I had the opportunity to play this course a couple of times since the renovation. It is a golf course that is a strategic challenge to play for the reasons outlined in the article. The conditioning of the course (fast and true greens and healthy rough) makes the course a penal enough test for the good golfer without taking away the joys of playing a world class golf course as it is almost impossible to lose a ball on the course. Whether Baltusrol will be viewed as a tier 1 championship course after the restoration is up for debate, however, it is wonderful day of golf and half of one of the best 36 hole days of golf in the world. Was a privilege to play. Great article Garrett.

Seems like a much more interesting course than what I remember from prior US Opens and PGAs, which never interested me at all. I have always heard positive things about the Upper Course. Would be interested to see a feature on that one as well.

I was able to walk this course twice, during each of the last two PGA Championships held here. My impression had always been that it was a long, tough tree-lined slog. I had a hard time remembering individual holes. The photos of the renovation certainly seem to show a course with a much different character than the one I saw. Glad to see you think the changes have been for the better. Always thought the finishing stretch of back-to-back par 5's here was cool. Not something you see everyday.

As to hosting a future Ryder Cup, the PGA of America should probably avoid the New York Metropolitan area.

Its such a fun rabbit hole to go down. I've spent hours breaking down places like Veenker, Waveland and so many small town old courses like Lake View in Chariton.

I love the Iowa DNR site. After moving to Missouri I realized what a treat that had been and how I wish every state had one similar to Iowa's.

Easy solution - TFE staff has a fantasy football league and we build the winning hole in the last place person’s yard (or their parents yard for PJ)

Agreed. Could be a nice annual event, even if the opportunity to actually have the hole created doesn't present itself every year!

I was thinking about it last time I was there. Would be so fun to see the lake

Im not even talking about playability on Woodlands, the Links back 9 would be awesome if got rid of trees hiding the lake views lol