SOUTHAMPTON, NY. The 126th edition of the US Open commences today and the anticipation is palpable given the pedigree of Shinnecock Hills.
Unfortunately, when the last two championships were staged in ’04 and ’18 – the main storyline centered on how the golf course was ill-prepared. Or to be more accurate, how the golf course became nearly unplayable during the final two rounds for each of those specific events.
Players legitimately groused that good shots found poor results because playing surfaces would not accept just any type of shot hit into the greens.
At the annual USGA press conference Wednesday prior to the start of a US Open, the clarity on how the golf course will be prepared was stated in clear and definitive terms.
While not mentioning how matters went off the cliff with the previous two championships, the recognition in not having that happen again was unmistakable.
John Bodenhamer, the USGA Chief Championships Officer summarized the game plan for the association — “The way we’ve thought about things coming into this year is letting Shinnecock be Shinnecock. It’s good enough.”
Bodenhamer outlined how the greens will be syringed between the two tee-time waves of players in the AM and PM periods during the first two rounds. The necessity in doing that comes from the fact if not done, the putting surfaces would become extremely hard and so dry as to repel just about any shot played into the greens.
“We see the firmness and the speeds come to us by Wednesday and Thursday, and by the weekend we would crescendo into what a US Open has always been,” said Bodenhamer. We think that because that’s what the players have told us. That’s their expectation.
Fairway widths are generous — ranging from 40-48 yards. However, specific fairway cuts are generally serpentine and therefore will require players to slot tee shots accordingly.
Bodenhamer emphasized that overall green speeds will be kept at a sensible pace — topping out at no more than 10.5 on the Stimpmeter.
Why do that?
Weather forecasts for the championship expect wind to be a constant force. While not unusual for an exposed course like Shinnecock Hills the overall velocity and duration dictated an adjustment for this year’s championship.
Bodenhamer’s comments were lengthy and quite specific on that topic.
“Thursday, sustained winds throughout the day of 12 to 24. More on the upper end of that with gusts from 24 to 36 miles an hour. When we start to talk about numbers in the mid-30s, that becomes problematic in a number of ways. Golf balls just staying still on the putting green.”
Wind issues will persist for the balance of the expected forecast.
Bodenhamer elaborated further —
“Sunday calms down a little bit, back out of the west/southwest.
“I offer all of that because our plan needs to — our setup plan needs to account for all of those conditions. Not just to get through a Thursday, but it’s what do we think about on Friday to get to a Saturday and get through that to Sunday? We want to play golf. We don’t want to be sitting on our hands.”
A proactive stance clearly is in play for this year’s event.
“The choices we’ve made — and I’ll finish with this — it really — they’re intentional. Turf health. We feel very good that we are not going to have a turf health issue. We have worked very hard, players will tell you, we’ve kept this golf course hydrated both putting greens and fairways.”
A related matter is how pin positions are selected and how a variety of key locations will be more likely when overall green speeds are kept at a reasonable pace.
“We’ve actually modified our setup plan,” said Bodenhamer. We have really taken the wind direction into account and where we can position those hole locations in places that will account for the wind but will also give us our best chance so we can just play in those types of winds.”
At the ’04 and ’18 Opens the USGA was caught with its proverbial pants down. Players were rightly upset and the main storyline centered on the failure to be aware of what sensibly needed to be done.
Bodenhamer was adamant that this year’s championship will not face a similar fate.
“We could brutalize this place the next few days if we wanted to. That’s not what we’re about. We really want it to be fair, and we want it to be what Shinnecock Hills has always been. It will be tough enough.
“We have pulled every lever that we can to make it fair, and I think that’s a message we really want to get out there. Ultimately, we believe the forecast will be accurate. If it isn’t, then it will be what it will be, but we’ve done everything we can not only to provide a tough, but especially a fair test, but to ensure that we’ve given it every opportunity, no guarantees, that we can play golf on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
Let Shinnecock be Shinnecock.
That’s the game plan. Can that sound execution take place for the full 72 holes?
That question mark is now center stage.
The answer could well decide how this year’s championship at one of the grand clubs globally in the sport is ultimately judged.
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M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”