BOMB: Well, it’s about freaking time we got the redesigned web site up. Least we can do is start the blog thing again.
Lets start with this: Pine Needles last week tipped out at 6,664 yards—that’s 408 yards longer than when it last hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2001. OK, sure, the 15th played as a par 5 instead of a 4, but still, that’ a pretty big jump. Consider that across the same time frame, Southern Hills, site of the 2001 Men’s U.S. Open and the upcoming 2007 PGA Championship, will only increase its course length by 158 yards.
I think the reason is this: The women are finally catching up to the men in terms of optimizing their launch conditions and equipment. Evidence? In 2001 Maria Hjorth ranked first in driving distance at the Women’s Open with an average of 247.4 yards. That would have ranked 30th this year as Karin Sjodin led the field at 279.1 yards. More evidence: The top-10 finishers in 2001 averaged 228.1 yards off the tee—or about the length of your tee shots, pardsy. This year the 13 women who finished T-10 or better averaged 250.8 yards.
In short, they may be women but they no longer hit it like girls.
GOUGE: I wish I hit it 228.1. Especially the .1. But here's the thing: Women, men, children and dogs are hitting it farther in 2007 than any of them did in 2001. The ball goes farther and drivers have maximized ballspeed across a greater area of the face. Duhh. Doesn't make it easier (see O-choca's tee ball at No. 17), but the course needed to be longer. Not that it played at its full length for the week. Tees were moved up on the first hole on Sunday. USGA Setup Czar Mike Davis had this to say: “Technology is a part of the reason, but remember that this year the event was held a month later than it was in 2001. We set up the holes one by one without a total course yardage in mind. We simply want the women to play the holes the way designer Donald Ross intended.” Horse. Hockey. Donald Ross wasn't there and John Fought put in several new bunkers. And the USGA can grow grass or not grow grass any way it wants. Facts are facts, and the course was set up for the least common denominator in 2001.Today the number of LPGA players hitting it 250-plus is twice what it was in 2001, so that denominator has shifted upward. But it's not a threat to any championship level golf course. I'd offer this, though: The USGA is only following the lead of the LPGA Tour. In 2001, 27 LPGA tournaments were played at 6,400 yards or less. So far this year, only two events have been that length. Those who want to decry distance maybe should start focusing their anger on the LPGA Tour. Maybe they're progressing faster than their brothers.
Rating
Comments
Post A Comment