As I considered my home course and many of the other courses I've played, there are several water hazards. Lateral or true hazards, water plays a big part in shot strategy, especially in the deep south where hills are hard to find. Looking not only at this year's U.S. Open site, Winged Foot, and other prominent sites, there isn't much water hazard to speak of. Next week, the pros won't have any true water hazard to speak of. The only true water that would influence the pros is rain; unless you consider the creek that crosses 15. Look down the list of former and upcoming sites for water hazards - Oakmont, Bethpage, Shinnecock, Pinehurst, The Olympic Club (even the Lakes Course has no water!). Torrey Pines is on the ocean, but no water hazards are on the course. Congressional has the famous 18th hole par 3 with water, but that's one of few. Pebble Beach has water, but only ocean water - no ponds, lakes or streams in play. I realize that these are classic courses and stern tests of golf. I just get used to seeing water everywhere and then none in that major in particular. Even at the Open Championship you often see water in the form of burns (ask Jean Van de Velde if water can be an issue in a major...). Why do water features not figure more prominently in U.S. Opens? What's more penal than a ball in water?
The USGA has always avoided taking their championships (most especially the U.S. Open) to venues where water plays too prominent a roll. I believe the thinking is that the penalty is far too great for what, in many cases, is such a marginal mistake.
Pebble beach has water in play on 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,17 and 18. But since it is just the Pacific Ocean it doens't count???
Touche. Point taken, but for the most part these pros aren't concerned with lateral hazards ( I know on #8 and #18 they cross it). I mean more like at Congressional's 18th, where they are hitting a long iron that has to carry a pond. Or Augusta's 15th where you have to decide to go for the green or lay up. Where water is truly an issue. I know the US Open courses are plenty hard enough without water, but in the quest to preserve par, I'd think some water might well be an equal challenge to tight fairways and penal rough. Just one fool thinking out loud... pay me no mind.
I believe St Andrews only has the burn crossing in front of the first green and not having water anywhere else certainly doesn't detract from the Old Course. Major venues are usually difficult enough without water that most pros wouldn't hit into anyway.
The Old Course also has the estuary(sp?) in play behind the 11th green.
Plus the gorse on the Old course makes it a very penal course for offline hits. Thus proving the point that you don't need water to make a tough course.
Next year's at Torrey Pines, right? You'll see water there, especially on 18. But for the most part, water is a non-factor in Opens. Pinehurst, Bethpage, Olympia Fields, Shinnecock and Winged Foot are mostly dry.
June 8th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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