What to Look for at Oakmont This Week

The U.S. Open is back at Oakmont, one of the most demanding tests in golf. This week, as you watch the best players in the world battle it out, keep an eye on a few key ball striking details the same ones you can train with Strike Wedge.

Tight Lies Require BallFirst Contact

Oakmont’s fairways are firm and tight. There’s no forgiveness if you hit behind the ball. You’ll see pros consistently deliver the club with a downward strike, compressing the ball before brushing the turf. That’s ballfirst contact. It happens because their low point is in front of the ball, and the arc height is controlled precisely.

Thick Rough Demands Steepness and Forward Low Point

Miss the fairway and you're in thick, punishing rough. From here, players aren’t trying to be perfect they're trying to get the ball out clean. They take more loft, move the low point forward, and increase their attack angle to dig the ball out. Arc height control takes a back seat. The goal is to avoid grass between face and ball and get enough elevation and spin to hold the green.

Fast Greens Require Spin and Clean Contact

Oakmont’s greens are brutally fast. A ball without spin can roll forever. Mishits from the fairway are heavily penalized there’s no friction to slow them down. That’s why spin is critical. Spin gives you control. It helps the ball stop instead of sliding endlessly across the green.

Watch how the pros deal with pitch shots around the green. They often fly the ball most of the way to the hole, taking the green out of play as much as possible. The less they have to read the green, the better.

Pros Hit the Middle Consistently

If you want to understand consistency, watch how often the pros hit the center of the face. Mishits are the biggest reason the ball goes offline. They don’t just cause distance loss they disrupt spin and launch.

Also take note of how little the pros curve the ball. When you control strike and face angle, there’s no need to shape every shot. Straight, controlled, consistent. That’s what wins at Oakmont.

How to Train Like the Pros (with Strike Wedge)

Place the Strike Wedge on the ground and start without a ball. Make slow, small swings. Your goal is to miss the wedge and strike the ground three to four inches in front of it.

Take your time. Let your swing self-organise. You might struggle to find the ground at first or feel like you're going to hit the wedge. That's totally fine. Spend time figuring it out.

Once you're comfortable, introduce a ball. Keep the same focus. The feedback will tell you everything you need to know.

If you are struggling with either toe or heel strikes, watch the videos below on how to move your strike location.