Video: Shinnecock's Fifth Hole And Trying To Restore The Intended Landing Area

Fifth tee at the bottom, very close to the members' 18th tee.  The landing area of this double Fairway Par-5 is in the upper right center of the image.

Lengthened to 589, the first par-5 at Shinnecock Hills is a niftily designed double fairway hole with a cool decision installed by architect William Flynn. When the hole was envisioned, Flynn was thinking of risk-reward dynamics that made the lay-up easier.

Unfortunately, even with the hole 54 yards longer than it was in 1986, 1995 and 2004--despite the claimed flatlining of distance since 2003--the player's tee shot decision is muted by modern driving distances. From there, the dynamics of the second shot and green take on totally different meaning. 

This is not a big deal if you think a test is all about power and hitting from point A to point B. But if decision-making and going to great trouble to return to Shinnecock Hills to ask more sophisticated design questions is the USGA's goal, then the 5th provides a fine example of a losing battle for classic architecture.

The USGA's Mike Davis addressed the effort to get landing areas relevant again with new tees:

“We didn’t add distance just to add distance,” Davis said. “What we really did, and we did it in concert with the club itself and also with some work with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, that architectural firm, is we really wanted to bring the shot value back to what (William) Flynn had designed in the late 1920s. So we looked at each drive zone and said, ‘what would it take to get the drive zone back into play?’ So I think we are excited because now all of a sudden some of the cross bunkers that are in play, some of the lateral bunkers that are in play or some of the shots, I mean take the second hole, it was always meant to be a long downwind par-3 that you can bounce the ball in. We now have that again.”

Lengthened 30 yards for the U.S. Open's return in 1986, Flynn's fifth hole strategy is worth savoring even if it's not as his team envisioned. The player unwilling to take on the carry to the left fairway is forced to play right, lengthening the next shot and bringing a fairway bunker into play, possibly forcing another safe shot. While the player who lands in the alternate fairway shortens the hole, improves the second shot view and in general, is high on life.

Basic but interesting strategy, that must have been even more clever when 250 yards was a big poke but now lost. With the carry to the left fairway at 240 or so yards, only a stiff breeze into the players could make the tee shot decision relevant for a U.S. Open field. 

The flyover of Shinnecock Hills' fifth:

USGA, Shinnecock Indian Nation Said To Be Near Deal

I hate to think how an event as intricately planned as the U.S. Open returning to Shinnecock Hills still hasn't crossed this t, but Bill Pennington of the New York Times says a deal is imminent.

Not mentioned in these stories, but there is the obvious--merchandise logos featuring a Shinnecock--and the not-so-obvious fact that the tribe helped build the course and was long part of its maintenance. 

Anyway it's all a little strange but good news: more parking spaces are opening up!

U.S. Open's Two-Hole Playoff Came After Talking To Stakeholders, With Excitement In Mind

Still not a fan here of a two-hole aggregate playoff, which is in play for the first time at this week's U.S. Women's Open and in two weeks at Shinnecock Hills, especially given the success three-hole aggregate playoffs have enjoyed in other championships.

I was reading the 2018 U.S. Open media day transcript and was interested in Executive Director Mike Davis's explanation, which emphasized the desires of stakeholders (TV?) and the probability of more excitement in two holes versus three. Davis said the main premise was to finish on Sunday and proceeded from there.

We also looked at it saying, we looked back in data and really the data suggested that whether it's three holes, which is our Women's Open used to be or believe it or not our U.S. Senior Open when we first went from 18 holes we went to a four hole aggregate, and that did seem to take a little too much time and sometimes it got to the last hole and it was already over. So we thought that by having two holes, that there would be more excitement, but it wouldn't necessarily be one shot over. And frankly, think about this week. If we needed, if we have a tie after 72 holes, we're going to play the par-3, 17th. Wonderful par-3. And then that great finishing hole 18. Next year at Pebble Beach, 17 and 18. How iconic are those holes?

Certainly iconic. But starting on a par-3 following decades of hearing about the importance of deciding a championship as important as the U.S. Open with a full-round makes two holes feel incomplete.

Video: Shinnecock Hills Third And Fourth Flyovers

Lengthened for the 2018 U.S Open, the par-4 third is named Peconic and unless into the wind, should play fairly short for today's players given the turbo boast that awaits in the landing area.

Here's the 2018 description:

Similar to No. 2, the prevailing southwest wind would be favoring the player and from the left. A new tee not only adds 22 yards to the hole; it is farther to the golfer’s left, and the fairway was also tightened on the left to make the angle of the dogleg more pronounced. The fairway is still relatively generous at 33½ yards at the 300-yard mark. A bunker on the right of the drive zone is unlikely to be in play, unless the wind reverses course.

Here is what PJ Boatwright wrote for the 1986 U.S. Open:

Bordering the left side of the hole is Shinnecock's equally famous neighbor--the National Golf Links of America. This is a big, straight-away two-shot hole. The fairway in the drive zone has been narrowed to 30 yards. The key to the hole is an accurate tee shot because the green is relatively large and open in front. Shinnecock's greens are, in general, not severely contoured. This one, hower, has more than its share of ripples, and there is a demanding hole location in the back right.

The flyover:

The fourth was lengthened 30 yards to 408 in 1986 and 1995, but will play 475 this time round.

Boatwright in 1986:

We constructed a new tee that added about 30 yards on this hole. That means the fairway bunker on the right, which could have been ignored, is now very much in play. The green is slightly elevated and relatively small. It will require a well-played short iron shot. The green has been enlarged at the right front to provide a tough hole location behind a bunker.

Here is the USGA description for 2018:

The tee shot and approach shot will typically play into a hurting or right-to-left wind on this hole that has been lengthened by 40 yards. The left side has been brought in so the fairway measures 32.5 yards wide at 300 yards out, which also brings the fairway bunkers into play. The preferred angle of approach is from the right side of the fairway, with the exception of a hole location on the right side of the green. The slightly elevated green has some subtle movement.

The 4th hole flyover:

And finally, between holes 3 and 4, this is the ad appearing in the 1995 program:

Forced By PGA Tour Rule To Turn Up At Colonial Instead Of Wentworth, Justin Rose Wins

As James Corrigan detailed a few weeks ago (thanks reader Scott), Justin Rose wanted to play at Wentworth in support of the European Tour. 

But he skipped out on that tour's signature event for a Colonial to fulfill the PGA Tour once-every-four-years clause. He ruled out the Deere and Wyndham due to Scottish Open and Ryder Cup priorities, and it turns out, wisely chose to play in Fort Worth where he found the iron game that had been less than stellar in 2018.

The Golfweek recap with news and notes on the one-off Fort Worth Invitational, saved by a host of sponsors before Charles Schwab takes over next year.

David Dusek with the winner's bag.

Round four highlights:

Kevin Na posted an opening 62 and closing 61. His highlights from the 7th 61 in Colonial history:

Video: Shinnecock Hills Second Hole Flyover

At 252 yards for this year's U.S. Open, this uphill, typically downwind long par-3 is one of the more subtly artful and not-so-subtly difficult one-shotters around.

In 1986, P.J. Boatwright noted the small approach added to players land the ball short of the green, 226 yards away: 

A very strong a par-3, uphill to a green that is appropriately large. Normally, we isolate greens on par-3 holes with rough. In this case, because the hole is so long, we left a strip of fairway in front of the green so that players can bounce the ball onto the green. This is only fair because the hole is likely to play downwind.

The aerial showing the entire fairway drenched in rough!  Fairway was installed by 1995:

The flyover today:

For full coverage of the 118th U.S. Open Championship, visit usopen.com.

Video: Shinnecock Hills First Hole Flyover And Past Comments From Boatwright, Eger

It's a tradition here pre-U.S. Open: counting down the holes until Shinnecock Hills hosts a fourth modern-era U.S. Open over its magnificent William Flynn design.

Besides some excellent flyovers filmed in fall 2017 by the USGA, for added giggles I'm going to share--when helpful--the 1986 comments of P.J. Boatwright and the 1995 comments of David Eger. Both were the Senior Director of Rules prior to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock. Their comments appeared in the tournament programs.

For the 1986 U.S. Open, Boatwright said of the opening hole:

A pleasant starting hole that offers a sweeping view of the course from an elevated tee. You'll see most players get off the tee with four-woods and one-irons since it's a tight drive zone--one we narrowed from 46 yards to 28 yards. The green has been enlarged at the back left to provide a testing hole location behind the bunker at the left of the green.

Eger in 1995:

This is a great starter, as the elevated tee provides players with a sweeping view of the course. It's a slight dogleg right and the prevailing wind quarters from left to right. Many players will use a fairway wood off the tee as the fairway is only about 30 yards off the tee.

The 2018 U.S. Open website description suggests a much different possibility than 1986 and 1995. It's those foam rollers keeping them limber. And the roll of course!

This manageable opening hole plays from an elevated tee near the clubhouse. Players who hit driver will find that the fairway narrows dramatically as it nears the two fairway bunkers on the right side of the drive zone – from 47 yards wide at 275 yards, to 30 yards wide at the 300-yard mark. Under certain wind conditions, players might attempt to hit driver close to or onto the putting surface. It’s a birdie opportunity, but a player could make a quick bogey here as well.

USGA On 2004 At Shinnecock: "What basically happened then was a lack of water.”

Lush rough at Shinnecock Hills less than a month from the U.S. Open.

David Dusek reports from U.S. Open media day at Shinnecock Hills and the USGA made the first effort to put behind them the course setup boondoggle from the last Open.

Somewhere Tom Meeks and Walter Driver aren't liking these comments from current Executive Director Mike Davis, but the truth can be painful:

“It’s been 14 years, and it’s a different time, with different people,” Davis said. “When you set up a U.S. Open, it is golf’s ultimate test and is probably set up closer to the edge than any other event in golf. The difference between then and now is that we have a lot more technology and a lot more data. And frankly, what basically happened then was a lack of water.”

This probably won't bring great comfort to Phil Mickelson, who lost by two with a double at the virtually unplayable 7th hole.

“Looking back at 2004, and at parts of that magnificent day with Retief (Goosen) and Phil Mickelson coming down to the end, there are parts that we learned from,” Davis said. “I’m happy we got a mulligan this time. We probably made a bogey last time, maybe a double bogey.”

"U.S.G.A.’s Long Relationship With Shinnecock Indians Frays Ahead of U.S. Open"

Bill Pennington of the New York Times says negotiations aren't going well between the USGA and the 1,500 member tribe. A parking area rented for $100,000 in the past is not being used by the USGA this time around, but the Shinnecock logo most certainly will be.  

The USGA is offering to sell products made by tribe members.

The U.S.G.A. also wants to include the Shinnecock in the event’s opening ceremonies and during the trophy presentation at its conclusion. And the U.S.G.A. has suggested other ways that the tribe could generate income during the championship, such as inviting the Shinnecock to sell a locally made product in its massive and usually mobbed merchandise tent.

“We’ve had great success with locally made products in past years — they’re a fan favorite wherever we go,” Annis said.

Annis added that the Shinnecock had also asked to set up a tent and a display for a putting simulator manufactured by a tribal partner. The U.S.G.A. agreed to find a high-traffic place for the tent.

Bifurcation: The Post-Erin Hills Narrowing And Resodding Of Shinnecock Hills For The U.S. Open

Newsday's Mark Herrmann has the definitive account of Shinnecock Hills' last-minute narrowing. 

Given USGA CEO Mike Davis's public concerns about the role distance plays in being able to present courses as the architects intended, the admission that last fall's narrowing of this year's U.S. Open course at least does not come with any aggravating spin. This was a reaction to Erin Hills, where the freedom to hit driver lead to incredible driving distances and low scoring. 

Still, the expense to keep Shinnecock Hills relevant speaks to a very different version of the game.

“They did it almost overnight,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “As someone at the club said, it was like a military exercise. When all is said and done, it looks tremendous. It fits your eye because these are the appropriate grasses.”

Herrmann notes that landing areas will still "be wider than they were for the previous three Opens in the modern era — in 1986, 1995 and 2004 — but slimmer than they had been after the club’s recent restoration project."

Three contractors were employed and the fairway grass taken out is resting comfortably at a New Jersey sod farm should the Shinnecock Hills members want it back.

“Some of the fairways had gone to 60 yards wide. It was great fun to play,” Davis said, adding that the average width had been 26 yards in 2004. “What we’ve done is come back and say, ‘You know what? You’re going to have to tighten it up some because accuracy is part of the test.’ ”

As absurd as all of this is to theoretically protect "accuracy", the real issue remains huge distance gains passing by the governing bodies. If the professional game were in balance, the width could be tolerated thanks to the green complexes serving as the defense. Angles would matter. A form of accuracy would be rewarded. Just not this year at Shinnecock. Again.

(Booth) Bifurcation At The U.S. Open!

The Forecaddie says Fox is taking a different approach to the U.S. Open this year at Shinnecock Hills, with two lead teams(ish) featuring Joe Buck and Paul Azinger, along with another team of Shane Bacon and Brad Faxon.

Loomis explained what viewers can expect to see at Shinnecock Hills in June: “On Thursday and Friday at the U.S. Open there will be hours when it’s just Shane and Brad, and hours where it’s just Joe and Paul. On the weekend, there will be times where Joe and Paul will get two holes, Nos. 1 and 2, and Brad and Shane will get two holes, Nos. 3 and 4. It adds up to 10 holes for Joe and Paul, eight for Brad and Shane. Because people don’t see us all year, it allowed us to be a little simpler in figuring out who’s talking for the viewer.”

Congrats to Shane on the big vote of confidence! It must be the Shotmakers bounce!

Not Even A Due Date Yet: Jason Day Already Expecting To Miss U.S. Open For Birth Of Third Child

Breaking new ground in telegraphing a non-entry to one of golf's major, Jason Day has decided he's likely to miss the U.S. Open next June to witness the birth of his third child. A due date has not been set.

From an unbylined AAP story:

"Although I've had some good results at the US Open, Ellie and I are really excited about our third child and I want to be there to support her," Day told AAP.

"I'm not missing the birth."

Day boasts a superb record at the US Open - finishing runner-up twice in addition to three top-10 finishes and will explore every opportunity to be there.

"Once we know the due date, I would have to see what my options are," he said.

Is this option on the table: not bringing it up again in 2017?

Update on 2017-11-07 03:55 by Geoff

**We discussed on Morning Drive.

Shinnecock Update: Restored But Also Narrowed

Golfweek's Bradley Klein visited Shinneock Hills as the legendary layout prepares to host the 2018 U.S. Open.

He is the first expert on site to comment on the recent narrowing revealed by Jaime Diaz at Golf World and writes:

A recent push to narrow the fairways marginally has seen the grounds staff convert seven of the layout’s 50 acres of shortgrass to rough. The idea is to create more strategic twist and turn to the fairways consistent with Flynn’s plan and to bring more fairway bunkers closer to the line of play. Fairway widths are still on the relatively generous side for U.S. Open, 28-34 yards in the championship landing areas. But their delineation pays close attention to the lay of the land and the role of airway bunkers.

Erin Hills Fallout: Shinnecock Hills To Be Narrowed After Restoration Widening

In light of the recent brouhaha over player comments at TPC Boston's forced layup that caused driver-hugging players to go down another fairway, Jaime Diaz concludes for Golf World that recent distance gains are going to keep leading to more setup and design dramas. He says the big picture of recent course setup issues suggests "a day of reckoning is coming."

Much of that conclusion is based on this disheartening news out of Southampton.

Next year the U.S. Open is going to a Golden Age classic, Shinnecock Hills, artful in the extreme, but also shortish. It’s the kind of venue that is most at risk of being overrun by the modern game.

In the last few years, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw restored the course. The fairways were widened (up to 60 yards), the greens expanded, and trees were removed. Visually, the result was spectacular, and the club’s members have loved the changes.

The USGA, too, initially sang the restoration’s praises, but recently officials have reconsidered their original setup plans at Shinnecock. The fairway width—done to create more strategic angles and options—was deemed too wide (perhaps in the wake of Erin Hills). Native fescue rough is now being planted on the edges of the fairway to narrow them back down. The course won’t be as narrow as it was when it held the championship in 1986, 1995 and 2004, but it will be narrower than what was originally planned on for 2018.

Why? Diaz concludes...

So that the art of Shinnecock can be brought out rather than overrun, the decision was made that long and crooked has to be punished.

In an odd way I wonder if such a high profile change to such a high profile course this late in the game is being implemented with the full knowledge that this reinforces the need for a variable distance ball?