This part of the bag is key for the U.S. Amateur at Merion

Merion Golf Club’s East course is certainly a lot more than just a scorecard. At just 6,939 yards this week, Merion is one of the shortest courses in modern championship golf, but if you look a little closer at how the course arrives at that length, it paints a different picture. Despite the yardage, there’s no shortage of long holes, as there are three par-4s over 480 yards (5, 6 and 18), two par-3s over 230 yards — with a third that was stretched to 266 during the 2013 U.S. Open — and both par-5s measuring nearly 600 yards. On the flip side, five par-4s measure 365 yards or less, as well as a par-3 that’s just 119 yards. It’s a course of extremes.

While thick rough and demanding bunkers that will greatly test your short game, the unique scorecard of Merion really tests the decisions you make at the top end of your bag. The way I see it, there are three tasks needed to properly fill that part of the bag.

Clubs for long par-3s

I’m fully aware this could be a moot point for a sizable chunk of the field who can create 185 mph (or more) ball speed, who might even take a mid-iron into the 250-yard 17th hole. But for the majority of the field, and if any of you dear readers are lucky enough to score a tee time at Merion, most will be hitting either a long iron, hybrid club or high-lofted fairway wood into 17 and the 9th hole.

For the U.S. Amateur, No. 3 is listed at 219 yards, plays uphill and into the prevailing summer wind. There’s also a back tee that was used in the 2013 U.S. Open, which made the hole play a beastly 266 yards during the final round.

Given the elevation and wind directions, it’s likely the same club could be used on No. 3 and No. 9, given how the course is set up for the U.S. Amateur, but you may need another club for 17.

Merion’s 17th, at 246 yards, will be the longest par-3 this week.

Building clubs for specific par-3s is something we see a lot on the PGA Tour. Tommy Fleetwood did it recently by adding a 4-iron along with his 9-wood for Doral.

Tee clubs

I’ve yet to come across anyone who believes the best strategy for Merion is hitting driver 14 times. That becomes apparent right away when the opening hole is just a 360-yard dogleg right with bunkers up both sides of the fairway. There are chances to hit driver on the long holes like 2, 4 and 5, but depending on the setup, that could be the only opportunities on the front 9, and perhaps even until the 14th hole.

On the 7th hole, all you need is to squeeze past the bunker at 230 yards and the ball will roll to the bottom part of the fairway. On 11, the fairway ends at 275 yards from the tee, downhill. On 12, the fairway bends sharply right at 270 yards with tall trees down that side that deny any attempt to cut the corner. On 14, the fairway bends left at 280 with the boundary of Golf House Road looming for any ball that cuts it too close.

For many players, some of those target landing areas will not only be too short for a driver, but also for modern 3-woods and mini drivers, too.

Many in the field have chosen to combat this with a traditional setup of either a 5-wood or driving iron for their third spot in the bag. But more than a third of players in the 312-man field have opted for a hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood (21˚ and up).

To me, it’s the hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood that makes the most sense (and it’s what I did when I played), for one simple reason: control. We saw the same scenario play out with Tour pros at last year’s U.S. Open. By employing a 7-wood, players can get more height and spin, thus shortening the rollout, making the shot more predictable.

That’s especially crucial given the last task your top-of-bag clubs need to satisfy at Merion.

The rough at Merion is thick and there is a lot of it!

Long shots from the rough

Miss the fairway at Merion, and you WILL be penalized. From the back tees, players who find the rough could also find approaches from over 230 yards on key holes like 5, 6, 18 and the two par-5s. If they have the speed to muscle a 3-iron out of this stuff, more power to ’em, but this is where hybrids and high-lofted fairways earn their place in the bag.

I specifically chose my Titleist GT1 hybrid to play Merion because it has a very sharp leading edge to cut through the turf better. I also treat it as an in-between club, blending the action of a hybrid and a 7-wood. In the source author’s experience, the versatile hybrid/7-wood type club proved worth it for tee shots on 7 and 14 and it turned out to be the right club on tee shots like Nos. 12 and 16.

So while a short, firm Northeastern course might scream utility iron (and plenty in the field are going that route), there might be some better options for most players.

Some long-game options I like for Merion

• Titleist GT1 Hybrid: Features a sharp leading edge to cut through turf better, blending hybrid and 7-wood action.
• Callaway Apex Utility Wood: Designed for avid golfers seeking a blend of fairway wood power and hybrid versatility. Features Tungsten Speed Wave for enhanced ball speed, Step Sole Design to reduce turf interaction, Triaxial Carbon Crown for weight redistribution and forgiveness, and Tour-Inspired Shaping for confidence and control.
• Ping G440 Hybrid: Appeals to various skill levels with different ball-flight characteristics. Features a new, shallower and thinner face design for improved contact and higher launch, optimized launch and spin for distance with stopping power, Free-Hosel Design to lower CG and increase forgiveness, Rounded Sole for pleasing face angle, and Carbonfly Wrap for weight savings and increased MOI.
• Cobra King Tec Hybrid: (Details not provided in the source text but mentioned as an option).
• TaylorMade Qi4D Hybrid: Designed as an iron replacement, combining stainless steel and a carbon fiber crown for desired carry yardages and steep landing angles. Features a single Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS) weight for flight adjustment, a 3° loft sleeve for loft/lie/face angle optimization, optimized CG placement, Cut-Thru Speed Pocket™ to protect ball speed, and Twist Face™ for straighter shots on mishits.
• Ping G440 Max Fairway Wood (7- or 9-wood): High MOI for easy launch and stability, flexing face for ball speed and spin optimization, taller face profile for confidence and low CG, Free-Hosel Design for CG optimization and forgiveness.
• TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway wood: Designed for maximum distance and versatility. Features a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight for flight adjustment, a 4° loft sleeve for loft/lie/face angle optimization, refined attributes based on Tour feedback, new Cut-Thru Speed Pocket™ to protect ball speed, Twist Face™ for straighter shots, and Multi-Material Construction for increased discretionary weight.