DRIVE THE GREEN
The iconic first hole at Cherry Hills is where Arnold Palmer started his final round to win the U.S. Open in 1960, with a two-putt birdie after driving the green. This week, the downhill par-4 will be reachable with a 332-yard tee shot to the front edge of the green. With the Palmer tee box just about 10 yards deep, the hole will top out at about 355 yards with a back pin.
Also, No. 3 is a short par-4 listed at 439 yards this week, but the trick is holding the tortoise shell green.
The landing area is small in the middle of the greens where golfers don’t have to worry about the ball falling off the front to the back.
EAGLES
In addition to the driving holes, the two par-5s will be where the players can make a big move.
No. 17 could become the most exciting hole of the week. To carry the first set of cross bunkers from the back tee box would require a 340-yard drive. If you lay up, it’ll require anywhere from a 215- to 245-yard second shot to the island green. And, if the tee boxes are moved up, then the carry shot becomes even more tempting.
Another eagle opportunity will be No. 11. Ogden predicts about half the field will be able to get to the No. 11 green in two shots after a big poke off the tee box. The downhill second shot would be about 300 yards, with a 260-yard carry of the crossbunker, then a 40-yard roll down what Ogden calls “the ramp” to the green.
LET IT RIP
There are four to six holes where most players will hit a driver. The best places to watch the launch pads are Nos. 9 and 11. The uphill par-4 No. 9 will play at 496 yards and getting past the bunkers on the right will be about a 360-yard drive.
The par-5 No. 11 will be the longest hole of the week at 632 yards.
LOSE A STROKE
Three of the four par-3 holes played the most difficult in relation to par during the 2012 U.S. Amateur. The longest is No. 8, which can top out at 276 yards and was the only bogey in Arnold Palmer’s 1960 U.S. Open final round. No. 15 is booked at 247 yards, and No. 12 goes to 204 yards.
While No. 17 offers a prime scoring opportunity, No. 18 is a tough par-4, playing long at 477 yards and uphill. With the large grandstand at the tee, the hole will play about 10-15 yards shorter than usual, but it usually is a par-5. The right-side fairway, the only landing area with a lake to the left, has been tightened for this tournament.
LOTS OF GOLF, LITTLE MOVEMENT
Perhaps the best spot to take in the most golf with little movement is behind the No. 4 green. Within about a 60-yard area fans can watch putts on the 4th and 8th greens and drives from the tee boxes from No. 5, 9, 11 and 16.
If you’re looking for a little solitude, take the quick walk to the far reaches of the course. At the No. 12 tee box, watch players tee off at the par-3 and then turn for action at the 13th green and No. 14 tee. During the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open, there was plenty of room around the course despite the large crowds.
