Best venue to attend a US Open

[PrincipalsNose]

i know this seems like a straightforward question and one could claim that any course hosting is amazing.

 

but for example, I’ve heard Pinehurst isn’t a great viewing experience will all the elevated greens. LACC seemed interesting this year..

 

Would Oakmont reign supreme here??

[Malvern]

I've only been to one, when Webb Simpson won at Olympic. Given the way the course is routed, was not what I would want as a spectator, constantly going up, down and across hills.

 

I think something open with some elevation change would be perfect, maybe something like Shinnecock.

 

 

[PrincipalsNose]

30 minutes ago, Malvern said:

I've only been to one, when Webb Simpson won at Olympic. Given the way the course is routed, was not what I would want as a spectator, constantly going up, down and across hills.

 

I think something open with some elevation change would be perfect, maybe something like Shinnecock.

 

 

I get the sense after playing Bethpage Black, it would be the same as Olympic. 
 

Shinnecock or Oakland Hills are both pretty open. Could throw Oakmont in there too. WF is very tree lined with elevated greens. Not ideal for viewing 

Edited September 27, 2023 by PrincipalsNose

[PrincipalsNose]

Just now, PrincipalsNose said:

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by PrincipalsNose

[slocalifglfr]

I can't speak to too many of the venues. I've only been to Pebble and Olympic for U.S. Opens. I have played Pinehurst #2 and Torrey Pines. I really like Pebble for viewing (if you don't like the golf there's the scenery, but that's not what this thread is about). My favorite spot is by the 7th tee. Sixth green is right there. Eighth hole is nearby. Short walk to 9 and 10. Easy to get around to other holes. I should add that for the Opens I only have gone to practice rounds (prefer them - much less crowded).

[Anser3]

I've been to one US Open (Oakmont in 2016).  There were no major issues with the venue.  I went on practice days and everything was very accessible and I assume much less crowded than tournament days.  

[McMunch]

I've only been to 3. 1995 Shinnecock Hills and Bethpage 2002 and 2009. 

Shinnecock Hills was amazing as you would imagine but Bethpage was just a little better from a viewing experience. The elevation was a big factor plus its such a huge facility the parking and shuttle situation was really good. Favorite place to sit place on the Black was on the hill behind #8 (par 3 over water) You saw that hole plus the 9th tee.

 

I Marshaled on the Black for the 2019 PGA. Now that I've seen things from the inside its pretty impressive to see the organization and what is done to move a large number people around.

 

 

[coreymitch5]

2013 at Merion was fantastic, so many green complexes, tee complexes come so close together, and some great areas to sit and see multiple shots.

[bcjim]

Of Shinnecock,  Bethpage, and Congressional,  I prefer the latter. All were ok at least but Bethpage was an effort to navigate to a good spot. Shinnecock was very dusty and not much shade but the best course of the three in terms of golf, imo. It was also impossibly crowded.  It was hand to hand combat in order to actually see Phil 3 putt from 5' on 17.  Congo was a net better experience. Great course,  shade,  lots of good places to watch from. 

 

[Miker20890]

How is pinehurst? considering going down for a practice round this year. 

[clp34vmp]

On 11/24/2023 at 10:41 AM, Miker20890 said:

How is pinehurst? considering going down for a practice round this year. 

I've been to a number of Opens at various courses, and Pinehurst #2 probably would not be one of my favorites of the ones I've been to (would have to go with Shinnecock and Merion at the top on that list). The lack of shade when it's guaranteed to be scorching hot is probably the major issue. I went last time in 2014 and got to play the course for the first time this past year. It's such a great course and the Open is always fun to attend so I'm sure it would still be a great experience - I just wouldn't place it at the top of the list of usual Open venues if I could go to just one.

[Jgolfer99]

Torrey Pines had quite a good viewing setup in 2021 so I would lean in that direction.  Compared to other majors I have been to, Medinah in 2006 was also a good viewing stage for the casual fan. 

[st1800e]

I’ve only been to one, ‘95 US Open. Was there the whole week.   We didn’t find any difficulty seeing the action. On Sunday we got our seats in the top row of the stands behind 18, from there we could see the players hitting their tee shots on 14, 2nd and 3rd shots on 16, all of 17 and some  drives landing and 2nd shots on 18.  
The USGA limited daily attendance to 25,000 vs the usual 40,000. Not sure what the limits are these days.  
 

FWIW

[AC168]

LACC very tough to spectate

[seslwr1]

I’ve been to Bethpage for both a US Open (2009) and PGA (2019).  I remember the course being terrible for spectators in ‘09.  I almost passed on the PGA because of my prior experience.  I always blamed it on the course.  However, I think the USGA was to blame with the way they set up the ropes.  Spectators were kept far from the action.  2019 was a totally different experience.  Course was very accessible.  

[vallygolf]

On 12/1/2023 at 8:58 PM, seslwr1 said:

I’ve been to Bethpage for both a US Open (2009) and PGA (2019).  I remember the course being terrible for spectators in ‘09.  I almost passed on the PGA because of my prior experience.  I always blamed it on the course.  However, I think the USGA was to blame with the way they set up the ropes.  Spectators were kept far from the action.  2019 was a totally different experience.  Course was very accessible.  

A quick side observation... Remember when the tour and players were stopping phone camera usage?  Kind of like trying to stop a Tsunami with your arms.  6 obvious phones being used here within 10 feet of Day.  For sure more we cant see.  Quite the paradigm shift. 

Edited December 6, 2023 by vallygolf

[caniac6]

On 11/24/2023 at 10:41 AM, Miker20890 said:

How is pinehurst? considering going down for a practice round this year. 

We are also going to a practice round, and I went to one for the 99 Open. The weekend in 99 was unusually cool and cloudy, but it was very hot early in the week. I would suggest going early, and leaving early. We hit the shop, walked the course, checked out the range, had lunch, and stopped at a fruit stand for peach ice cream on the way back to Winston- Salem.

[carrera]

Olympic isn't a perfect US Open site as a spectator, but there were some cool spots, and it is a small property so aside from the hills it is easy to get around. 

 

They had a bleacher behind the 7th (drivable par 4) green, and that was a cool place to see drives land and make small bets about success/failure of shots.  Behind the 7th tee was also good because it was perfect access to see drives on 7, approach shots on 10, and food/bev/restrooms right next door.  I went to two days of the last Open there and spent all my time in that vicinity.

 

The redesign of the 7th might change that, since it is no longer a straight uphill shot.  But I assume (haven't been there) that it will still be drivable.

 

11 tee is good also since 10 green is close by, and 15 (short par 3) is also not far away.

[Chanceman]

Off topic but I went to The Open at St Andrews a few year ago and can recommend the grandstand at the 7th green which happens to be adjacent to the par 3 8th teebox and also the 11th green (fabulous par 3). So you see a lot of action. The roadhole grandstand is also great. Anyone shouting In the Hole is instantly abused.