Tour News
Leave your complaints in the red wicker basket
The U.S. Open is upon us — a tournament more readily described as a battle than a golf tournament.
The greens are rock hard and lightening fast. The rough chews up golf balls with blades of grass measured in feet, not inches. But what truly separates the tournament from others is the mental anguish that players who hope to hoist the trophy must endure.
U.S. Open venues are one of the few times professionals look like amateurs sweating over 8-footers for par all day and struggling to break 80, and Merion should be no different. If Mother Nature cooperates, the players won’t be complaining about course conditions (see: Shinnecock Hills in ‘04), or course length (see: Bubba Watson at The Olympic Club). Rather, the focus of this year’s grievances could be with what lies atop the 7-foot pole that protrudes from each putting surface.
The USGA has confirmed that the flagsticks, or as Merion calls them “standards,” will stay true to the Merion Golf Club tradition, using red wicker baskets instead of flags.
The origin of the long-standing tradition is a mystery, with the only known detail being that William Flynn, the golf course superintendent, received patent approval for his wicker basket design in 1915, according to the Merion Golf Club website.
In golf, the flagstick indicates hole location, providing players with a specific spot to aim on the green. The flag is sometimes color coded to show whether the pin is on the front, middle or back portion of the green. Precise players read the direction the flag is blowing, and use that information to determine how the golf ball will react as it approaches the green.
Modern day professionals are as precise as they come, especially those looking to win the U.S. Open, so without the assistance of a flag to indicate wind speed or direction, the players will lose a hint of precision. Some will be more vocal or animated in their disapproval, but all players must deal with the nuisance.
During this year’s U.S. Open, expect additional blades of grass thrown skyward, and multiple looks to the treetops by players struggling to determine wind influence. Also, expect the announcers and commentators to have some corny quips about how it’s a “basket stick” rather than a flagstick. Some of you will laugh, but I’ll have seen it coming.
Ben Hogan’s U.S. Open victory in 1950 at Merion Golf Club came without enduring the burden of wicker baskets, as this was the last time the tradition was ignored. Since then, all of the USGA championships held at Merion have kept with tradition.
The winner this week, as with all winners of USGA titles at Merion, will receive a customary red wicker basket in addition to the trophy and the almost $1.5 million paycheck. Most of the players will hate those baskets by the end of the week, but all of them will be fighting to take one home.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Ben
Jun 13, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Everyone saw what happen at the masters to Tiger on 15 when he hit the flag, bad break. Now , with the wicker, I think it’s a nuisance, The pros and the viewers get some kind of feedback from the wind around the greens, all year they have flags on the poles, I have played golf for 42 yrs and have never ever heard or seen wicker on a pole. I hope the tournament is not impacted by the fatter top of the pole. It would be a shame
Robert
Jun 10, 2013 at 11:20 am
I must add to my previous comment; that my grandaughter Ryan will be joining her brother Christian, sons Ken and Keith and me at the US Open at historic Merion GC. MY third open at Merion, but extra special with all the family of golfers. Great week at Merion.
Nic
Jun 10, 2013 at 9:32 am
I like it. Makes it a bit different and I do not think it will impact the results.
Robert
Jun 9, 2013 at 8:27 pm
This will be my third US Open at Merion; but my first with my sons Ken,Keith and grandson Christian. What a special time.
chris
Jun 9, 2013 at 6:06 pm
no complaints here! love it.
lbj273
Jun 8, 2013 at 5:14 pm
The best part is the local rule that if your ball comes to rest in the basket you place your ball on the lip of the cup with no penalty
URNS
Jun 8, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Would you consider this to be bifurcation? heehaw
Talbot Reiber
Jun 8, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I will be there, with my father, to see the wicker baskets in all of their glory. A Father’s Day present for the both of us….maybe self purchased, perhaps the tickets were gifts – we shall never tell. Lookout Ardmore, here we come.