A feature unique of Olympic, Davis pointed out, is that at least four holes have a dogleg going in one direction but the cant of the fairway goes in the other, citing the 4th, 5th, 9th and 17th holes as examples. "In those cases, you really do need to be able to work your golf ball. It's something you don't see on tour much anymore, guys purposely trying to work it one way or actually both ways," said Davis.
"I think here when you get firm conditions, and we are almost guaranteed we will have firm conditions here in June, if you're trying to play a left to right shot on the 4th hole, it's never going to work. Or if you're trying to play a left right shot on the 5th hole, it's not going to work, and I can keep going on and on. So I think being able to maneuver your ball is really a great advantage for this Open," Davis continued. "We can get it firm enough where the players have to think about what happens when the ball lands, and that is not just on the greens, but on the fairways and when you miss a green. So it certainly adds an element and dimension that makes it tougher."
The Olympic Club’s close proximity to the coast also guarantees that a degree of wind will play a role in the Open. The fact that the course is heavily tree-lined makes life tougher still; stand on the foliage-enclosed tee boxes and you'll have a tough time gauging the breeze, if you can feel it at all. But it's almost certainly there.
The notoriously slick greens will be a much anticipated prospect for spectators and a worldwide viewing audience, who in the main appreciate the chance to see the world’s best tested more than they might be used to at a regular tour event. The challenge this year of a USGA setup of ‘firm and fast’ putting surfaces will be exacerbated by the natural slopes and undulations of the fairways and green complexes at Olympic, where razor sharp short game skills and patience will be absolute pre-requisites for success.
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