One of the big topics of conversation this week at the 121st U.S. Open are the greens at Torrey Pines.
Like many greens on the west coast, they are Poa Annua grass. For players who grew up on Poa, it’s no big deal but for the rest it takes some getting used to.
So for today’s lesson, we’re bringing in Eric Lohman, a member of the PGA Of America and general manager of the Monarch Beach Golf Links outside San Juan Capistrano in Southern California.
You may not live on the west coast, but in case you take a vacation or find yourself invited to play on a course with Poa greens, this tip’s for you.
It will also help you understand what the field needs to know this week on the South Course at Torrey Pines.
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
I grew up on poa but now do most of my golf on bermuda or paspalum.
The flowering effect of poa is totally overrated in my opinion. The bigger issue with Poa is from needing plenty of water which creates visible shoe prints.
The key imo to putting poa is acceptance. Just like any shot in golf; sometimes good shots are not rewarded and bad shots are. Taking the good with the bad and not letting missed putts reside in the head are key.
On poa players make their share if they have short memories —think DJs success on poa despite being a southwest guy — and simply Keep reading greens well and keep hitting good putts. It’s that simple.
Bermuda Grain has its own judgment issues which test patience. That’s golf imo. If a player expects courses to be fair all the time, they really don’t get golf.
That being said I’m not sure why big tournament don’t refresh greens between the morning and afternoon waves. A quick cut and/or roll would solve a lot of issues with poa.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, appreciate your observations and experience on this…….give me bent anytime, haven’t putted on it in years but last time I did, I believe I shot 76 up in Cleveland and had just 25 putts!!
baxter cepeda
…issue with Bent is too many courses around the country especially in the south force it only to end up with a bunch of dead patches.
Torrey north has Bent greens…having hung out by the two side by side putting greens there quite a bit-one bent and one poa- they seem equally bumpy or equally not that bumpy imo… bent can be a bit soft and fragil.
Imo They are all good. They all have challenges. At its best bent is arguably the best; but like I said I’ve seen some bent disasters.
Tom Edrington
Bent doesn’t do well in hot weather although I understand there are some new hybrids that do;