Southern Hills brings the PGA Tour to a bygone era of golf. Small green complexes, false fronts, deep bunkers, and a litany of other factors are going to force players to think through this course from shot to shot.

Winning a major is never easy. Even when scoring conditions are favorable, there are plenty of outside factors that every professional is going to have to manage. Nothing is more of a focal point than the pressure to perform shot after shot. Southern Hills is intended to create that force that demands a perfect game from the tee to the dance floor.

First thing I notice for this course is that the length of it seems that bombers would fare well here. Yet, a detailed look of the scorecard indicates that much of the length is amassed on three par-3’s that measure over 220 yards, and the massive length on two of the par-5’s measure over 630 yards. In truth, only three of the par-4’s measure over 450 yards, while the rest average roughly 408 yards. On paper this does not seem like a daunting task by any means for any professional Tour player, but there are plenty of factors that are going to make this course difficult.

One key architectural design of this track is the use of the topography and natural undulation of the approach area and the greens complexes themselves. You’re going to hear a lot of comparisons this week to Augusta, and it isn’t going to be because of all the Azalea’s in bloom. 

Like Augusta, the greens are going to be littered with undulation similar to what the players see at the Masters. Now unlike Augusta, course history is absent. Even using the 2007 version of this course would be mistake. Eliminating the greens books is only going to provide elite combos of player and caddie to navigate this course.

I’ll mention this in the nuggets and tidbits but be aware that some of these players could venture for new caddies this weekend. This is a practice that is commonly done at Augusta National, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of your favorite players swap out their bagman for someone who has experience on this course. For the players who really feel like they need an edge this weekend, look no further than caddy swaps for a major championship.

One of the most intimidating features of Southern Hills is the opening hole. Plenty of players are going to see par or bogey on the first. The elevated green, tight fairway, and the fact that the green complex lies right in the heart of the course. This is going to bring noise to the venue. An absolute momentum changer for anyone teeing off or further in their round is going to feel the energy that this year’s crowd brings to the Major.

Bermuda lined fairways, rough and greens are going to come into play. Plenty have experience on the surface, but some players in the field excel on it. The factor that many are not going to consider is the concept of how thick Bermuda grass gets. While the length of the grass will not play a factor like you would see at an Open Championships thick fescue, it will create decision making issues for golfers trying to stick greens. I think for that reason fairway accuracy is going to be very important at this course. This is Tulsa, OK. While the weather isn’t scorching this time of year, the area allows these greens to dry out and run pure. Hitting from the rough is going to massively limit your chances from hitting your landing spots.

In addition, around the green game is going to be affected as players will have to tread cautiously on a scramble where they miss the approach. When you do the math, this is going to happen a lot. These greens complexes are small. Add all this wind that we are going to see, and players are going to be fighting for par on every hole. Remember how we were getting blasted with the PGA Championship no longer wanting to be the “easy” major? The same principle is going to apply here at Southern Hills. This course is going to reward strong play and intelligent course management.

This course was a “put the driver” away course. Listening to Andy Lack’s course preview, his play in the fall made connections to two key ideas. The first being that driver is in play, and that this course does favor players who hit the draw. The only disagreement I had with his evaluation is how this course favors draws. Looking at the hole breakdowns, the par-3’s are going to be dependent on pin location as they are straight on, and then the course has 8 holes that dogleg or slightly deviate to the left, while 6 holes do the opposite. Another factor is understanding how the wind will affect each hole as well. Now, a quick caveat. Lack played this course in the fall and does have on-course evaluation of his play there. (He’s one hell of a player by the way) So, if you’re going to consider this a trend you would like to follow, I would trust it.

A common theme I am already seeing on Twitter is that this course is bomb it and gauge it. The length would appear that this is an idea scenario, but this is a narrative that lacks research and knowledge of this course. Yes, the fairways have been made wider to accommodate the drive off the tee, but there are plenty of different ways to attack this course as a whole, versus looking at 2 massively long par-5’s and simply assume you need to be long here. As I’ve researched, my favorite aspect of this course is that it is going to challenge every aspect of your game, but the best part is that it is going to make you be creative in your ability to navigate a player’s course management.

I want to see if players are going to be pulling out the driver on some of the shorter par-4’s. There is an obvious risk reward for several of these holes, and I for one am excited to see the variety this weekend. I do believe that the best players in the world will hit driver, but I am willing to bet that each player will fall upon their strengths in a variety of similar situations. That might mean the driver gets put away on some of these short par-4’s and a mid-iron approach shot is ideal. Whatever the scenario, golf games are going to be challenged, and a player’s ability to successfully navigate the course is going to be somewhat of a mindfuck. It is going to be fun to watch.

I do think there is going to be an advantage for any PGA Pro that went to a Sun Belt school, and an added bonus would be if they actually live in Texas or Oklahoma. To be very clear…Scheffler checks off both. So if you’re looking for someone other than Tiger to be “Tigeresque”…he’s got a chance.

Other players who fit that mold include but are not limited to college and residence are Spieth, Ancer, Gooch, Wolff, Noren, Palmer and Pereira. Hovland has become somewhat of a Twitter darling due to his driving, but it is important to note that according to the PGA Tour he makes his residence in Oklahoma as he attended Oklahoma State-Stillwater.

The final aspect is that if you’re missing approach shots, you’re going to have a potentially short weekend. The greens have plenty of false fronts, and if they play dry, are going to have plenty of these approach shots roll off the greens. Mid to short irons are going to be key, and it is only going to be even more beneficial to attack these greens from the fairway.

These greens are going to run pure. Just like Augusta, players are seeking a landing area to have the easiest line to score. Bentgrass is the most common surface we see on tour. One thing that I don’t believe is getting enough acknowledgement is putting in high wind conditions. The issue is that you’re not going to get reliable data on this, but you should consider the players that played their college golf in wind tunnell areas as well as players that grew up learning the game across the pond. 

PGA Championship is here. Second major of the year. This course is going to only enhance the experience this weekend.

Architect: Perry Maxwell, 2017 redesign Gill Hansen
Greens: Bentgrass Greens
Green Size: 5,277 Sq. Feet (Smaller)
Stimpmeter: 11+ (I could see this even slower if win gusts reach up to 50 mph)
Length: 7,481 – Par 71
Water Hazards: 15 Holes in Play
Bunkers: 78