What Michael Kim noticed about Aronimink during a practice round that he’s never seen before

Q: What did Michael Kim notice about Aronimink Golf Club?

Michael Kim noted that Aronimink Golf Club lacks strategic challenges, making it easier for players to score.

Q: Why did Rory McIlroy criticize Aronimink Golf Club?

Rory McIlroy criticized Aronimink for its lack of strategy off the tee and the removal of trees, which he believes reduces the challenge of the course.

Q: How does Aronimink Golf Club's design affect player strategy?

The design of Aronimink allows players to use a driver and wedge approach, which limits strategic options during play.

Q: What are the main concerns about Aronimink as a major championship venue?

The main concerns include its suitability due to the lack of strategic challenges and the ease with which modern pros can navigate the course.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Before the PGA Championship has even begun, Aronimink Golf Club has come under major scrutiny for its suitability for a major championship venue.

Rory McIlroy said there is no strategy off the tee, as he can just bomb it as far as he can and figure the rest out with a wedge in his hands. He also said it’s a shame that the golf course has followed the modern trend of removing trees, as that takes strategy out of the equation.

Aronimink is an incredible setting for a tournament, but it’s defended by a scattering of bunkers lining the fairways, which a number of modern pros should be able to carry with relative ease. On the front nine, especially, it should be driver, wedge to nearly every green.

The club has made some moves to counter the modern pro, including something Michael Kim has never seen at a golf course before.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America via Getty Images

What Michael Kim noticed about Aronimink that he’s never seen before

The takeaway from most of the players after their practice rounds at Aronimink is that on the front nine, especially, scoring is going to be low. But Kim noticed a few things about the golf course that will make it a little harder for the field.

He posted to X: “Thoughts from Wed at PGA:

“Played the back nine today early. Def tougher than the front nine. At least 1 shot harder, I’m going to guess.

“15 especially is going to be brutal. Into the wind, I hit driver 3wd haha. Wind is slightly different, and it’s going to be downwind, but it’s still quite difficult.

“18 Idk if I’ve ever seen a tree in play that’s this big. Left side is definitely the preferable side, but even then, I’ll likely have to play around it or go below it. It’s going to be a fascinating finishing stretch with guys hanging on.

“I know I’ve said this, but the rough is STRONG. It is patchy, but from a poor lie, I’m not carrying it anymore than a 100yds.

“Also, the first cut here is prob the highest I’ve ever seen haha My plan is to putt with a wedge and belly it. Unlikely to happen a lot but it’s tricky.”

So not only is the rough going to be a test, but so is the first cut. While the fairways are wide, missing them is going to cause a real issue for the players even if they’re slightly off with their accuracy.

Justin Rose says Aronimink must be respected because of the rough

Kim isn’t the only player to make note of the rough at Aronimink. Justin Rose, in response to McIlroy’s comments, said the club has worked hard to make the rough a hazard, and it needs to be respected.

Speaking before the tournament, the Englishman said, “Yeah, that’s a shame to hear that because that’s not what a Donald Ross course is designed to be or historically has been. So I think that’s the modernization of the golf course, a little bit, as it’s been cleaned out a little bit and lengthened a little bit.

“And there’s definitely some bunkers at 310 or 305 that if you can carry those, the fairway does get much wider. So from that point of view, I think if you have that gear, I think there are a lot of players in the field that that is the case, it’s not just going to suit particularly Rory, it’s going to suit a lot of guys that can carry the ball 300 plus.

“But, yeah, the rough’s definitely creeping up, though to the point where you’ve got to be respectful, I think. I think two weeks ago, the rough wasn’t up. They have really worked hard, I believe, from what Fooch tells me anyway, to kind of get the rough growing. It’s a different type of rough, actually, it’s a very thick rough, it’s almost like a Kikuyu.

“It feels like very, it’s like a very dense rooty type of grass. So, yeah, I think there’s a little bit of respect needed to make sure you are hitting the fairways. The fairways are generous, but you still need to be on them.”

So hit the fairways, and you’ll have a good look at birdie, but miss them, and you’ll be struggling for par. Isn’t that exactly what we want from a golf course off the tee? It sounds like Aronimink has done a great job setting up the course.