Oakmont: Built to Break the Best

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025 | Edition #150

 👋 Hey Golf Fans,

Yes, we know it’s golf’s ‘toughest’ major… at golf’s ‘toughest’ course. But we have something else on our minds today.

Essentially Golf has just turned one!

So, before we get into the details of how Oakmont is going to be a nightmare for the stars, and how Mike Whan is starting a civil war in golf, a quick vote of thanks from our editor.

A year ago, we started Essentially Golf with one simple idea: find fellow golf fans who think, feel, and obsess about the sport like we do. Today, it’s safe to say we’ve found our people. 200,000 readers. 150 editions. 12 million+ opens. But this isn’t just about the numbers.

The news, the insights, the tips—we’ve refined, rewritten, and relearned every week to bring you the best experience we can. It’s been a hell of a ride so far, and here’s to its continuation for many years to come. Thanks for an unforgettable year of being part of the Essentially Golf family!

Back to business now…

Oakmont Is Scary

‘Cooked beyond belief.’ That’s what defending champ Bryson DeChambeau had to say after practicing at the U.S. Open’s latest nightmarish host. Rory McIlroy dubbed it ‘impossible’ after shooting an 81 on Wednesday. Scottie Scheffler said it’s ‘the hardest golf course’ ever.

But are they exaggerating? No.

Oakmont Country Club has undergone some serious changes with its latest renovation under architect Gil Hanse:

  • 24,000 square feet of new green surface with tabletop edges that launch balls into oblivion.

  • 5 inch rough so thick that cameramen can’t spot balls from directly overhead.

  • 168 rebuilt bunkers, each averaging nearly half an acre of pure misery.

And remember, that’s after it had JUST 4 players finish under par the last time the major was played there (2016). In fact, in the history of Oakmont hosting the U.S. Open (9 so far), only 2% of golfers have ever finished under par!

And if even that hasn’t convinced you of how haunting this course is, it’s even compelled Tiger Woods to warn the players of its treachery. Watch him caution all the pros here.

Oakmont now stretches 250 yards longer than 2016, when Dustin Johnson barely survived at 4-under to claim his only U.S. Open. The rough has grown wilder, the greens more treacherous, and the bunkers deeper.

Like Jon Rahm put it earlier this week, ’a lot of unfortunate things are going to happen’… and we’re ready to soak it all in!

Father’s Day, Handled

Father’s Day is around the corner, and Kohl’s has the kind of deals that make shopping easy. From polos and joggers to gadgets and fast finds for last-minute shoppers (we’ve all been there), there’s something for every kind of dad—from the backyard griller to the guy who never misses his Saturday morning tee time.

So go on, get him that thing he wouldn’t buy himself. This sale’s got you covered with up to 50% off!

Score a win for Dad—without breaking the bank.

Rollback Moving Forward

Yesterday morning, Mike Whan had one of his best mic-drop moments. Standing before reporters at Oakmont, he looked the golf establishment straight in the eye and basically said, ‘Deal with it’ when talking about the golf rollback.

The USGA CEO knows that ‘not everybody will like it’… yet he’s still gone and made it official now. Come 2028 USGA will be implementing the rollback for all pros (2030 for amateurs).

‘Nobody is going to die,’ he said, further making his point that no matter what the others thought, this was happening. The reason? Sustainability, like USGA President Fred Perpall explains here.

Their entire presser at Oakmont may have sparked a civil war in golf. But are the USGA really wrong here?

The long hitters like Rory, Bryson, and Xander easily hit the ball 330 yards. And then there’s the rising stars, too, like 20-year-old Aldrich Potgieter, who hit 355 yards with his irons earlier this year! We’re not kidding, just watch the massive shot here:

Still think there’s no issue? Well, in the past decade, the PGA Tour driving average has increased by over 10 yards. This year alone, nearly all the top 25 in driving distance average more than 310 yards.

Now the likes of McIlroy may be for it. He believes it’s part of the growth of the sport, like you’ll see here. But he’s in the minority. There’s major ‘resistance’ from the PGA of America and many on the PGA Tour.

Some pros think this distance isn’t even a problem. Well, Whan disagrees. And clearly now there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Time to get on board?

Do You Think the Rollback Is Golf’s Ultimate Distance Solution?

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Miller’s Iron Magic

In the final round of the 1973 U.S. Open, Johnny Miller unleashed one of the purest iron shot plays in major history. He birdied hole after hole to go on to card an eventual legendary 63 at the ‘toughest’ course in the world. Just watch here how casually he celebrated after!

Now you probably already see where this is heading. For our final page in the U.S. Open shot series, we broke down his round. And it seems like it all comes down to some stunning iron play. So, here’s how you can replicate it!

  • Open Your Stance: Aim your feet, hips, and shoulders left of target. This clears your hips faster through impact, crucial for long iron precision.

  • Strike Past the Ball: Hit through the ball, not at it. Imagine your target is two inches beyond the ball, and drive the clubhead there. It eliminates deceleration and ensures good contact. Paige Spiranac followed this, and surprisingly survived Oakmont’s bite as you can see below:

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be able to dominate at least your local course. And well, if you want to kick things up a notch, who better than another legend to help:

Paige Spiranac tells pros to stop whining about Oakmont’s brutal conditions with her latest controversial words!

Phil Mickelson faces his possibly final U.S. Open. The USGA’s ‘review’ verdict makes it seem like he may not get a future exemption despite his records.

Jordan Spieth’s caddie reveals what goes on in the 3-time major winner’s head after their moment goes viral.

Range Balls Now Cost More Than 18 Holes

When did beating balls become more expensive than playing 18 holes? Apparently quite recently at The Golf Ranch in DFW.

‘Daylight robbery’ fans are calling it, and we can’t disagree. $13 for a large bucket in mid-2020. Today? Nearly $39. That too, to hit on grass that looks like a goat farm!

Golfers from all around the world thrashed the unfairness of this, as you’ll read here. Fortunately, it’s not a problem everywhere. In North Carolina, range rats are paying $8 for 100 balls. UK players get 50 balls for £4.

Golf Ranch’s justification for gouging $35 is their Toptracer tech. Nobody asked for it. Nobody wants it. And now we bet you’re going to see a lot fewer golfers hitting there.

Some lessons come from the range. Others come from the right book. And if you love golf as much as we do, these five definitely belong on your shelf.

  1. Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: A masterclass in swing fundamentals that still holds up decades later. It’s not all that surprising. After all, even Gary Player believes Hogan’s swing was unbeatable, as you’ll see here.

  2. Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Gentle stories and simple truths from one of golf’s greatest teachers.

  3. The Short Game Bible: Pelz breaks down the scoring zone like it’s science. And reading it WILL turn your game around—ask these readers.

  4. The Big Miss: A revealing look into Tiger’s world, from someone inside the ropes. Hank Haney’s account of his time with the champ.

  5. Golf is Not a Game of Perfect: Practical mental tips to quiet your mind and build real confidence. Just look at how many golfers swear by this book!

Essentially Golf brings you handpicked, well-thought-out, and not-to-be-missed recommendations to make your weekend more fun:

📕 Read:

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson captures the vanishing American West through one ordinary man’s extraordinary journey.

🎥 Watch:

Tiger and Rory’s driving masterclass reveals the technical secrets of hitting off the tee from two of golf’s greatest players ever.

🛍 Shop:

Golf Practice Mat transforms any space into your personal driving range with professional-grade artificial turf.

🏌️‍♂️ Wear:

Adidas Sport Polo combines premium performance fabric with golf-inspired style for on-course confidence. You can pick the color you want, too!

🤌 Unwind:

North Sea Oil cocktail blends aquavit and Islay scotch into an unexpectedly sophisticated spirit-forward experience.

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