I Know It's Early: Pinehurst Hole-By-Hole Tour

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Yes, yes, it's not until June that the revitalized Pinehurst #2 is unveiled to the public and sure to play so much more beautifully than it did during previous U.S. Opens.

But I just couldn't help but enjoy this just-posted teaser from the resort's website with a photo of each hole with the renovation details.

I'll be getting a glimpse of #2 next week when I'm there for the USGA annual meeting. Can't wait!

Green Jr. On Pinehurst's Latest Big Changes

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Ron Green Jr. got a look at the latest tinkering to Pinehurst in advance of next year's U.S. Open and likes what he saw of what figures to be a fascinating change of the 4th into a par-4, and the famous 5th into a par-5 as Donald Ross once envisioned.

Thanks to read DTF for this:

The fourth hole will have more right to left movement from the new tee, located between the right side of the sixth tee and the back of the third green. Bunkers left and right frame a fairway that cants noticeably from left to right. The putting surface is among the most receptive on the course known for its turtleback greens complexes.

The view from the new fifth tee is striking. Set back where the old World Golf Hall of Fame was located years ago, it’s raised enough to afford a view to the green. It also brings back into play a cross bunker approximately 300 yards from the tee.

Most players will lay up with their second shots and face a difficult approach to one of the most dangerous greens on the course protected by a deep bunker and a new waste area on the left.

“I put Curtis (Strange) on this (fifth) tee and he said this is enough to sell me right here,” Padgett said. “This arguably could be the best tee shot on this course."

Planning Going As Expected For Pinehurst Opens

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AP's Joedy McCreary reports from Thursday's press conference at Pinehurst to promote next year's U.S. Open/U.S. Women's Open combo platter.

It seems green speeds will be the same for both men and women...

The course will be slightly longer for the men and the greens will be a touch softer a week later for the women.

Davis says No. 2 will play at roughly 7,500 yards for the men’s event and approximately 6,800 yards for the women. Par will be 70 for both. He says the greens will be roughly 11½ to 12 on the stimpmeter.

“Our goal really is to have the women hitting roughly the same kind of shot into the greens and roughly the same kind of shot off the tees,” Davis said.

Also interesting is the lack of consideration (for now) given to a joint Opens sequel.

"There has not been discussion in-house about, 'Let's name another back-to-back Open site,'" Davis said. "I really do think we want to see how this goes and take it from there. It could be a giant hit and we say, 'This is great for the game.'

"There's things that can go wrong on this, too," he added. "I do think we're very bullish on this. There's a lot more upside to this than downside, but there certainly are risks and we knew going into it."

John Dell also covered the day and focused on what will be one of the first Opens with hardly any rough as we've come to know it at the U.S. Open.