The NEW Wentworth!!!

[jayc]

Isn,t it gr8t to hear the players at wentworth moaning and groaning about how the golf course has been changed ie paul casey. I think its gr8t that the course is the winner and putting up a stiff test of golf. No one said earning MILLIONS was easy!! so come on boys dig deep and show us how good you REALLY are.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm not sure they are all moaning about the whole course but just the 18th in particular. Its like any changes, it takes time for it to bed in. I think they'll redo the 18th in the winter and make it a bigger target to entice more longer shots into it

 

[JimK]

Wentworth has a long history-not wishing to bore you with tales of old times-I recall as a kid watching a film (and I mean film reel-long before your video).
It was the Piccadilly World Match Play. The film showed Arnold Palmer hitting his second shot with a long iron up the hill to the 1st. Back in the days when pure blades were the thing. Just watching him hit the ball with such force-I remember the impression it left on me.
The Burma Road was and always will be a fine course and one that has left many good memories-JimK

 

[RGDave]

I agree - it is gr8t!

(it must be very time saving to not type e and a when you can whip up to the number bar and hit 8 instead).

Pedantry aside, I think all courses should try some of this style of redesign. Good call.

 

[drawboy]

I posted earlier about this, par 5's should not be reached easily in 2 IMHO that makes them slightly more difficult par 4's let's be honest here, we all know the top guys hit it miles where is the challenge we get every week from a par 5?

 

[Imurg]

I think the Tour Stars have had it too good for too long with the 18th. 3 wood off the tee and then a long iron running up to the green - not really tricky for the top players. Now they've got to think about it.
It'll be interesting come Sunday afternoon if someone needs a birdie to win on 18. Will they go for it or lay-up and pitch'n'putt?
He who dares and all that......

 

[big_russ]

This whole situation of complaining about the 18th hole really makes me laugh. These players are supposed to be the cream of the crop and it is pretty sad to hear them. They should be able to make a score without relying on an easy finishing hole to get the birdie but if they do end up needing a birdie up the last they sould have to work for it and play the career defining shots.

Nobody said winning would be easy!!

 

[drawboy]

They have had it easy for too long at Wentworth, M.A. Jiminez made the green in 2 out of the bunker in the 3rd and 4th rounds last year, for God sake it's supposed to be a par 5. Hitting it in 2 shots I can accept and say well played but to hit it in 2 out of a bunker, nah! the hole is too easy for a pro and needed the redesign it has had. I say well done Ernie.IF someone needs a birdie to win on Sunday then
A. they should have played better for the last 17
B. make up your mind, do I want to try and win at all costs and try and play a great shot or settle for second and still make a massive payday (again).

 

[freddielong]

Why has Ernie tried to turn wentworth into Augusta ? the greens look out of place and to undulating for the rest of the course,

I like the look of the new 18th although its an easy three shoter the real test of the hole will be when someone comes up the last needing eagle

 

[bigslice]

danny willett hit a driver then 7 iron at 18th. so it is reachable in 2

 

[Ethan]

Of course it is reachable in two. That is obvious and Danny Willett was not the only one who did so, , but that observation doesn't change the question of whether it is a good hole or not. The 17th at Sawgrass could be hit by a 20 handicapper on a good day - doesn't make that a good hole either.

The main question is whether the new design fits in with the style and character of the West Course. It doesn't - it looks more like a generic modern US Tour course with a hazard designed to excite the crowds.

On another forum on Golf Architecture, the course is now being jokingly referred to as TPC Wentworth. That is not meant as a compliment.

 

[colint]

Hopefully the hole will come into it's on Sunday of someone needs a birdie or eagle to win.

Westwoods comments were a load of guff, whinging that the public want to see birdies not sixes and sevens. I think most want to see a birdie earned with a great shot, not by just knocking a mid iron down the hill like you could do previously.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

The changes to Wentworth West has thrown up some interesting comments. My own opinion is that the owner wanted it changed so he decided to. It's his course / club so he can do what he likes with it (his admission that he got 18 wrong so will do something about it for next year should be applauded) If the members don't like it, they can leave and join Sunningdale, the Wisley, Queenwood or another exclusive club (they've obviously got the money!)

And if the pros don't like it tough - either don't play that week (and miss out on Ryder Cup / Race to Dubai points / money) or find a way to play the new layout and demonstrate the talents that enabled you to turn professional in the first place!

 

[Smiffy]

The main question is whether the new design fits in with the style and character of the West Course. It doesn't - it looks more like a generic modern US Tour course with a hazard designed to excite the crowds.

Ditch the stream and replace it with a load of heather and stick a couple of bloody gorse bushes in there for good measure.
That will sort the men out from the boys and fit in with the idea that it is a heath and heather course.

 

[JustOne]

I think the course changes are perfect. The 18th looks easy, fade a driver and knock a mid/long iron on there.... a perfect par5. Worst case scenario you'll have to knock a 5-wood in there. Don't know what all the tears are about.

Might be worthwhile losing the bunker to the right of the 18th green to offer a slight bailout option but I like it how it is.

The 17th is also much better, lovin' the run off areas. Hard to comment on the rest as I hardly know the place intimately.

 

[Smiffy]

The 18th looks easy, fade a driver and knock a mid/long iron on there....

That's just how I would play it if I were there.

 

[Sneds]

It's just a shame that a hole will only come into it's own when somebody NEEDS a birdie. Where they will take risks at any costs anyway?

The fact that it is a par 5 means that the pros are willing to just lay up and pitch it for a birdie oppourtunity. The hole is not enticing enough to go for it in two. Out of everybody who took it on yesterday maybe two or three people held the green or they ran off it. The risk doesn't match the reward.

If this was 50 yards shorter and was a par 4 then it would become exciting. As people would automatically be hitting into the green as a green in reg rather than having the option of little risk with a decent score.

 

[Ethan]

The problem here is that poeple say it is a par-5, therefore .....

It isn't, it is a hole which players can score 3 to 7 on. All that matters is that you get a lower score than the other guy you are level with, doesn't matter is that is a birdie on a 400 yard par 5 or a boget on a 700 yard par 3.

The changes were supposed to add drama, but I think they may have neutralised much of the interest of the hole.

 

[RGDave]

The 18th looks easy, fade a driver and knock a mid/long iron on there....

That's just how I would play it if I were there.

That's how I did play it when I was there.

Followed by a wedge to the green ....in fact these boys are now hitting the same 3rd shot as RGDave....about 100 yards.

 

[drawboy]

I don't see it myself, there has been quiet a few on for 2 but not after a wild drive. Put the ball where it should be and you have a shot to the green. Why shouldn't a hole penalise for being out of position from the tee?