The Future Of U.S. Open Venues

What Goes Into Deciding If Your Favorite Course Is Among The Core Four (Or Core Five)? And Then What?

- John Feinstein

MIKE DAVIS, the CEO of the United States Golf Association, has heard all the rumors, reports and speculation about the changes that are coming to the U.S. Open—specifically in the selection of venues.

“Some of them are simply untrue,” Davis says. “Some, I understand where they came from, even if they’re inaccurate. And some might happen down the road, but probably not while I’m still on the job.”

After the success of this year’s Open at Pebble Beach, the rumors began:

The USGA was thinking of establishing a regular rotation of courses, much like the rota that the R&A has used for years to pick Open Championship sites.

The USGA was thinking of going into business with a handful of clubs, even establishing an LLC with some of those clubs.

The USGA was done looking for new golf courses for future Opens.

As with most rumors, there is a degree of truth in some, if not all, of what was being said.

According to Davis, there will be no rota, but, as the schedule from now through 2027 makes clear, there are a handful of courses the USGA will return to on a frequent basis.

“It’s pretty clear that we love Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Oakmont and Shinnecock,” Davis says. “Those four meet all our criteria: They’re great tests of golf, they set up logistically either very well or well enough, and—being honest—we’re going to make money when we go there. We’re a nonprofit, but the U.S. Open financially supports everything else we do—all our other championships and all the golf programs we sponsor—among other things.”