The Open Championship Preview

The Open Championship Preview

The Course

Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland

Par 71, 7,421 Yards

Golf has been played at Carnoustie since the early 1500s, so it’s naturally one of the more historic tracks on the globe. This will be the 8^th Open Championship at Carnoustie, and previous winners include Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tom Watson. It is also the site of the famous Jean van de Velde meltdown in 1999 (have you heard from him since?).

Carnoustie is known as one of the tougher courses in the Open rotation. “Grip it and rip it” ain’t gonna work here, as penal bunkers are strewn throughout the fairways and OB prowls around the course. The par 4s will be key, as seven of them measure over 450 yards and present extremely difficult tee shots and approaches. The final three holes are the most difficult on the course (awesome!), which could explain why the last three Opens played at Carnoustie have gone to a playoff.

The Field

152 Golfers, Top 70 and Ties Make the Cut

The best players will all be in attendance, but so will some has-beens. Past Open Championship winners are all invited, so we’ll have the likes of David Duval and Sandy Lyle in the field (yes, you can cross them off). There’ll be plenty of PGA Tour players tromping across the pond, but watch out for guys you’ve never heard of from the Euro Tour. They tend be solid, overlooked picks in the Open.

Fast Facts

Five of the past seven Open winners have been 39 years old or older

The last three Opens at Carnoustie have gone to a playoff

Five of the last six Opens have been won by a former major winner (besides Henrik Stenson, 2016)

The last Scottish winner of any major was Paul Lawrie in 1999 at Carnoustie

The last five majors have all been won by players in their 20s, all Americans

The Odds

Dustin Johnson 12-1
Rory McIlroy 16-1
Rickie Fowler 16-1
Justin Rose 16-1
Jordan Spieth 20-1
Justin Thomas 20-1
Tommy Fleetwood 20-1
Brooks Koepka 20-1
Jon Rahm 20-1
Jason Day 25-1
Tiger Woods 25-1
Henrik Stenson 25-1
Sergio Garcia 25-1
Alex Noren 25-1
Francesco Molinari 25-1
Patrick Reed 30-1
Paul Casey 30-1
Marc Leishman 40-1
Hideki Matsuyama 40-1
Branden Grace 40-1
Tyrrell Hatton 40-1
Phil Mickelson 50-1
Ian Poulter 50-1

Prediction

Like any major right now, you could pick 20+ dudes out of a hat and have just as good a chance as anyone. This week, I’m going with my boy Tommy Fleetwood and his long locks. It seems like prime time to break several droughts: first Englishman to win the Open since 1992, first non-American in five tries, a younger Open winner, etc. I’ll be wrong.

Losing DraftKings Million $ Lineup

Tommy Fleetwood

Alex Noren

Rafa Cabrera-Bello

Cameron Smith

Rickie Fowler

Phil Mickelson

 

You’ll have to get up early/stay up late to watch a lot of The Open, as coverage starts on The Golf Channel at 11:30pm MT on Wednesday. Luckily for us, it’s one of the few tournaments they cover almost all the way through. Enjoy, good luck and happy golfing!

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The New World Handicap System

The New World Handicap System

Sandbaggers beware! Whether you live in Rapid City or French Polynesia, a more equitable and global handicapping system is coming to a course near you.

Starting in 2020, golfers around the world will fall under the umbrella of the new World Handicapping System, which aims to welcome more golfers and unify the 60 million or so players around the globe. Here are a few of the key changes:

1. The Entire World Will Use the Same System

There are currently 6 different handicapping systems: USGA, R&A, Golf Australia, European Golf Association (EGA), Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU), South African Golf Association (SAGA) and the Argentine Golf Association (AGA). Obviously, this makes playing a tournament overseas a little challenging. Now, every country will use a uniform system governed by the USGA and R&A. You can go to Timbuktu and play heads up with a Timbuktian.

2. You’ll Need Less Holes to Establish a Handicap

You currently need 90 holes (five 18-hole rounds) to establish a handicap. The new system only requires 54 (9 or 18-holes).

3. The USGA Course and Slope Rating System Will be Used Worldwide

Unite the clans!

4. Your Handicap Will be Pushed DOWN Further…

Handicaps are currently designed to go down easier than up by taking an average of your 10 best scores out of your last 20 total scores. The new system will take your best 8. Sorry Bandit Bob.

5. The Max is Higher Though

The current maximum indexes are 40.4 for women and 36.4 for men. The new max is 54.0, regardless of gender. Good luck playing against that.

6. Weather Will Be Accounted For (My Favorite)

If this works well, it will be a great idea. An algorithm will weigh scores differently based on weather conditions. As we all know, any course is different when it’s 72 degrees and calm compared to 45 degrees and blowing 25 mph. Awesome idea.

7. Your Handicap Will Update Every Day Rather than Twice Per Month

Another fantastic idea.

8. You Can Only Post Net Double-Bogey on Any Hole

Another rule making everything more equitable and should help speed up play.

All in all, I think these changes are tremendously beneficial for the game. Of course there will always be complaints, but the idea that you can compare your index with someone in the Zhejiang Province of China is pretty awesome. We’re looking forward to seeing how everything shakes out in 2020!

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Spring Creek is Running!

Our golf course just got more interesting! If you haven’t been out to Hart Ranch lately, Spring Creek is running for the first time in 3 years. It adds a lot to the course, as the creek winds through almost every hole and especially comes into play on the back 9.

Spring Creek is fed by Sheridan Lake, and with all the rain we’ve gotten, the H2O has finally reached us. While the course gets a little more challenging (no more lucky creek bounces), it adds another dimension and makes Hart even more gorgeous than it already is.

Remember, we have select tee time specials available throughout the summer, so be sure to check the website (click here) for great deals almost every day of the week.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Hart Ranch!

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2018 U.S. Open Preview

U.S. Open Preview

“We’re not trying to humiliate the best players in the world, we’re trying to identify them.”

-Former USGA Competition Committee Chair Sandy Tatum

The Course

Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Long Island, New York

7,445 Yards, Par 70

The first time Shinnecock Hills hosted the U.S. Open (1896), it was a 36-hole event played at 4,423 yards. The golf world has changed slightly since then. Claiming to be the oldest formal organized golf club in the United States (1891), have the first clubhouse (1892) and being the first to admit women (right from its opening), Shinnecock is a historic venue on New York’s upscale Long Island. Shinnecock is the only club to host the U.S. Open in three different centuries.

Don’t expect a repeat of Erin Hills at this links-style track. Tough Poa Annua greens and long fescue will punish. The course is very susceptible to the wind, which can cause holes to play much different than they normally would. Seven of the par 4s will play over 450 yards in length, and the par 5 16^th is a 616-yard behemoth. Chances are the winning score will be below par, but it won’t be -16 like last year.

The Field

156 Players, Top 60 and Ties Play the Weekend

Unlike a normal tournament, where the top 70 and ties advance, the U.S. Open kicks out even more. Anyone within 10 shots of the lead on Friday night used to make the cut, but no longer. This is one of the most wide-open events in terms of qualifying, as big-name PGA players don’t necessarily make it (JB Holmes, for example) but players you’ve never heard of do.

The playoff format has also changed from a full 18-hole round to a two-hole aggregate format. If the players are still tied after two holes, they go to sudden death.

Players

An extremely loaded and talented field will be hitting a dimpled white ball around to win the cleverly named U.S. Open Trophy.

Here are some key stats to consider:

Strokes Gained: Off the Tee

Strokes Gained: Tee to Green

Par 4 Scoring

Strokes Gained: Ball Striking

Bogey Avoidance

Here are the current odds (as of 6/12):

Dustin Johnson 7/1
Jordan Spieth 16/1
Justin Thomas 16/1
Rory McIlroy 16/1
Justin Rose 18/1
Tiger Woods 18/1
Brooks Koepka 20/1
Jason Day 20/1
Rickie Fowler 20/1
Jon Rahm 22/1
Phil Mickelson 25/1
Bryson Dechambeau 35/1
Henrik Stenson 35/1
Hideki Matsuyama 35/1
Branden Grace 40/1
Tommy Fleetwood 40/1
Jimmy Walker 50/1
Patrick Reed 50/1
Paul Casey 50/1
Sergio Garcia 50/1
Bubba Watson 60/1
Francesco Molinari 60/1
Louis Oosthuizen 60/1
Alex Noren 65/1
Marc Leishman 65/1
Patrick Cantlay 65/1
Tony Finau 65/1
Webb Simpson 70/1
Adam Scott 80/1
Matt Kuchar 80/1

Trends:

— Five of the past 12 US Open winners had a win on the season before their victory.

— Seven of the past eight US Open winners had recorded at least four top-10s on the season before their title.

— All of the past eight US Open winners ranked inside the top 20 in Greens in Regulation percentage for the week of their championship (the past two winners were first in GIR for the week of their win).

As with any good field on the PGA Tour nowadays, you can pretty much pick the top 25-50 players out of a hat. Anyone that gets hot with the putter or bruises greens through the weekend can win. If we look at the two most important statistics this week, Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, one name stands out. DJ currently resides at the top of both categories, and that’s why he’s a fairly heavy favorite.

There are plenty of storylines. Phil Mickelson is once again attempting to complete the career grand slam, after a record six runner-up finishes and a year after taking this event off for his daughter’s high school graduation. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are trying to regain their respective forms, up-and-coming stars Tony Finau and Jon Rahm are looking to win their first majors and of course Tiger Woods is trying to win his first major since the infamous broken leg of 2008.

Prediction

Brooks Koepka kind of came out of nowhere last year to dominate this event, although he’d had a good record in previous U.S. Opens. Other players that fit this bill: Jason Day (5 out of 7 Top 10s in U.S. Opens) and Branden Grace (T4 at Chambers Bay, T5 at Oakmont). While I’ll be pulling for Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, I’m going to roll with a little-known Branden Grace.

Have a great Father’s Day weekend and be sure swing out and play some golf before the end of the tournament Sunday afternoon! It should be another great major. Happy golfing!

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The First Tee of South Dakota at Hart Ranch

The First Tee of South Dakota at Hart Ranch

We’re excited to announce that The First Tee of South Dakota is coming to Hart Ranch GC! If you’re not familiar with The First Tee, we thought we’d give you a little history and some facts about this fast-growing organization that helps kids realize their full potential on and off the golf course. Be sure to check out our First Tee Facebook Page for updates and information as we continue to expand the program at Hart Ranch GC.

ABOUT

The First Tee’s mission is to grow the game of golf by transforming the experience that kids (and families) have with the sport. Through programs in over 10,000 elementary schools, 1,200 golf courses and 1,300 youth centers, The First Tee positively impacts kid’s lives through golf and education. The program is based around nine core values: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgement. Click here to find more information about the First Tee’s core values that are incorporated throughout the program.

If you watch golf on TV, you’ve probably heard about The First Tee. Many leaders in the golf industry are involved and volunteer, including PGA and LPGA Professionals, PGA and LPGA Tour Players, past PGA Tour Commissioners and former President George W. Bush.

HISTORY

Established in 1997 as a partnership between the LPGA, The Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA Tour and the USGA, The First Tee asked “Why don’t more kids play golf?” The aim was to bring junior golf to communities that didn’t have programs, and the leaders soon realized that kids were learning far more than just how to chip and putt; they were learning valuable life lessons that would help them throughout school and beyond.

In 2004, The First Tee’s National School Program was founded, which brought golf to gym classes throughout the U.S. The program has expanded rapidly and has grown to reach millions of kids and teens.

AT HART RANCH GC

We’re looking forward to establishing a partnership with this fantastic organization. As of now, things are still in the works, but there will be a First Tee Junior Golf Camp during the summer at Hart Ranch. Stay tuned as we iron out more details throughout the year. We can’t wait to get started!

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Pay Heed to the Tee Sheet Ladies and Gents!

Pay Heed to the Tee Sheet Ladies and Gents!

Do you enjoy playing golf? How about playing golf on the best course in the Black Hills? How about playing CHEAP golf on the best course in the Black Hills?

Throughout June, you’ll want to keep an eye on your email, Facebook and our tee sheet (click here). We will be offering sweet deals on golf almost every day of the week. Today (June 1^st), for example, from 2-5pm you can play 18 holes with a cart for $30. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal on golf (or any type of fun, besides maybe hiking) in the area. Tee times must be booked ONLINE in order to take advantage of these fantastic deals.

We’re looking forward to offering slamming savings all golf season long. See you at Hart Ranch!

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The Rest of Summer

The Rest of Summer

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Young Life tournament was once again a smashing success and we are now cruising towards summer. We thought we’d give a little update on a few things as well as the current summer schedule so you’re prepared for an awesome golf season!

1. Public Credit Will Now Expire

If you’re not a Season Passholder, any club credit earned during tournaments or specials will expire on December 31^st of each year, so be sure to spend it! Member’s club credit will not expire.

2. Ladies’ League Starts May 24^th

CLICK HERE for more information. Ladies’ League does not require a season-long commitment.

3. Men’s League Starts May 29^th

CLICK HERE for more information. Men’s League is now a two-person team format and is a season-long commitment.

4. Event Calendar

CLICK HERE to see the summer/fall Event Calendar. This includes outside tournaments as well as Hart Ranch GC events. Our next tournament where the course will be closed for at least part of the day is June 9^th and 10^th during the SDGA Two-Woman tournament.

5. Junior Golf Starts June 13^th

CLICK HERE to register. Be sure to reserve your kid(s) spot soon, as space is limited and classes are filling quickly.

6. Friday Night Derby Starts June 15^th

Be here around 5pm each Friday night for the best format in golf.

7. The Spring Creek Classic is now July 21^st – 22^nd

CLICK HERE for information on our Member-Guest event.

8. The Hart Ranch Club Championship is now August 25^th – 26^th

CLICK HERE for more information.

Of course, we have some other fun events throughout the year, so stay tuned! The course is in fantastic shape, and we’re looking forward to an awesome summer. See you at Hart Ranch!

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