High Rough at Oakmont

photo credit: nautical2k     Oakmont Golf Course, the home of many U.S. Open tournaments, is known for it's extremely high rough which has been very controversial among PGA Tour players.  

Prior to the 1983 U.S. Open, the USGA told Oakmont to keep the rough playable.    Club members were furious  after the USGA ordered  the grounds keeper, Paul Latshaw,  to “lower the roughs.”   The membership threatened to have  Latshaw fired if he  complied with the USGA order.   As it turned out the USGA got their way  and the roughs were lowered.   Latshaw kept his job.      

The incident with Oakmont calls into question whether the USGA's authority goes too far.   Should the course conditions be determined by the USGA or golf course management?   Some say the USGA's authority goes too far.

Eagle Mountain Golf Club

photo credit: danperry.com     Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ has been awarded 4 1/2 stars by GOLF DIGEST and was included in it's list of the top 50 public golf courses in America.   With Red Mountain as the backdrop, this is one course that will mesmerize you with stunning views of the surrounding Arizona landscape.

Near the community of Fountain Hills, Eagle Mountain will take your breath away and test your golfing skills with it's sloping fairways and tee  elevations.    This is no course for the faint of heart and certainly one that you  would not necessarily want to  play without the use of a cart.   The service is very friendly and the green fees  are very reasonable.   For information go to www.eaglemtn.com or call 877 816-1818.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

photo credit: the_tahoe_guy     Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is located in Southampton on Long Island, NY.   It has hosted three US. Open Championships in three different centuries.   It is also the oldest organized golf club in the US. and has the oldest club house, built in 1892.   It was the first golf club to admit women.

The course was originally built on an 80 acre site adjoining the Long Island Railroad.   The parcel was purchased for $2,500  with course construction beginning in 1891.   The course is reputed to be built on the site of an Indian burial ground.   The Shinnecock Indian Nation, which helped in construction, filed suit seeking the return of 3,500 acres of “their” land including the golf course.   The litigation is still ongoing.

Bethpage Black

photo credit: danperry.com     Located in Farmingdale, NY (30 mi. from New York city), Bethpage State Park offers five 18 hole regulation golf courses including Bethpage Black course.   The Black course hosted the 2002 US. Open and will again be the site of the 2009 US. Open.

Bethpage Black was one of the last courses built by renowned architect A.W. Tillinghast.   The narrow fairways, high roughs, well placed bunkers and postage stamp greens make this one of the most challenging of all US. Open layouts.

All five courses are open to the public.   Weekday rates are $50.00 for residents and $100.00 for non-residents.   The Black course is a par 71 and plays to 7,366 yards (championship tees).   For general course information call (516) 249-0700 or go to http://nysparks.state.ny.us/.

New Courses Are Good For Your Game

photo credit: lrargerich     We all have a “home course,” – sort of.   Even if  we don't actually have a course membership, we are more likely to  frequent a particular course,  our  ”home course.”   Is playing the same course, good for your game, however?

There is nothing like playing a course that you are unfamiliar with.   If you want to see where your game is at  and if your handicap is legitimate,  try playing  strange courses,

Playing different courses  is a real challenge but it is a great way to  renew your interest in the game.    Don't forget that PGA Tour Professionals are confronted with a new layout every single week.   So put on your travel shoes (or turn on your GPS) and start playing some new  links.

The Overlooked Par 3′s

photo credit: diluvi     Somehow, many golfers  think that playing a Par 3 course isn't “real golf,” but little do they realize that they are missing out on a great way to sharpen their game.    Hitting greens in regulation  means more birdie attempts.   The bottom line is that accurate approach shots mean lower scores.    

Par 3's,  on a regulation course,  can be  every golfer's  biggest challenge.    You get only one chance  at par and that is with  an accurate tee (approach)  shot.   A missed green means a sure bogie.    

Not only are Par 3 courses  challenging for adults, they are ideal for  beginners and youngsters under 12.   Unfortunately, there just aren't enough of these gems around and,  worse yet, they  are becoming less popular as time goes on.

GOLF DIGEST’S Top 10 Private Courses

photo credit: danperry.com     Rated by GOLF DIGEST as the best new private course of the year, the Cornerstone Club in Montrose, Co. (www.cornerstonecolorado.com) plays to 7,945 yds, with a  par  of  72.   This  course is truly  Greg Norman's finest project and is considered to be the best high altitude course in America.   The course offers the spectacular vistas of southwestern Colorado.

The 9 other courses  are:  (2) Trump National Bedminster, Bedminster, N.J.; (3) Sugarloaf Mountain Golf & Town Club, Minneola, Fla.; (4) Rock Creek Cattle Co., Deer Lodge, Montana; (5) Martis Camp, Truckee, Ca.; Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Creighton Farms, Aldie, Va.;  (6) The  Cliffs at Keowee Srpings, Six Mile, S.C.;  (7) Rainmakers, Alto, N.M.; The Idaho Club, Sandpoint,  Id.; (9) Encarterra, Queen Creek, Az.   For more information go to www.golfdigest.com.

Manicured Golf Courses

photo credit: danperry.com Some say that championship golf tournaments are played on courses that are much too perfect. With finely cut fairways, silky sand bunkers and marble-like greens, these conditions invariably make it too easy for the average Tour Pro. Statiticians generally contribute the lower scoring of today's Pro's to better equipment. I contend that the playing conditions play a much bigger role in lower scores.

In the 1960s and 70s when Tour Pro's like Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino were at the top of the leaderboards, course conditions were nowhere near what they are today. No wonder why today's players win with a 15-20 under par total. Less manicured courses will make the game more competitive, interesting and fun to watch. John Deere beware!

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