skip to main content

As golfers, we often wonder how our game compares to that of elite players. What would happen if we teed it up under U.S. Open conditions? Occasionally, when Mother Nature cooperates with mild and dry weather, superintendents can produce firm, fast playing surfaces that might approach professional tournament conditions for short periods of time without jeopardizing turf health. Super firm and fast greens that require precise touch on every chip and putt can be fun to experience occasionally.

One aspect of a typical U.S. Open setup that is not nearly as fun to experience is thick, tall rough. Here are just a few of the reasons why you wouldn’t want “U.S. Open rough” at your home course:

U.S. Open rough is just difficult.

The ball-striking ability of the best players in the world makes escaping the rough look easy. For most of us, the results would not be so pretty. Shots that aren’t hit perfectly don’t go very far and most of us would be chopping the ball back to the fairway again and again. This is not enjoyable. People often think when the rough gets a little tall at their home course that “This is just like U.S. Open rough!” Trust me, it isn’t. The rough at the U.S. Open is prepared for months prior to the championship. It is not just a matter of letting the grass get taller. The rough is taller, thicker and more dense than anything most golfers ever experience.

Lost balls will be a common occurrence.

Forecaddies, spotters and fans help to locate balls in the rough during the U.S. Open. You won’t typically have that help at your home course. Even with all the eyes on shots at the U.S. Open, lost balls still occur in the rough because it is so tall and dense. When rough is returned to lower heights after the championship, many lost golf balls are exposed – often only a yard or two off the fairway. The vast majority are not from the U.S. Open, but from daily play that preceded the championship.

Pace of play will be abysmal.

Searching for balls in deep rough and taking extra shots to get the ball back onto shorter grass takes time, a lot of time over 18 holes. Group after group will struggle, which will only slow things down further and guarantee a very long day.

The maintenance budget may take a hit.

Taller rough is not necessarily easier or less expensive to maintain. It must be carefully prepared to keep grass from laying over or becoming matted. Maintaining deep, thick rough may also require more fertilizer, irrigation and plant protectants. Not to mention the potential for scalping and the mess of clippings to clean up when people get tired of “U.S. Open rough” and want the height brought back down to normal!

When it comes to replicating the U.S. Open experience, leave the rough out of it. Let the greatest golfers in the world navigate that hurdle. Most of us can adapt to firm, fast conditions on greens and fairways to some degree. There is no adapting to thick, 5-inch rough.