The challenge of Whistling Straits – Host of the PGA Tour Championship for 2010
Whistling Straits is a seaside course that hugs the shoreline on Lake Michigan. It was designed by one of the best golf course architects of the modern day, Pete Dye. Similar to links courses, it will be very much affected by whatever wind comes during the four days of the PGA Championship and features huge sandy areas, deep pot bunkers, grass-topped dunes, and big, undulating greens. The fairways consist of fescue grass, which give the course a links feel similar to seaside course in the UK.
Par for the course is 72 and it has a length of 7,514 yards, making it the second longest course ever to host a major. The longest hole is the 618 yard, par-5 11th, which only the longest hitters will even think of going for in two because the drive is fraught with danger left and right.
The final six holes are very challenging and will make or break the champion.
No.13 - Cliff Hanger - 404 yards - par 4
The preferred drive will find the left side of the fairway and avoid sand dunes and awkward lies. This will leave a short approach downhill to the narrow “cliff hanger” green. Miss right, and you’re probably in the lake.
No.14 - Widow’s Watch - 373 yards - par 4
Another short par 4 hole that demands a short but accurate drive along the right side of the fairways as the hole doglegs left creating a blind second shot for drives on the left side of the fairway. A fade with a long iron is perfect here. Deep bunkers protect the right side of this green and there are more bunkers guarding the green long and left. It looks easy, but the real challenge is finding the right landing spot on the undulating green, and the difficulty of the hole will change depending on the pin position.
No.15 - Grand Strand - 518 yards - par 4
This difficult hole will make for great golf-watching because it is the start of four very difficult holes and the leader will not be feeling at all comfortable as he stands on the tee of hole 15. It’s a long par 4 that requires a long and accurate drive down the left side to avoid hazards along the right. Then you need to follow that with a long iron into the green that is well-protected on the left side. Again, position will be key on this tricky green and this hole favors players who can hit high, soft long-irons.
No.16 - Endless Bite - 569 yards - par 5
The shortest par 5 on the course will tempt many players, especially if they have some ground to make up on the final three holes. Make a mistake right, though, and the drive will end up in some nasty bunkers. Go too far left and the ball will find Lake Michigan. The second shot will be uphill over some dunes and bunkers, leaving most players with a short wedge into the green, assuming they play to hit the green in regulation. If they go for it in two, anything could happen from tap-in eagle to triple-bogey disaster.
No.17 - Pinched Nerve - 223 yards - par 3
Pete Dye loves his signature par threes and this may be his most intimidating. Miss left and you’re in deep trouble – 20 feet deep! Bunkers and dunes will hold onto the ball down there, leaving a menacing shot to save par. And if you miss those bunkers/dunes, the ball could end up in the lake. The right isn’t much better with more dunes and bunkers on that side. And God help the players if the wind is in their faces as this then becomes a long, long par 3 that you do not want to miss short.
No.18 - Dyeabolical - 500 yards - par 4
Another long par four where most players will be happy with a par. Off the tee you have a choice: a safe shot down the right side or a more aggressive drive down the left that requires a 300-yard carry over dunes and bunkers. Take the first option and you will have a longer approach shot. The second option, if the drive is good, will leave an easy approach into a green where the approach cannot afford to be long or short. And swirling winds always create problems with club selection, which if we're honest, is good for us spectators.
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