Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jimmy Muratt on October 21, 2009, 08:31:09 AM
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Below is a link from the "Pinehurst Golfer" website regarding word that C&C has been hired to do some work on #2. This is potentially very exciting news:
http://tinyurl.com/yjeh73b
Question is, what would you like to see done to the course?
I think the rough lines definitely need to be addressed. They have pinched the course in numerous spots and diminished the use of angles that makes approaching those greens so interesting. Also, I'd like to see a lot less green grass and more native areas. They have such wonderful soil and native grasses there, utilize them. It would be great to see some exposed sandy areas on the course, they would present interesting recovery options and really enhance the course aesthetically.
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I am looking forward to seeing what they do. I have only played the coures once and it was a long time ago and have been wanting to make a trip back. Did the article say when it was suppose to be completed?
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That's great news ... the golf course is badly in need of attention.
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Very cool report!
The big thing that needs to be taken care of are the rough lines...otherwise all I can think of would be the look of the course. I agree that it could look a little more scruffy and natural to the area.
For the daily player and golfer this really is fantastic, however problem for Pinehurst and the USGA would be how much of the rough to remove...would it make the course a little too easy for the pros?
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That's great news ... the golf course is badly in need of attention.
I'm sure this is true but I find it rather amazing that the resort could let this happen to their cash cow. Just as a business matter #2 should be beyond reproach. Maybe they think that hosting multiple US Opens is enough to maintain the course's (and the resort's) cache.
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Thank god they did not get Rees or Fazio to do No.2 - Ben Crenshaw is one of the greatest putters ever and his understanding of greens/short game areas will be hugely benefical to No.2. I agree and I hope they bring back some of those sandy waste areas to make the course look more natural.
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Have C and C done a lot of renovations to Top Courses?
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Sean,
Their most recent renovation work includes Prairie Dunes and Wykagyl.
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Have C and C done a lot of renovations to Top Courses?
Hopefully it's not a "renovation" and mostly a tweaking of what is already there. They sure can't make it any longer, and you wouldn't want to touch the greens...
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Has anyone got an old aerial photo or photos of No. 2?
Cheers
Ben
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Good to hear! Too bad for Rees, Jack & Tom ;)
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That's great news ... the golf course is badly in need of attention.
I remember your posting on your complaints with Number 2. Having played the course many times, and over many years, I had just thought of it as a great track; a real gem. Then, reading your post made me think, "Hey, that's true. How much better the course could be if they did that..."
I wish I could locate that post of yours. I hope C&C give you a call, or read what you wrote.
Tom, do you think that the course got messed up after the Confidential Guide came out? Was it in relation to the Opens there?
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That's great news ... the golf course is badly in need of attention.
I remember your posting on your complaints with Number 2. Having played the course many times, and over many years, I had just thought of it as a great track; a real gem. Then, reading your post made me think, "Hey, that's true. How much better the course could be if they did that..."
I wish I could locate that post of yours.
I think this is the one you're referring to Chuck... http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35750.msg724005/
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I would imagine they'll remove a fair amount of fairway grass and expose more of the sandy subsurface. I'm sure it would look better and play better.
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Does anyone honestly think they'll address the rough lines (and by GCA standards I read this to mean widening the fairways) considering they are in the US Open rota now? Or at least, if they are addressed, that the USGA won't re-narrow them?
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The fairways are mostly kept to the same width they were during the US Open. With some of Ross's fairway bunkers now 10-15 into the rough the course is just a slog until you get to the greens. I understand that there is a segment of the golfing market that wants to play the course just like it was for the pros but I doubt they would feel cheated if fairway bunkers were brought back into play.
The rough - especially if wet - is a misery. The 419 Bermuda is fine bladed and thick and if it's left at more than a couple inches actually can make a ball disappear. But as bad as it is, it poses much less a problem for the pros than the average low-hcp resort guest. The lies are consistent and the pros are just plain good. OTOH, the areas with sand and wire grass ARE a problem for the pros. A good lie, even a great lie, is possible, but within an inch or two of the perfect lie is an impossible one. Sandy, scruffy areas surrounding the fairways would put a greater premium on accuracy. And it would be interesting once in a while to see a ball roll into a fairway bunker rather than disappearing into bermuda rough. I am not a fan of the wall-to-wall grass at #2. I'm hoping this is what C&C are looking at.
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Would the sandy scruffy areas be restoring what it was in the past?
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That's great news ... the golf course is badly in need of attention.
I remember your posting on your complaints with Number 2. Having played the course many times, and over many years, I had just thought of it as a great track; a real gem. Then, reading your post made me think, "Hey, that's true. How much better the course could be if they did that..."
I wish I could locate that post of yours.
I think this is the one you're referring to Chuck... http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35750.msg724005/
That's it Eric! Thank you! I just re-read it, and it might be even more interesting now, in light of events, than before!
[I don't know why I couldn't get Search to work for me... Many thanks to you.]
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This is exciting news Jimmy See you at Mountain Lake soon
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Would the sandy scruffy areas be restoring what it was in the past?
Kind of. I've seen many photos taken in the 1930s - before and after the conversion to grass greens - and the areas off the fairways do look scruffier. It's not the regularized scruffiness that has been added off the fairways on 8 and 11 e.g. but it's not managed rough either. I've also seen the work at the Dormie Club and I came away thinking that that was the appropriate, natural setup for a course in the sandhills. It's too much to hope that the Resort would go completely in that direction but any steps towards widening the fairways and replacing rough with sand and wire grass would be an improvement.
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Below is a link from the "Pinehurst Golfer" website regarding word that C&C has been hired to do some work on #2.
This is potentially very exciting news:
Jimmy, why is it exciting news ?
I think it's bad news.
Did you not read and understand the purpose of the intended work, to narrow the fairways and grow wirery rough ?
Why is that good news ?
Another course will fall victim to more tinkering in order to prepare it for the U.S. Open.
How is that good or exciting news ?
http://tinyurl.com/yjeh73b
Question is, what would you like to see done to the course?
NOTHING, except widen the fairways back to their original width.
I think the rough lines definitely need to be addressed. They have pinched the course in numerous spots and diminished the use of angles that makes approaching those greens so interesting.
Also, I'd like to see a lot less green grass and more native areas.
How familiar are you with Pinehurst # 2 ?
When did you first play it ?
How many times have you played it ?
If you had to pick a restoration date, what year would that be ?
Were there "native" areas in the 90's, 80's, 70's, 60's, 50's ?
Why would you want to introduce something that was never there if your interest is in restorative work ?
They have such wonderful soil and native grasses there, utilize them. It would be great to see some exposed sandy areas on the course, they would present interesting recovery options and really enhance the course aesthetically.
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Below is a link from the "Pinehurst Golfer" website regarding word that C&C has been hired to do some work on #2.
This is potentially very exciting news:
Jimmy, why is it exciting news ?
I think it's bad news.
Did you not read and understand the purpose of the intended work, to narrow the fairways and grow wirery rough ?
Why is that good news ?
Another course will fall victim to more tinkering in order to prepare it for the U.S. Open.
How is that good or exciting news ?
http://tinyurl.com/yjeh73b
Question is, what would you like to see done to the course?
NOTHING, except widen the fairways back to their original width.
I think the rough lines definitely need to be addressed. They have pinched the course in numerous spots and diminished the use of angles that makes approaching those greens so interesting.
Also, I'd like to see a lot less green grass and more native areas.
How familiar are you with Pinehurst # 2 ?
When did you first play it ?
How many times have you played it ?
If you had to pick a restoration date, what year would that be ?
Were there "native" areas in the 90's, 80's, 70's, 60's, 50's ?
Why would you want to introduce something that was never there if your interest is in restorative work ?
They have such wonderful soil and native grasses there, utilize them. It would be great to see some exposed sandy areas on the course, they would present interesting recovery options and really enhance the course aesthetically.
I am with Pat. Why does it take C&C to put #2 right? Sounds like a marketing scam to me.
Ciao
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Craig Disher,
You mentioned the fairway bunkers that are now well into the rough lines, which is a product of "Openizing" the golf course, previously.
Will Pinehurst fall victim to what happened at Oakmont and Baltusrol where the bunkers are moved in to conform to the rough lines ?
That would be a disaster at Pinehurst # 2.
However, I feel it's a distinct possibility.
Another wonderful course will fall victim to being "Openized"
Jimmy, how can that possibly be good or exciting news ?
I wonder how the Tufts family would have allowed the course to be altered for the U.S. Open and if they would have restored the width when the Open left town, instead of leaving the course, like every other U.S. Open course, NARROWER ? ? ?
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Thank god they did not get Rees or Fazio to do No.2 - Ben Crenshaw is one of the greatest putters ever and his understanding of greens/short game areas will be hugely benefical to No.2. I agree and I hope they bring back some of those sandy waste areas to make the course look more natural.
Ben,
If the "mission statement" is the same, do you think it makes a substantive difference in terms of which "hired gun" will tackle the project ?
My guess is that the bunkers will be moved in.
If that's the case, will you still deify C&C's work ?
Lastly, I don't care if Crenshaw holed every putt he looked at, why on earth would you touch the greens at # 2 ?
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Good to hear!
Dean, why is that good to hear.
When is it ever good to hear that a wonderful golf course will be "Openized" ?
Too bad for Rees, Jack & Tom ;)
Why ?
If the "mission statement" is the same, what difference does it make as to the name of the hired hand ?
Will C&C ruin the inherent values of the golf course by moving the bunkers in to match the narrowed fairway, as was done at Oakmont and Baltusrol, but make it more aesthetically acceptable ?
How is "Openizing" a golf course good or exciting news ? ? ?
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Thank god they did not get Rees or Fazio to do No.2 - Ben Crenshaw is one of the greatest putters ever and his understanding of greens/short game areas will be hugely benefical to No.2. I agree and I hope they bring back some of those sandy waste areas to make the course look more natural.
Ben,
If the "mission statement" is the same, do you think it makes a substantive difference in terms of which "hired gun" will tackle the project ?
My guess is that the bunkers will be moved in.
If that's the case, will you still deify C&C's work ?
Lastly, I don't care if Crenshaw holed every putt he looked at, why on earth would you touch the greens at # 2 ?
Pat – here are my replies to your question – Cheers Ben
If the "mission statement" is the same, do you think it makes a substantive difference in terms of which "hired gun" will tackle the project ?
Yes and No, its all about picking the best person for the job at this particular time, in an ideal world I would have picked Ross. I am just glad they did not use Rees + Fazio as they have become one dimensional in their style over the years. It’s about time the USGA gave someone else like C+C, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, Michael Hurdzan and Kyle Phillips a go. So therefore it’s good to see the USGA flexing their arms and appreciating the contrasting styles of each designer. So currently for No.2 C+C seem to be the best choice. Id be interested what they come up with whether its good or bad in mine or your opinions.
My guess is that the bunkers will be moved in.
It sounds likely – but Ross’ principles of how it should be play should remain. Golf has changed so much since Ross was alive. There are more accurate shots and longer drives. At No.2 the main defence are the greens so that should remain unchanged – it needs to be updated from tee to green to reflect today’s game and retain the original challenge put forward by Ross.
If that's the case, will you still deify C&C's work ?
I had to look up at ‘deify’ in the Dictionary!
1. to make a god of; exalt to the rank of a deity; personify as a deity: to deify a beloved king.
2. to adore or regard as a deity: to deify wealth.
I don’t think they are ‘god’s gift’ to GCA – I appreciate their work even though there are things about their courses that I like and dislike. Nobody’s perfect !! There is not a ‘perfect’ golf course in the world – each one has a flaw that goes for buildings and other things as well!
Lastly, I don't care if Crenshaw holed every putt he looked at, why on earth would you touch the greens at # 2 ?
Thats my point about Crenshaw - he is more likely not to touch the hallowed greens of No.2 he is more likely to respect Ross 's work compared with Rees or Fazio also he is one of those Yanks that play the bump and run game so well so he would have greater understanding of how the pros could approach No.2’s greens. He would never do to No.2 to what Ernie Els has done to Colt’s greens at Wentworth.
I admit I have never played No. 2 but I have been glued to the TV whenever an US Open or Amateur has been there. I have built greens based on No.2 to what I have seen on TV – I know they are not the Real McCoy.
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Pat,
It is my hope that C&C are not doing this work solely to prepare the course for future major championships. Unfortunately with the infatuation of defending par, it's going to be hard to escape the mindset of 25 yard fairways and 7400+ yard courses. What bothers me with the current set-up of #2 is that much of the strategy has been taken out of the golf course. #2 is a course where proper angles into greens are of the utmost importance if you hope to score well. When you have narrow fairways bordered by thick rough, your strategy off the tee is dictated to you.
As Craig stated earlier, there are fairway bunkers that are 15 yards into the rough. That is just ridiculous. Properly placed fairway bunkers should provide a sort of risk/reward opportunity. If you challenge the bunker a execute a good shot, you should be rewarded with a better angle or shorter distance into the green.
Incorporating more native areas would provide much more interesting recovery options as well as cut down on maintenance costs. I hope the goal of this work is to maximize the wonderful layout that already exists. It's there, it just needs to be dusted off. The USGA is going to do what they do to toughen a golf course for it's tournaments, the golf course just doesn't need to stay like that for normal play.
Dunlop White has some excellent pictures on his website on the evolution of #2:
http://www.dunlopwhite.com/www.dunlopwhite.com/Bunker_Evolution_Report.html
And, some comparison pics:
http://www.dunlopwhite.com/www.dunlopwhite.com/Photographic_Comparisons.html
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Why are the greens so deified at The Deuce?
Isn't Pete Dye's observation that the greens are not anywhere near similar to what Ross designed, tweak and loved over the many years he spent on site?
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Adam,
This is the best info I have seen on the evolution of the greens, specifically look at the section on Green Evolution 1936-2009:
http://www.dunlopwhite.com/www.dunlopwhite.com/Green_Evolution_Report.html
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Jimmy,
the fact that they hired C &C and not one of the typical "open doctors" is a hopeful sign....
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While you don't need C&C (or any other architect) to improve playing conditions, I would hope that their prospective work could be the catalyst to return the course to more appropriate firm and fast playing conditions. I played there in July and balls were virtually plugging in the fairways. Pitch and run shots didn't work around the greens because the grass was too lush and not mowed tightly enough, balls backed up on greens with mid-irons, etc. I liked playing there more before it became a big tournament venue.
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Jimmy,
the fact that they hired C &C and not one of the typical "open doctors" is a hopeful sign....
How so ?
"Open Doctors" come and go.
Is C&C just the latest practitioner to hold that title ?
If there's a "Mission Statement", and I suspect there is, I doubt C&C will be given editorial license and/or creative freedom.
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Patrick,
If you can't differentiate between Reese Jones and C & C then what the heck have you been talking about for the past 21184 posts?. I seriously doubt that C & C would have accepted the gig if all that was involved was a traditional open "toughening up" exercise...Maybe the boys at Pinehurst and the USGA have actually learned something along the way about GCA and other ways of challenging ALL levels of players including the world's best.
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Patrick,
If you can't differentiate between Reese Jones and C & C then what the heck have you been talking about for the past 21184 posts?.
If Rees Jones and C&C are given the same marching orders, there won't be much difference in the product they produce, from the players perspecitve.
Do you think either would change the architecture and flavor of Pinehurst # 2 ?
If so, in what way ?
I seriously doubt that C & C would have accepted the gig if all that was involved was a traditional open "toughening up" exercise...
Oh really ?
What makes you say that ?
Do you think that new course development is at an all time high or an all time low ?
If it's at the low end of the spectrum, do you believe that firms will accept restoration/renovation/remodeling jobs, just to meet payroll ?
Do you think that C&C are being given free reign, creative freedom to design/redesign anything they choose, or, do you think the owners have a specific mission statement that's in harmony with hosting a U.S. Open, like narrowing the fairways and bringing in the bunkers to match ?
If that's done, does it matter if you do it or C&C does it in terms of dramatically altering the architectural integrity of the golf course ?
Maybe the boys at Pinehurst and the USGA have actually learned something along the way about GCA and other ways of challenging ALL levels of players including the world's best.
If you really believe that Ran should revoke your access to this site on the basis of temporary or permanent architectural insanity.
Have you ever played Pinehurst before it hosted the U.S. Open ?
Were the fairways wide or narrow ?
Do you think that narrowing the fairways and bringing in the bunkers to match, ala Oakmont and Baltusrol will fairly challenge ALL LEVELS of players at Pinehurst # 2 ?
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if you recall, the last time the open was held at #2, it wasn't all about U.S. open rough:
http://espn.go.com/golfonline/usopen99/news/1999/990620/00001467.html
and yes, projects are down even for the likes of C&C but I seriously doubt things have gotten so difficult that they've already reached the point of compromising their Coore beliefs 8)...and if they have sunk that low then I've got a great back-yard putting green project for them.....
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Its interesting that they picked C and C... Closely mown chipping areas are a speciality of Rees Jones!!!
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Well there is hope if http://www.geoffshackelford.com/ Wednesday report on the matter is true. I like the idea of trying to create a championship course which doesn't need meddling when a championship comes around. It will be interesting to see the compromise of fairway width in relation to the new proposed sandy areas.
Ciao
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Wow, that would be or is interesting if true. It sort of surprises me though because in my experience far more than any other architects out there it seems their recent history of refusals indicates that C&C just don't like stepping onto this kind of highly visible firing line!
But if they do it I propose they be labeled not "Open Doctors" but more like "Open Mediums" (to Ross) and whatever they do to the course in preparation for the US Open be advertized as an "Open Architectural Seance." ;)
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Does anyone know when this will take place?
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This is the best info I have seen on the evolution of the greens, specifically look at the section on Green Evolution 1936-2009:
http://www.dunlopwhite.com/www.dunlopwhite.com/Green_Evolution_Report.html
What a resource Dunlop has put together.
I believe Evolution has a place in historical work.
Some features definately improve with time.
I think this will be fun to watch "from a distance" because the work will come with some hard decisions.
This work is far from cut and dry.
Ian
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Wow. Thanks for the link to Dunlop's web site, Ian. I agree; the info. he's posted there re the evolution of Pinehurst #2 is excellent.
Nice work, Dunlop. Thanks for sharing this info.
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This map is of #2 in 1922. It evolved to the routing it is today by 1936 - that is when the PGA was held there. Anyway, the map is something C & C would want to consult, I think. Where the hole numbers have changed (for instance today's 10th hole used to be the 7th hole) I put a superimposed number to show the change. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.
(http://sandhillsinsider.com/2map.jpg)
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http://www.reesjonesinc.com/index.php?option=com_courses&task=courses&courseid=95&Itemid=88
I can't possibly post what he told me to say.... ;D
FBD.
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This is the best info I have seen on the evolution of the greens, specifically look at the section on Green Evolution 1936-2009:
http://www.dunlopwhite.com/www.dunlopwhite.com/Green_Evolution_Report.html
What a resource Dunlop has put together.
I believe Evolution has a place in historical work.
Some features definately improve with time.
I think this will be fun to watch "from a distance" because the work will come with some hard decisions.
This work is far from cut and dry.
Ian
Dunlop does great work for golf. It's going to be interesting to see how C & C will deal with the "greens issue."
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From the Member's newsletter:
We wanted you to be aware that some early stories are being released to the media concerning possible upgrades to Pinehurst No. 2. In early fall, we began conversations with the Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore team to discuss their design philosophy, and to explore the possibility of returning some historic Ross features to the course. We've done so from long-term, stewardship perspective. We have yet to sign any contracts or review any early plans, and no timetable has been set. If the plan moves forward, it will be at least a year, maybe longer, before work actually begins (ed-emphasis added). We can assure you that No. 2 will remain open throughout next year and during our busiest golf seasons.
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There's a new video with C&C talking about the Pinehurst project on the resort's Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/PinehurstResort
Press Release: http://www.pinehurst.com/press/pinehurst-enlists-coore-and-crenshaw-to-lead-project-that-will-return-character-to-no-2
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My dad has been a member for about 20 years. He has played the course well over a thousand times and I have played it somewhere between 500 and 1,000 times. I sent him the link to the above video and the following are his comments:
"They are in full swing already. They’ve started on holes 11 and 12. They must have had forty of fifty people out there yesterday. The fairways have been widened back out to where they used to be when we first joined…or even wider. And about half of the remaining rough is being removed and presumably be replaced with sandy areas with wire grass. It’s going to be significantly different particularly visually."
I think this is fantastic news. My understanding is the greens will be virtually untouched. Now, the next big step will be maintaining the course with ideal F&F maintenance meld. This course has certainly not had that since the Opens started coming. It's always way to wet and soft, which means the greens lose much of their impact on the strategy.
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For some strange reason so many attempts in making #2 a better course have often flied in the face in what made it so compelling to start with.
The fairway widths are central to that element -- ditto the visual "look" that makes playing in the region so fascinating and alluring./
#2 gets little love -- save for the diehards who truly understand what the layout is about. A singular play doesn't do the place justice.
C&C have done much prior with their original designs -- it will be quite interesting to see how they progress because with two US Opens being contested in back-to-back weeks it will cerainly be a golden opportunity to showcase what makes being there and playing there so special.
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In the last minute of the interview posted on the Pinehurst Facebook page, Crenshaw makes an interesting point about restoring approach angles and recovery shots. If approaching from the wrong side of the fairway made it difficult to hold onto the greens @ #2, but it was never anything a pro with a square grooved 60 degree lob wedge couldn't deal with on the next shota. Hopefully by 2014 there would be enough data on the impact on new groove limits on scores in US Opens to allow the USGA to leave fairway widths at the C&C restored margins.
Depending on the preparation of the greens, you'd have to assume these shots would be a little harder to pull off even from the short grass, or–if they bring the wire grass/sandy areas closer to the putting surface–really challenging.
If the greens themselves are off limits, is it possible C&C would re-contour some of the runoff areas that are out of character or were inartfully scooped out in the 60s? The implication of the Dunlop White material is that work was never something Ross would have done or intended as response to the build up of the greens from top-dressing...
Is Pinehurst the only course in the USGA rota at the moment where you could host a F&F Open?
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In the last minute of the interview posted on the Pinehurst Facebook page, Crenshaw makes an interesting point about restoring approach angles and recovery shots. If approaching from the wrong side of the fairway made it difficult to hold onto the greens @ #2, but it was never anything a pro with a square grooved 60 degree lob wedge couldn't deal with on the next shota. Hopefully by 2014 there would be enough data on the impact on new groove limits on scores in US Opens to allow the USGA to leave fairway widths at the C&C restored margins.
Depending on the preparation of the greens, you'd have to assume these shots would be a little harder to pull off even from the short grass, or–if they bring the wire grass/sandy areas closer to the putting surface–really challenging.
If the greens themselves are off limits, is it possible C&C would re-contour some of the runoff areas that are out of character or were inartfully scooped out in the 60s? The implication of the Dunlop White material is that work was never something Ross would have done or intended as response to the build up of the greens from top-dressing...
Is Pinehurst the only course in the USGA rota at the moment where you could host a F&F Open?
I imagine they chose Chambers Bay with the intention of F&F. And Shinnecock, assuming that's still in the queue.
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Is Pinehurst the only course in the USGA rota at the moment where you could host a F&F Open?
I imagine they chose Chambers Bay with the intention of F&F. And Shinnecock, assuming that's still in the queue.
Thanks... for some reason I was thinking of Flat, Fast and Firm. Chambers Bay seems to have even more dramatic elevation changes than Shinnecock. I'll be interested to see how much roll off they have at the front of the greens. On the other hand, with lower spin rates, there's less likelihood of sucking it back off the green and rolling 30 yards down the hill.
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C & C has been pouring over all the historical photos in the Tufts Archives as well according to Audrey. One of the articles did mentioned this.
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I have some pictures of the work that my dad just sent me. If anyone's interested let me know and I'll send them to you. Hopefully you can post them here as I'm totally inept in that area.
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Here you go Steve...
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(http://www.wegobomber.com/IMG_3089.jpg)
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Great pictures, thanks for posting.
Looks like the fairway lines haven't or aren't going to change much. Would be nice if they added the big waste areas, but then added some fairway on the opposite side of the fairways.
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Wow. A few complaints from Jim Thornton and people jump into action! I wish I had that kind of influence. ;D
Thanks Steve (and Jim C for posting) for the pics.
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Great pictures, thanks for posting.
Looks like the fairway lines haven't or aren't going to change much. Would be nice if they added the big waste areas, but then added some fairway on the opposite side of the fairways.
This is not true. All of the dark green areas are fairway and they are much wider than before. I'll detail the photos in my next post.
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Nice photos Jim/Steve. I played #1 on Sunday and looking over there I could see that things really are moving in the right direction.
The USGA website has the best look at #2 I have ever seen. Aerial photos from the 30's. It is only as I post this now that I see the irony of the USGA being the ones with the best look at the authentic #2.
http://architecturearchive.usgamuseum.com
It requires registration. It's worth it.
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As I've said, I've been playing the course for 20 years and have several hundred rounds under my belt. My dad is probably pushing close to 750-1,000. Here are my descriptions of the photos he sent me. My dad has played the course several times since they have started the work but I'm doing this all from the photos and memory.
1. #11 from the tee. Tan area in the bottom right is dormant bermuda rough - you won't see much (or any) of this in the rest of the pictures. All dark green areas are now fairway. In mid left of picture you can see the fairway bunker. The bunker used to be well into the rough but now the fairway goes right up to it. This added 10-20 yards of fairway to the left side. Fairway has been expanded to the right as well - probably 10 yards or so. This fairway is at least double the size and my previous estimates are probably conservative.
2. #11 from tee, close up of right side. The waste area has been expanded to the left. Note the line of love grass (or whatever you call the grass clumps). Everything to the left of those is new waste area. A little left of waste area is a tan line. I'm pretty sure that is the old rough line. Now all the green is fairway. There is no more rough on the right side at all - it goes straight from fairway to waste area.
3. #11 from tee, close up of left side. Fairway goes right up to bunker when it hadn't before. This makes front right pin placements completely visible whereas they are semi-blind from middle of fairway. Also, it allows you to run the ball on to the right side of the green and not to have to carry the bunker, but it lengthens the hole dramatically. Green angles from front right to back left so this side of the fairway is useless if pin is on left. On right side of picture about midway up is a faint tan line which I think was the old rough line. All dark green to the left is now fairway - much, much wider. All rough left of fairway is gone leaving just waste area.
4. Right of 11 green looking back to fairway. Note brown area left of bunker. This used to be rough but all the rough has been removed to be replaced by waste area. Fairway goes right up to that bunker when it didn't before.
5. 12 tee looking toward 12 green. Formerly 10-20 yards of rough right of fairway before getting to waste area. Fairway extended to waste area and bunkers.
6. 12 tee looking to left side of hole. The fairway bunker used to be way into the rough and completely out of play. Now the fairway goes right up to it. This makes the right hand pin placements more accessible without having to worry about going in right greenside bunker but makes the hole much longer. Fairway is easily twice as wide, if not more, than before. Rough appears to have been completely removed left of tee and fairway.
7. Close up of right side of #12. Fairway clearly goes right up to bunkers. Challenging those bunkers shortens the hole and opens up back left hole location which is protected by a swale in the middle left of the green. All rough removed leaving just waste area.
8. 12 green looking back to tee. Waste area was extended closer to fairway. Given the width between the tree lines the fairway looks to be over 50 yards wide.
9. 12 green looking back to left side of fairway. Fairway now goes right up to tree line. Easily added 20 yards of fairway on that side.
10. 13 tee looking to green. All rough on the hole appears to have been removed. Probably 10-20 yards of fairway added to left side.
11. Close up of right side of 13 fairway. Where there is no grass will be waste area. This goes all the way to the 14th fairway right of the picture. Fairway goes right up to bunker where there used to be 5-10 yards of fairway between the fairway and the bunker.
12. 13 green back to tee. No more rough between holes 13 and 14 - all waste area. Note tire tracks in the fairway - that was approximately the old rough line.
13. 13 green looking back to left of fairway. All rough is gone. Look closely and you can see the old rough line - about 5-10 more yards of fairway.
14. 13 green looking down 14 fairway. Waste area goes down entire right side of 14. Fairway goes right up to fairway bunkers on both sides, close to doubling the fairway width.
15. Close up of previous photo.
16. 14 green to tee. Fairway used to be a narrow strip between the fairway bunkers. Now it is expanded all the way to fairway bunkers on both sides.
Last two photos are same as 16.
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Just saw this update. Course will be closed over the winter:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-04/pinehurst-no-2-golf-course-to-close-over-winter-to-complete-renovations.html