oakmont getting ready

[kcsf]

Thanks for posting the video, but I'm not watching 48min of that dude complaining. 

[subrew]

22 minutes ago, kcsf said:

Thanks for posting the video, but I'm not watching 48min of that dude complaining. 

 

That's not even remotely what he does.  Probably one of the better vids to watch just to see how the course itself is put together.  

[kcsf]

1 minute ago, subrew said:

 

That's not even remotely what he does.  Probably one of the better vids to watch just to see how the course itself is put together.  

 

I'll take your word for it. The first minute was him walking, eating, and complaining. 

[subrew]

The most interesting part is he has a local caddie for the bag, then his regular caddie is just walking with him.  They both read putts differently, kinda argue at times about distance/speed and how many cups out.  And they do the same thing on slope, wind, temp effects of distance on approach shots, but because it is YT it gets edited to be pretty quick.   

[jmck]

On 6/2/2025 at 7:17 PM, StoutKing said:

I'll pull -4 out of thin air ha ha

Speaking of air, I'll take -3 in calm conditions, +3 if the wind blows.  And what the heck, I'll go ahead and root for the wind to blow.

[TiScape]

1 hour ago, kcsf said:

Thanks for posting the video, but I'm not watching 48min of that dude complaining. 

 

1 hour ago, subrew said:

 

That's not even remotely what he does.  Probably one of the better vids to watch just to see how the course itself is put together.  

It would b nice to see how the course is put together. Is there a way I can have AI replace Bryson in the video???

[smashdn]

Apologize ahead of time for the architecture/presentation type question to those who don't appreciate such, but, is the fescue in and around Pittsburgh starting to brown out and seed out?  I really like it when courses that have those "native areas" that are fescue start to brown out and offer that framing and juxtaposition of color and texture to the manicured roughs and fairways.

 

Fescue down here (far southern ky) is just starting to turn.

[Togatown22]

On 5/29/2025 at 10:31 PM, StoutKing said:

I hear you.  I wonder how loud is actually is for those who have been there.  Another course with a lot of road noise is Walton Heath.  Not much these classic courses can do when modern infrastructure closes in.

I've been fortunate to have been invited to play in two "Guest Mondays" in the past 2 years.  It may sound strange but until you're right on top of the freeway, it wasn't very noticeable -visually or audibly.  It's set down well below the grade of the course which helps with both sight and sound.  First time I played there, I thought it was a bit strange. Second visit I barely noticed until we were walking over the bridge.

 

Edit to add - a couple of frozen Transfusions absolutely help to dull the senses a bit!

Edited June 5 by Togatown22
addition

[azgreg]

 

[johnseg]

1 hour ago, smashdn said:

Apologize ahead of time for the architecture/presentation type question to those who don't appreciate such, but, is the fescue in and around Pittsburgh starting to brown out and seed out?  I really like it when courses that have those "native areas" that are fescue start to brown out and offer that framing and juxtaposition of color and texture to the manicured roughs and fairways.

 

Fescue down here (far southern ky) is just starting to turn.

We have barely had days in the 70's up here. This week it started to get hot. Overall, we had over 2.5 inches of rain in April and another 4 inches in May. It has been cool and wet most of the spring. I would say we don't start seeing that most years until we get into late July early August.

[luke1333]

4 hours ago, subrew said:

The most interesting part is he has a local caddie for the bag, then his regular caddie is just walking with him.  They both read putts differently, kinda argue at times about distance/speed and how many cups out.  And they do the same thing on slope, wind, temp effects of distance on approach shots, but because it is YT it gets edited to be pretty quick.   

Yeah, not a big bryson fan but was a decent video imo. Very curious to how they will deal with the course when the greens get cranked up. Not sure I would even be putting on these slow greens like bryson was but who knows maybe they can adapt better us mere weekend players

[notsohard]

17 hours ago, subrew said:

The most interesting part is he has a local caddie for the bag, then his regular caddie is just walking with him.  They both read putts differently, kinda argue at times about distance/speed and how many cups out.  And they do the same thing on slope, wind, temp effects of distance on approach shots, but because it is YT it gets edited to be pretty quick.   

They were there to scope the landing areas, and course in general... distances etc, hence his caddy walking around with the notebook. I wouldn't read too much to what was happening on the greens. He knew what the greens were reading that day. 

[billyspan]

Fun Fact - I knew that hole 9 played as a shortish, uphill par 5, until the 2007 U.S. Open, but news to me is that hole 1 played as a par 5 through Ben Hogan's 1953 U.S. Open. The hole went from 493 yards to 455 yards.

 

That is how we got to today's par 72

[grm24]

From yesterday. Article from a local paper on the rough at Oakmont.

 

https://triblive.com/sports/oakmont-rough-living-up-to-reputation-ahead-of-125th-u-s-open-next-week/

[dcfas]

On 6/2/2025 at 6:22 PM, stephenmatt said:

I watched a bunch of videos on YouTube of the creators playing here and it looks like it is going to be a real test for the guys. I am super excited to watch and think the final score will be somewhere near even par.

I listened to a NLU podcast today. They had Jeff Hall - the USGA's managing director of rules and open championships - to talk through the setup philosophy for this year's championship and how they'll employ new pin positions thanks Gil Hanse's restoration work.

 

It was very interesting. Sounds like Oakmont is a very, very special course. A one course architect (Henry C. Fownes), ten Opens, often considered a top ten in difficulty.

[dcfas]

On 5/28/2025 at 2:04 PM, PedronNiall said:

 

Bob Ford backs you on that one. Mentioned in the "Every Hole at Oakmont" vid that Snead was making a joke when he said he turned his back for a minute and the dime he was using to mark his ball slid off the green.

 

Probably just lost to some after too many tellings.

Look how tucked that right elbow is. 

[Creedo77]

Walking the course Sunday afternoon. I can’t wait to see what I’ve got to deal with all week

[Forged4ever]

FWIW, wind, or lack there of is never nor has it ever really been a major factor in scoring at Oakmont, regardless of what ya might read by guys who fly into town once every 7-9 years, walk the course pre-tourney once if they're lucky, then chirp that "no trees= wind will be a major factor," lol. Please remember that theory does not always = reality☺️

 

Yes, the lack of trees has made the course more open and prone to the winds having more of an effect than when most holes were protected by the trees, however Southwestern PA  in general and Pittsburgh is particular is very hilly, serious hills, and this breaks the winds more than say on the flat terrain tracks or ocean settings of other Championship tracks.

 

The biggest factor at Oakmont?

 

Precipitation☔️🌧️

 

It's a double edged sword really cuz on one hand, a hard 3-6 hour rain or a steady 24 hour drizzle/rain will slow the greens and allow Players to shoot at pins, ala Johnny in '73. 

 

The other side of that sword is that wet, sticky gnarly 5-6" rough is a nightmare to hit out of and if ya make a habit of missing fairways, even only 6-12" into the rough, you're screwed as the USGA mandated that unlike in 2016, this time around there will be zero graduated rough on the course!!

 

You miss the fairway, it's 5-6" outa the gate!!

 

THAT my friends will be a major factor and influence scores!!

 

If it's hot 'n dry, it could be a nightmare as Adam found out the other day when he hit 11/14 greens and came away with a hohum 75🤷🏻‍♂️

 

Though they normally measure only one "representative" green, today, they chose two(2) greens and the readings were 15'6", 15'9" & 15'10", 16'1". 

 

That's glass, lol

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever My Friends⛳️

RP

Edited June 7 by Forged4ever

[Pops99]

1 hour ago, Creedo77 said:

Walking the course Sunday afternoon. I can’t wait to see what I’ve got to deal with all week

When you walk it for the first time what things are you looking for? Love this behind the scenes look, Creedo. And good luck to you and your man!

[JungleJimbo]

 

 

 

[Duct Tape]

1 hour ago, JungleJimbo said:

 

 

 

Thanks JJ. You are the best source for interesting timely video posts. Well done. 
 

 

Edited June 7 by Duct Tape

[StoutKing]

I love Oakmont and architecture but I'm already getting Oakmont fatigue.  Let's start the tournament already.

[bcjim]

Looks like the question is how much the course can dry out Tue and Wednesday.  It's not super wet i don't think,  but it's gotten some rain,  and will probably get a bit more between now and monday. 

[Creedo77]

8 hours ago, Pops99 said:

When you walk it for the first time what things are you looking for? Love this behind the scenes look, Creedo. And good luck to you and your man!

1. Lines off the tees, what can we hit to be in the fairway. The wind direction looks mostly south for the week. I’ve seen posts about alternate routes from one tee to another fairway. My guy only does that if it makes the hole substantially shorter 

2. What fairway bunkers are playable. If we hit a more aggressive club that the shot calls for can we get it to the green if it brings in a bunker. Some guys who I’ve talked to that have been to Oakmont for past US Opens said to just avoid all of them 

 

3. Is the rough mowed in the same direction or is one side mowed into you or away from you. With how thick it is if you hit it in there you’re wedging it out sideways 

 

4. Where the misses are into the greens. With how thick the rough is it’ll be the same around the greens. So I’ll look for what green side bunkers are ok to miss to. Those could be easier to get up and down from than being short sided in the rough 

 

5. Mapping the greens and seeing where we can maybe funnel shots into pins that might bring bogeys into play if we’re too aggressive 

 

That’s most of the usual stuff I look for. With this job you’re constantly picking stuff up from other caddies. This will be my first major. 
 

My guy is best friends with Hovland so I’ll walk some holes with his caddie Shay and get some more insight from him. 

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

20 hours ago, Forged4ever said:

It's a double edged sword really cuz on one hand, a hard 3-6 hour rain or a steady 24 hour drizzle/rain will slow the greens and allow Players to shoot at pins, ala Johnny in '73. 

 

The other side of that sword is that wet, sticky gnarly 5-6" rough is a nightmare to hit out of and if ya make a habit of missing fairways, even only 6-12" into the rough, you're screwed as the USGA mandated that unlike in 2016, this time around there will be zero graduated rough on the course!!

This is it, right here. My guess is trending towards nasty, thick rough, softer greens. 
 

Quite a bit of rain came through this weekend already, with more in the forecast tomorrow and Monday. It’s pretty soggy out there right now. Tuesday-Wednesday look okay and they might be able to roll the greens on these days, but more rain is currently forecasted for tournament weekend. We’ve been getting these T-storms that pop up out of no where and dump a ton of rain in a short period of time. It makes things hard to predict.  I don’t expect it to be firm and fast, so best defense will be the rough.

 

The way we’re trending, the winner will likely keep it in the fairway most of the week and knock down enough pins to finish a few strokes under par. Don’t think we get to double digits, but I’m expecting the winner to be at least a couple under at this point…

Edited June 8 by Poor Mans Ty Webb

[Forged4ever]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:41 AM, smashdn said:

Apologize ahead of time for the architecture/presentation type question to those who don't appreciate such, but, is the fescue in and around Pittsburgh starting to brown out and seed out?  I really like it when courses that have those "native areas" that are fescue start to brown out and offer that framing and juxtaposition of color and texture to the manicured roughs and fairways.

 

Fescue down here (far southern ky) is just starting to turn.

Hey @smashdn, how goes it Brotha👊

 

Just starting to as it's been a cool wet spring in the Burgh so it hasn't. Basically, Oakmont replaced the trees🌳🌲 with fescue, to the tune of 75-80 acres, with a once a year mowing. The dreaded ditches, which from 2016 and prior, were part of the old graduated rough cut, at 4-5". 

 

No more!!

 

You land in those ditches, as they come into  play quite often, and it's 8-16" of fescue, lol. The last time that the ditches were a stroke eater was was in '92 even though Ernie won, they cost him two strokes across 72 holes. Even the pews have fescue and that really chapped the members, 😂😂🤙

 

Though it didn't cost Ernie that weekend, a 1/2 stroke/round can be a game changer. 

 

Fairways  & Greens Brotha⛳️👊

RP

 

Later edit:06/08/25: My statement above regarding the ditches costing Ernie two strokes was incorrect as three strokes were credited to the ditches.

 

RPII

Edited June 8 by Forged4ever

[JungleJimbo]

On 6/5/2025 at 10:30 PM, subrew said:

 

That's not even remotely what he does.  Probably one of the better vids to watch just to see how the course itself is put together.  

 

Personal choice... but Fried Egg Golf's discussion on Oakmont course architecture (with Geoff Ogilvy, David Moore (Curator of Collections at Oakmont), Michael McCormick (Golf Course Superintendent) as well as Andy Johnson and Garrett Morrison) = preferable (to me) vs watching Bryson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mshills]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:41 AM, smashdn said:

Apologize ahead of time for the architecture/presentation type question to those who don't appreciate such, but, is the fescue in and around Pittsburgh starting to brown out and seed out?  I really like it when courses that have those "native areas" that are fescue start to brown out and offer that framing and juxtaposition of color and texture to the manicured roughs and fairways.

 

Fescue down here (far southern ky) is just starting to turn.

No. It has been a very cool and very damp spring. Still very cool (hi 68*) today and raining now. Great grass growing weather — nice since I lost 2/3 of my lawn to last summer’s drought and my club nearly lost the greens. It was BAD. 

 

No matter what happens over the next six days, nothing is browning out. 
 

My SWAG…winning score is -5. That doesn’t mean playing easy, but easIER if you hit fairways. 

Edited June 8 by mshills

[mshills]

21 hours ago, Creedo77 said:

1. Lines off the tees, what can we hit to be in the fairway. The wind direction looks mostly south for the week. I’ve seen posts about alternate routes from one tee to another fairway. My guy only does that if it makes the hole substantially shorter 

2. What fairway bunkers are playable. If we hit a more aggressive club that the shot calls for can we get it to the green if it brings in a bunker. Some guys who I’ve talked to that have been to Oakmont for past US Opens said to just avoid all of them 

 

3. Is the rough mowed in the same direction or is one side mowed into you or away from you. With how thick it is if you hit it in there you’re wedging it out sideways 

 

4. Where the misses are into the greens. With how thick the rough is it’ll be the same around the greens. So I’ll look for what green side bunkers are ok to miss to. Those could be easier to get up and down from than being short sided in the rough 

 

5. Mapping the greens and seeing where we can maybe funnel shots into pins that might bring bogeys into play if we’re too aggressive 

 

That’s most of the usual stuff I look for. With this job you’re constantly picking stuff up from other caddies. This will be my first major. 
 

My guy is best friends with Hovland so I’ll walk some holes with his caddie Shay and get some more insight from him. 

Nice man go get it done! I was on the bag in sectional qualifiers many times, missed the playoff by one shot is as close as we got to qualifying. 

[WorkItBothWays]

I'm really looking forward to this but trying hard to avoid the pre-torunament hype as I have to admit I am unconvinced by Oakmont from previous experiences so trying to watch it as if I've never seen it before. I hope I am converted.

 

On 6/5/2025 at 6:01 PM, azgreg said:

 

I get its a play on words but why promote the ugliest feature of the venue.