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What's the secret to qualifying at Pinhurst?

• Heath021 378 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 3:15 PM

  I don't know what it is with this course, but I can't score less than a 60.  What's the secret tohitting your shots close...so they don't roll of the false fronts or sides.  I shoot pretty well most of the time, but can't seem to tame this course.

  Been 8 under on the front to have all hell break loose on the back...lol. #4 kills me constantly.

• commonguymd 303 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 3:22 PM

  Not that I could qualify, but this course has proven tough or should I say. tougher as time went on.  I shot a 63 in the open for my best and a 60 not in the open.  Both those were fairly early on.  I can't sniff near that now for some reason.  Seems after that first week when most of the big scores were landed, the course was tightened up a bit.  Or I just got worse.  Probably the latter is correct in my case.  Seems the leader board hasn't changed much after the first week or two though.

• fatdan 3,379 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 3:40 PM

  Very simple! Your on the wrong course!!! Pinhurst is much tougher than Pinehurst! lol

   

  Just messing with ya...I'm in the same boat, 59-60 is the best I can do playing good! Push a putt here, pull one there, and always screw up at least 1 easy approach shot and leave myself an impossible putt....

• MBaggese 15,367 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 3:45 PM

  Heath..

   

  Take the aerial view of the green for approach shots...notice the dark colored areas?...those are low spots...so on your approach shot, use the pitch or chip view, to get a better idea of the slope...and where to hit or stay away from.

   

  YJ posted this tip, I followed the advice..worked out very well.

• stevereilly 5,915 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 3:45 PM

  Not sure if it will help much,  but I made notes on each hole to ascertain whether it was playing longer or shorter than i thought.

  I too was struggling to get below 60, then on one round, I eagled hole 2 and landed a HIO on hole 8 (the par 3 I think).    At that point I closed the game client,  because I'm a superstitious sod, and I didn't want the VEM,   and went on to shoot a 56.

  It won't help much, I know, but it's the first time I've qualified .....at the moment ( I've missed out by one stroke on the previous 4 Opens).

• derekortt 673 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 4:14 PM

  Use the most expensive Nike ball. Helped me to get a 57, which SHOULD be good enough (3 whack on 14 put me on the bubble, however)

• FarFoo 2,923 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 4:43 PM

  my 10p worth.

  Remember where the green runs off and avoid. remember where the good landing areas are.

  Practice pitches a little. Generally need to pitch from edge of green at least once a round , often more, & you need to be expecting to hole these.
  ( with the same frequency as maybe a 14ft putt , and certainly left dead if it misses )
  
  When they turn the wind on for the open, pitches will be even more important I think.
  
  Foo
  
  

• patriciawilliams 3,273 Posts

  Wed, Jun 4 2014 9:38 PM

  Heath021:

  I don't know what it is with this course,

  Forget it, Pinehurst is haunted...