how fast are the greens on oakmont golf course

Full Answer

Which golf course has fastest greens?

Oakmont Country ClubFor some further perspective, the greens at Oakmont Country Club (where the stimpmeter was conceived) are some of the fastest in the world, with readings of 13–15 feet at their quickest. The number that was estimated for Augusta National was 12 feet.

How fast are PGA Tour greens?

What is the average green speed? The average pace is usually around 9 for the average putting green on most municipal golf courses and 11 or above for PGA Tour events. Golf courses in the United States tend to have faster greens than ones in Europe due to the type of grass and typical weather conditions.

How fast are average greens?

It found the average green speed to be about 6.5. Less than 2 percent of the 2,116 measurements recorded were higher than 9.

How fast are the greens at St Andrews?

10 to 10-foot-6 is an appropriate green speed at St. Andrews in the vast majority of days. We've had a very difficult day today. The slope on the green at 11 is not directly connected with that.

Why are PGA greens so fast?

On the PGA Tour circuit, green speeds also have become more consistent from one course to the next. The result is better ball roll and a more predictable playing surface. That means golfers can make a more uniform putting stroke, with fewer adjustments for surface conditions.

What is the fastest green speed?

A green speed of 7 is generally considered very slow and is slower than a green speed of 9 (a moderate speed). A stimp rating of 13 or 14 is considered lightning-fast. Most PGA Tour venues have green speeds of around 12.

Did golf greens used to be slower?

Before releasing their modified Stimpmeter (briefly known as the “Speed Stick”), the USGA took green speed measurements in 1976 and 1977 on more than 1,500 greens in 36 states. The average green speed was 6.5 feet.

Can golf greens be too fast?

Trying to make greens faster than they should be leads to higher maintenance costs, turf damage, lost hole locations, and rounds of golf that are slower and less enjoyable.

How can I make my golf greens faster?

To balance green speed and turf health, it is recommended to mow as high as possible to achieve the desired green speed, which preserves extra leaf material for photosynthesis and growth. Increasing mowing frequency is another common method to improve surface quality and increase green speed.

What is the largest green at St. Andrews?

The average size per putting surface is 22,267 square feet compared to 3,500 at Pebble Beach and 6,435 at Augusta. The largest double green – 5 and 13 is an enormous 37,846 square feet.

How many Greens are on the Old Course at St. Andrews?

Old Course figuresGreensMeasurement5 and 1337,846 sq feet8 and 1030,063 sq feet177,078 sq feet1815,570 sq feet

What are double greens?

A double green is one green with two holes of separate holes to be played. It is not two separate greens.

Where is Oakmont Country Club?

Oakmont Country Club, located near Pittsburgh, Pa., is one of the grand old golf courses of America, considered one of the best and most challenging in the world. The private Oakmont offers lush fairways tightly framed by punishing rough, and greens that are lightning fast with plenty of movement. Oakmont's membership is famous for relishing ...

How many bunkers are there at Oakmont Country Club?

There is no water on the Oakmont Country Club layout, but nearly 200 bunkers, many of them deep, and 4- to 8-inch deep rough provide plenty in the way of hazards. Most famous among the bunkers — one of the most famous hazards in golf — is the Church Pews bunker, which sits between the third and fourth fairways and can come into play ...

What was Oakmont's original layout?

The original layout was mostly treeless, open to the wind. A "beautification program" in the 1960s led to the planting of thousands of trees along its holes, and Oakmont transformed into a more typical American parkland course.

Who is the architect of Oakmont CC?

Several famous architects have done restoration and renovation work at Oakmont CC through the years, including Robert Trent Jones Sr., Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay and Arthur Hills. Tom Fazio handled the most recent major work, finished in 2006.

1. Most U.S. Opens

Oakmont holds the distinction of having hosted more US Opens than any other course, with the 2016 version being the 9th time the event is being held there. Oakmont also holds the record of hosting the most number of USGA Championships (21).

3. The Stimpmeter

The Stimpmeter wasn’t invented at Oakmont but this iconic venue was surely an inspiration towards its creator, Edward S. Stimpson Sr. A spectator at the 1935 US Open at Oakmont, Stimpson, the Massachusetts State Amateur champion, watched as a putt by Gene Sarazen casually rolled off the green.

5. Sam Snead Makes U.S. Open Cut in 1973 at Age 61

Sam Snead remains the oldest player to make the cut at the US Open. At the 1973 edition, he was 61 years old and finished at T-29. He also won the 1951 PGA Championship at Oakmont.

6. The Age of Nicklaus Begins at the 1962 US Open

In Arnold Palmer’s backyard, the 22-year old Nicklaus beat the King in a Sunday Playoff. Watched by over 10,000 fans, the win was Nicklaus’ first professional victory and the first of his 18 major championships.

7. Ernie Els Wins in Three-way Playoff in 1994

24-year old Ernie Els outlasted Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie in a Monday playoff for his first major and also his first win on U.S. Soil. It was the last three-way playoff at the US Open, and the first since 1963.

9. The Highest Scoring U.S. Open Win

In 2007, Angel Cabrera won with a score of 285 (+5) which was also shot by Geoff Ogilvy in 2006 at Winged Foot. This score remains the highest winning score at the US Open since Hale Irwin won at Winged Foot with a score of 287 (+7).

10. Longest Par 3 in US Open History

The 288 yards Par-3 8th Hole has the distinction of being the longest Par-3 in US Open history. Last time around it played between 261 – 300 yards. You’ll find a lot of players hitting fairway metals, unless the wind is up, in which case you might find the odd player hitting driver as well.