How to Succeed at the US Open.
What the Eventual Winner will have to do. How to Succeed at the US Open.
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This year’s US Open is no doubt going to be an entertaining one!
If the golf course lives up to all the hype, he who overcomes all the mental challenges will have a fighting chance of lifting the trophy on Sunday evening. Here are what I believe to be the 7 keys to beating Chambers Bay and having a successful US Open. Even though these are what’s going to be required to win a major this week, you can use them to advance your game during any round you play.
1. Bounce-back.
How to Succeed at the US Open. This golf course is going to cause every layer to make mistakes. Even good shots will occasionally get penalized, which will seem “unfair.” When playing such a dry bouncy course, this is inevitable.
The champion will be the guy who can “bounce back” quickly from the frustration and bad breaks and maintain composure and emotional balance. Every player is going to get bad bounces and bad lies. The key will be accepting this from the get-go and just rolling with the punches, and embracing the challenge.
2. Shot-making.
On a course where so many different options are available for each shot, the player who can not only choose and commit to the right shot but execute it, will be in the mix come Sunday.
Each shot will require a different set of challenges and demand a different type of shot. When the wind is up, controlling trajectory will be a key factor.
Being able to shape the ball either way will allow a player to hit the right slopes on the fairway to have the ball release further, and curving the ball into the slopes on the green to have it land softer.
Around the green a complete variety of shots will be required (low running shots, lobs and chip and runs) to get the ball close.
3. Course Strategy and distance control.
How to Succeed at the US Open. With such undulated greens, having the right angle in with approach shots will make a difference over 72 holes. This means that instead of just aiming down the fairway, careful thought will need to be given to the shape of the green and where the pin is placed, so the optimal spot on the fairway is aimed for, to open up the angle for the approach.
Knowing where to miss will also be key to winning. Everyone in the field will miss fairways and greens this week. Where they miss will contribute to where they end up on Sunday afternoon. Hitting the wrong areas could result in the ball rolling through fairways and missing the green by 40-50 yards and waste precious shots.
Elevation changes mean the distance control will be extremely important, so being able to judge how far the ball needs to carry when above or below the target, will equate to several shots gained or dropped per round.
4. Patience.
As with many past US Opens, a score around even-par for the 4 rounds can put a player in the hunt. It would look as if Oakmont is set up this way.
With this in mind, par will be a good score on every hole. So taking unnecessary risk and taking on corners and getting too aggressive with approaches, will inevitably result in big numbers. Playing smart golf and being patient will keep a player away from double and triple bogeys. Taking birdie chances when they present themselves (drivable par 4s and par 5s), will be another key to success.
Dropping a few shots early will only cause more risk-taking to get those shots and back and likely cause further errors and dropped shots.
Pace of play will also factor in. With the length of the course and the elevation changes, there will possibly be 6 hours rounds. Meaning some longer than normal waits on tee shots and approaches.
Being able to stay calm and patient will be at a premium this week. As I wrote this article I heard Bubba Watson yell (after missing an approach shot), “Waiting 30 minutes! This is pathetic professional golf!” Player’s with this temperament will struggle to stay with it this week.
To read the rest of what it will take to win the US Open, go here.
Source: Golf State of Mind Mel Sole Golf School
Pictures: Pittaya Sroilong Keith Allison
Thanks for reading - How to Succeed at the US Open.
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