U.S. Women's Open: Four important holes at Lancaster Country Club
Lancaster Country Club
The U.S. Women's Open starts on May 30 at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a shotmakers golf course.
William Flynn’s design utilizes rolling hills, extreme ridges, and large valleys to challenge players. Uneven lies and steeply sloped greens with false fronts will put a premium on keeping the ball in the fairway and controlling spin into the greens.
The Conestoga River runs through the course and comes into play on the par-5 seventh, where a good tee shot is paramount. Hole 3 plays over the river from a high point down into a valley, delivering players to an interesting part of the property where accuracy is paramount, particularly on the par-4 fourth with a small target area and raised, narrow green.
A lot of the course has a cadence where players hit down from a high point and play back up to greens with severe back-to-front slopes. The shots can be uncomfortable as players can’t always see the putting surface from the fairway and some flags can even hide.
As with most major championship venues, the test is going to be relentless. There are some holes that could decide who wins the U.S. Women’s Open.
Here are three holes that could prove pivotal this week at Lancaster CC.
8th hole
Par 3 - 199 yards
The par 3s at Lancaster CC are very strong. Three of them come in the span of seven holes in the middle of the round. The 8th, the second par 3 on the front nine after the 6th hole, plays slightly uphill to a green that has some aspects of a reverse redan, as a long deep bunker protects the right side; players can feed the ball in from the left through an opening at the front of the green. Uphill par 3s not common, and this tee box is tucked in an area where players might not feel the wind, but it could effect the shot once it’s out in the open space heading toward the green.
12th hole
Par 3 - 181 yards
This tricky drop shot hole has a small green protected by a meandering stream could set the stage for an exciting finish. Wind could play a huge factor as the tee box is at one of the few high points on the property. Five bunkers sit behind the green and everything runs from the back of the green towards that stream. Managing spin and distance are the questions this hole asks. Late on Sunday, it’s certainly a hole that could see some drama heading into the final stretch of the tournament.
16th hole
Par 4 - 348 yards
We might see some long discussions on this tee box during the week as players and caddies mull over the risk and reward of hitting driver and pushing the ball down the fairway and close to the green. Bunkers protect this short par 4 that Michelle Wie drove in 2015. The USGA will probably play around with the tee box here to create some fireworks. If a player does hit driver, the bunkers and long rough could bring a big number into play. The safe play leaves a wedge into a narrow green.
18th hole
Par 4 - 437 yards
A par here is well-earned. The 18th is the second longest par 4 on the course, the 10th is the only one longer at 444 yards. The landing area off the tee is protected by a large bunker on the right, and the ball is not going to roll as the fairway slopes upwards towards the green. The second shot will be a long/mid-iron to a rather big green. Long of the green is nearly a guaranteed bogey and balls could tumble off the green’s false front. If a player comes to 18 with a one shot lead, it will not be a coronation walk to the trophy.
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ABOUT THE
U.S. Women's Open
The U.S. Women's Open has the biggest payout in women's golf. It is one of 15 annual
championships conducted by the USGA. The
event is open to any professional or amateur female golfer. There is a handicap limit for amateurs; for the 2024 event it was 4.4; please see USGA website for the current limit and entry requirements.
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