Hole-by-hole course guide for Oakmont, the 2016 US Open venue
Last Updated: 11/06/16 11:54am
As the US Open returns to Pittsburgh, here's a hole-by-hole guide on how to tackle Oakmont Country Club.
Hole 1, 482yds, Par 4:
A really demanding opener, with the second shot blind to a green that slopes from front to back.
Hole 2, 340yds, Par 4:
Many players take an iron off the tee with a ditch left and bunkers right, but downwind some will try to get as close as they can to a green where three putts are common.
Hole 3, 426yds, Par 4:
The famous Church Pew bunkers are left of the fairway and the bunkers on the right are no fun either. The elevated green is relatively flat by Oakmont standards.
Hole 4, 609yds, Par 5:
The Church Pew bunkers again come into play and further traps in the right rough are very severe. Despite the length of the hole, driver might not be the best option off the tee due to the premium on accuracy.
Hole 5, 382yds, Par 4:
Irons for position will be the usual course of action, leaving an approach to one of the most undulating greens.
Hole 6, 194yds, Par 3:
The first of the short holes offers little respite, with a small green which slopes from right to left.
Hole 7, 479yds, Par 4:
This hole is another where par feels like a real achievement. Left of the green is the main danger, while the putting surface itself is angled severely from left to right.
Hole 8, 288yds/252yds, Par 3:
When played furthest back, this is the longest par-three in major history. The green might well be out of reach for some, while anything slightly left is likely to find the Sahara bunker that is 100 yards long.
Hole 9, 477yds, Par 4:
Usually played as a par five for club members, a blind uphill drive off the tee must avoid a ditch left and pot bunkers right. The green provides another demanding test to finish the front nine.
Hole 10, 462yds, Par 4:
The first hole on the back nine plays downhill, but players must find a narrow fairway and make sure to avoid the bunkers down the right.
Hole 11, 379yds, Par 4:
Usual approach involves an iron or three-wood to reach a plateau on the fairway, leaving an approach to a green which slopes from back to front.
Hole 12, 667yds, Par 5:
Strategy will play a big part when tackling the longest par-five ever in majors. Some may keep driver in the bag just like at the fourth, even though it will mean a far longer third shot.
Hole 13, 183yds, Par 3:
The Hour-glass green is very narrow, with the crucial thing being to leave an uphill putt.
Hole 14, 358yds, Par 4:
A potentially drivable hole for the longer hitters in favourable conditions, although making birdie or even eagle will depend on coping with a large green that has a lot of subtlety to it.
Hole 15, 500yds, Par 4:
A blind tee shot will be heading towards a fairway that slopes left to right. There's more Church Pew bunkers down the left, with ditches and further obstacles on the opposite side.
Hole 16, 231yds, Par 3:
The large green slopes left to right and while it is much shorter than the eighth, it could prove the tougher of the two.
Hole 17, 313yds, Par 4:
A possible opportunity for players to make up lost ground, but there are risks attached for an aggressive tee shot. Bunkers lie in wait 50 yards short of the green on the left-hand side.
Hole 18, 484yds, Par 4:
This is one of the toughest closing par fours in golf, with long and straight shots needed for both the drive and the approach to reach an undulating green.