Gary Player on Golf Channel ripping the US Open

Tre4ISU

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Dec 30, 2008
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I always enjoy the people who watch 4 golf tournaments a year chiming in to give their opinion on courses. Chambers doesn't play like that all of the time and it doesn't look like that all of the time.
 

Clonefan94

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Oct 18, 2006
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This course will likely become bankrupt and close at some point because people don't have 6 hours to go play it for $300+ per round and not enjoy themselves because it's unplayable.

Should make for some interesting discussion I'm sure.

If I were to ever pay $300+ for a round of golf, I'd hope to get in as many strokes and take as long as possible, to get my money's worth.
 

HFCS

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Aug 13, 2010
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Anyone else just see Gary Player on the Golf Channel just ripping Chambers Bay apart?

I pretty much agree with everything he said.

He was talking about how much of a joke this golf course is. Sure, it's unique and looks pretty cool, but it's a municipal public course and it's impossible to play for anyone other than a touring pro.

He talked about how technology is ruining the game because this course had to be about 7,800 yds long, which increases playing time significantly, and also increases watering costs, maintenance costs, etc. This course will likely become bankrupt and close at some point because people don't have 6 hours to go play it for $300+ per round and not enjoy themselves because it's unplayable.

Should make for some interesting discussion I'm sure.

As a casual golf fan and even more casual golfer I think the same thing often watching these courses, the US Open makes me think it the most. I think I noticed what he's talking about the most when they had it at Bethpage Black.
 

HFCS

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Aug 13, 2010
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I can't imagine watching average golfers try to play Chambers Bay. It would probably take them 6 hours with at least one hour or more set aside to look for lost balls.

The view from some of the tee boxes makes my stomach drop a little, then I remember I'm watching pros on TV and not playing myself. In a way it's exciting to know what they're up against, but at the same time it begs the question of what the end point is.
 

danrog

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Jan 19, 2008
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You guys realize that the course, specifically the grass, is meant to look the way (and the fact that you can't tell the difference between the greens/fairways). The specific grass requires less water and, as someone above mentioned, you'll probably start seeing more courses using it in the future. I think the one valid compliant coming from players are the green conditions (specifically varying speeds from the practice greens to course greens).

Being from the Pacific NorthWest, I do think its a bit of a disservice to the region having it on a course such as this, as the region produces beautiful, lush landscapes. You can see even on the ridges around the course, the beautiful evergreen trees the PNW is known for. But, oh well, I think the course is very challenging and exciting. It rewards good shots and punishes bad ones.
 

theantiAIRBHG

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May 25, 2011
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You guys realize that the course, specifically the grass, is meant to look the way (and the fact that you can't tell the difference between the greens/fairways). The specific grass requires less water and, as someone above mentioned, you'll probably start seeing more courses using it in the future. I think the one valid compliant coming from players are the green conditions (specifically varying speeds from the practice greens to course greens).

Being from the Pacific NorthWest, I do think its a bit of a disservice to the region having it on a course such as this, as the region produces beautiful, lush landscapes. You can see even on the ridges around the course, the beautiful evergreen trees the PNW is known for. But, oh well, I think the course is very challenging and exciting. It rewards good shots and punishes bad ones.

Why use a grass in the Pacific NW that requires less water? I'm assuming they use the same strain in courses in Texas and every course there looks 100% better. Why do you design a course to look like **** on purpose? You can make a course challenging and look like its not disease riddled at the same time. I honestly think this course had an oops this week and wasn't in tournament condition and now every one associated with it is trying to save face.
 

danrog

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Jan 19, 2008
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Why use a grass in the Pacific NW that requires less water? I'm assuming they use the same strain in courses in Texas and every course there looks 100% better. Why do you design a course to look like **** on purpose? You can make a course challenging and look like its not disease riddled at the same time. I honestly think this course had an oops this week and wasn't in tournament condition and now every one associated with it is trying to save face.

Not sure what you're asking - this grass is used in this specific type of course, by design. So when they decided, eight years ago, to build a links style course, they went with the fescue grass.
 

theantiAIRBHG

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May 25, 2011
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Not sure what you're asking - this grass is used in this specific type of course, by design. So when they decided, eight years ago, to build a links style course, they went with the fescue grass.

I guess I'm asking why A) they decided to use a grass that requires less water in a region of the country that is known for being wet, and B) if this is fescue why does it look like ****?
 

danrog

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Jan 19, 2008
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I guess I'm asking why A) they decided to use a grass that requires less water in a region of the country that is known for being wet, and B) if this is fescue why does it look like ****?


Yeah - I'm definitely on board from the fact that, as a Pacnorthwestern, I would have preferred to see a course that hosts the open be one that highlights the lush nature of the region, but the decision to make this a links course was made 8 years ago and we have to live with it.

As far as using this grass, it wouldn't be a links course without fast, hard bounces. this grass caters to it. You likely wouldn't build a links course the same grass as say, Augusta National.
 

theantiAIRBHG

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May 25, 2011
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Yeah - I'm definitely on board from the fact that, as a Pacnorthwestern, I would have preferred to see a course that hosts the open be one that highlights the lush nature of the region, but the decision to make this a links course was made 8 years ago and we have to live with it.

As far as using this grass, it wouldn't be a links course without fast, hard bounces. this grass caters to it. You likely wouldn't build a links course the same grass as say, Augusta National.

I agree with you. The decision is the troubling part. You can make links courses look better than this. I like that's its difficult, the US Open always has been and is supposed to be. But it seems like on this course guys are just hoping for results. That I don't like, I prefer to see the best in the game have a chance to display their talents and have at least a chance to take a course apart.
 

danderson84

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Nov 25, 2013
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You guys realize that the course, specifically the grass, is meant to look the way (and the fact that you can't tell the difference between the greens/fairways). The specific grass requires less water and, as someone above mentioned, you'll probably start seeing more courses using it in the future. I think the one valid compliant coming from players are the green conditions (specifically varying speeds from the practice greens to course greens).

Being from the Pacific NorthWest, I do think its a bit of a disservice to the region having it on a course such as this, as the region produces beautiful, lush landscapes. You can see even on the ridges around the course, the beautiful evergreen trees the PNW is known for. But, oh well, I think the course is very challenging and exciting. It rewards good shots and punishes bad ones.

i agree having been in the NW for several years this doesn't paint the best picture for golf in that area. Lots of fun courses up there. Chambers definitely punishes bad shots, and even occasionally the good ones. Just ask Darren Clarke. [video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aXza3UzLybs[/video]
 
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danrog

Active Member
Jan 19, 2008
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Seattle
I agree with you. The decision is the troubling part. You can make links courses look better than this. I like that's its difficult, the US Open always has been and is supposed to be. But it seems like on this course guys are just hoping for results. That I don't like, I prefer to see the best in the game have a chance to display their talents and have at least a chance to take a course apart.

Yeah, I think the saving grace right now is that there are players playing it pretty well (-5). The leaders have played in the afternoon at least once, so those scores can be taken that some aren't struggling as much as others. I do expect some really hard hole placements going forward, thus dropping the scores, along with the leaders teeing off later in the day, and thus, harder conditions.
 

danrog

Active Member
Jan 19, 2008
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Seattle
Also - Joe Buck should not be allowed to broadcast golf ever again. Fox coverage, overall, is pretty lackluster.
 

Goothrey

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May 5, 2009
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I probably golf in much worse conditions so it's a little funny when golfers complain. What's wrong with players at the highest level being truly tested?
 

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