Quail Hollow GC: Vastly Underrated?

After watching the reruns of the Wells Fargo this weekend, it's pretty obvious that Quail Hollow is a fantastic golf course. I know it held the 2017 PGA Championship, and I was impressed with the quality of the golf course back then. But given the difficulty of the last three holes under normal PGA Tour conditions and the overall quality of the course, could the course actually be underrated? Why isn't it considered for US Opens and more PGA Championships?

"vastly"?

Quail Hollow held a tour event for about 10 years in the past (80s I think) then Fazio came in to bring up to current standards to host again and so they could bid on the PGA Championship. If they are in the PGA rotation they won’t host a US Open.

Correct and the Presidents Cup going there next year.

I like it and enjoyed watching Rory and Jason Day's victories.

I think it's a great spectator course but the modern guys overoower it now. Hole 16 is not meant to be driver and SW. Those guys were blowing down there 375 plus on a 515 yard hole.

Very much like what the pros do to what is now 18 at Congressional. When it was the 17th hole in the 1997 US Open players hit driver and 3 iron or even FW. Now it's a 3 wood and flip wedge even though it plays about 30 yards longer.

Basically some of the old classic courses don't hold up to todays tour guys.

And trust me, I'm not one in the roll back the ball or equipment camp.

I'm just saying it isn't likely to see a US Open for that reason and as golf and fishing said. Once the PGA plays there the USGA will snub it's nose at it

Its because it has som spectacular qualities that it isnt considered fot US Opens. An US Open is preferrably played on an endless row of Augusta National 14ths. Long par fours Were noone make birdie or double bogey. Like Pinehurst.

Or Pebble Beach

With regard to 16 being over powered, I was thinking about that. I think that if they grew the rough on the right side past the bunker and oak tree and also removed the rough on the left side to bring the lake into play, then that might balance the risk reward aspect off the tee for the longer hitters. But that might be an unnecessary tweak, since not everyone that I saw over the weekend was attempting to go over the bunker. If only the long hitters attempt the carry off the tee, then more power to them if they succeed.

I think "vastly" is fair. I never hear QH mentioned in the same breath as other potential major championship courses. It probably should be though.

It's ranked #7 in NC. Charlotte CC is ranked #4, so Quail Hollow is not even the best course in Charlotte.

Is Pebble Beach the best course on the Monterey Peninsula?

As seen on the WRX EKG, the term "vastly" doesn't sit well with most WRX folks.

The term "vastly" in a post represents the spikes at 2 and 4.

# 2 was late in 2015 when someone claimed Jordan Spieth's game was "vastly" different from other players.

# 4 was the latest in 2020 with the OP's post in this thread.

Just an FYI on the mini-spikes:

# 1 was when Bubba Watson won his second Masters in 2014. Someone posted stating, that his wife was not as feminine and he thought she should be. It caused a little stir and then settled.

# 3 was the pomp and circumstance encompassing the "Bruce Koepka Era"

# 5 was the thread recently about Tiger's running habits

Mabye not, but I was pointing out that as good as Quail is, it's not even the best course in Charlotte. So, mabye it's overrated rather than underrated.

Who is doing the rating? Serious question.

I would put it in the "vastly" overrated category. Left wanting: The 18th at Quail Hollow Club - The Fried Egg

I only have the perspective of a TV viewer but from that point of view, it’s not one that excites me overly. It looks fine and I would be quite happy to get a round out there but it’s not one that would be near the top of my list.

and tbh, there's nothing really all that exciting about a quail ... decent eating, yes, but so is chicken ...

There is no eating on this Quail anyway, it has already been hollowed out.

Top100courses.com

This seems a bit dubious: http://www.top100courses.com/index.php. Also it only lets me select Florida. When I select "All US" from the dropdown I get nothing.

Charlotte CC is a better golf course that Quail, but they are two very different golf courses. Charlotte is a classic Donald Ross, which has hosted multiple USGA events, while Quail is definitely the more modern, PGA style course. Charlotte has Quail beat from practice facility to course conditioning to greens. Quail is slightly longer (though CCC only has two par 5's), staff will bring you mixed drinks on the golf course, and no tee times.

Good suggestion on he rough,or even put another tree in near there.

But like you said, it is definitely a risk reward, and only the longest of hitters seemed to be taking that route. It was funny watching Jim Nantz talk to Jason Day about Aaron Wise's drive on that hole, and Day just smiled like well Mine was pretty good as well..ha

But I agree, I hate to see any changes done as a result of the top 1 to 5 percent of players.

I googled top courses in NC

It might not quite measure up to Quail, but Carolina Golf Club is pretty darn good, too.

This is a case where the academic analysis does not jibe with reality.

The hole very well may be strategically uninteresting. I'll let the golf course architects debate that one. However it has shown to be a difficult test for the best golfers in the world for many years now and continues to produce dramatic golf for the viewers. Who you going to believe, the Fried Egg or your lying eyes?

Thanks. I was only asking because I always wonder when that stuff gets entioned who is doing the reviewing. On the top 100 site caniac6 mentioned, Quail Hollow was ranked 7th based on a single user review from what I can see. Not that I think it should be top ranked - I've never played it or any other NC course. I'm just looking to try and find out if any objective criteria are used. And while I'm sure QH is a fine course there's a lot more than that that goes into selecting tour venues.

My eyes which agree with Andy. Setting up a hole so the smart play is to bail at the bunker/rough is not good design. It’s not difficult to design a 500 yard par 4. That hole isn’t good. Similar themes with the rest of the course.

North Carolina - Best In State Golf Courses

this is the one he's talking about ...

Not sure if its underrated but I didn't particularly enjoy it as a major championship venue but I can't put my finger on why that was the case. The tournament there has generally been very good especially the 2008 and 2010 versions, two of my favourite wins/stories.

When the hole starts producing ho-hum golf on Sunday, I'll agree with you.

I agree with this. I think that courses that try to emulate the Augusta look generally will automatically be thought of as not elite because they aren't Augusta. They copy the look. Muirfield Village is one of the few that still gets held in elite regard but others are simply viewed as copies that aren't up to the real thing. That's not to say it isn't a great course, maybe it is, but on TV it shows as another pristinely manicured course with artificial lakes and ponds, similar to other modern-style Tour courses.