US Open Practice Day 2

Inside the ropes from the US Open at Hole 13. Second day perspectives.

Many players got down to business today and gave this green the attention it deserves in the practice rounds. An effective ball placement strategy was revealed. For the ball that rolls off the steep leftside and backside of the green, multiple ways to get the ball up onto the putting surface were tested. Potential trouble spots were confirmed.

The two areas that created problems were the right front bunker and the downward slope on left side of the green. A slight fade or a slight draw brought tall trees that border the fairway into play. A ball sent to the left side of the green rolled down towards the red-staked hazard. 

The safest landing areas were: the center of the green with room for the ball to roll after impact, the small section between the front bunker and the rightside bunker to permit a comfortable chip shot to the hole, and the front right quadrant of the green where the elevated right fringe curled the ball towards the middle. 

A ball that finds the rightside bunker sets up for a tricky sand save. The ball needs to float out with enough spin to keep it on the green. It's a problem when the hole location is in the front section of the putting surface. A high percentage of the shots out of the right bunker that were aimed at the hole rolled across the green and down the slope to flirt with the red-staked hazard.

Since the turf on the left and back sides slopes down from the green, players tested different types of shots to get the ball up onto the putting surface. To roll the ball up,  the putter was used most frequenctly but several players experimented effectively with the driver, fairways woods, and hybrids. High lob shots were effective holding the ball on the green, but low tree branches overhanging the low front left side of the fringe could be limiting. 

We saw many variations on the traditional chip shot. Hitting the ball gently to the putting surface to roll the ball to the hole was generally effective when there was enough green to work with. Alternatively, hitting the ball with varying degrees of firmness into the slope and allowing the ball to skip up to the putting surface was an effective strategy when overhanging branches were a factor. 

The high straight tee shot can make this hole look easy. Anything else could easily test the creative skills of the best golfers. Players who live by the draw or the fade will find it a challenge. We think this hole will provide plenty of drama during the tournament.