Complete hole-by-hole preview
Brendan Walsh, the director of golf at The Country Club, provided his insight on the layout that will challenge players at this week’s U.S. Open.
No. 1: Par 4, 488 yards
Walsh: A strong dogleg left to start the 122nd US Open that originally housed the infield of the horse racetrack that wrapped around the first & 18th fairways. This tee shot will give the players an option to carry the bunkers on the left side or play conservatively to the right. A good drive will leave a mid-iron into an open approach that is heavily bunkered.
No. 2: Par 3, 215 yards
Walsh: An uphill par 3 that has been lengthened 25 yards since the 2013 U.S. Amateur. This hole will play one club uphill to a very shallow green that will require shot to the first third of the green.
No. 3: Par 4, 499 yards
Walsh: Tee shots placed on the left side of the fairway will have a clear view of the green which will receive shots played to the first third. Those being too aggressive on the approach to this firm green could find themselves over the green in the penalty area.
No. 4: Par 4, 493 yards
Walsh: This dogleg right has the most generous fairway on the course and will be best to attack the green from the left side. The green slopes heavily from right to left.
No. 5: Par 4, 310 yards
Walsh: A risk/reward par 4. The only realistic drivable par 4. Those laying up will use a long iron to leave a flip wedge from a severely sloped uphill fairway to a challenging green complex.
No. 6: Par 3, 192 yards
Walsh: This par 3 plays a ½ - club downhill. Players will need to play to first third of green as this is the only green that slopes from front to back.
No. 7: Par 4, 375 yards
Walsh: Hitting the fairway is a premium as it slopes from right to left in the landing area and the green is also sloped right to left. Middle of the green is a smart play here.
No. 8: Par 5, 557 yards
Walsh: A big drive will give players an opportunity to get home in two to a very challenging green complex that houses a false front. Distance and spin control here is a must to avoid balls coming back down the closely mown hill.
No. 9: Par 4, 427 yards
Walsh: Most players will not use a driver to avoid the water on the right side. They will have a downhill lie for a second shot that plays a ½- club short to a well-bunkered green.
No. 10: Par 4, 499 yards
Walsh: Members play it as a par 5. A 285- to 300yard drive will clear the rock outcroppings on the right side leaving a challenging uphill second shot to a green that is severely sloped from left to right and back to front.
No. 11: Par 3, 131 yards
Walsh: This downhill par 3 will be making it back in the U. S. Open rotation for the first time since 1913. The hole will play from 115135 yards to a newly renovated green that is very challenging. Middle of the green is a smart play here.
No. 12: Par 4, 473 yards
Walsh: A drive favoring the left-hand side of the fairway will leave a nice view of a downhill second shot to one of the smaller greens that is sloped from back to front. First third of the green is a good play to ensure an uphill putt.
No. 13: Par 4, 450 yards
Walsh: This dogleg left requires accuracy off the tee to allow a mid-iron approach over water to a green that slopes from back to front.
No. 14: Par 5, 619 yards
Walsh: The longest hole on the golf course requires a tee shot in the fairway to reach the top of the hill in two shots which covers over 500 yards. This wellbunkered, two-tier green will require spin control for proper distance.
No. 15: Par 4, 510 yards
Walsh: This long par 4 will be best played from the left side of the fairway to an approach to the largest green on the course. Middle of the green is the smart play on the hole they call “Liverpool” for where horse jumping took place in the early 1900s.
No. 16: Par 3, 202 yards
Walsh: This par 3 plays a ½- club longer. It is slightly uphill and requires a forced carry to a firm green that slopes from left to right.
No. 17: Par 4, 373 yards
Walsh: This historic hole requires an accurate tee ball which will allow the players to control their distance to a two-tiered green that slopes from back to front. The aggressive player may try to thread the needle to drive the green.
No. 18: Par 4, 451 yards
Walsh: The second hole in the racetrack rotation, this dogleg left finish will give the players an option to carry the bunkers on the left side or play conservatively to the right. The second shot requires a forced carry to a unique green complex that is well-protected by bunkers.