U.S. Open rough, explained: Why Pinehurst's unique mix of plants, sand will test golfers at major

Jacob Camenker

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U.S. Open rough, explained: Why Pinehurst's unique mix of plants, sand will test golfers at major image

The U.S. Open is typically the toughest of golf's North American major tournaments, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the 2024 event at Pinehurst Resort's No. 2 golf course is shaping up to be a difficult one.

Pinehurst hasn't hosted a U.S. Open since 2014. That event saw German golfer Martin Kaymer run away with the tournament, shooting 9-under par to win his first-ever major.

While Kaymer posted an impressive score, the rest of the field struggled. Just three players posted under-par marks for the tournament — Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, and Erik Crompton.

MORE: Who will win the U.S. Open in 2024? Expert picks for golf's third major

Pinehurst is expected to be similarly difficult at the 2024 U.S. Open, largely thanks to the course's uniquely challenging rough.

Often, U.S. Open courses have thick rough that grows to four-plus inches. That makes it difficult for golfers to make contact if their tee-to-green shots aren't on target.

Pinehurst doesn't have traditional rough, however, and it relies more on a mishmash of vegetation and sandy areas to create trouble for golfers. Here's what to know about the rough at Pinehurst as the 2024 U.S. Open is contested there.

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U.S. Open rough at Pinehurst

Pinehurst's rough is very different than the average rough on PGA Tour courses. Instead of having longer, thick grass as the main obstacle, Pinehurst hosts a variety of wiregrass, shrubbery, and other plants alongside the fairway. Most grow within sandy soil and create a variety of lies that give golfers trouble.

The result is an uneven, unpredictable layout where luck will be paramount for those who miss the fairway.

For those needing a closer visual, this is one section of the rough at Pinehurst. As you can see, the ball quickly disappears into that collection of tall plants.

The unpredictability of the rough will be compounded by a course that gets fast as it dries out. There are also 117 bunkers at Pinehurst, but lies in those areas could be preferable to the unknown of the rough at the 2024 U.S. Open. That may be especially true where the rough is particularly sandy but unraked.

The USGA likes it when U.S. Open courses are tough, so it's no surprise they chose Pinehurst as the venue. It comes with great defenses and should create plenty of uncomfortable shots. Staying competitive in the major will require creativity for those without their most accurate stuff from tee to green.

While these potential pitfalls will enrage some golfers, fans will relish a chance for the best in the world to look just like them — if only for a moment.

Jacob Camenker

Jacob Camenker Photo

Jacob Camenker first joined The Sporting News as a fantasy football intern in 2018 after his graduation from UMass. He became a full-time employee with TSN in 2021 and now serves as a senior content producer with a particular focus on the NFL. Jacob worked at NBC Sports Boston as a content producer from 2019 to 2021. He is an avid fan of the NFL Draft and ranked 10th in FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Accuracy metric in both 2021 and 2022.