Opinion & Analysis
Z. Johnson says Merion is “manipulated”
The terms “fair” and “unfair” are often voiced during the U.S. Open, as questions circle about the fine line between the two.
Zach Johnson used harsher terms.
“I would describe the whole golf course as manipulated,” said Johnson. “It just enhances my disdain for the USGA and how it manipulates golf courses.”
Johnson continued, “Not when luck is required. I think Merion is a great golf course, if you let Merion be, but that is not the agenda.”
His comments came after a 77 in Round 2, leaving him in a tie for 105th place at 11-over par. Johnson will have an MC (missed cut) next to his name after the completion of the second round tomorrow, giving him plenty of incentive for negative commentary.
Lee Westwood serves as testimony to Johnson’s accusations. During his first round, Westwood’s approach shot into No. 12’s green hit the wicker basket, ricocheting backward off the green. A good shot was penalized due to misfortune, leading to a double bogey.
Westwood, who is now hovering on the cutline at 7-over, sarcastically tweeted after the first round:
So much tradition at merion to talk about……like those delightful wicker baskets !
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) June 14, 2013
Johnson projected earlier in the week that the wicker baskets could affect play.
“I’m not a big fan of them because it’s not consistent with what we normally use,” he said. “I’m not anti-Merion, but we are used to seeing flags. They could be a factor.”
He may not be “anti-Merion,” but he surely doesn’t fancy the USGA.
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Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: We’re talking about practice! My best tips for taking your game to the course
With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game.
Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills.
While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice.
This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times.
Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy.
One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length. Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine.
It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season.
Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds.
Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time. With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game. Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills. While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice. This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times. Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy. One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length.
Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine. It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season. Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds. Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time.
For Korean golfers, we always look forward to the last of the kkot-saem-chu-I for the true start of a new golf season. The term refers to a cold snap, but literally translates as “winter being jealous of the flowers beginning to bloom, thus lashing out one final time before surrendering to spring”.
A rather poetic mouthful packed into a short expression.
Koreans can be like that. Understated, yet oddly expressive at the same time. And nowhere is this more true on the golf course and in our golf bags. In fact, I suspect many Korean golfers look forward to new apparel and accessory drops more than they do actual equipment launches each year.
At this point, Korean golf fashion may exist on its own timeline. (courtesy of @seonbi_golfer)
There is ample evidence to support that suspicion. Korea is the world’s third-largest golf market behind the United States and Japan, yet its appetite for golf apparel exceeds that of both countries combined. Recent estimates suggest that Korea accounts for nearly 40 percent of the global golf apparel market, placing it among the world’s most influential golf fashion markets and punching well above its size.
Simply, we care deeply about how new golf clubs look and feel, but enjoy looking good while swinging them even more.
Golfers in the West may laugh and say that golf is played on a course, not a fashion runway. Perhaps. But what’s the harm in trying to look and feel good, if the added self-confidence can help actual performance? It certainly seems to have worked for Jason Day, who may have unlocked a new stats category: dormant strokes gained. Coincidence?
During the COVID-era, estimates placed the market near $9 billion, an astonishing figure for a single country.
As a proud member of Gen X, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of golf fashion firsthand. The pleated trousers and wing-tipped shoes of Jack Nicklaus, the stylish plus-fours and knickers of Payne Stewart, the baggy black trousers and fitted mock-necks of Tiger Woods, and the thigh-hugging athletic tailoring of Rory McIlroy. Golf fashion, like the golf swing itself, has rarely stood still.
But nowhere have those trends shifted, evolved, and been scrutinized quite as relentlessly as in Korea. Here, golf fashion moves faster than fairway gossip, and consumers dissect brands with a level of discernment that can be both impressive and mildly terrifying. New brands are studied, judged, embraced, or dismissed with startling efficiency.
The result is a consumer base with one of the sharpest eyes for quality and authenticity anywhere in the world. It is difficult to quantify, but easy to recognize. Clean lines without trying too hard. Luxury mixed with utility. Trend awareness balanced by restraint and purpose.
It’s golf fashion shaped by one of the world’s most style-literate cities, something I like to call Seoul Sensibilities, referring to the taste level forged by a uniquely competitive environment.
And increasingly, global brands have noticed.
Many golf brands in Korea have their own flagship shops dedicated to apparel only
Titleist understood this years ago, when its apparel business in Korea took on a life of its own under new ownership and local direction. What had once been a straightforward extension of an iconic equipment giant became something sharper and more premium. By going all in on the serious Tour-player look (I couldn’t even fit into their XL sizes), Titleist struck the right chord with Korean consumers and helped its fledgling apparel business break into the mainstream. Titleist became a household name even for non-golfers who wore its caps, shirts, and windbreakers in daily life. In many ways, it proved that even heritage golf brands could carry real fashion credibility when viewed through a Korean lens.
Several years later, PXG took a page out of Titleist’s playbook and followed suit. Korean consumers helped transform the brand from one known largely for irons and loud commercials into something broader and more stylish. PXG apparel’s growth in Korea was explosive, where it found an early audience and turned the category into something more than mere logo merchandise. It is still hard to walk anywhere in Seoul without seeing its palindrome logo.
Malbon’s meteoric rise in the United States was genuine, but its ascent into a global golf lifestyle brand owes much to Korea, where it was elevated by a market already fluent in modern golf style. Korea did not simply embrace Malbon. It pressure-tested the concept, refined its appeal, and helped push it into the global spotlight.
As such, new brands may arrive from abroad, but more often than not, their sharpest evolution happens here. If a brand can earn credibility in Seoul, it’s deemed to have passed one of the toughest style audits in the game.
That is why the next meaningful chapter may not come from outside, but from a Korean brand moving in the opposite direction, carrying those Seoul Sensibilities outward as K-pop once did.
Play young Stay dope.
From Seoul, With Intent
Khalhon is a label that feels less like a trend-chasing newcomer and more like the product of a market that has already seen everything. Golfers here have long been surrounded by luxury logos, technical fabrics, and tour uniforms disguised as lifestyle wear and vice-versa. In other words, novelty alone rarely lasts here, and the Koreans seems to understand that instinctively.
Its style language leans into clean silhouettes, relaxed but tailored proportions, muted palettes, and premium materials that speak quietly but confidently. There is a modern city aesthetic running through it all, with strong layering pieces, thoughtful textures, and subtle branding that suggests sophistication rather than demanding attention.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
Most importantly, the garments seem designed to blur the line between golfwear and everyday style. Shirts, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers move comfortably between a game of screen golf, a lunch reservation, an airport gate, or an afternoon coffee in Gangnam with friends.
It raises the question of whether this is golfwear that happens to look good off the course, or everyday clothing that performs beautifully on the fairways.
Personally, I have long appreciated Nike Golf for its clean, athletic modernization of golf attire. It also has the useful side effect of making me look like a more serious golfer than I probably am. But off the course, there are times when being instantly identified as the golf guy in a crowd of non-golfers can feel a touch self-conscious.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
That is part of what drew me to Khalhon, which seemed to blend golf and everyday wear naturally. While some of the outfits may be slightly beyond my personal confidence level, the brand also offers tasteful options for older guys like me who still want to express a little personality without regretting the decision later.
These are not simply flashy outfits worn on the course and then banished to the closet until the next tee time. They work surprisingly well off the course too, and I suspect many of the pieces will still look right a couple of years from now, which would certainly be kinder to my wallet than most golf fashion trends tend to be.
And perhaps that broader lifestyle positioning also helps explain why someone like Sean Wotherspoon would find Khalhon creatively interesting in the first place.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
“Korea is not only one of the most fashion-forward golf markets in the world, but one of the most fashion-forward markets globally. Korea is ahead, and I love to watch and try to catch up.” – Sean Wotherspoon, Creative Director at Khalhon
Seoul and Beyond
If Khalhon’s rise says something about where Korean golf fashion is today, its relationship with Sean Wotherspoon says even more about where it is heading.
For readers less familiar with Sean Wotherspoon, his arrival at Khalhon is not some routine celebrity endorsement or influencer collaboration. In design and streetwear circles, Wotherspoon is regarded as one of the more influential creative voices of his generation, particularly when it comes to blending nostalgia, storytelling, and contemporary culture into products that people can connect with.
He first gained widespread attention through his now-famous Nike sneaker collaborations, where his vintage-inspired designs and instinct for color helped turn him into one of the defining artists of the late-2010s sneaker era. His work gradually expanded beyond footwear into apparel, automotive collaborations, collectibles, and broader lifestyle design.
Modern golf style now extends well beyond the fairways, where performance and functionality are largely expected by default. And while plenty of brands already make technically competent golfwear, Khalhon seems more focused on designing clothes people would genuinely want to wear even after the round ends.
And when guys at Wotherspoon’s level show genuine interest in working with a Korean golf brand as its new Creative Director, fashion circles tend to sit up and pay attention. There’s already a huge buzz among the fashion-conscious here about upcoming collabs with iconic sports stars and brands.
“My creative direction for Khalhon is disruptive, colorful, nostalgic, and modern. My goal is to blend these avenues seamlessly within each collection.” – Sean Wotherspoon
In chatting with Sean, what stood out most to me was how genuinely energized he sounded about the project itself. Despite having already worked across and countless other creative spaces, he described golf as a completely fresh category for him, saying that Khalhon “will be an amazing vehicle for my design work.”
At the same time, his enthusiasm seemed tied just as much to Korea itself. He spoke openly about admiring Korea’s fashion culture while repeatedly insisting he is still a terrible golfer.
There was something oddly refreshing about that humility. Rather than sounding like a celebrity parachuting into golf simply because the category suddenly became fashionable, Sean sounded genuinely curious about what Korea might do with the category next.
And perhaps that is what makes Khalhon feel interesting right now. The brand feels less like a trend-chaser and more like the natural result of a market now confident enough to export its own point of view.
For years, global brands came to Korea to sharpen their image against one of the most discerning audiences anywhere. Now, a Korean label appears ready to send those Seoul Sensibilities outward instead.
Which brings us back to kkot-saem-chu-i.
That final cold snap before spring always arrives with a reminder that seasons are changing, whether we notice it immediately or not. Golf fashion feels a little like that right now as well, as the old boundaries between sport, streetwear, luxury, and everyday style continue to soften.
And somewhere in Seoul, a Korean golf label already seems prepared for whatever season comes next. I just hope they have everything in my size.
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Marty
Jul 14, 2013 at 2:30 am
Quad-Cities TPC is manipulated! Zack Jonson is a baby who cries.
Jtriscott
Jul 9, 2013 at 11:48 am
I wonder what Justin Rose thinks of Merion.
Chris
Jun 25, 2013 at 11:45 am
Wah! You do, what others can only do recreationally (at great personal expense) for a living. I don’t cry when my job gets difficult. take your lumps and add them to the life experience column. Everyone suffers “manipulated” moments life. Golf is a prime example of that.
Dave
Jun 20, 2013 at 7:08 pm
These pros should try some of the courses that the masses play, like the local muni. Try taking one of those perfect pancake divots where i play and you will either break your club or your wrist. On the rare occasion that I get to play an expensive well manicured course it takes at least 5 strokes off my score.
Chris
Jun 25, 2013 at 11:45 am
Touche
Tom
Jun 19, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Never really cared much about par. As the old saying goes “it’s not how, it’s how many” Whomever ends up with the lowest number wins, how they get there is all the fun. Don’t get me wrong the big scores are fun to watch too.
kc
Jun 19, 2013 at 1:49 pm
6″ rough hah! It was worse @winged foot & bethpage.
Bethpage was just under knee & hip high. Winged was 12″ and higher stimp
Merion stimp was in high 11s & was cited by several announcers & usga.
naflack
Jun 19, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Wicker baskets were silly and gimmicky.
curt
Jun 19, 2013 at 11:32 am
The whole thing was a farce! Look at a scorecard from Merion — it’s a par 72 layout!!! Just because they want you to believe it’s so tough, they use a false par — subtract 8 shots to par from each of the scores and you get the truth! You can make any course unplayable if you water and fertilize the rough and grow it to 6 or 8 inches, leave weeds 3-feet tall all over the place (even in some of the bunkers), narrow the fairways to 20 yards, and double-cut and double roll the greens! Play ANY course at 7000 yards with that setup and you’ll embarrass even the pros! That’s why we end up with winners like Lee Jantzen, Scott Simpson, Andy North, etc… way too much luck with those kinds of conditions! It was great tv drama, but it was by no means great golf — except to those people who enjoy watching train wrecks!
naflack
Jun 19, 2013 at 12:26 pm
+1
Desmond
Jul 4, 2013 at 1:15 pm
The manner in which the old greens are designed make no putt a gimme. You saw plenty of missed putts; a bomb was a rarity over the 4 days.
You can adjust the course without manipulating it. But once again, the USGA went overboard and redesigned a course that only needed adjustment.
Better planning and input from the pros, even some touring pros playing the course beforehand for more input, would eliminate most of the manipulation and USGA paranoia.
yo!
Jun 18, 2013 at 2:43 am
another boring u.s. open … painful to watch … like watching the guys in my foursome play … thank goodness it’s only once a year … maybe the pga tour will stick it to the usga (who doesn’t work for anyone but themselves) by not adopting the belly putter ban … stop sending me those cheap usga notepads trying to get me to pony up $ to join the usga … but the us open offers big $$$$ (corporate sponsors) for the tournament so top players are going to show up and try to collect
Reyes
Jun 17, 2013 at 6:41 pm
These guys play precision golf even off the tee. When the USGA decides to slope fairways into six inches of rough, that’s manipulation. When they decide to create a 270 yard par 3 into the wind, that’s manipulation. These guys want to protect par. That’s fine and you can do this by varying pin placements and creating inconsistent stimp meter speeds on the green. The winning score at Augusta the past few years has been about six under. They don’t have six inch rough and it’s enjoyable. To have someone land an 8 iron ten feet from the pin only to see it roll into the rough is not golf. That’s just silly and stupid. I don’t mind seeing guys punished for horrible shots. I do mind seeing fairways and greens manipulated so that the balls don’t stay on. Again, for emphasis, that’s not golf. It’s dumb and not entertaining.
Flip4000
Jun 17, 2013 at 5:57 pm
I love watching pros struggle around a tough golf course like many of us amateurs do
Brockohol
Jun 17, 2013 at 10:05 am
As my grandpa always said when I complained about a bad lie, “well, you shouldn’t have hit it there dummie.”
I honestly didnt see anything that was too ridiculous out there. Guys have a point at past opens when they literally couldnt get the ball to stop unless it went into the cup. But Merion just required a tee shot in the fairway and then a very specific strategy with your approach shot whether it be a 215yd 5 iron or a 70yd Lob Wedge. I didnt see many of those “perfect shots” that then rolled off the green.
nick
Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 am
I agree with his statement. If you need to rake the rough to make it harder that’s rediculous. Its artificially altering the playing characteristics of the course to make it play harder and differently than nature intended. Making par 3’s 245 + yards??? Is that really needed? I didnt find it that interesting watching. You usually hope the person pulling off nice shots will win not the person who played it so safe I wanted to go to sleep. Doesnt make for exciting golf.
Anthony
Jun 16, 2013 at 10:49 pm
To be fair the courses were alot shorter and the greens were slower in the persimmon and balata days. playing them side by side for score on today’s courses isnt fair
David
Jun 16, 2013 at 8:12 pm
People who care what Zach Johnson thinks about any course:
0.0
Fu#&ing hair lip.
Desmond
Jul 4, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Mature comment … not.
Brian
Jun 16, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Then don’t cash your check, hair lip.
KCCO
Jun 16, 2013 at 12:52 pm
I don’t believe it’s a test to show who is truly the “best” or most skilled golfer, its more like who can survive merion…..
Desmond
Jun 16, 2013 at 1:13 pm
On Sunday, it’s mostly mental and luck – if one can keep their focus and energy level, the ball can break their way.
J
Jun 16, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Conditions are equal for all. Course is the same test for each golfer.
I do agree the USGA can take a hike however, for a plethora of reason.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 12:56 pm
They certainly can if for no other reason than letting the equipment get so far out of hand.
More from the Snedeker article:
On the first nine holes using the persimmon driver and the older ball, Snedeker could find the fairway just two of nine times. Each of his drives were low-flying projectiles that snapped to the left and went 200-220 yards — into high rough and behind trees.
On the first hole, he had 188 yards to the pin after his drive with the wood ended near a tree. With his contemporary TaylorMade r7 driver, he had 128 yards from the middle of the fairway to the pin.
On the par-4, 445-yard ninth, he had 200 yards to the pin after his drive with the wood ended up in rough; he had 144 yards from the middle of the fairway after using his modern driver.
“I’m seeing parts of this golf course I’ve never seen before,” Snedeker said on the 12th hole. “I’m trying everything to keep the old driver on this planet.”
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 11:49 am
Brandt Snedeker:
“I truly appreciate growing up in the generation that I did,” Snedeker says, “because I don’t think I would have grown up to be a pro golfer if I had to have played with the old stuff. It is so much different, so much tougher.”
“It makes me really appreciate the guys that came before me,” Snedeker says of hitting the old clubs. “The way Bobby Jones played golf, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller. Those guys were phenomenal.
“They had to be unbelievable ball strikers to hit the ball straight and as solid as they did.”
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2007-07-12-oldclubs_N.htm?imw=Y
Desmond
Jun 16, 2013 at 8:31 am
Think about this course before you post and scream “crybabies.”
That’s rubbish.
I don’t care that Phil is not carrying a driver. He has the deep 3 wood. But when guys are keeping 3 wood in the bag to hit hybrids, when they are 50 yards behind Hogan’s 1 iron marker on their tee shot just so they can remain in the fairway with accuracy and not much run, when Luke Donald says I don’t need a 6i,7i, or 8i on this course, that screams that something is wrong … with the course.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 11:23 am
Considering how far the modern ball goes when hit with the modern clubs they need to be 50 yards behind Hogan to compare apples to apples. I saw an article recently where Luke Donald took out a set of persimmon woods and titleist tour balatas and compared them to his new style Flintstone driver and pro v1. He said the new combo was at least 60 yards longer than the classic stuff. Also Snediker played Torrey Pines with persimmons and blades and could do no better than 80.
Desmond
Jul 4, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Seriously?
Give the guys a month or tow to grow accustomed to the new “old” sticks and you’d see better scores. C’mon.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:34 am
btw, Lee Westwood, clearly it’s not the wicker that is preventing you from winning a major, considering your record! God what a bunch of spoiled, rich, unappreciative crybabies.
Jamie
Jun 16, 2013 at 6:53 am
Lee Westwood’s record in majors is exemplary! 15 top tens in majors, including 7 top three finishes. And with almost 40 worldwide wins and countless runner ups and top 5s – I think most of the golfing community have him down as a real contender heading into every major championship. He may not have gotten over the line yet but its hard to argue against a record like that, he really steps up in the big championships. I’m sure he’ll have at least one major before he’s done.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 11:11 am
His “win” recode is certanly not exemplary, and plenty of people had Montgomery penciled in for a major too.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:17 am
Typical spoiled rich prima donna whiner, and not a great player by PGA standards! Zack is lucky he is playing in the modern era, if he wants to see Merion like it was meant to be played, he can get out the persimmon and balatas and shoot 90! What a bitter turd!
Desmond
Jun 16, 2013 at 2:38 am
Well, Zach is correct in his comments. After this “restored” Merion is through with the Open, they are closing it to “restore” it back.
The Commentators also noted how the USGA had manipulated the fairways and bunkers, taking away from the original design. Sure, grow the rough … but change the fairways and bunkers?
That is MANIPULATION.
Blanco
Jun 16, 2013 at 2:06 am
Jeezy Creezy! At least he didn’t use HIS name in vain.
Marty
Jun 16, 2013 at 1:59 am
He whines and is a crier.
Marty
Jun 16, 2013 at 1:59 am
Yes. Zach Johnson is a cry baby. This needs to be said more.
Jeff
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Come on this just proves as many have said Zach Johnson is a cry baby. If you have that much hate for the USGA, then do not play no one is twisting your arm to play, or needs you to play.
Joe
Jun 15, 2013 at 7:01 pm
Every year someone has a comment about it being unfair. Last time I checked everyone plays the same course. Obviously we all know how this game can mess with your head when you don’t have your best stuff. Probably the case with Zach. If he has so much disdain for the USGA then just skip it, won’t be the first player to do it.
The US Open puts a premium on accuracy and course management. As of Saturday afternoon a handful players are under par and at least surviving. Hogan won at Merion in 1950 with a score of +7.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:24 am
+1 If Sergio had made that comment, the golf channel would have gone into to CNN-style 24 hour coverage.
Chopper
Jun 15, 2013 at 5:41 pm
I think this is the best test of pro golfing all year…Sick of 20 under scores Test these guys to the limit they are the best let them prove it .USGA should (manipulate )every course then we would see who IS THE BEST!!!
MFB
Jun 15, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Totally agree with Zac and he is dead on about the USGA.
The last few years the USGA has done a reasonable job with the set up at the US Open.
It is the USAG’s tournament and they can set it up any way they like.
But this year they went back to tricking up the course because these guys would tear Merion up if they did not.
Questionable pin placements from the start and the greens were never designed to be running at 13 or above on the stimp are just a few ways it has been tricked up to keep the scores from being double digits under par.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:32 am
They would not tear it up with the older equipment. Half they guys on tour would have to get a day job if they went back to pre 1990 spec gear.
Ray
Jun 15, 2013 at 11:39 am
Weak, so weak. It’s the wicker basket’s fault. Isn’t the US Open supposed to be a manipulated course? Members wouldn’t play somewhere that hard on a regular basis. It is supposed to be made harder to bring out the best player that week.
Michael
Jun 15, 2013 at 11:37 am
I am so tired of watching driver – wedge tournaments. It is such a pleasure to watch the US open, because the so called pros have to play tough golf courses. Golf is not supposed to be easy. Same goes for lift clean and cheat. The PGA should get back to setting up courses that are difficult to play. These guys are supposed to be Pros so make the courses more difficult like the US open is every year.
Lee
Jun 15, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Completely agree with you!… Except for lift, clean, and place. This is completely fare, it’s done so they can actually play the course, when otherwise they would be punished for hitting the fairway.
Lee
Jun 15, 2013 at 11:36 am
Think Zach is just mad his ball striking is sub-par to be a candidate for winning the US Open.
Greg
Jun 15, 2013 at 10:32 am
Nice to see these guys struggle with conditions and have to hit shots for a change. They are spoiled by perfectly manicured courses on a weekly basis and then get upset when they don’t shoot 20 under for the week.
Tough life, guys.
Nathan
Jun 15, 2013 at 10:24 am
The problem is whenever the USGA tries to make these courses harder to hold the US Open, they do so in a way that is not consistent with the way these courses are meant to be played. The architects didn’t design these courses to be played this way so the players end up having to play the holes in ways they weren’t designed to be played.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:22 am
Merion (and all of the classic courses) were designed to be played with the older equipment/balls, so we will never again get to see how they were meant to be played. Btw, the USGA has been manipulating course for years, so what? Zack and others seem to take all of this a bit too seriously… it’s entertainment, nothing more. Zack can choose not to play and simply move on; I doubt anyone would care or notice but his immediate family… maybe.
Dalton
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:46 am
I think the manipulation comment was meant about the usga’s greens keeping. They destroy the courses. The greens at merion are turning brown which only happens when you cut wet grass too short. They are doing everything to make it extremely difficult, all while destroying the course.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:27 am
You are right of course. What the USGA should do is bring back the balata ball and persimmon drivers/fairways, and force players to play the same equipment the Hogan. Snead, Nicklaus, and Norman used. There would be no need to trick up the courses to see Zack ( and many others) shoot a high number.
Dennis
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:16 am
Merion is a great way to neutralize the equipment gains that have taken place and pushed playing the game to course management and between the ears. It gives today’s golfers a unique chance to revisit history and walk in the shoes of the old-timers. It also illustrates how good those old-timers really were.
nccrilly
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:10 am
I don’t understand why all of these pros think this event should be like any other PGA tour event. This is the national championship of golf, owned and operated by the USGA, and it is their prerogative to make it whatever they see fit. Nobody is begging these pros to show up and play. There are thousands of amateurs that attempt to qualify every year without exemption just for a chance to compete. That is the beauty of this game and this open event. There is absolutely no reason the USGA should feel compelled to consider the “feelings” of touring professionals when setting up a course for the best championship in golf. Who cares if its 10 under or 10 over par that wins it! It’s you against the field and everyone plays the same course.
Jamie
Jun 16, 2013 at 6:09 am
Agree with most of what you say – everyone plays the same course, so its the golfer against the rest of the field and still who can handle the course the best. They all face the same challenge – they just have to tough it out! I can appreciate that mentally this championship must be very draining on the players at times and that its an advantage to be the kind of guy who is able to roll with the punches, and just accept what the golf course gives them and not dwell on frustrations and perceived misfortune and just keep grinding away. I can understand some of the frustrations the players might feel though, some of the lies for missing a fairway or green by a couple of inches is ridiculous at times – but as mentioned previously everyone faces the same challenge. However I don’t agree with the US Open being ‘the best championship in golf’…. bring on the British Open, the oldest and most prestigious major.
Randall
Jun 15, 2013 at 7:50 am
These guys are supposed to be the best players in the world. They can’t hit thirty yard wide fairways with an iron off the tee. The rough is only hit and thick if you hit it in it. Hit the fairway?
Lee
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:08 am
Lol welcome, guy who just started playing golf.
Chris
Jun 15, 2013 at 7:31 am
I personally love to see the players struggle. only a few times a year do I see them struggle to hit greens, make putts, or even hit fairways. To win the US Open does not just take good golf skills it takes great golf course management.
danny
Jun 15, 2013 at 9:09 am
I agree. It’s boring to watch them shoot -15 -20 under par.
When par is a good score, that means that doubles or triples are in play which means it’s anyones game.
There is probably a reason nobody gives a crap about the tournaments Zach Johnson wins, nobody plays in them and the final score is always 20 something under par…. boooooooooring.
Poop Squirrel
Jun 15, 2013 at 8:40 pm
He’s a Masters Champion…Hmmmmm……
bravesgolf
Jun 15, 2013 at 5:53 am
Stop whinging Zach Johnson. Don’t play the US Open if you dislike the course set ups and the USGA so much. Let someone else play who will appreciate it as an honour and an oppotunity instead of whinging and taking it for granted. You clearly have no idea how lucky you are to play this terrific game for a living. Very poor attitude from a PGA Tour and Major winner.
G
Jun 15, 2013 at 12:50 am
The counter argument is, Zach, that the majority of the PGA Tour courses are also “manipulated” for easy scoring with no rough, wide fairways, perfectly manicured easy-out bunker sand, and flat greens. It shouldn’t be that the total score at the end of the week can reach 25 under or whatever ridiculous number so easily. If the courses on the PGA Tour were set up properly, they would have minimum 3 inch rough consistently from course to course, more OBs instead of free drops and lateral hazards on the boundaries (including the areas up and around the clubhouse and such) and the pins wouldn’t be placed in such easy-scoring positions.
Andrew Tursky
Jun 15, 2013 at 12:38 am
Just to clarify, Zach Johnson’s statement about the USGA was a grievance with course set up, saying luck is required. Westwood’s shot was wildly unlucky, which was the reason for the example. It’s unfortunate to hear players complain about “luck” and “wicker baskets” when competition and tradition should be at the forefront of discussion.
troy
Jun 16, 2013 at 10:15 am
That’s easy for you to say when you’re livelihood or score isn’t dependant on luck of the lie 6 inches of the fairway with a perfectly placed tee shot. Or hitting a basket instead of a flag on a perfectly hit iron shot.
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 11:44 am
There is always a certain amount of luck involved when playing golf. How about Payne Stewart hitting a perfect tee shot into a divot at the 98 US Open? That probably cost him the tournament! Also, this livelihood stuff used to mean something years ago when discussed in the context of professional sports, but draws a little less sympathy these days.
jk
Jun 15, 2013 at 12:29 am
Yes the usga makes fairways tighter and rough more penalizing…its what they do every year and I’m glad they didn’t do different cuts off the fairway. If the best 100 golfers can’t hit the fairway with an iron off the tee then they should be penalized. Poor you zj poor you
gibby626
Jun 15, 2013 at 12:20 am
Ah jeez. The wicker baskets ain’t what we’re used to? Just take all the pins out of holes then. You guys have the hole location sheets anyway. More than I can say for my weekend hackfest.
Eric
Jun 14, 2013 at 11:57 pm
Mike, I don’t think it was Zach making those comments regarding the baskets, that was Lee Westwood off his own twitter. Zach is talking about how the USGA always spends millions turning the U.S. Open venues into the some of the hardest courses to ever play. It was a slight against the USGA for being too involved with the tournament.
nbr334
Jun 15, 2013 at 3:37 am
exactly
Jack
Jun 16, 2013 at 3:31 am
The USGA is too involved? It’s their tournament! Zack and anyone else can choose to sit out if they don’t like it.
Mike
Jun 14, 2013 at 11:39 pm
What a whiner! I’m disappointed. I didn’t see Tiger complaining about those wicked flag sticks at Augusta. So Zach Johnson is used to flags instead of wicker baskets? Too bad. I’m used to 75 and sunny. But guess what, when it’s 100 and humid I deal. When it’s 55 and rainy, I deal. It’s part of being a golfer. Maybe he’s being quoted out of context, but right now he’s coming off as a prima donna.
Asitlies
Jun 14, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Hitting the basket is now the fault of the USGA??!! Stop. Horrendous example. Hitting the basket is “rub of the green”, not course manipulation. I think he was referring to the rough, or the greens, or the course setup, not the baskets. Was it the fault if the Masters folks when Tiger Woods hit the pin on 15 and it shot back into the water? No, that’s the way the ball bounces…
jtopher
Jun 14, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Yep, or when Sergio hit the pin at Carnoustie. He sounds like a guy that just got his butt kicked by the golf course. Don’t let the gate hit you on the way out.
Mike
Jun 14, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Agreed
troy
Jun 16, 2013 at 10:08 am
Dissagree.. if there was a flag instead of a big fat basket the ball would have either hit the pin, hit the flag, or hit nothing. With the last 2 meaning a putt for birdie. There is a reason no one else uses baskets on their pins. But that’s besides the point. When you have deep rough that you have to gouge out of 6 inches from a sloped fairway and thats when you are at the mercy of whatever Lie you end up with. Yes, everyone deals with the same conditions, but everyone doesn’t get the same result from the inconsistencies
Michael
Jun 22, 2013 at 10:54 am
Actually, I just played the Seaside course at Sea Island this week and they had wicker baskets. Seemed to be a nice touch. Fair is a subjective term it seems. I’d always figured if everyone is playing by the same rules on the same course, then hard or not, it’s fair. Zach needs to quit whining when the chips don’t go his way. The course may have been “manipulated”, but it was set up the same for everyone who handed him his hat on the way out.
Jon
Jun 16, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Actually hitting the basket is the fault of USGA, if it were a flag there would be no discussion. Rub of the green, please.