News

What’s in a Blade of Grass?

Oakmont is the only course the USGA needs to tame down to hold the US Open, why is its renown putting surfaces so difficult? The answer is the grass, perennial poa annua.

Published

19 years ago

Jun 13, 2007

Eric Schuster

Some thoughts and musing concerning this years U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Oakmont has fascinated me since I first since I was first exposed to it during the 1962 U.S. Open won by Jack Nicklaus. A course designed by its founder H.C. Fownes with the intent that, "A shot poorly played should be a shot irrevocably lost," boggles one such as I, possessor of minor golfing talents at best.

Sam Snead once said he tried to mark his ball on Oakmonts greens but the coin slid off.

Lee Trevino has said that Oakmont is the only course they could hold a U.S. Open without any notice, but they would have to slow the greens down first. He also said every time he two putted he knew he was passing someone on the leaderboard.

Rocco Mediate calls them almost impossible.

The greens make Oakmont what it is, a course designed to make grown men cry. I’ve read where the members delight in punishing themselves regularly on these most amazing greens. Not only are they fast, the members play an annual tournament where they roll 15 on the stimp meter, but they are smooth and full of crazy tilts and slopes. For this Open they will indeed be slowed to 13-13.5, a number I cannot fathom as the quickest greens I’ve played were at about 11. That was crazy quick in my book, so having them at 15 on purpose suggests the need for some serious medication, if not institutionalization.

What makes these greens able to sustain the combined speed and remarkable smoothness is the grass. Not the normal bent grass you find in the north or midwest, these greens are actually made up of a weed, perennial poa anna. This hardy grass is much more rigid and resistant to summer heat than annual poa anna like that found at last years U.S. Open veue, Winged Foot Golf Club. Annual poa is also much bumpier and uneven especially in humidity. So here they have this weed that they have nurtured and tended for years resulting in a marvelous yet diabolical surface on which players must attempt to get their golf ball into the hole. Imagine being driven to drink by a weed. Thank goodness it can’t be seeded anywhere else to be cultivated.

What we have here for the U.S. Open and USGA tournament committee is a course that is so difficult they actually have to back off rather than toughen it up for the national championship. Given what has happened in past US Opens, particularly the massacre at Shinnecock in 2004, one would think the USGA can tame down a course successfully without too much difficulty. I’m envious of the members, what must it be like to play daily on a course that is too tough for a U.S. Open? I’d sure like to find out.

Look for the guys who can hit the ball in play off the tee, play precision irons so they can avoid some of the crazier tilts on the greens, and putt on super fast surfaces. Gee, that sounds like a recipe for every tournament winner. OK so let’s throw in a bushel of patience because this course will bite everyone multiple times during the event. I like Jim Furyk or Joe Durant for those reasons. Regardless, this will be some serious fun to watch. Just don’t expect another 63 like Johnny Miller shot Sunday to clinch the 1973 U.S. Open, the stars align only once an eon for an event that grand.

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.