Actual distance of LPGA courses

[Exactice808]

Played Ko'Olina, 2 weeks after the Lotte, so it was some what in LPGA condition. Walked the course prior when the Ladies were playing, Many holes the women played, were from the normal white tees, and a couple pushed back holes but generally speaking. white tees.

 

I have the score card in front of my face right now and the white tees measure 6432, So I would guess that is about right at sea level, 6500ish.

 

I know when I played that day, the tee boxes did not have much further back locations so playing from the blue is only measured @ 6815. Which many of the holes that final round, at least, where not being played from the blues.

 

The final round day, Lexi was one of the longest hitters I saw on the 9th tee specifically, and that is 409. She was about 130ish out, so she had to hit a 279ish drive, that is a monster, at sea level, I know when I played that day I was about 170 out, much windier that day though in comparison to the Lotte day.

 

 

Any ways, realistically speaking at sea level things are relative, I would say the average LPG swingspeed is right at the numbers noted all over Mr Google 95-100mph, and PGA tour average is close as well 115-120 at Sea level that is.

[ThinkingPlus]

Given that the women's ratings are 5 to 6 strokes more than the men from the same tees, doesn't that pretty much mean that the women are +6 to +8?

 

Charlie Hull shot four rounds at the CME averaging 67 at a length that would likely rated at 76 to 78 for the women. Heck, even if they moved the tees up every day for a total length of 6200 yards the course would still be rated at roughly 75.0.

 

Yes, against the women's rating. Generally the same is true for PGA players vs. the men's ratings.

 

Q: How many legs would a dog have if you called its tail a leg?

A: Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

 

Why would we use any other rating? 'Just because the LPGA players hit the ball longer than an average male amateur doesn't change the fact that they are women, and their handicaps would be based on the women's rating from the tees played. If anything, it really shows how good they are. A scratch woman player would be out there shooting in the high 70's, and they're tearing it up with sub 70 rounds. They really are awesome to watch.

 

Just adding clarity. There seems to be quite a bit of confusion in this thread. Just trying to make sure everyone understands exactly what ratings we are talking about.

Clarity??? The op's question and this thread was supposed to be, how long are the courses on the LPGA tour.... Somehow, every thread about this turns into a comparison between the men and the women and a bunch of mumbo jumbo about course rating for men and women.......Why do some have to get so defensive?

 

I don't think I am being defensive. I am just stating facts. Mathematics and statistics for the most part. I will let others comment on the mumbo jumbo in this thread. I am not an expert in that area.

[dhc1]

This week is at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas.

 

On the LPGA website, it's a par 73(!) at 6625 yard. When comparing it to the scorecard, it appears that it's equivalent to the Gold Tees which are rated 72.9/137 for men. They've apparently reversed the 9s and have made the 18th hole (9th on the scorecard) a par 5 even though the distance is only 382 yards from the gold tees. Perhaps they're teeing off from the blacks at 433 yards and calling it a par 5.

 

Anyone going to be there and can see if they're teeing off from the golds on each hole or if there's any dramatic changes?

[hdr_ric]

This week is at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas.

 

On the LPGA website, it's a par 73(!) at 6625 yard. When comparing it to the scorecard, it appears that it's equivalent to the Gold Tees which are rated 72.9/137 for men. They've apparently reversed the 9s and have made the 18th hole (9th on the scorecard) a par 5 even though the distance is only 382 yards from the gold tees. Perhaps they're teeing off from the blacks at 433 yards and calling it a par 5.

 

Anyone going to be there and can see if they're teeing off from the golds on each hole or if there's any dramatic changes?

 

From memory (from TV), they play that hole from the ~430 yard tee and it often plays into the wind. Their longer hitters usually go in with ~5 irons on second shot. I haven't checked the card, but I think this is the tournament where they play about a 225 yard par 4 also, right? Bunch of them (most??) go for it off the tee.

[Shilgy]

This week is at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas.

 

On the LPGA website, it's a par 73(!) at 6625 yard. When comparing it to the scorecard, it appears that it's equivalent to the Gold Tees which are rated 72.9/137 for men. They've apparently reversed the 9s and have made the 18th hole (9th on the scorecard) a par 5 even though the distance is only 382 yards from the gold tees. Perhaps they're teeing off from the blacks at 433 yards and calling it a par 5.

 

Anyone going to be there and can see if they're teeing off from the golds on each hole or if there's any dramatic changes?

 

From memory (from TV), they play that hole from the ~430 yard tee and it often plays into the wind. Their longer hitters usually go in with ~5 irons on second shot. I haven't checked the card, but I think this is the tournament where they play about a 225 yard par 4 also, right? Bunch of them (most??) go for it off the tee.

225 for the women depending on the hole would be very similar to 17 at Phoenix.

[Texsport]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

[dhc1]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

 

Respectfully, Texsport, this isn't about LPGA vs. PGA but rather what is the corresponding slope/rating that the ladies play on as if they were male amateurs. Therefore, the benchmark is how the course plays on a every day basis - my guess is that resort courses like the Ocean Club are not as difficult in every day play as they are set up for the LPGA, although nowhere near the level they would trick it up for the PGA.

[dhc1]

This week is at the Ocean Club in the Bahamas.

 

On the LPGA website, it's a par 73(!) at 6625 yard. When comparing it to the scorecard, it appears that it's equivalent to the Gold Tees which are rated 72.9/137 for men. They've apparently reversed the 9s and have made the 18th hole (9th on the scorecard) a par 5 even though the distance is only 382 yards from the gold tees. Perhaps they're teeing off from the blacks at 433 yards and calling it a par 5.

 

Anyone going to be there and can see if they're teeing off from the golds on each hole or if there's any dramatic changes?

 

From memory (from TV), they play that hole from the ~430 yard tee and it often plays into the wind. Their longer hitters usually go in with ~5 irons on second shot. I haven't checked the card, but I think this is the tournament where they play about a 225 yard par 4 also, right? Bunch of them (most??) go for it off the tee.

225 for the women depending on the hole would be very similar to 17 at Phoenix.

 

The shortest par 4 is listed at 298 yards so that would be a significant drop in yardage if it's played at 225. Perhaps offset by the increase in switching from a par 4 to a par 5.

[Argonne69]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

 

Respectfully, Texsport, this isn't about LPGA vs. PGA but rather what is the corresponding slope/rating that the ladies play on (as if they were male). Therefore, the benchmark is how the course plays on a every day basis - my guess is that resort courses like the Ocean Club are not as difficult in every day play as they are set up for the LPGA, although nowhere near the level they would trick it up for the PGA.

 

I also believe Texsport is over generalizing. I've watched enough coverage to see some pretty firm greens. At times, the players have to land the ball in the fairway to keep the ball on the green.

 

That said, I'm fairly certain they are generally softer than the PGA. 'No surprise there. Both tours are in the entertainment business. A few times a year they firm up the courses and let the players struggle. However, most of the time it's a birdie fest on both tours.

[Shilgy]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

Everyone on wrx seems to post that the PGA tour boys get 40-50 yards of roll. So the LPGA is softer? :) Some of you really need to get out here to the Phoenix event if you think the course is set up easy. Greens are hard and fast, yes the fairways ideally play fast as every tour on earth tries to get set up. Clearly you really have not watched Ko dissect a course.

[deadsolid...shank]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

Everyone on wrx seems to post that the PGA tour boys get 40-50 yards of roll. So the LPGA is softer? :) Some of you really need to get out here to the Phoenix event if you think the course is set up easy. Greens are hard and fast, yes the fairways ideally play fast as every tour on earth tries to get set up. Clearly you really have not watched Ko dissect a course.

 

I think Tex just said the fairways are hard and fast (like the PGA), but the greens are usually not firm. I watch every LPGA event on TV, I think that's a fair assessment.

 

On a side note. Whoever is doing the LPGA ad campaign is off to a really good start. The two commercials they just showed during PGA show coverage were really good. "We're not kids anymore, we're approaching 20". Awesome!

[Shilgy]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

Everyone on wrx seems to post that the PGA tour boys get 40-50 yards of roll. So the LPGA is softer? :) Some of you really need to get out here to the Phoenix event if you think the course is set up easy. Greens are hard and fast, yes the fairways ideally play fast as every tour on earth tries to get set up. Clearly you really have not watched Ko dissect a course.

 

I think Tex just said the fairways are hard and fast (like the PGA), but the greens are usually not firm. I watch every LPGA event on TV, I think that's a fair assessment.

 

On a side note. Whoever is doing the LPGA ad campaign is off to a really good start. The two commercials they just showed during PGA show coverage were really good. "We're not kids anymore, we're approaching 20". Awesome!

What I read from Tex was... The ONLY way #1 can win with 220 carry is with 30 yards of roll AND therefore the greens must be soft. Funny because there are only a few players that average 20 yards or more off the tee then Ko. But soft greens are what gives her a chance. And yet on the PGA tour everyone seems to think Tiger would compete better if he would dial it back off the tee. Are their greens soft to suit that as well? :)

[Argonne69]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

[Shilgy]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

[deadsolid...shank]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

I believe they are tremendous players. And other than the majors and big tournaments I would rather watch them than the men.

 

But if you're watching today and looking at the pin placements it does lend some credence to the course setup questions.

[Argonne69]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

 

Keep in mind that Lydia's average driving distance dropped 5 yards over the past 2 years. Thanks DL. Hopefully she can reverse course this season.

 

Of the 15 players 20+ yards longer than Lydia, only 2 are in the Rolex Top 10, Lexi and Sei Young. In my opinion, driving distance is the least important stat. To be a top player, one has to simply be long enough.

[Argonne69]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

I believe they are tremendous players. And other than the majors and big tournaments I would rather watch them than the men.

 

But if you're watching today and looking at the pin placements it does lend some credence to the course setup questions.

 

Did you watch the PGA CareerBuilder Challenge last week? The Sony Open?

 

The Pure Silk typically plays in very windy conditions, so I'm not surprised that the pin positions are fairly accessible.

[deadsolid...shank]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

I believe they are tremendous players. And other than the majors and big tournaments I would rather watch them than the men.

 

But if you're watching today and looking at the pin placements it does lend some credence to the course setup questions.

 

Did you watch the PGA CareerBuilder Challenge last week? The Sony Open?

 

The Pure Silk typically plays in very windy conditions, so I'm not surprised that the pin positions are fairly accessible.

 

True.

 

But are really going to argue that those early tournaments are not the outliers for the PGA in regards to course setup.

 

But I've never been comparing the tour tours.

[tdk8180]

I played with one LPGA tour pro a long time ago at my club. 6500 yards, pin placements were moderate. She made great contact but had very little power or speed in her swing. Her swing looked like it hurt. Her chipping was fine from the shorter grass, but in the long grass she had no ability. She could putt amazingly well and it saved her on about 12 holes. She made her money putting. Getting to the green was the challenge. She shot even par.

[Argonne69]

I played with one LPGA tour pro a long time ago at my club. 6500 yards, pin placements were moderate. She made great contact but had very little power or speed in her swing. Her swing looked like it hurt. Her chipping was fine from the shorter grass, but in the long grass she had no ability. She could putt amazingly well and it saved her on about 12 holes. She made her money putting. Getting to the green was the challenge. She shot even par.

 

Other than a handful of the really long players, most LPGA players dial it back, and manager their way around the course. Their drives look like they're swinging a wedge, but with solid contact, they get the ball out there. The median driving distance is 250 yards, which is greater than the average male amateur.

 

Thick rough is generally going to create issues, so the key is to hit a ton of fairways. As has been discussed, Lydia gives up 20+ yards to the longest hitters, but manages to 70% of the greens. Heck, Mo Martin averages 71.7% GIRs, but only averages 237 off the tee.

[Shilgy]

^^ You could make a case that for the women the best way to play for most of them is what was considered to be the best for the men 50 years ago. Everyone marvels at Hogan hitting every green and fairway and what a machine he was(which of course he did not but that's another story). You do not hit that many greens and fairways if you are trying to bomb it off the tee and pin seeking on every hole no matter how tucked the pin. Boring plodding golf works on the LPGA if you have the patience to play that way. On the PGA that method still works at some sites and the majors but most weeks with everyone else attacking pins enough players will be hot that week that that method is not always advantageous.

[dhc1]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

I believe they are tremendous players. And other than the majors and big tournaments I would rather watch them than the men.

 

But if you're watching today and looking at the pin placements it does lend some credence to the course setup questions.

 

Any thoughts on the tee boxes that are being used? Does it match what the holes are stated as?

[Exactice808]

I think 2 part conversation has been brought up, Raw distance and actual course conditions.

 

I am very fortunate to live on an island where I can drive to one PGA tour event course , play on the course and then driver 45 minutes in the opposite direction and play on a LPGA tour even location and play there and from there drive 15 minutes to play on a Champions tour location.

 

Oahu having the awkward wind conditions would be a factor of "course" setup rather than raw distance.

 

Ill say this, I have Played, Waialae, KoOlina & Kapolei, all prior and after there respective events. Each course from the White Tees play about the same 6500ish yards and assuming so, PGA, will play from the Tips @ Waialae pushing it to about 7000 yards, LPGA playing from the Whites, touching the 6500ish and the Champions playing from the blues at about 6800 yards.

 

Again raw distance is equatable. I dont think there is no reason not to accept this fact, that generally speaking the tee box and average raw distance is consistent with each tour.

 

 

With that we talk about actual course setup. This is a whole other animal, that I dont think is really dependent on the tour per say rather, its based on the location's conditions.

 

A great example is this past Sony, (and 2016 Lotte), There was NO wind, that is usually present this time of year, the course was defenseless, with that much tougher pin locations than normal and the greens had to be managed well. 2 years ago people were complaining about how the stimp was 13 and it was ridiculous for players to putt, now it was rolling around 11-12. No wind.... yeah JT shooting 27 under.... ate the course up. If you dont think wind, Think Kapalua 3 years ago and this past Mitsubishi championship cancelled early.....The wind is crazy random.

 

 

Now go back to Lotte, where again I had the chance to play the course 2 weeks after the event.

 

1) Its a resort course, in comparison to the other 2 courses that are private/semi private, That being said, the course is well manicured on a consistent basis due to the resort course play.

2) It is an easily accessible course, to the public to include all the facilities, that being said, the abuse the course would generally take would not indicate it being a "soft" easy to get around course as if this was true, the fairways would get eaten up as well as the greens

 

Having played the week before on the course the only difference I saw, was the rough was grown out much much much longer than normal. Basically saying on a normal course day, the first and secondary rough, there really is no telling the difference. 1 week before the event, there was about 3 inches in difference from the primary and secondary cut.

 

the fairways are generally baked being in Hawaii, so when its dry its dry, if it rains then its wet, its not like playing in the desert you can have 2 difference conditions in 2 separate days. This finally applies to the greens, generally speaking it rolls around and 11 from when I remembered, but on normal cut days it runs about 8 like many local courses. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

So from my limited experience on this island, these are the hands that are dealt to us. I dont think they setup the course easier for the ladies, I think they play in similar conditions that any other Tours play in, the only difference really is, is Raw Distance and the conditions that present the week of the round....

[deadsolid...shank]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

I believe they are tremendous players. And other than the majors and big tournaments I would rather watch them than the men.

 

But if you're watching today and looking at the pin placements it does lend some credence to the course setup questions.

 

Any thoughts on the tee boxes that are being used? Does it match what the holes are stated as?

 

I can't tell. It took me a while to figure out they reversed the nines. And then what I've noticed in the past is when they show an overhead view of the tee boxes. Normally on a par three. I haven't seen one of those views this time to be able to tell which box they're on.

[ThinkingPlus]

In 2016, there were 15 players (out of 158) who averaged 20 yards or more than Lydia's 246.7 yard average.

You are correct. Five or six of them are top tier players. Imo Ko has some sneaky length. She AVERAGES 246. Too often we think of that as us ams do and think that is her max distance. Many of the players above her may be better suited to dial it back a bit as well. She is the female Zach or Furyk with even more consistency compared to her peers.

I guess on this subject I read many posters like the discussion I related earlier with a golf buddy. Even after admitting his good hits average about 250 he declared no women was longer than him. Even when shown LPGA stats. Send like many on here think the only way women can shoot the scores they do is having the course tricked up in reverse, making it easier to play and score on. Richard discussed playing with Pettersen and Wie at 7k yards but no one seems to believe it.

 

Even I have a round near par (73) playing a course over 7k. Granted that was at 5000 feet, but I am a hack compared to the worst LPGA player.

[Tasals]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

Everyone on wrx seems to post that the PGA tour boys get 40-50 yards of roll. So the LPGA is softer? :) Some of you really need to get out here to the Phoenix event if you think the course is set up easy. Greens are hard and fast, yes the fairways ideally play fast as every tour on earth tries to get set up. Clearly you really have not watched Ko dissect a course.

 

I think Tex just said the fairways are hard and fast (like the PGA), but the greens are usually not firm. I watch every LPGA event on TV, I think that's a fair assessment.

 

On a side note. Whoever is doing the LPGA ad campaign is off to a really good start. The two commercials they just showed during PGA show coverage were really good. "We're not kids anymore, we're approaching 20". Awesome!

What I read from Tex was... The ONLY way #1 can win with 220 carry is with 30 yards of roll AND therefore the greens must be soft. Funny because there are only a few players that average 20 yards or more off the tee then Ko. But soft greens are what gives her a chance. And yet on the PGA tour everyone seems to think Tiger would compete better if he would dial it back off the tee. Are their greens soft to suit that as well? :)

 

I mean the LPGA has the vast majority hitting longer clubs into greens than the PGA tour on equivalently set up holes. Height, spin, steeper angle of descent all would favor the men on firmer greens. With Tiger its not about green firmness to let him compete, its dialing it back 20 yards and having the opportunity for GIR, instead of having a ball 40 yards left or right in some trees.

 

Its rare to see someone on the PGA tour hitting hybrids and woods into par 4 greens after a drive and winning. The greens would just punish that player. When the 12 year old Chinese girl qualified for the W-USOpen at Pinehurst she was hitting far more club into every green and was being absolutely punished there, she couldn't get anything to stop.

[Argonne69]

14 year old Guan Tianlang seemed to hold his own at the 2013 Masters.

 

[North Texas]

This discussion is completely relying on raw distances.

 

Conditions change everything - LPGA Tour courses are set up with hard and fast fairways for maximum roll(with minimum fairway bunkers) + soft greens to stop their lower spinning shots.

 

This is the only way that the #1 LPGA player can dominate with her short game - 220 yd carry + 30 yes of roll = soft greens.

 

Apples to Oranges - PGA vs LPGA.

 

Texsport

 

And the biggest reason that it's apples to oranges is that the LPGA plays a longer course comparatively to the PGA.

[dhc1]

While watching last night, i went through the hole distances vs. what's listed vs. scorecard. At first blush, it looks like the course is playing a bit shorter than the stated distances but not over 200 yards shorter (i'm still trying to get my head around the impact of the move on Hole 18 to a par 5 by playing from the tips)

 

Looks like the 80th player is shooting the CR.

 

As an aside, Michelle Wie was wearing the worst outfit I've even on a golf course.

 

I'd also note that they only announce what club and distance a player is using if it's one of the longest hitters. Clearly, the Golf Channel has been instructed to obfuscate the distances of the average player. Too bad they don't have shotlink but i'm sure the demand isn't there.

[North Texas]

While watching last night, i went through the hole distances vs. what's listed vs. scorecard. At first blush, it looks like the course is playing a bit shorter than the stated distances but not over 200 yards shorter (i'm still trying to get my head around the impact of the move on Hole 18 to a par 5 by playing from the tips)

 

Looks like the 80th player is shooting the CR.

 

As an aside, Michelle Wie was wearing the worst outfit I've even on a golf course.

 

I'd also note that they only announce what club and distance a player is using if it's one of the longest hitters. Clearly, the Golf Channel has been instructed to obfuscate the distances of the average player. Too bad they don't have shotlink but i'm sure the demand isn't there.

 

I think the same guy that dressed Michelle yesterday also dressed Jason Day yesterday.