Phil Mickelson has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on golf course setups, but this time his comments were aimed at defending the amateurs.
He spoke out against Le Golf National before the 2022 Olympics, recalling his experience there during the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Lefty also voiced concerns over the rough planned for Oakmont in the 2025 US Open and did not hold back regarding pin placements at Muirfield during The Open in 2013.
Mickelson has never been one to stay quiet about changes he thinks are needed, a mindset that played a part in his move to LIV Golf.
And ahead of the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, he spoke out again, calling one aspect of the course “killing the game”.
Phil Mickelson’s critique of amateur playability in modern golf course design
Mickelson did not hold back when discussing the long par three at AAC, pointing out how modern course designs aimed at professionals often overlook the needs of everyday golfers.
“It’s a perfect example of how modern architecture is killing the game because these holes are unplayable for the member. You have water in front and you have a bunker behind, and you give the player no avenue to run a shot up,” he said.
“Modern architecture, there are some great ones, but the guy that redid this one – you know, it’s great for the championship, but it’s not great for the membership.”
Longer courses are being built to accommodate players hitting further than ever before. But while longer courses do not necessarily hurt pros that much, they do make things tougher on amateurs.
The Old Course at St Andrews is also going through changes. The Home of Golf is being lengthened to prepare for future Opens. That move could end up making it harder for everyday players who want to enjoy a round there outside of tournament season.
Nobody wants to see majors turn into pitch-and-putt contests with scores pushing 30-under par every week. So where does the real issue lie – course setups or equipment advances?
How par-three holes have grown longer in major golf tournaments
This year’s US Open at Oakmont did not just grab attention for its thick rough – the 301-yard par-three eighth also turned plenty of heads.
Collin Morikawa labelled it “ridiculous”, while Viktor Hovland went with “silly”. For professionals, it was a serious challenge. For amateurs, it bordered on unplayable.
The Oakmont hole set a new record for the longest par three in major championship history, edging out the 299-yard seventh at Los Angeles Country Club. That same course features another lengthy short hole measuring 297 yards, meaning players were often reaching for driver more than once.
Merion’s third hole ranks among the longer short holes seen at majors, playing to 266 yards back in 2013. Shinnecock Hills’ second measured just two yards shorter at the US Open five years later.
Carnoustie’s 16th is not as long on paper – 248 yards when it hosted The Open in 2018 – but the wind often makes it feel even longer. That year, it played as the longest short hole in Open Championship history.
Mickelson has made it clear he is not a fan of these types of setups, arguing they do little to help grow participation among everyday golfers.
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