Go Golf

Go Golf

Share this post

Go Golf
Go Golf
Return to Oakmont

Return to Oakmont

Jon Martin's avatar
Jon Martin
Jun 02, 2025
∙ Paid
3

Share this post

Go Golf
Go Golf
Return to Oakmont
Share

A little housekeeping before I get into this week’s newsletter. There will not be a newsletter next week as I will be on vacation.

Let’s get into this week’s topic. Oakmont.

The US Open returns to Oakmont in a few weeks. The course conditions are reported to be brutal. No graduated rough, just primary rough 5 inches thick. Greens running at 15 on the Stimpmeter. 175 total bunkers including the famous, “Church Pews” pictured above.

Even par looks like a good score to win the tournament. Players are going to be complaining about unfair conditions. Fans will complain about the course being tricked up resulting in not enough scoring. The USGA will be living on the edge.

And I love it.

For me, the US Open should be the most demanding tournament of the majors. Every part of a player’s game needs to be working. It should expose any and all flaws or weaknesses in a player’s game. Scores of even par should be at least in contention to win after four rounds. The US Open should never have a winning score of -10 or better. The only exception I will make for this occurring was Tiger Woods -12 at Pebble Beach in 2000. Thay year, Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez finished tied for 2nd…at +3. Woods delivered a masterclass in golf that week on a brutally difficult golf course.

The purpose of golf is to match or better par. The measure of a golf courses difficulty is based on how players score in relation to par. However, even more difficult courses can be set up in ways which allow for better scoring. Short rough, soft greens, wider fairways all create better scoring opportunities. The opposite can be said for easier courses. Lengthening the rough, firming up and speeding up the greens and narrowing the fairways can make it more difficult to score.

For a US Open, I want a player standing on the 1st tee on Thursday thinking even par will win the tournament. I want the course set up to be as difficult as possible without getting carried away. I don’t want it softened to stroke the ego of tour professionals. I don’t want to see low scores win the tournament. I want to see a battle of survival. I want to see the best players in the world struggle to make birdies and pars. I want to see them get frustrated just like we get frustrated on the course. The US Open should always be this way.

Oakmont stands as the epitome of a US Open course. Long and demanding, Oakmont known for its bunkering and lightning-fast greens. Oakmont has proven time and time again it deserves its place in major championship golf having hosted the US Open nine previous times. In the modern era, -5 under is the lowest winning score which has been done three times. The highest winning score in the modern era came in 2007 when Angel Cabrera won with a finishing score of +5.

While I am convinced Oakmont is the most difficult course in major championship golf when set up properly, there is one hole where I want the USGA to reconsider their plan.

The par-3 8th is expected to play 290-299 yards. Although the hole plays downhill somewhat, even tour professionals will need to select a club where the headcover needs to be removed. Some will even need to hit driver. Any par-3 where this is necessary for the best players in the world to get to the green is a poor hole.

In general, I am not a fan of long par 3’s. I prefer par 3’s which require strategy, offer a variety of options and provide a challenge based on the green complexes. Stretching a par 3 to 300 yards is only about being able to hit the ball far enough.

In fairness, the 311-yard par 4 17th is reachable for many players. While I’m not a fan of long par 3’s, I love short par 4’s for the same reason I love shorter par 3’s. Short par 4’s provide options. Players need to decide how to play the hole. Is it worth trying to drive the green? Where is the best place to miss the green? Is laying up the better option? Where do I lay up?

Overall, Oakmont is the epitome of a US Open championship course. Long with fast, firm greens, deep rough and heavily bunkered, players will likely complain about its severity. If the USGA maintains the course conditions players are reporting, Oakmont will present a true US Open test where the winner will have earned the title of US Open champion.

As always, be thankful when you play. Be grateful for the privilege and opportunity to play this amazing game. Now, go golf!

Go Golf is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Thanks for reading Go Golf! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Share

Share Go Golf

Leave a comment

Get more from Jon Martin in the Substack app
Available for iOS and Android

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Go Golf to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Jon Martin
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share