The Black goes from nasty to nice (well, nicer)

Bethpage Black was one tough son of a gun during the 2002 U.S. Open, and changes have been made this time around. T.J. Auclair details four specific areas in which the Black is kinder and gentler.

By T.J. Auclair, PGA.com Interactive Producer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- It’s been seven years since Bethpage Black last hosted the U.S. Open. Since then, some changes have been made. Here’s a look at four aspects of the course that were nasty in 2002, but could be nice in 2009:

1. THE 10TH HOLE
Nasty in 2002: Players have a tendency to get fussier than a toddler at a U.S. Open moreso than at any other major championship. The reason, which is usually warranted, is the brutal setup. When the U.S. Open was last played at Bethpage Black, some players had difficulty reaching the fairway off the tee at the par-4 10th hole.

Imagine how demoralizing that could be for a pro golfer. While not happy, they don’t mind having to play from the rough on a wayward tee shot, but when you pipe one down the center stripe and fail to even reach the short grass, there’s an issue.

Nasty weather made matters worse in 2002, when no less than three-time major champion Nick Price was one of those who failed to reach the fairway off the tee in the second round.

Why it’s nice in 2009: The USGA took note of the complaints and made a change this year. That hole will still be a beast -- one of three par-4 holes at Bethpage Black over 500 yards -- but at least every player in the field will be able to reach the fairway off the tee with relative ease since it’s been brought up about 35 yards.

2. THE ROUGH
Nasty in 2002: The fairways were incredibly tight in 2002. The rough was sadistic. There was pretty much no margin for error. It’s one thing to be tested; it’s another to be made to look like a fool.

Why it’s nice in 2009: The fairways have been widened. Sure, it’s still tight at a mere 29 yards wide, but the rough is as fair as it’s going to be at a U.S. Open.

For the fourth consecutive year, the USGA will be using its graduated rough system, which is set up, it says, so that, “the penalty fits the crime.”

On either side of the fairway is a 6-foot wide swath of intermediate rough that will be kept at 1 ¾ inches. Then there will be a 20-foot-wide first cut of primary rough that will be between 2 ½-3 inches, followed by the killer -- a second cut of primary rough that will run 4-6 inches.

As the USGA press kit says, “The further off-line a drive is, the tougher the recovery shot will be.”

“It's a very strong kind of grass,” Sergio Garcia, who finished fourth in 2002, said of the rough. “And at the same time, like I said before, it's very wet. So because of all the rain, you know, it gets very heavy. And even though the rough is not that thick, as you just miss the fairway, it's still tricky to advance it as far as you need to advance it to get to some of these greens. A lot of these par 4s you're in the range of 180 to 200, 220 yards. Even from not a lot of rough, it's not easy to get it to the greens. You can get it around, though.”

3. THE SPEED OF THE GREENS
Nasty in 2002: Few things upset a top player more at a U.S. Open than inconsistent greens. As if getting to the green wasn’t difficult enough, imagine how maddening it was in 2002 when the pace of the greens picked up considerably as the week wore on. Suddenly the caddie-note-taking from Thursday was pretty much thrown out the window on Friday.

Why it’s nice in 2009: Mike Davis, Senior Director of Rules and Competitions for the USGA, has said that the greens at Bethpage Black will run at the same speed -- between 13 ½ -14 ½ on the Stimpmeter -- from the practice rounds right on through the conclusion of play. The greens will be lightning-quick to be sure, but the puzzle won’t be as complex for players this time. They’ll know what to expect speed-wise, so all they’ll have to worry about is picking the right line.

4. THE LENGTH
Nasty in 2002: Seven years ago, Bethpage Black played as the longest course in U.S. Open history at a then-eye-popping 7,214 yards. Since 2002, the Torrey Pines South Course in 2008 (7,643 yards); Winged Foot in 2006 (7,264); and Oakmont in 2007 (7,230) have all played longer.

Why it’s nice in 2009: Hey, at least it won’t be the longest course in U.S. Open history this time around -- instead it will be the second longest. When players look at the scorecard, they’ll see that Bethpage Black is playing at 7,426 yards this week -- 212 yards longer than in ’02, but 217 yards shorter than last year at Torrey Pines.

Small victory? Sure, but you’ve got to take what you can get at a U.S. Open.

While it won’t hold the honor of longest course in U.S. Open history this year, Bethpage Black will boast three of the longest par-4 holes in the event’s history. The 525-yard seventh, which is 10 yards longer than the sixth at Torrey Pines, will be the longest in tournament history. The 508-yard 10th and 504-yard 12th will also be among the top 5 longest par 4s. Three par-4 holes measuring more than 500 yards each is a first for the U.S. Open.

“It's not just the length around here; it's the way they can set this up,” said the world’s No. 3-ranked player, Paul Casey (and it should be noted that the Englishman is one of the longer hitters). “They have options with the tees. And obviously brutal rough if you hit it far enough off line. But it's a combination. I think this is an exceptional golf course. And I would consider living in New York if I could play this at $45.”