Oakmont’s U.S. Open Challenge: Why Is This Course So Brutally Hard?
Oakmont Country Club is notorious for its extreme difficulty, making it a formidable test for the world’s best golfers at this week’s U.S. Open. The course’s brutal setup ensures that even scratch golfers would struggle to break 80.
What Makes oakmont So Challenging?
the United States Golf Association (Usga) has given Oakmont a course rating of 78.1 and a slope rating of 150, underscoring its reputation. Several factors combine to create this challenging environment:
- Fast Greens: The greens are rolling at an incredible speed, measuring in the upper 14s on the Stimpmeter for the tournament’s first round.
- Deep Rough: The rough is cut at a punishing 5.25 inches, making escaping from errant shots extremely difficult.
- Lengthy Layout: Stretching over 7,400 yards, the course demands both power and precision.
- Penal Bunkers Fairway bunkers with steep grassy banks make it almost impossible to advance the ball.
Rory Mcilroy, reflecting on his practice rounds, emphasized the course’s unforgiving nature. “I’m glad we’ve got spotters out there,” he remarked. “You hit a ball off the fairway and you were looking for a good couple minutes just to find it… It’s very penal if you miss. Sometimes it’s penal if you don’t miss.”
Oakmont has hosted more U.S. Opens than any other course, with this year marking the tenth time the championship has been held here.
The Bunkers: A Unique Hazard
Even when Oakmont isn’t set up for a U.S. Open, its bunkers remain a significant challenge. Jon Rahm pointed out that the fairway bunkers are especially penal, often preventing players from reaching the green in two.
Unlike typical bunkers that funnel balls to the centre, Oakmont’s bunkers frequently enough leave balls perched on the edge, forcing players to hit back towards the fairway. sean Zak highlighted this unique challenge: “If your ball ends up [on the edge] you’re not off the fairway by that much, but you have to go 30 degrees left back into the fairway. there’s no advancing [the ball].”
Oakmont’S U.S. Open: By The Numbers
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Course Rating | 78.1 |
| slope Rating | 150 |
| Green Speed (Stimpmeter) | Upper 14s |
| Rough Height | 5.25 inches |
| Course Length | Over 7,400 yards |
The History of Oakmont and the U.S. open
Oakmont Country Club, established in 1903, has a storied history closely intertwined with the U.S. open. Designed by henry Fownes, the course was intended to be a stern test of golf, and it has lived up to that reputation for over a century.
Hosting its first U.S. Open in 1927, Oakmont has since become a frequent venue for the championship. Its challenging layout and impeccable conditioning have consistently identified the best players in the world.
When playing Oakmont, prioritize accuracy over distance off the tee. Avoiding the rough and fairway bunkers is crucial for scoring well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oakmont
- What Makes Oakmont So Difficult? Oakmont’s difficulty arises from its combination of fast greens, deep rough, challenging bunkers, and overall length.
- How Fast are The Greens At Oakmont? During the U.S.Open, the greens typically roll in the upper 14s on the stimpmeter.
- What Is The Slope Rating Of Oakmont? Oakmont has a slope rating of 150,indicating its extreme difficulty.
- Why Are Oakmont’s bunkers So Penal? The bunkers feature steep grassy banks that often leave balls in awkward positions.
- Has Oakmont always Been This Challenging? Yes, Oakmont was designed to be a tough test of golf from its inception in 1903.
- How Many U.S. Opens Has Oakmont Hosted? This year marks the tenth time Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open.
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of Oakmont? and which player do you think is best suited to conquer this course?
