"Could you describe that method, the conservative way that takes ALL the hazards out of play ?"
Yes, I could. I'll tell you as soon as you show me where there is water hard by the landing zone on the tee shot. Here's a clue though: 245,175,70. Now please tell me what you feel the touring pros would average on this hole. Certainly less than the 18th at Carnoustie and assuredly less than the 18th at Merion. I'm not saying scoring in itself is indicative of the points I was trying to make, but it is related.
"The forward tees have not been moved.
The middle tees have been lengthened by 11 yards by taking them back to the original back tee, and, the back tee has been lengthened by 20 yards since inception.
I believe that Merion has been lengthened far more than 20 yards, and, not that long ago."
Yes, for the Amateur, the hole was lengthened by 30 yards from the distance Ben Hogan played it from in 1950 and 50 yards farther than Jones played it in 1930 and 80 yards farther than he played it in 1916. That is elasticity, not moving gates and roads and changing playing angles (you wouldn't want to play over the 17th green, right?).
"There is only ONE bunker behind the 18th green and it doesn't cover the entire rear of the green, only part of it.
And, that's a shallow bunker in terms of depth, not much of a safety net, unless you're extremely lucky."
If you were standing in the SW corner of the clubhouse, it would appear to be only 1 bunker behind the green, but in fact, along the line of play, nearly half the green is surrounded by bunkers. The back half that is. The front is wide open.
"What's it like behind # 18 at Merion ?
Does it fall off 50 feet to virtually unplayable terrain ?"
No, it is not the same as at NGLA. You got me there
"And, how's the visual into # 18 at Merion ?
Visually intimidating or benign ?"
What is it to you, Pat? For everyone else it is very intimidating and contains an element of visual deception not found at NGLA's 18th. The top of the second ridge line hides the 60 yards or so between it and the front of the green, effectively foreshortening the distance perspective. The false front and deep flanking bunkers are rather much on your mind as well. If the player knows the green, he knows how much the back half of the green falls away from the line of play and the effective area to hold that green is very small.
"From 150 to 10 yards the approach to # 18 at NGLA is visually and physically intimidating. That's not the case with
# 18 at Merion."
Wishful thinking. There are landing areas from the member's tee or perfectly struck 350-yard Tiger shots from the championship tees that get a turbo boost, or second shots out of the rough from the championship tees where you cannot see the green at all, short of the ridge line I refer to above. You can be 150 yards from the green and not see it at all, just the flagpole beyond the green to the right. Surely Pat, you need to visit to refresh your memory on this hole. Rumor has it that might happen once some issues get squared away. I hope they are and you will.
"As to Carnoustie, absent the stands for the Open, it presents different surrounds."
I agree. There are flanking bunkers that make for an interesting opening to the 18th at Carnoustie. Together with the falloffs on either side, there is intimidation, but when you add the OB on the left, it is enhanced for an Open.
"Is this insane defense of # 18 at Merion part of the initiation process whereby you remain on double secret probation for five years ?"
No, why do you ask? It is objective reasoning. Something you clearly lack when it comes to your beloved NGLA. I am quick to acknowledge that it is one of the great courses in the world. But it isn't the best of everything, Pat and it isn't as good a finishing hole as Merion. You'll soon see