to the sides of the fairway that pinches at a point which will force lay-ups off the tee (I can't find my yardage book at the moment but I seem to recall about 225, which on a firm course means we will see a lot of irons off the tee if the course.) This figures to be one of the holes where "divoting" will be an issue by week's end and for the Women's U.S. Open.

I feel there is an advantage to approaching this green from the right side for all of the hole locations. That leaves a shot into the length of the crowned green, though I suspect most players will just be happy to be in the broad landing area to get the day going on a positive note.

The video: