Goals are:
Break 80 - preferably at my home course (71.5/139)
Single digit cap
Planning to travel to West Lafayette, IN to play Purdue's courses and some other nice ones in the area in June. Would like to get down to French Lick to play the new Pete Dye course there and the refurbished Donald Ross course (played it several times in the 90's). Also want to get back to the Pfau Course at IU (played it twice last year).
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Have a Bandon trip planned for April 13th for my dad's 60th. I think I booked it about 15 months ago. Last Friday he broke his arm. Thankfully no surgery is needed, but the Dr. said 2-3 months to recover which is a bit tight. Keeping the trip as planned for now and my fingers crossed.
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Yep, 4/13-17. Playing all the courses once and have Bandon on the schedule an extra time one afternoon, but that will be a game time decision. We want to have the spot but allow us the rest that day if we need it. We are a couple of dads in our thirties going with our dads that are 60 and 62. This is all assuming this radial head fracture will heal in time for my dad to get back in a bit of golf shape before we leave.
EDIT: Forgot to add that per your recommendation on the 2023 thread we booked Jay Jordan as our group caddie for the trip
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Also, my buddies and I do our best to golf year round. We like to plan a yearly below 30° golf trip simply because of the ridiculousness of it. The sound of a golf ball bouncing along a frozen pond is like nothing you've heard before
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A course management tip to help you out - to break 100 you need 9 bogeys and 9 double bogeys. Play for bogey on every hole. Play each hole with the primary focus of keeping the ball in play. It's hard to put up numbers higher than double bogey if you don't throw away shots to penalties. And no hero shots.
Good luck. Oh and about that 30° round - you crazy! Just sayin'.
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That is great advice, I keep the word "birdie" out of my vocabulary at all times lol. Just last week I figured out I was addressing the ball too close in my stance and my iron swings weren't nearly vertical enough. Seemed like I gained a club head of length on every one of my clubs once I made some adjustments.
You definitely have to have the right group and mindset for the cold round. The sun being out is obviously a plus. But man those are some of the best rounds (beer helps too 😉)
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The chances of a 10-15 HCP making birdie from the fairway is close to Nil. Thus, GIR is your most important focus. How many times have you dropped one into 4 feet from the fairway to save birdie? Not many times. Focus on the weakness in your game that keeps you from hitting GIR. Be it wayward drives or chunked approaches. The more GIR you have, you exponentially increase your chances at birdie. Also keep in mind- 2 keys to lower scores really- and only 2 for amateurs. No lost balls, No 3 putts. Do those 2 things and you shoot 75-78 right there.
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He's not even a 15 cap - closer to 25. But your advice about keeping the ball in play is spot on even for his goal to break 100. His goal right now should be on the green in regulation+1. That takes away the pressure of hitting the green from out of position (I.e. in the trees, 175 yds+ out, etc.). 2 putts is still a bogey and 9 of those with 9 doubles is 99. And that philosophy will get him close to breaking 90 in time, too. That's just 18 bogeys.
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His goal right now should be on the green in regulation+1.
That's been my goal for a while. Hitting greens in regulation + 1 and two-putting = bogey golf, and damn close to breaking 90. I haven't done that yet, but I will.
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You got this. Find a consistent swing for you- meaning one where you know your misses. That's how you break 90. Not by hitting a 300 yard drive then 2 chunks. That is not a consistent swing. A consistent swing for a high HCP is one particular "miss".
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I know this was directed to BT, but I had never thought of consistency like that. I couldn't tell you what my misses are right now. Huh. Lots to work on
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Any instructor will tell you that a repeatable swing is key to consistent golf and lower scores. If you work toward that, eventually when you miss hit the ball it will be the same miss- always thin, or always a hook (my miss personally), or always a slice (coming over the top). Golf is mostly mental, so the point is that if you can train your body for one swing, one consistent plane, when you are nervous or its raining or you are hitting over a water carry, IF you miss, it will be where you always miss it. And that is much more manageable and doesn't wreck your confidence. We have all played with the guy that hits a banana slice on every tee with his driver. Every tee box. Well, that particular miss is simply an open club face relative to your aim. So to fix a slice, you must aim properly AND get that club face closed. Most high HCP slicers make the problem worse by aiming more left. All that is going to do is cause you to be even more out to in. No Bueno. The better golfer would have fixed his open club face and out to in path to thr point where they don't slice every tee ball. If they do miss however, it will likely be that miss- to the right, over the top, open face. Very few cronic slicers become hookers of the ball for example.
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I call it mitigating the miss. Look at the trouble ahead, figure out what your standard miss is, and what a flushed shot is, and that is your circle of aiming point. Basically, if a 50/50 shot could end up in the water, adjust your aim. Make sure that the miss doesn't cost you dearly. Bu also if you do pull the shot off, you are rewarded for it. Make sense?
There are too many times I hear guys say "i know I was going to do that..." Well, why did you actually do it then? Adjust.
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Yep, when people approach that 12-to single digit HCP, their misses are usually the same- they have a good swing, just might get a little quick, less turn etc. Pro golfers ultimate sin is the "2 way miss" - it has ended careers due mostly to mental aspects of it.
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This is so important and how I got down to a 12 from an 18 last year. Every approach I was thinking about where I want to miss. Trouble on the right - miss left. Then I would aim half way between my optimum target ( usually center of the green) and where my miss needs to be. Started taking big numbers off the card.
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Currently a 15.1. Lowest ever is 10.7. Goal for 2024 is to be around a 12. I like my shots. :)
Win Flight at Member Member with Dad
Win Flight at Member Guest with Brother
I am a lucky guy. I am able to play both of these tournaments (which are the 2 biggest at my club) with my Dad and my brother. I never want it to end. Unfortunately I am the worst golfer in the family with both of them maintaining single digit handicaps closer to 5 than 9.
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That's cool. I moved away after college so golfing with my dad was limited to when one of us visited the other. Wish I could share my country club experience with him now, but he's been gone for many years.
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I don't take it for granted that is for sure. After I left VT I thought I wanted to live the big city life and moved to Charlotte. Boy was I wrong. I was back home in small town NC within 5 years. I am now a member at the Country Club I grew up at. Pretty cool indeed.
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Highlight of the year for golf will be finally attending the Masters (Tuesday practice round) but goals are:
- Average 1 birdie per round
- Complete 2 Stack programs to increase speed
- Win annual boys golf trip (5 out of 7 years finished 2nd)
- 2 double bogey free rounds
- 2 three putt free rounds
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I've had the opportunity to attend a couple Monday practice rounds at the Masters, and let me tell you that you are in for what is basically a golfers religious experience. The practice rounds are almost better you first time out from what I understand (never went to a tournament round) becuase you really just get to take in the whole course. You will be wiped out (it is way more hilly in person than on TV, so make sure you were good walking shoes).
The beers and food will be the most reasonable pricing you will find and any sporting event. They really do an amazing job there on everthing for the patrons.
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We spent about $400 each for the Monday practice round in 2014 on Stubhub. That seemed crazy at the time but very worth it. I can't imagine what it costs now. I think I am up to 0/12 on the lottery.
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I waited until a week before the masters and got a Sunday ticket for 1600 bucks all in to watch Rahm walk up 18. It was SICK. You won't regret it at all. It is and always will be one of the best sporting experiences in the world.
While that is still very expensive it isn't the nut buster like they used to be. This was my 4th masters. I have won the lottery twice already. I think statistically I have a better shot at winning 1M bucks on a scratch off.
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If you don't mind me asking, where did you stay? Tentative plan is to find a hotel in Columbia SC and drive down early since we dont want to pay $600 to stay at a hampton inn closer.
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I was lucky enough to go to a Sunday round at the Masters recently. Even though it was hella crowded -- around 40k people -- the place is incredibly efficient. You will never stand still in a line and they will make is easy to spend money! As others have said, it's has a lot of elevation change. Even after people warn you, it's more than you're currently thinking.
One very nice thing is you can set your chair anywhere and no one will move it or sit in it. So if you want to catch a certain green or tee box but want to do that later just go put your chair there and it will be ready when you come back.
Amen corner is great viewing where you can see drives coming down the hill, the tee to the par 3 and the tee back up the hill. There's a nice pine tree peninsula there where you can see it all that's close to beer/food/restrooms. But do walk as much as the course as you can. The fairways are nicer than most greens I've been on!
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Very excited for the Wednesday practice round at the Masters. Second time heading down to Augusta.
I am a part of a Ryder Cup group within my firm that does an annual trip in the fall. We will go back to Briggs Ranch in San Antonio this year. 24 people. 3 day tournament. It is electric.
Hoping to do at least one other golf trip this year.
Main goal for the year is figure out Driver. Getting off the tee has always been my Achilles heel. Last year I went pretty exclusively to 3 wood which helped but I need to learn to hit driver consistently with confidence.
Secondary goal is 10 rounds in the 70s.
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What are your goals?- Hit hard shots better- 3 hybrid, 70 yard controlled approach, consistent driver ball flight. Get down to single digits.
What cool trips do you have planned?- My buddies are coming here to North Phoenix/Scottsdale this year. Playing 2 rounds at my club and one somewhere else. Go to the Wasted Open and watch the super bowl. Will be a fun time.
Being able to play year round is awesome out here in PHX. Game changer for me.
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Goal:
Play once a month leading up to my trip in April, so I can try and play semi-close to what my handicap is these days. Then keep my frequency to at least once every 6 weeks the rest of the year. Two young kids and a bad back make getting on the course quite rare lately.
Side goal:
My dad got me a Garmin Approach R10 for Christmas. I am going to try and setup a very rudimentary simulator in my garage. Just a mat, net, and iPad or TV for now until I get hooked and start researching ways to burn a lot of money.
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You have started down a wonderful slippery slope my friend. I started with a skytrak hitting into a net in the garage during COVID. Upgraded to a better mat (definitely don't cheap out if you tend to hit it fat as concrete kills the joints and you will develop golfers elbow), screen, projector, and GsPro (best sim software out there).
Just pulled the trigger on an Uneekor Eye XO during their holiday sale so if anyone has been interested in a skytrak I will have one for sale when it comes in and I get it set up.
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Currently at 6.3.
Want to be sub 5.0 by August 2024
No big trips planned, but have buddies in Richmond that are planning for a Royal New Kent, Kinloch, Ballyhack trip at some point.
Want to win our flight in the MG, again.
Pretty happy with the bag. Only thing I might change up is I need a new 52*, so I'm peeping the Mizuno T24 wedge to replace my Vokey SM9. Have ProV's ready for the year. Got a bag right before Scotland last year. Just need to play more. And take advantage of the membership I'm getting back this season.
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I'm playing in the annual Feed the Need Tournament at The Ocean Course on Kiawah this Monday. Will be my 5th consecutive time playing and it's always a blast. Weather looks pretty cold and windy this year but I'll have a really heavy beer jacket it. Last year we shot -1 as a team; hoping to best that next week.
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Currently 4.8. Only that low because of the best round of my life, 71 +1, 4 rounds ago.
So the goal would be to stay below 5.0 (or get back below 5.0 as quickly as possible because I'm going back up) for the year with a few rounds close to even par on the year.
And win my yearly Luray Golf trip. Been top 3-5 every year but the current format highly favors the higher handicaps.
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I have a question for you golf guys and I don't know where else to ask so here goes:
I'm not an avid golfer but I play several times a year, mostly for work related captains choice type tournaments, etc. I'm not very good, but have a good hole from time to time. I have two boys who are really showing an interest in the sport, and I would like to get better and play more. My questions are as follows:
1. I've only ever played with hand me down clubs. I'm 6'4 and everyone says that I would likely play better with fitted clubs given my height. I do feel that I have a lot of inconsistency in my shot and feel that I'm reaching for my ball. I have a horrible slice (most of the time) on my drive and hit my long irons best out of all my clubs. I don't get under the ball very well. Would fitted clubs help? Should I just get some longer shafts based on some measurements?
2. Other than getting clubs that fit, what's the best way to improve my score? Simply play more? I have no desire to be a scratch golfer nor could I, however I'd like to be more serviceable or at least consistent. Everyone on the tee box has advice. Any pointers here?
Thanks in advance guys - please ignore if this is hijacking the thread
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You can get a static fitting which is basically just measuring how much extra length you need on your shafts.
There are a lot of different approaches to getting better, but playing more will be key to any of them. I would recommend avoiding YouTube videos for instruction. There is a lot of advice out there that might not apply to your particular swing and you won't be able to discern the good from the bad.
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I am 6'4 as well. It depends more on your arm length than your actual height. I got fitted and my irons are +0.5" over stock irons but if you have long arms you might not need longer. Either way, the fitting is worth it.
Only way to get better is lessons, driving range, putting green. You can find good instructors on instagram and do their drills on the range to start. I like Mike Bender. If you are willing to put the time and effort, lessons with a pro are good. The basics of setup to the ball, posture, and grip are as important as any swing drills.
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Fittings are generally based on distance from your wrist to the floor when standing straight up. At 6'4", you're probably benefit from +0.5" on your irons. Maybe a lie angle adjustment as well. But standard length fits a lot of people, and only starts changing when you creep into the 6'1" and taller range. Even then, it's most just half an inch.
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yes, get clubs that fit. if the lie angle is off, you'll start the ball either left of your aim or right of your aim. then you start compensating. then you are long-term screwed.
take a lesson to at least make sure your basic grip and stance/setup are fundamentally sound. you may think it feels like you are doing what the person in the picture/video is doing, but chances are very good you aren't. that's why golf is so difficult for most people
in your swing you should/must turn, not sway. 99.9% of people who don't break 100, sway...and consistency is nearly impossible. learn to turn...engrain the feel...there are lots of easy drills
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in your swing you should/must turn, not sway. 99.9% of people who don't break 100, sway...and consistency is nearly impossible. learn to turn...engrain the feel...there are lots of easy drills
Is that right? I'd always heard about the hip transfer of momentum, but thought that was more of a horizontal shift (what you call a sway) and then turn. If what you say is true, then this could be a really helpful tip for me.
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For a right handed golfer, sway is moving horizontally away from the target in the backswing. Like if you put a stick in the ground touching your right hip at setup, it would get knocked over during the backswing. Then, on the swing, you are moving laterally back towards the target, which kills true speed and control.
Rather, turn (X factor between shoulders and hips) with a slight lateral movement, but head staying relatively still, and turn THRU the ball, which will make you move slightly laterally towards the target, but not zapping speed or control.
2023 was a very good year. Moved up a tee box mid-year and I'm now regularly in the 70's from that distance...level par for 9 once in awhile.
Would like to pick up a couple more strokes in 2024 before time closes that door (scheduled to turn 69 this year). A little more accuracy/consistency off the tee should get that done...may take a look at a new driver at some point (it's gotta be the club, right?). Will also play a few more rounds from the traditional middle tees on days when the winds are calm and greens are receptive.
No trips scheduled. Son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first very soon, so I may pack the sticks when we visit.
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Son and his wife are expecting their first very soon, so I may take the sticks when we visit.
1st: Congratulations grampa to be. It's a great ride, enjoy it
2nd: When our grand daughter Dixie was born we were able to go to Phoenix for a month to help and see her and the new mom and dad. I was able to work and played several rounds w my son. It was a great trip.
Hope u and yours can swing a trip like that.
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spent too much time at PGA Superstore yesterday and a closeout model Stealth 2+ followed me home.
hit a Cobra...lacked consistency (with my swing anyway); hit a Paradym...nice but no better than my 2018 Rogue (which I also had with me); Stealth 2+ was consistently 5 yards longer on carry (7 on rollout) and had tighter dispersion, once I dialed in the settings
weather sucks for the next couple days but should be able to get out soon.
EDIT/UPDATE: I took advantage of the PGASS playability guarantee and returned the Stealth 2+. Nice club but shaft was too heavy and being end of year, the shaft options were limited. Ordered a 9 degree Qi 10 LS to replace it with the 50g shaft. Played it today for the first time and it is amazing. I'm 10+ yards longer with it than my 2018 Rogue. The lighter shaft is also a bit higher launching and more spinny. So I dropped the loft by a couple clicks (to 7.5 I think) to get my favorite ball flight.
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One of the things I find fascinating about golf is that there are relatively few fundamentals, but there are myriad ways to describe them. There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to describe grip, stance, what your hands do and don't do, wrists, forearm position, elbows, backswing, swing plane, head tilt...
Why? Because what you (me) feel like you (me) are doing in the golf swing is likely not exactly what you (me) are actually doing...sometimes not even close. And we're searching for someone who can describe what to do in a way that we can understand and implement. Who knew it was so difficult to hit a stationary ball a couple feet in front of you with a stick...and an effing custom made stick, at that!
My white whale in golf is a controlled draw with a driver. On TV and videos it looks so easy, no one is doing anything special. They swing, ball goes a mile and curves little. Nothing to it!
[Well not all of them make it look easy and some have lots of secrets to be revealed. Are they really secrets? This is the first video that came up when I googled " how to hit a draw with a driver" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flPkrhHzOec... spoiler, he talks about more than 3 things....way more. In fact, don't even watch it, no one can or should do what he says. "First aim a little right"...Harvey Penick probably would have shot him dead right then and there...golf instructors were allowed to do that in the old days]
Anyway, nothing in my natural/comfortable set up and swing will get me there; my shoulders are naturally slightly open at address because that's what happens when my right hand is lower than my left on the grip. And I'm kind of a one thing at a time thinker/feeler/learner..."first do this, then that, then that, then that"...nope!. I take the clubhead away; bring it back the same way it left; do nothing special with my hands; and get what I get; usually a low baby fade somewhere near the middle of the fairway. If I'm in balance, it works great; just avoid courses that have holes that bend from right to left...especially around tall trees...and be satisfied with very modest distance.
I've been committing some type of golf for over 5 decades and I've tried every tip imaginable to hit a draw; and to be sure, I have no trouble hitting an uncontrolled snap hook with a driver. In the last two years, I've also learned to hit a fairly controlled draw with my irons. But a controlled draw with a driver? Maybe one out of 10...until this morning.
Today I gave up trying to do two things during my swing: 1. straight takeaway in the backswing, then 2. approaching the ball inside out on the downswing (and getting a good turn and not releasing the club too soon or not at all...okay, more than 2 things). Instead, I set up with my feet on the target line and my shoulders and hips pointed to right center field. Then I just took a swing along that right-center target line...essentially a one plane swing from a two plane setup. Voila! So I tried it with my 3 wood...also voila! And my 7 iron...same same...feet pointed at target, ball starts to the right and gently curves back to the target.
So if a draw is your white whale; and if my back/hips survive what I did to them today; and if you have a somewhat limited ability to process and execute more than one swing thought at a time; maybe starting your swing on the second of a classic two plane swing can work for you, too!
So what is the white whale in your swing and what are you doing about it?
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My Great White Whale is similar to yours - a baby draw which is dependable (I won't pretend that I can "control" any shot - I am happy it goes the direction I want it to.). For reference I am 12 index.
For most of my 45 years of golfing life, I've had a ball flight that was anywhere between a horrible slice and a power fade. However, for about 7 years I played very little golf (like twice a year) and when I came back, I had a slight draw with all my clubs. I attributed this to two things. First, my muscle memory deteriorated and second, I was able to visualize (and feel) an in to out swing path.
Unfortunately, within about 3 months, my muscle memory returned and my left to right ball came back. That was in June of 2022. About the middle of last year, I realized that if I could visualize the in to out path again, I could probably train myself to do it. I started with a 8 iron in my basement where I have just enough room to take a full swing. I worked on swinging with no ball every day. The basement ceiling also ended up flattening out my swing, too, which has helped. On the range, I started to get my short irons to turn over and they would occasionally do that on the course, but they straightened out.
With my driver, my swing thought was turn at the hips to keep the club inside on the takeaway and then rotate the hips through the ball. In the sim, 8 out of 10 drives are straight or a baby draw and the metrics show a straight to 5° inside out swing path (5° is probably more than I want, 2° is a better target).
Towards the end of last season, the draw started showing up in my irons and occasionally the driver. Interestingly, I still feel like I can hit a fade with any club if I want to ( and I usually want to out of the rough to get the ball up quicker and higher).
The only drawback that I need to sort out is sometimes with my shorter iron, I will tug it left. I think the problem there is my hips are firing too fast in the downswing and I have too much lag. When I control that my iron accuracy is improved. We'll have to see what happens on the course this year when the weather warms up.
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The groundhog here n Michigan must not have seen his shadow, because the temp topped out near 60° today. I cut out early from work and got 9 holes in. Had to use an old set of clubs as I am currently having my regular set regripped. Managed to shoot a winter rules 44 with 3 pars and 2 doubles. No flags in the holes, so it was shoot for the middle of the greens except the couple of holes I remembered where the holes were from the last time I played around Christmas.
Temp is supposed to hit 60 again tomorrow and make it to the upper 40's on Saturday so I'll get at least 9 more in each day. Not sure my legs are up to walking 18.
February golf in Michigan is playing with house money.
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It is looking more and more likely that my long-booked April Bandon trip is going to be postponed a year. Instead of fully dying inside I am hoping to replace it with a Pinehurst trip in late summer.
Has anyone done Pinehurst, staying on and/or off property, or any of the surrounding courses? Any tips or recommendations?
We will likely just be a twosome now, which I figure helps our odds of finding lodging and tee times.
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Done a few trips to the pinehurst area for buddies trips. There are so many options and the best part is you would really have to work to not have a good time and play a fun course. We have done AirBnBs so cant comment on pinehurst resort or playing #2 and #4 (will hopefully one day), but favorite courses for me are Tobacco Road and Mid Pines.
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Done both. If you are staying on property, financially it makes sense to play the resort courses. I have not played #2 or the new one #10 that just opened. Here is how I would prioritize them if I were you.
#2, #4, #8, #10, #3, #9, and the rest are all equal. Try and play the Craddle as much as you can. Go early and slip the starter at the shack a $50 and have him put you on to play all day.
If you stay off property:
Mid Pines
Pine Needles
Tobacco Road
Southern Pines
Mid South
Talamore
Go have a beer at Dugan's Pub and the Pinehurst Brewery.
Spend an hour or two on the back patio at the Duece (bar inside the resort) and bet with your buddy on guys coming up 18. I love to bring a bunch of singles and just bet GIR or no GIR, does this guy get up and down, does this putt go in, etc.
Either way you do it, you'll have a blast. That area is disney world for golfers.
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Try Thistle Dhu, the 18 hole putting green course at Pinehurst Resort. You could easily spend a couple hours there. We play it twice after our round. It was a lot of fun.
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I went on a golf trip to the area about 16-18 years ago and we played Tobacco Road. That course was absolutely bonkers, and the number of blind tee shots was ridiculous, so you need to make sure you have a yardage book just to tell you where to hit it (at least at that time they did not have hold diagrams at the tee boxes, which is absolutely needed). It was a very cool course, we enjoyed that one the most.
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Officially canceled Bandon and called up Pinehurst. It was night and day as far as getting what I wanted on short notice.
We are arriving late on 4/13, so no golf. Then on 4/14 we are playing No 3 and the Cradle before chilling to watch the final round of the Masters. We then play No 2 at 8:20am on 4/15 before heading home.
This is just a quick makeup trip to make me less sad about canceling Bandon. My original plan was just No 3 and Cradle and then trying to find availability on a nearby course, so getting to play a bucket list course that will be hosting the US Open later this year is an awesome bonus.
Despite always living within easy driving distance (3.5 hrs), this is my first trip to Pinehurst. Does anyone have any tips on where to try to watch the Masters there? We are staying on property at The Manor but will be finishing up at the Cradle around 3pm on Sunday. Should we just try and hole up at The Deuce? My thought is to try and watch near the main clubhouse area so we can hop on Thistle Dhu if the end of the tournament isn't too exciting, but I'm open to any suggestions.
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And given that time of year, the really good ones/travelers are either south in Florida or headed back to Scotland/Ireland. Had a few in Scotland that basically do 50/50 between St. Andrews area and around Seminole/Lake Nona/PGA National during the winter months.
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Deuce is definitely a great place to watch the masters. If it's nice out get one of the tables outside near the big outdoor tv. Alternate watching the tourney and people coming up 18. Brewery or the whiskey bar in the manor would be good options too if you wanna be in the village.
And yeah some of the caddies on 2 can be meh but also some are great. But the real benefit is getting to walk. Cart path only means you do just as much trekking back and forth to the cart as you would walking. And walking that track is magical.
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All the suggestions given seem pretty good. If you are curious about any places to hit up for food / drinks in the area outside the clubhouses let me know. I live about 10 min from Pinehurst. adam dot paxton at protonmail dot com
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Since the trip will be pretty quick, we'll likely spend all of our non-golf time on the resort, but I'll hit you up if it looks like that will change. Thanks!
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Hey Bragghokie, sorry to revive this old thread but are you still up for sharing some recommendations? I am making a return trip March 12-15. This time there will be 4 of us and we're only staying on resort the last night of the trip.
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Welp, with a change in life plans, I've joined my old club again. Was 45 minutes away last few seasons so I dropped the membership, but now I'm back within 15 minutes. Ready to play some golf this year. Just ordered a new 52*. While the Vokey has been a staple in my bag for several years, decided to give the Mizuno T24 a chance to compliment the Pro225's. Got the same shaft in it too, the Nippon Modus Pro 115. Prob will end up with a new 60* by the time Father's Day rolls around this year too.
I crossed the threshold last Thanksgiving time so I'm able to play in the Sr Club Championship this year too. Woo Hoo and Ugh.
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Im about to retire my vokey's. They are made for pro's, and for me the back spin juice is not worth the zero margin for error squeeze most of the time. My T300 48 degree plays like a pitching wedge vs. the 52 vokey which is not easy to hit full crisp shots with.
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I was on the Cleveland train for a LONG time, then switched over to Vokey when all 14 clubs in my bag were Titleist. I was a club ho. Now there's a mix. But the 52 Vokey is the enigma of the bunch. Read fantastic things about the T24 and the lower trajectory which is nice playing near the coast with constant wind. Priced the same basically and no upcharge for custom shaft options.
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Going to retire my two Vokey wedges this year, too. They are well past their prime. Not sure what I will get as I think I will go get fitted.
From a bounce standpoint I think I am going to go with something at both ends of the range - a 4° or 6° and a 10° or 12°. Both my current wedges are high bounce now and I feel like I am missing something.
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Semi...public/private. We get first dibs on early morning tee times. Downside is they hold like 4 or 5 (non-member) tournaments on Saturdays throughout the year. Upside there's enough other options to fill in the gaps. Plus we get Glenriddle for $35, Rum Pointe at $40 and Lighthouse at $45.
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If you are playing a wet mess of a track, high bounce can help. If you are playing a hard and fast track, low bounce will help. Now, prob best for mid bounce, but pay attention to the grinds and HOW you hit shots. Might be worth checking out a Cleveland wedge fitting or going to a TM or Cally demo day and talking to those fitters about the right sole grind. They know their stuff, and it does make a big difference in contact and reactions.
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Yeah, my plan is to go get fitted at the same place I got fitted for the rest of my bag.
Fairways are usually firm at my home course but rough is chewy. Not sure what the bunkers are going to be like, but they tend to be more firmly packed early in the year and possibly fluffier later in the year.
Bounce and grind (which I understand less about) will be part of the conversation with the fitter.
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Anyone interested in taking over my Bandon Dunes reservation for this upcoming 4/14-17? Just finally had it confirmed that we have to cancel and the agent said they prefer if you can find someone to take over the itinerary. I don't know anyone personally that can do it so I figured I'd try here before just straight up canceling.
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Played in 21... would love to, but I can't this time. I am certain Bandon would have no trouble filling the spot though- they are booked a year in advance
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Yea I'm not worried about them filling the spot or putting any real effort into finding a replacement. I was more just hoping to make a Hokie's year by getting them a spot this April.
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It was for a foursome with the lodging being 2 golf doubles in the INN, so twosomes sharing a room with 2 queen beds. No lodging the night before when we were planning to stay in Bandon proper.
BT and Preserve get punched on 4/16, so this itinerary avoids that. BD will have been punched on 4/2.
Golf:
4/14
BT 9:00 AM
Preserve 5:45 PM
4/15
OM 7:50 AM
BD 2:40 PM
4/16
PD 8:40 AM
BD 3:10 PM (not guaranteed to finish)
4/17
SR 9:20 AM
Lodging:
4/14-17
1 Golf Double - INN
1 Golf Double - INN
Dining:
4/14
Pacific Grill 8:30 PM
4/15
Ghost Tree Grill 8:00 PM
4/16
Ghost Tree Grill 8:30 PM
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Does hole-in-one count if you hit it in your dream? It was a 4-iron, thought it was short but bounced into the pin, then had a little bit of mini-golf sloped-into-the-hole action for the ace.
I'm counting it because I can barely swing or even get lined up in my usual golf dreams.
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My buddy and I tried a scramble format for the first time yesterday. Neither of us are very good, but he'll break 90 every now and then. Finished up with an 85 together and that was probably the most relaxed round of golf I've ever played. Wasn't worried about the score at all and I realized how far my game has come from just last year as I work to break 100.
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These are fun and an easy way to remove a lot of pressure while still keeping some there. First guy hits one well, second guy gets to try a hero shot or something he doesn't hit all of the time. First guy dunks one, second guy has to step up and hit a good one. Keeps it light, but still focused. And allows you to learn things about your game along the way. Enjoy it!
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My buddy called it ham and eggs! (Or something like that lol.)
So he had a hero shot that worked out wonderfully on 4 or 5 because I set us up nicely in the fairway. He felt freed up to rip one with no pressure. He ended up out driving me through a gap in the trees with a 3 wood.
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Ham and egg! Or, if you like Will Ferrell, Shake n Bake! But ham and egg means that you compliment each other, both contribute (even if your shot isn't taken...like his allowing him to be freed up), and help each other. The sum is greater than the parts.
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WOLF is a fun game to play with your 4-some that is not a tournament/scramble game but similar. The "wolf" rotates tee shots. If you are the "wolf" of a hole you can pick a tee shot in the fairway/best tee shot or take your own. The winner of the hole get's a point and the points carry over some guys play 17 and 18 as winner take all- but you don't have to. We place some action on it. Try it sometime- tough part is remembering who is the wolf.
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Speaking of games, we will play 6's. You partner up with someone different every 6 holes. Allows you to play with AND against everyone. most of the time the money washes out with switching around, but sometimes one person can get hot and win all three matches. Keeps it friendly, but at arms length too. Mind games the first 6 holes sometimes are oddfellows since you'll be their partner sometime over the next 12.
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My family does something similar but you keep the same partners. First six is better ball, middle six is combined score, last six you pair off and play singles matches. 4 total points to be won. Call it a one round Ryder cup
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We used to sometimes play something called Lefty-righty. The leftmost 2 tee shots and the right most 2 tee shots were paired for the hole and played as best ball from then on (play your own ball to the hole- not a scramble) winners took a point each if they won the hole. Sometimes the last guy to tee off could try to pick his partner based on where the first 3 had hit.
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Does anyone have lessons for swing coaches in the DMV area (prefer NoVA but will drive anywhere around DC for a good coach)? Started to get serious about golf about half-way through last year and really want to start to get my swing dialed in and break 90 this year. My goal is to shoot below 100 consistently and hopefully break 90 by the fall.
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There is only 2 keys to breaking 90- and not this is not snark or captain obvious- its the dead truth if you think about it. In order to break 90 on a par 72 course of a normal "slope" you need to be slightly better than bogey golf. There are 2 sure fire ways to avoid double and triple bogeys. 1. No lost balls- Keep it out of the woods and water, and making double is hard if you think about it. You can bunt a 7 iron up the fairway and make par. 2. No 3 putts. Yes count your number of putts- if you can avoid 3 putting, you will make more pars and shoot lower scores. To re-cap- don't slice it right of right and learn how to lag putt. That's how you break 90.
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Just to pile on, DC's strategy can get you into the low eighties, I know, I did it.
Know your miss, and if you don't, work to get a one way miss (I.e. all your misses go right, or left) and manage it so you stay out of bad spots. For putting, distance control is much more important that an accurate read of the green. Good distance control and a bad read might leave you with a 4 foot putt which is makeable. Bad distance control with a good read might leave you ten feet away, which is probably a miss.
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distance control on putts is the most difficult part of the game for me...and it's all mental...I leave everything criminally short, like if it goes one inch too far, I get DQ'd, lol
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Absolutely- look at the very best golfers in the world % made from 8-10 ft. It's not good. Those putts don't drop for weekend golfers 90% of the time. You won't break 90 if you can't lag putt decently- or are a superior short-mid iron player- that can cover up some bad putting.
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I don't break 80 often, I'm usually in the low 80s, but when I do:
Smart golf - I use my Garmin golf watch to pick a safe landing spot for my tee shot that will put me within an easy distance (100-150 yards) so I can hit a short wedge or iron (SW, PW, or 9i) for my second shot. This gets me on the green or if I miss, very near it on the fringe.
With the above strategy, never 3 putt.
Accept that you don't need to smash driver 280-300 yards on every tee box and you'll find many more fairways. Hitting a 4i or 5i off the tee (if it'll get you within that 100-150 yard range) gives you an easy second shot you can be more accurate going into the green with.
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Can't remember their name, but if you called Rob Canaday at Compass Pointe (tell him VTnerf sent you) he could let you know whom to go to, and give a general idea of costs as well.
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For where you are, don't waste your money on high end lessons. You can probably get what you need form any pro shop/golf galaxy or something like that. You may want to check FB marketplace too. You will just need some base drills to get you into better positions for now.
But I agree with DC. Most higher handicap golfers get hurt by the big numbers and short game. If you got up and down in no more than 3 from greenside everytime you should be breaking 90. Also dont be afraid to play from farther up to teach yourself how to score and manage the course rather than needing long irons into greens.
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Also recommend you play the tees/combo tees that fit your abilities. It will be more fun for both you and the people around you; and you'll get better faster, especially your short game. Give yourself real opportunities to make pars! As you improve and become more consistent, you can move back and make it more challenging. And you'll be breaking 90 in short order.
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Bingo. Played with a huge slicer for a while. I told him one day- lets go to the range and I won't make you Tiger Woods, but Ill show you a way where its almost impossible to slice. I told him that he would never hit it "way right" again this way and that takes that side of the course out of play. It was the classic, just take your driver stance and put your right foot slightly behind your left. Take the same swing. You might hook it, top it sky it- BUT you are never going to slice it from that position- nearly impossible. It changed his game big time.
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Super happy. First round of the season. No doubles. Even par on the last 7. One lost ball but still managed bogey. Putting was meh, but that touch is the last to come back. 78 for mid March, I'll take it.
Enjoying the log jam at the Players now.
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Can't say the same for my round. Windy as hell, gusts probably to 40+. Hit some good shots but way too many mental mistakes. Greens were bumpy and slow so putting wasn't as good as it normally is. But golf in Michigan in March is a win.
And regarding the Players Championship, Brian Harman is the human rain delay. Don't use his waggles as a drinking game, you won't make it 3 holes.
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Over 40 years of learning my swing, several range sessions, good sleep the night before, and mentally bashing myself to play smart. Mix with some good luck, playing the one-up tees, and knowing I had some good beer at home no matter and it worked out.
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Changed where I'm playing Spark this year and that was a stellar decision. Old South in Bluffton ~1 mile from Hilton Head one of the better public courses I've played on that stretch.
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This weekend looks like a complete washout, which isn't the worst since they punched our greens earlier this week anyway. The rain should push the sand in and help with healing. If weather holds this summer like last, I'm expecting firm and fast greens in July and August. Giddy UP!!
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Got a round in yesterday. Hit some really good shots, but the consistency with the irons is lacking. The greens were possibly cut, and at the very least rolled so their speed was a bit closer to normal. Still didn't get any putts to drop, though. The hole locations haven't been changed since last fall, so the cups are ragged and a couple locations are difficult.
Driving and chipping/pitching were the strengths. I think time in the sim this winter helped both. Scoring season starts on Monday but the weather is iffy the rest of the weekend. Next weekend looks good, though.
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Didn't realize til yesterday that PGA had moved the Houston Open (back) to Memorial Park. Love seeing a tournament at a muni! Wish they would do it more.
We lived in the Houston burbs from 88-96. Saw the tournament one year when it was at the The Woodlands; and I knew they had subsequently moved it to Redstone. But I loved seeing Tx Children's Hospital as the title sponsor with the tournament right down the street.
Our son and daughter-in-law are moving there this summer for what looks to be a 3 year stint for them. So maybe I can slip out when we visit and play the course. Memorial wasn't in the best of shape when we were there.
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Know it too well and hate to see it but....
Golf.com/news/denny-mccarthy-distraction-playoff-waterball/
Look at the photos. Golfer's surrender cobra with his "GO HOOS" yardage book prominently displayed.
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Made it out last night to just wander around, play a few holes, try out a new-to-me hybrid, and saw something odd and disturbing. Checked in and asked if the back nine was open and the guy in the shop says "not really, there's an extremely slow group that just made the turn..." Um, ok, we'll figure something out. Given they just sent 4 2-somes off the front, my buddy and I went off 10. The slow group was on the green when we teed off so it shouldn't be an issue. Well, we get to our approach shots (par 5) and see a cart near the green. And one in front of the next tee box. And one person on the tee. One near the green adjacent to the tee box (like 45* left). One in the woods. Um, wth is going on. We chip up (2 balls each), putt out, and go to the 11th tee. By now, they had come back to get the cart left alone but hadn't made it to the fairway yet. We improvised...hitting 5 iron to the 12th fairway, then hitting back to the green. Putting out on 13, they had just finished 11 and the marshal comes up to them on the 12th tee. He parks 30 yards away, walks over to them, talks for 5 minutes, and goes along. We make the loop from 13-18 to look back from the 18th fairway to see them just getting to 13 green. And one of them loudly makes a statement that they were taking 45 minutes per hole. Wild. They knew how slow they were. The shop knew how slow they were. The marshal knew how slow they were. And yet, they held it like a badge of honor.
I'm all for growing the game, and teaching. The course was not busy. The marshal could have easily spent a hole with them to show them how to play faster, and ready golf. But he (and I'm not surprised with older marshals that are just out of the house...) showboated in front of them parking way off and walking towards them. Nothing was learned. Nothing will change. And luckily it wasn't busy so we could hop around, but this could have turned really bad on a busier day or around some guys that were deep in the sauce.
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Anyone that like a decent ball value Snell has MTB X Primes (2023) on sale for $19.99/doz they're by far my favorite DTC ball. Its Dean Snell's company same guy that made the ProV series and pretty much every TaylorMade ball including the TP. They've consistently rated pretty well in independent testing.
I liked Snell but they had to change factories; so for me, the jury is out until they get a decent MyGolfSpy review. Meanwhile, y'all sold me on Maxfli's; love 'em.
My game went to shit last fall/winter but I went out today and hopefully got a bit of my mojo back. Had a horrific start thru 6; then just +2 over the last 12 holes. Hoping that carries over...
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Yeah Maxfli's are a staple good ball. The lack of MGS detailed Snell review kept me away from their 2023 ball for awhile, I hope they jump on reviewing the new ball it sounds like they've got production back to where they want it which was a massive issue for them from covid to 2022.
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I am very fortunate to live on a golf course that has a few water holes, including an island par 3 on #17 and a peninsula green on the par 5 18th. I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I golf and 'fish' in the late afternoons. I haven't had to buy golf balls in over 15 years, and have boxes of sorted/found ProV's, ProVX's, and AVX's. I save the Bridgestone's for one friend, the Callaways for another, and the TaylorMades for yet another friend. The other 'lesser' balls get donated to various charities. If you go out to #17 after a MG, you can fish enough Titleists to last all year. My ball retriever is the only 'club' I have that needs to be re-gripped!
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Shows you how hard the game is. Compare the number of folks just taking up the game/true hackers at your course to "decent/good/experienced" golfers. I bet the later is much higher number, yet they rinse balls regularly. That's golf! I read a story that they pull like a thousand balls out of the pond around TPC sawgrass 17th every year!
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Before I moved to a smaller house in the community, I lived right by the tee boxes on our #17 island green. The 'hit & stay' rate is probably 50%, and easily 90% of the shots that miss fall short. The green around the front and sides slope to the water, so even shots that land on the green can spin or roll off. Needless to say, my kids learned a few new words when they were younger. The women were the worst "Jesus F***ing Christ, now I have to go the f***ing circle of shame".
Most amateurs still think along the lines of "when I hit my 9-iron well, it goes 140". But, they don't factor in roll, wind, and the reality that they don't hit every shot 'well'. Always good advice to take an extra club. I personally have found it very difficult to putt from the water.
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Often the worst part about rinsing one is that awkward 75-80 yard shot (that I hate).. I've worked very hard on improving my ball striking, so its hard for me to hit a 75 yard shot. It's basically a hinge and hold with a 56... not ideal if you need a high shot to hold an island green. A total flop shot is not easy for any golfer. I'd much prefer to re-load from my tee box in most cases.
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The course I'm playing frequently now (Old South) has 2 par 4 island fairway to island greens over protected marsh/wet land and 2-3 island par 3s over it. You're not supposed to go in there but at low tide its about 50% balls 50% mud. Very thankful feeling when you walk across the bridges to a ball on the green seeing how many people miss.
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Leaving for Pinehurst on Saturday morning. My game is nowhere near as sharp as I'd like, but I'm still pumped. First time down there.
We play Southern Pines Saturday afternoon. Then Sunday morning we play No 3, have a quick lunch, play the Cradle, and then watch the Masters. We wrap up with No 2 on Monday morning before heading home.
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Southern Pines was awesome. My dad, who has played a lot at Pine Needles and Mid Pines ranked it above Mid Pines but below Pine Needles. It was a really fun course with lots of elevation change and quite difficult. The greens are still new-feeling so very firm.
No 3 was a really fun course. Definitely short but you still had to hit good shots to score. Some of the green complexes were pretty nuts but I wouldn't call it overly difficult. I'd definitely have it in the rotation on a return trip.
Cradle was awesome. What a fun place. We managed to get a round in before the Masters coverage started on Sunday and then again when it was clear Scottie was running away with it. That whole area--Cradle, Thistle Dhu and the practice area--was a great place to spend the day. We were putting at Thistle Dhu until we couldn't see the holes anymore.
No 2 was epic. I felt as bad about my game (and my back) as I maybe ever have, which was not great for that test but it was still an incredible experience. I've never been in a greenside bunker and thought I had zero chance to get on the green before like I was there multiple times. Makes me really excited to watch the US Open. If you're hitting good shots you can still score in spurts (but I very much was not), but the margin for error was so small. IMO it was absolutely harder than Oakmont, Spyglass, and Carnoustie.
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So fun. Really a perfect experience. Our first round we played with a 30-ish year old and his girlfriend and they were really fun (mostly his GF). She was very new to golf but all of us had at least 1 birdie by the end. We also played behind a family with two kids under 8 years old. Really want to get back there with my son in a few years--he's 4 now.
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Interesting story lines.
Rahm back to defend.
Scottie, as the odds on favorite pre-tournament, saying he would WD if his wife goes into labor.
Tiger back for 36, hopefully, and potentially 72, after the "flu" at the Riv earlier this year.
Wyndham coming in playing well with back-to-back runner up finishes to Scottie.
Rory chasing history...again.
Spieth playing some of the best golf he's played in some time.
JT with a new caddie.
Rory/Scottie/Xander grouping.
Brooks paired with mister 97 waggle Harman.
Can Denny keep the putter hot hot hot?
Aberg...the new golden child...can he make some noise?
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Spieth playing some of the best golf he's played in some time.
Did you see that 18th hole in the Valero 3rd Round?
I wondered if he hit that third ball onto the clubhouse roof gutter on purpose to get the free drop back close to fairway.
I enjoy his game, but man his brain farts drive me nuts.
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Yes, it was on purpose. Since he was in the hazard, there is no line of sight relief. He had to make sure to hit it hard and far enough to get out of the junk he was in. He could have hit it 5 yards to just outside the penalty area and gotten the same drop. There wasn't any OB over there, so no worry about that. Since it was behind the stands, he got a drop back nearly in the fairway. Smart play, even if it was a little extra on the hitting it THAT far, but at least it did go a little forward, so that afforded some gain in yardage on the relief drop.
The interesting thing was that under normal circumstances, he should have dropped on the path under the gutter, reviewed the lie, then taken relief from there. Highly doubtful he would have gotten a perfect lie in that vicinity (the ball cannot roll more than a club length (the relief area) and that is still on the path. So, they took complete relief right off the bat and went clear of the stands for line of sight from a temporary immoveable obstruction.
Reminded me of the drop at The Open the year he won.
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I think the effort on the 2nd shot was an attempt to get it in the hospitality tent left of where he ended up. Had that happened, his drop for the 3rd shot would have been about where his caddie is standing in the pic.
He's lucky he didn't nestle up against a rock, or worse, disappear in the outfall structure.
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Shoot me, but yes I am the guy rooting for Rahm, Cam Smith, and Brooks to shoot 82 every time they play. I don't care about the hackers (sergio, phil, westwood, hatton) that went to LIV. Fuck those guys, they can't play anymore anyway. But to win a major (Cam Smith/Rahm) and THEN bolt for the terrorist money in your prime - fuck those guys. I hope Rahm misses every cut the rest of his career. And Tiger is done- physically- done. He literally can't play 72 holes anymore- hasn't played this year. No chance he has the game sharp enough- yes he knows every single putt break at Augusta, but he's done as a competitive golfer there. There are too many guys that are good golfers now as opposed to the choking dogs he dominated for years. Done.
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I hate hearing the whining about Rahm missing out at the beginning of the year. Shut. Up. He knew the deal, and still went. Life is full of choices. Now he comes out and says he was hoping to work a reconciliation from the inside...oh, thank you Jon, our great savior. Get outta here. No offense, but you aren't that guy Jon!!!!
And Cam...I get Cam. Greg had a different hold on him being fellow Aussies. And he didn't whine about things. He did his thing, and got paid. I don't root for him, but I get his decision.
Brooks is a gamer, but his IQ is around his average score. Bless his heart.
I'm rooting for all of them to make the cut, and finish dead last of those playing 72.
And Tiger is toast. Donzo. No mas. With the rain, I'm not sure he completes 18. I'm seeing stupid silly bets on him, but nothing about him not making the cut or O/U first round. (If he finishes it, I'd put it over 73.5.)
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Agreed. You can't say LIV is superior, not exhibitions, etc. then whine about not being on the Ryder Cup team. You can't have both. You leave for terrorists money and no cuts, you don't play on the ryder cup team. Period. And now everyone- including Bryson - who also sucks now- is walking back the "did it for more time with family" lie. All of those dudes left for the money. the only reason. their right to do so, my right to root that they have career ending back injuries.
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Happy golf and taxes weekend! (to those who celebrate)
Been glued to The Masters since Thur. I think I'm becoming a Max Homa fan. We'll see how it goes today.
Fully acknowledged my golf limitations this week by swapping out my 5 hybrid for a 9 (24 degree) wood. High lofted woods are just too easy to hit to not use them...already have a 7 (21 degree). Can't get enough loft on a 5 iron; can't get enough spin on a hybrid.
LOFT is usually my problem too - Lack of Fucking Talent.
That said, the rust is coming off the game slowly. Carded the best round of my year so far by quite a bit today with a 90. Felt like it could have been an 85 The highlight was the first birdie of year after throwing a 52° to 4 feet from 75 yards out.
Spent 30 minutes yesterday on the putting green doing the 5 ball 3' drill. Couldn't get 15 in a row to drop, but I had confidence that every putt was starting on the line I wanted it to.
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Needed new irons, was about to get fitted then suddenly saw Wilson Staff Forged D9's on sale for $499 and just hopped on that. I fall very much into the stock stick category. Never used Wilson irons I know the brand as a whole has a not great reputation but MyGolfSpy raved about these when they came out and at $499 I couldn't pass them up.
yeah kinda what I figured I was really interested in the mizuno JPX series (would have had made a full mizuno bag from Driver to putter) but these were continuously compared to them so can't be that far off.
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After mostly struggling for the first 9 rounds of the year, I finally got things going today. Shattered 90 with an 86. Had a 7 hole par streak in the middle of the round and hit 8 fairways and 7 greens. Managed to sink a birdie putt on the first hole to get the round started.
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putting is still shit; last round (+10) had 5 three putts and missed two birdie putts under 6 feet.
having a ton of trouble with speed and mis-reads (line on the ball ball tracks nicely...it's going the direction I'm aiming...just need to pick a better line).
been watching green reading videos all weekend and ordered a small digital level for practice, lol.
edit: level was shit so sending it back; but I did find a $2 clinometer app for my phone. it will be as accurate as I can calibrate it
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Might help, might complicate, but one of the best bits for practicing putting (not reading, just consistent putting) is a putting mirror. Honestly any small mirror will work, but make sure you can stand over and see your eyes in relation to the ball. They sell cheap ones on Amazon for around $10 that you can put tees in on the practice green too.
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I use it like an oil change to make sure I'm not slumping or leaning. Majority of shots come w that club so if I can trim 3 or so a round, that's substantial.
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Need some advice finishing out my bag and gapping my longer clubs.
D - 275-280ish
3w- 255ish
?
?
5i- 195ish
Right now that gap is a 4i and a 4h I pretty much never hit either. My 4i is inconsistent. The 4h was a gift but has a R shaft and feels like a wet noodle and I can't control it. Never been big on hybrids but they probably make more sense. I've seriously considered a 7w in there but not sure I'd pair that with. Plan on going to demo some clubs but not sure what combos to even pick up to demo. 3H+7W? 3H+4H? 5W+4H? Probably eliminated irons at this point, I'm just not good enough to consistently control them.
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I'd gap based on average carry distance ONLY and with your length, I'd look at clubs that I could get some loft and spin on. You have plenty of length and just need to stop the ball pretty close to where it lands. Woods aren't as precise as hybrids but often provide more loft and spin and critically, are ridiculously easy to hit. They are also better than hybrids out of the rough. Having been through numerous high quality hybrids from 4 major manufacturers, I now use a 21 degree 7 wood for my 4 iron and a 24 degree 9 wood for a 5 iron. I'm not suggesting carrying both (I do it because I'm in old man mode...because I'm old) but if you are a double digit hcp, I'd have a high lofted wood (20-24 degrees) somewhere in the bag. They are just too useful.
So yeah, imo, one of those two ?'s would be a high lofted wood and the other would probably be a hybrid to fill whatever the remaining gap is. I'd find the wood first; one that feels like it's cheating to use. Then go hybrid hunting.
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This is what I keep hearing about woods and it keeps making me interested but I always struggle to find 7 woods anywhere to hit before I buy them and they're seemingly always a more premium cost than a hybrid.
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Also, you are ALLOWED to carry 14 clubs. You don't HAVE to carry 14 clubs.
If you find a 7w that fills the 230 shot, you can always choke down for the 215 shot.
Or a 3H. Easier to have one club you have confidence in versus 2 that you are in between on. Guarantees that neither of them scratch the itch then.
And could add a wedge or something at the bottom of the bag. 4* separation down there.
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Yeah I think the bottom of my bag is set I don't really have any gaps to fill down there and feel comfortable at just about any range with: Putter, 60, 56, 52, P-5. Its the 215-235 range where I just get puzzled and I ended up with like 3 of those shots in 4 holes yesterday and just got frustrated second guessing what I was doing.
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Yeah finding a 7 wood with a stiff shaft is definitely a challenge the callaway pre-owned has paradym X in there with a S shaft but the last thing I need it is a draw tendency club. There are a couple Rouge's that I've got my eye on. Definitely plan on swinging in to the superstore here soon.
Edit: Gotta do something better with my free time rather than browse the internet for golf deals. Found a Paradym demo 7w with S flex and bought it. Just gonna reshaft my 4H and see how this set up goes for a few rounds. D 3W 7W 4H
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Had a couple opportunities to use it today I was not prepared for how easy it launches the ball. First swind was from the rough and it got on the ball surprisingly easy though I toed it pretty hard with a closed face and hooked it.
Choked up and took it off the tee to an island fairway that basically gives you 195-220 to land on put it right at the back of the fairway. Happy with this purchase.
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hit that one a bit to get your yardage dialed in before you re-shaft the 4H...you may want to go another route
Bizarro round yesterday...10 pars, a birdie (lipped out 2 others), and an eagle (holed out from 72 on a short par 4)...also 2 triples and 3 doubles which included 3 drops from the water and 2 s/d out of bounds penalties. So 13 over on 6 of the holes and 3 under on 12 of the holes. Maybe I need to try match play, lol!
Lastly, is there room to 3-lane I-95, at least from Savannah to I-26? I know a lot of that is on fill anyway. Made that trek again last Wed and Sat (to and from Winston-Salem) to see the new grand daughter. As it is, they'd probably be better off just making the speed limit 55 and restricting trucks to the right lane.
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hit that one a bit to get your yardage dialed in before you re-shaft the 4H...you may want to go another route
That's the plan I'm just carrying 13 right now
3-lane I-95, at least from Savannah to I-26
That stretch is miserable have to drive it anytime I leave town. I'm not sure about expansion there they can't hardly maintain the integrity of the existing road there and it bounces in and out of straight swamp land. Combination of horrible drivers, bad roads, and a high speed limit make it very frustrating.
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As a 13-clubber, I agree with this take. My pick would be a 3H (should get you around 215-220 and be relatively easy to hit). Play a couple rounds and see if you need another club. Personally, I would think the number of times youll need a 230 shot and couldn't hit the 3H to be a bit short or choke up a 3W won't justify buying another club but you did say it's come up recently so what do I know. But you have the chance to add later if you feel otherwise.
Plus you get to enjoy a lighter bag
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I have the exact same yardages as you and I filled the gap with 4H and 5W. Works like a charm except for when I hook the living shit out of my 5W. Although I'm a big advocate for hybrids. I've got a 5H and 6H in the bag
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A 195 5 iron is not insane, but a 255 3 wood is pretty sick for an Am. Nice job. If you compress your irons and have a good path, consider a "utility iron"- I have buddies that murder those straight as a laser. But they can really compress- say a 5 iron. You may want to try it. If you hit it on the face, you will hit it 220 easily. They are basically low COG long irons with slightly shorter shafts.
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So how wild is this Scheffler scenario???? I'm guessing he was just trying to pull the "I have a tee time, so I need to go around" thing..vs. beating up a cop- which is essentially what he is charged with. Seems a case of over-zealous policing to the letter of the law in a chaotic scenario here. But who knows. Never seen anything like it.
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He was sliding by, just like the other players and personnel that needed to be in the front door early were doing. What's wild is the "cop attached himself to the car" bit of it. From all accounts, and there was a guy right there videoing it and on ESPN, you couldn't tell who were cops and who were volunteers directing traffic. And they had no idea he was a player, allegedly, despite the big decals on the side of the car (typically) and mirror hanger. Terrible that he's been charged with a felony now (2nd degree assault of an officer.
And the biggest tragedy was the vendor that was killed this morning trying to cross the road.
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Oh yeah- apparently the cop hopped on the hood of his courtesy car? and that's why its assault? Is this cop tone deaf or not know that a major golf tournament is going on? did schefflers big magnet that said "PGA courtesy car" not tip the cop off? its all crazy. Cop had to know what detail he was on...
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I'm sure he was called in after the death, and possibly gotten up out of bed; not originally on the detail and didn't want to be out in the rain in the first place. Then it spiraled.
EDIT: Just saw that the cop that was "drug to the ground" by Scheffler's car was not part of the original traffic duty. "so that's where the miscommunication arose." Um, jumping on the vehicle to attach yourself, reaching into the car to grab a guys arm and open the door, then forcibly dragging him from the vehicle is not a miscommunication.
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No shit- we have gone from police escorts- which the players ALWAYS get at these majors- especially the top players- to cops not reading the room- AT ALL. Did he seriously not understand that this was not a valhalla member guest?
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I usually ike to give the police the benefit of doubt. But based on the image I have of Scheffler, no way he was trying to break any rules. This should go away fast, unless there is a financial angle that some opportunist would try to exploit.
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Has anyone used the L.A.B. putters successfully? I have a history of yips where 2 footers are real challenges. I've been advised to spend the money and get one, but I feel like I could flinch any type of putter regardless of any design advantages.
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Find a putter fitting. Worth the money if you're already willing to spend $$$ on a LAB. So many different set ups, face balances, hotel positions, arc fits....get the right one for you. If it's a LAB at the end of the day, you'll have even more confidence in it.
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messed around with them at PGA SS. LABs aren't my personal taste but there are several heavier options, both face balanced and toe balanced, with high moi that might be helpful.
I'd try a bunch of them until I found what feels good and behaves like you want...or helps you to behave like you want.
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Best round of 2024 yesterday...9 bogeys and 9 pars from the regular tees (6000 yds). Slow start; bogeyed 1-5, then only 4 more the rest of the way. Most importantly, kept the really big numbers off the board, which has been quite the problem thus far. Still a ways to go but got some validation re: some recent swing adjustments. Also walked with the push cart...really enjoying that.
Traded in my Rogue ST Max 3h for a PING G430 MAX 5w yesterday. The initial range session was very promising. Went in for a 7w but I was only hitting the 7 about 175 yards. Would've created a big gap in my bag, where the 5w seemed to be equivalent. I can hit that between 200-220 and my 3h, when I could hit it, would go 190-200 yards
I was shocked to find out that woods can be easier to hit with how much material out there saying how forgiving hybrids are. I just couldn't ever jive with my old hybrid. I feel way more confident with the 5w
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See my thread above about the 7W. People aren't kidding lofted woods are a cheat code. If I have trouble getting off the tee with my driver or 3w, boom 7W from the shit 2nd shot or just 7W from the tee. Sure I'm 50-70 short but I can hit my 7w 220 from the tee then 220 again I'm in play every hole.
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Yeah the post above nailed it. I was already wondering if I should replace my 4i with a 7w next. Looks like I need to do that right away (but money... lol)
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Distance envy...if I could hit a 7 wood 220...or even 180. I played with a couple of very athletic 30 year old types on Fri. We come up to a par 3...forced carryover the water and OB right. One says "I'm just going to hit an easy 8 iron". I laughed and said, "I'm about to hit a screaming 7 wood"; but I did put it in the middle of the green and he missed : )
I know the national data says the % play is to hit it far; but I think they need a data set for just NEFL where most holes have water and/or OB catching the wayward tee shots (14 of the holes on the course I play have water or OB paralleling the fairways...9 of them have it on both sides). There is little to no playing out of the rough. I'm sure you see a lot of that as well.
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Had one of my worst front nines in some time yesterday. Just never clicked in. Was half a club short on shots. Never on line. Just meh. Something clicked on the back for one over, but it was strange.
Did put a new hybrid in play. My 5 iron was always hit and miss. Couldn't trust it. So picked up a Sub70 939x 4h. Can choke down, or let it out. First round yesterday and it's the perfect gap. At least that's a plus.
Got to break in the new 60 too. Chipped in for bird on 17 to close out the match. It's definitely staying.
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Ben Griffin playing a Maxfli Tour X in the Canadian Open
edit: looking into it, I see he made an announcement a month or so ago and Lexi Thompson has been playing the Maxfli Tour this year. So two pros playing a $2 ball.
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They ramped up w the the Tour S, Tour, and Tour X (softest to hardest) and are priced at $40 a dozen. Many are saying it rivals the Pro V! I know the pros take endorsements (see Bubba playing the Volvik) but a lot of them learned from him about just taking the bag. Griffin has been playing well this year, which makes me even more curious about the Tour X.
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Had my worst round in years yesterday. Played with a guy for the first time on a new course and we decided to play the back tees(note that most courses around here aren't very long) played just over 6900 yards, some 600-900 yards more than what I typically play. Started rough but ended up playing a streak of straight bogey golf going into the back. Should have jumped to the front tees but I cooked a couple long drives that put me in position on two long par 5s and a decently long par 4. Everything fell apart on the back. Realized how much more OB kills you when you're that far back and missed every fairway on the back with a bunch of OBs
Have got to find some time for just some basic driving range sessions once I start missing off the tee box I've got 0 ability/confidence to fix it on the course.
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The best thing to develop is a tee shot that you are confident you can get in play.
What I do when I need a tee shot in play and have trouble on both sides is choke up to the middle of the grip, effectively shortening the driver club length. I tee the ball lower to reduce the amount of spin I put on the ball and keep the ball flight lower. Finally, I swing about 80% of my full swing.
I am willing to trade distance for accuracy, but often I make better contact and hit the ball just as far.
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something you can do at home: review your setup...what you do when you aren't moving...grip, stance, ball placement, etc. when I have trouble, it's often because some bad habit has found its way back into my routine like my left shoulder is a bit open or I'm setting up too far from the ball. get the new mrs to take some photos/videos. are you doing what you think you are doing?
might also think about balance. were you finishing those wayward drives in balance? take a few practice swings...make sure sure you get a good turn...finish facing the target and in balance
if you have a fundamentally sound setup and good balance in your swing, the instructor will have a great canvas to work with
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Narrowed it down to a couple of factors after hitting the range and playing 9 yesterday. Firstly my high hooking shots are usually because I stopped my chest turn through impact, my arms continue the swing and my body was just stopping pretty much lead to a high pull hook. My low hooks were usually a horrible (fast, violent) transition to the down swing where my hands get left way high and I'm trying to fight back inside, ended up with a hosel rocket hook.
Cleaned stuff up and shot a nice average 9 yesterday, squandered 2 eagle opportunities (one birdie and one par) Old South's greens have gone completely down hill to an almost unplayable state, using a temp green on 6. Strongly considering playing another course loosing half a stroke/hole on green conditions.
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100% this... when I pipe a drive 280 down the middle and then top a hybrid 8 feet- 100% of the time - it's my set up. 100%. You can "swing too quick, try to kill it" sure- but those will be at worse a low screamer or hook. me- nah, I rush my set up, and top a 4 hybrid like nobody's business far more than I care to admit. Since it's golf, if I hit a poor drive and need a recovery - THAT shot I can hit. I hate this game. !!
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Went to West Lafayette, IN this past weekend. Played the Ackerman-Allen course Saturday afternoon. It's a really good course that is fairly challenging. Sunday morning we managed to get on the Kampen course. Very challenging - punished you for missing in the wrong places and the greens were peppy.
Before that we played Tippecanoe on Friday afternoon and Harrison Hills on Saturday morning. Tippecanoe was sort of ho-hum, but Harrison Hills was a nice older course with postage stamps for greens and not a single flat putt on them.
Didn't really play my best golf over the weekend but had a blast. Also, the pork tenderloin sandwich at Harrison Hills is probably in my top 5 best that I've had and I lived in Indiana for 3.5 years.
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Playing in my first member-guest at my club this week. Thursday-Saturday two-man stableford. Never played stableford before and our quota is going to be tough to hit, but I'm just looking forward to having a good time for 3 days.
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Hopefully it is not stressful- most are. Make sure you establish on the first tee that its either hard corps USGA rules or not. I'm not talking about the obvious rules. I'm talking about unmarked lateral hazards, loose impediments, etc. There is always one asshole that accuses literally everyone of "cheating".
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I had to putt 3 10 inch putts in my last member member match after giving them a good good on the first the hole that the guy proceeded to miss the rest of the match.
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Take a deep breath, and enjoy it. Make sure to get to know the members in your flight better...they might turn into weekend standard group partners for a lifetime. Then the member guest matches get to be real fun. But seriously, enjoy it. You're playing for a few bucks and a trophy instead of putting out fires at work. It's fantastic.
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Small vent...and I know what I'm about to say is true and I do know it...
I hate scrambles. Played in our annual one for a big charity yesterday. It's about the fundraising. The focus is a rare form of MD, and this tournament has turned into the largest fundraiser in the county for research into the disease. In the country! They fill up both courses at Queenstown with over 300 players. Obviously it's not going to be a 4 hour round. Obviously not every one is honest. Obviously a lot of things...
BUT...
The group in front of us never made a putt all day. We were waiting and watching them from the fairway. ALL DAY LONG. Wasn't their fault, the group in front of them had 2 holes open by the time we were done. after 6 hours and 15 minutes. But they didn't make a putt other than the 5 footer for par on the one par 3. But to come in and post 57?!!!!! 14 under?? I now they didn't eagle any par 5's. Come on man. (And they didn't win either...56's tied.)
That is why the BIG prize is not for the winners of the tournament. Make it the raffle. Make it the Chinese auction. But definitely do not announce before the round that you are playing for a new $600 Taylormade driver. Each. The winners should get $50-$100 pro shop credit. The drivers should be drawn out of a hat. Keeps legit teams moving along instead of grinding on choices on the green or taking 8 putts at a 20 footer they are never going to make even if you gave them 50. And everyone who donated to the cause from the jump with the entry fee and the raffles and the 50/50 and the mulligans and the air cannon and the left handed bucket of steam...everyone has a chance as a thank you for ponying up that money. But you cannot tell shady teams they can walk away with a $600 driver.
Nor can you tell them that they can win a Yeti cooler for closest to the pin. We were the next to last group to finish on a par 3. CTP was 10'7". The winner was announcer at 10'4". There wasn't a spotter there either. Hmm....last group won CTP for a $300 Yeti? SUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE................
End of old man rant. Part frustration. But I keep signing up for it so only person to blame is myself.
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I 100% get paid mulligan tikets, long drive appearances where you play from where that guy hits it, etc. I also understand that you can get a group of guys where 3 of the 4 of them are damn good Am golfers- scratch or plus. I get it. I do. I have been golfing for 30 years. Having said all of that. A 54 on a legit golf course is total horseshit. Why? not because of hot putting, no- 1 out of 4 decent golfers is going to lag it well- chances are- and you can use mulligans to putt in these things. No, the reason a 54 is horseshit is that 95% of the groups full, real shots have to be immaculate for 5 hours. Each par 3 tee shot has to be tight, each drive on a par 5 has to be 300 with a tight draw, each iron approach has to be tight- in fact you also need to chip in a couple. Not fucking happening - don't care who is in your group. Nelly Korda made a 12 on a 120 yard Par 3 recently. Tiger Woods cold topped a 3 wood at the US open. Webb Simpson hit a hozel rocket in the ryder cup that almost killed someone. All 3 of those golfers playing a course set up like these scrambles, playing their own ball would shoot at BEST 62-63 on average. Fuck your 54 or 56 or whatever bullshit you say you shot.
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Yeah I love playing in scrambles up until its time to get back to the clubhouse. Then it immediately pisses me off. Like you said they need to stop incentivizing the cheating. Raffle large prizes, give a moderate prize to the "winner" or an extra raffle entry. It's strange how the last group wins an insane percentage of CTP and long drives on scrambles.
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yeah don't get me fucking started. There are 18 tee shots and 18 putts- unless there is a hole in one- which in fucking scrambles seems to miraculously happen. That is 36 shots right there. So say there are 4 par 5's. EVEN if you get there in 2- because of course you fucking do in a scramble... that is 40 shots. So 14 more shots total over 18 holes of golf is a 54 - 14... you are talking many eagles and nearly a birdie on every other hole. Fucking bull- shit...
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I have been the D player on a team when I was a 3 cap. We legit shot -20 in a tournament with a par on the card one year. When we came back the next year, to make it fun and competitive, we played our own ball and wrote down the best score of the 4 of us. We shot -11. The other teams knew we were there, so I'm sure there was some creative writing going on, and we didn't win. Of course, caught a bunch of crap from teams until we told them what we did...and finished 3rd anyway.
A 4-person scramble is just for fun. It should never be rewarded with a big prize. If you want to throw down and play true golf; no mulligans, no throws, no string, no move-ups, just straight up golf, play a 2-man scramble or preferred drive then your own ball from there. Then, you can pair up teams, keep an eye out, and it eliminates the riff-raff from signing up. I've played in a few of these and if you get rolling, the scores can be impressive. Heritage Club in Pawleys a few summers ago, -9 was the number after day one in a 2-man scramble.
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Im not so much accusing people of cheating... but 14-15 under on 18 holes takes every lucky bounce, every putt holed, etc. just do the math, as I have pointed out. You MUST hit the ball 40 times unless you have holes in one or drive the green on a par 5 or hell par 4 for that matter- which rarely ever happens for Am's hitting their own ball. Go from there on the math.
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I agree, especially when you look at the teams (and know them) and they have all double digit handicaps. No way one of them hits a career shot on every approach AND that they can hole a 20 footer on EVERY hole.
We were behind a group Monday, saw every shot (over 6 hours...you get to watch and spectate a LOT) and they were grinding on 5 footers for par. Posted a 57.
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I've played regularly with low HCP guys before. I have also played a few pro ams and with several club pros. Over 18 holes, golf is golf. Bad bounce, miscalculated yardage, not a perfect strike. I have never witnessed with my own eyes a scratch HCP or even a korn ferry guy flush every shot and hole every putt on 18 holes. Never.
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I used to play in a huge money 4 man CC tournament where you played 8 somes so people couldn't cheat. Winning scores always fell around -13. It was an A,B,C,D player drawing based on handicap. Was fun as shit.
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Yeah, I've been 'pencil-whipped' more than once in charity tournaments, including a similar experience where the group in front of us (wearing jeans, tennis shoes (one wore work boots), shaggy beards, chugging beers, driving their carts up to the green, etc.) waited until all other scores were posted and miraculously came in 1 under the best score. They never made a putt, or rarely even hit from the fairway, yet took the $500 prize amid a chorus of boos. A charity scramble for a local high school hockey player that had cancer. Absolutely shameful.
I believe all charity tournaments should offer cheap trophies for the winners, that's it. If the goal is to raise money, why give a big chunk back? No one enters a charity tournament because of the potential prizes, and I think offering substantial prizes encourages cheating.
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For the guys that have zero shot at winning legitimately, as least give them a shot since they paid the same amount to get it. The better players can fight it out for the pro shop credit, and all have a shot at the new driver.
Plus, let's be honest, if you are shooting 54ish in a scramble, you aren't using a $600 driver off the rack in Golf Galaxy with a regular shaft. That's up there with someone winning a new putter for the putting contest. I think that one is working just fine! Give putters to the long driver and drivers to the putting contest (at least the putting contest has witnesses!)
But everyone paid the same amount to support, just like they paid the same amount for the 50/50.
AND....as I was typing this up, a coworker came by. He played in one yesterday where you paid Kyle Berkshire to hit a drive for you, then you could pay again to go up and have 6 tries from 12'...all to write a 1 down on a par 5. They paid $100 apiece on that hole for the 1. And the entry was stiff. They finished second and won $100 pro shop credit. I don't agree with the 1 on a par 5 thing, but at least the prizes were proper. I don't think you should hit someone up for another $200 apiece the day of the tournament after paying $250 to get in. (And if it rains, a very large chunk of that $200 isn't realized.)
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My worst charity scramble experience was when they WAY overbooked it and the damn round took over 6 hours. There were two groups on almost every tee for the shotgun start. It was the longest round of golf in my life. There needs to be a limit on the number of players.
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36 teams is the norm in a "full" event.
If you have something a little more "serious" for better players (2-man scramble or no silly gimmicks,) it gets trimmed to 28 or 30.
BUT, I've seen it where there were C groups on par 5's. One course likes to start 3 on #18 that is a par 5. And 17 is a par 3. They will finish the par 3, then have to wait 25 minutes to tee off because it's a reachable par 5 that had 3 groups on it to begin with. Some people don't understand queuing. Some just don't care.
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Very disappointing on how little bay views they were able to capture on 36 holes, IMO. Great courses, but not a ton (maybe 2-3?) good bay views. Not unlike Swan Point in southern maryland- quality course, so much more opportunities for water views than they were able to capture. Contrast with Bandon's Sheep Ranch. The only shot you don't see the pacific on is the opening tee shot. True story.
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Yeah, River has the better Bay scenes, but with as flat as it is, you'd think you would get better glimpses. Even Rum Pointe has water views on 14-15 holes.
We've always played the River in the tournament, but decided to give the Lakes a go this year. Mistake. It is NOT easier, the greens are not as true, and too many pinched landing areas for bombing it out there. Back to the River next year.
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Finally got out for the first time this year other than the range on my birthday Friday, and was surprised to card a 48 for 9 holes. Pretty good for me having not played....I'll lake it.
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Let's see how much of a bloodbath Pinehurst is going to be this weekend.
I feel like the USGA is going to fight back this year. 3 of the last 7 winners have been double digits under par. And another 3 were -6. Wouldn't shock me to see plus par win. And if it doesn't, wouldn't be surprised to see under a handful under par. The way the practice rounds have looked, it might come down to the 72nd hole because double is in play on every hole.
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Only 4 players in history have finished under par at a US Open at Pinehurst #2. None of them named Nicklaus or Woods, either. Logic tells me very high ball hitter- Rors, Day, Scheffler... that can stop the ball on these greens. Second logic would say someone great at making par. Wouldn't count Speith out there- even in his current form. I find Keopka and DeChambeau interesting- both are playing "well" and both are only really concerned about majors now. I can see Keopka staying around par. Bryson can bomb it past the sandhill areas on most holes. I think it will be very close to even par that wins, and if someone goes out and fires a -3 on thursday, that could well likely hold up.
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I have a feeling that the USGA is going to set up the course so that it is borderline unplayable. I'v already seen a few videos on social media indicating that the greens are going to be impossibly fast. On Donald Ross turtle backs it means holding them will be nearly impossible. If the rough is as chewy as they usually make it, shots from the rough have no chance.
I don't like to see scores in the high double digits in majors, but I also don't like to see Pros consistently struggling to make par.
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As long as Bryson or Cam Smith don't win- I'm good. The only 2 guys prior to Rahm to go play for the terrorists in their prime. Assholes. both of them.
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This afternoon could be brutal. It's warming up and they won't syringe them now. Hang on boys. And the 10 shot rule is in play too. Not sure it gets lower than -5 after this afternoon.
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Nevermind...they stopped that in 2011. Coulda swore i heard them say it was in play during yesterdays telecast. Nope. It's top 60 and ties. +3 is in right now...but can see the moving to +4 easily maybe even +5 after this afternoons wave.
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had to laugh yesterday...in the preview, at #9 announcers were saying words to the effect that "it's a very small landing area but with the front placement and the tees moved up, we should see some opportunities for birdies today". Then 19 of the first 22 players through missed the green from I think it was 167 yards; I would rate that all the way to "absurd".
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The whole segment he did was really cool. I was not a fan of Bryson before this weekend, but seeing him interact with the fans, sign the kid's hat (mid-round, I think) and talk to the media really changed my impression of him. Still wish he was PGAT ant LIV but I am more of a fan now.
Wagner's second attempt was impressive.
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Meh. no different than Phil, Poulter, any of them. He got his sports washing money from the Saudis, then whined about not getting points, not being on the ryder cup etc. He got his blood money. I'd wish they would go away.
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Bryson might be the biggest turn around in sports - definitely golf - I think he realized how much of a d-bag the average fan thought he was, went to LIV didn't gain any fans doing that then manages to start doing more fan engagement than any player I remember and he's changed everyone's mind. I've come to like him quite a bit doesn't seem like anyone has actual gripes against him anymore just LIV.
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I'm not sure he's changed minds as much as the American sports fan has short-term and short-sighted approaches many times. Case in point were the USA chants yesterday. He sold out to blood money. But because 'Merica they were rooting against Rory. Who, by the way, stayed with the tour, spoke out for the tour, has done as much as anyone for the PGA (...the A is for AMERICA...) tour, and they turned against him trying to compete with Bethpage for being one of the boyz. Yes, Bryson is American. But also got left off the Ryder Cup team because he made his choice and after he previous Ryder Cup didn't have many friends in the locker room. (Didn't hear the rooting for Cantlay who at least stood toe-to-toe with Rory on Saturday last year...and is way more liked in the locker room than Bryson has been.) I'm not saying guys don't deserve a second chance, and he has gone off, heard the whispers, and reinvented himself. But he also took the bag and thumbed his nose at the PGA tour and everything. I don't fault people for giving in to him. He's a larger than life spectacle. I get it. But Rory winning would have done so much more for US golf than what happened yesterday.
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I choke several of those short putts each week and still come back./s I figure a player at that level can and will put it in the past and come through positively next opportunity. But these deals are devastating. I remember watching Roanoke's native son Ed Sneed with a 3 shot lead, miss 3 similar short putts on 16-18 in the 1979 Masters final round. He went into a playoff with Tom Watson, who won it.
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They hit really long (still figuring out my distances as they're relatively low lofted) and are as forgiving or more forgiving than my giant player improvement irons. Don't have a bad thing to say about them at all for $499 they were an absolute steal.
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2013 Callaway X-Hot I actually liked them quite a bit up until I got these and its quite a big difference. The D9s are not a blade profile but they definitely are a lot less clunky than a true player imporvement iron
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They've found way to introduce heavier materials and move them around so you don't need the wide sole anymore. A lot of mizuno's line now are not true blades, but appear that way.
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I actually had the X-hots for a minute but then got gifted a set of Callaway Steelheads. I like the forgiveness of those more than the hots - how do you think the D9s compare to the hots in that regard?
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tried to maintain some pinehurst-inspired focus this morning...kept it going for a little while before giving in to the wind, heat, and some recently maintained greens badly in need of mowing, and rolling. 10 pars, a bird, 6 bogeys, 1 double...78 on the par 71.
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Got to do something this past weekend I haven't done in like 6 years. Played in a solo competition. Our clubs *gulp* senior club championship. I do think I was the youngest one in the field. But it was nice getting back to competition. I played growing up and between club matches, junior events, tournaments, high school matches, everything, I was playing in 30ish "competitions" a year. I'd say the competitive rounds almost outnumbered the practice and friendly rounds. Then I got into VT. And was working at the beach. No need to touch a club after my senior year (Jay told me to pound sand as he had HIS class handpicked all from VA.) I've played a few here and there, and when I've been a member, always played in the club championship. But now, my club plays it's regular club championship on the same weekend as the member-guest I play in at OC. So, I've gotten a few 2-man events and some scrambles. Funsie events, but not the gut check for the inner self that solo comps are.
Well, I've been playing decent for the past 15 months or so. Posted several rounds sub-70 in Scotland and have maintained my handicap in the same range for a year and a half. And with wonky weather, crazy schedules, life changes, all that, the weekend rounds have been a combination of personal therapy, fresh air, gym time, and how far can I hit this ball down this fairway. Seeing that the tournament was on Father's Day weekend was also a new spot for me. Firs tone without my dad, who introduced me to the game at age 8. He was a teacher, and we would play 2 or 3 nights a week growing up. I've had to go through some stuff (figuratively and literally) and he had all sorts of scorecards posted on the wall in his collection room. "Lowest score together". "Best round with grandsons". These things. I didn't have great high hopes for the tournament, but knew if I could put up a 72 or 73, maybe I could get lucky. (It's from the whites...so not a long challenge.) There's 40 guys, but 2 that I really was worried about........
Shotgun start. We go off 18. Not much different drive than 1 with a pond on the right. Reachable. Trouble. Been hitting a draw for a month. Not on the very first shot of the day.......nice continued fade right in the middle....splash. Welp, time to dig deep, grind, and keep going. I had it at +2 thru the 12th hole so I was happy with that. Until a silly triple without losing a ball on the 16th hole. Disappointed, but no ashamed. Get in the clubhouse, and the one guy I thought might be able to post a number put up a 67!!! And let me say, they had the greens around 11 and some pins that were in spots I've never seen.
Took my moment to reflect. Nodded to the skies to thank my dad. Clapped for the winner (a buddy of mine) for his win and 67. Went home and gave my daughter a huge hug for Father's Day. On to the next one! A little cathartic day.
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Life always has a way of humbling you. Glad you could find some solace on the course with everything going the other way. As I've gotten older, I've learned to enjoy the opportunity and the moments rather than the results. I still feel 18 in my heart, but the lows don't bother me as much as they used to, and I'll take the highs for what they are when I get them. Glad you could end on a high note and pull a win out for yourself. I know it's tough to do at times.
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Had a trip lined up for a month or so...
Got up Friday am, dropped my daughter off at her grandparents, and drove 4.5 hour up to the Hudson Valley. Dobbs Ferry to be exact. We were in the middle of St. Andrew's (US club, founded in 1888), West Chester Country Club, Winged Foot, Trump Westchester, and Sleepy Hollow. This place is Ardsley, founded in 1895. The clubhouse is an old monastery. The pic is the opening tee shot. The green is just up/left of the fountain. And it's a 362 yard par 4. There's a 120' drop from tee to green. You can see the Hudson running through the pic, and this is looking directly west. I'm working on a few golf courses, and the golf architect redid the bunker complexes at Ardsley..so I pulled a favor. Fantastic condition, pretty cool layout, friendly people all around, and a car show in the parking lot. (Not literal, just cars I do not see around the beach in golf course parking lots...)
Then ended up at the Tuxedo Club. That is an entirely different world. The club was founded in 1886. Depends on who you ask, it could be the oldest member club in the US. They are on their 3rd course now, a Rees Jones (not RTJ...) design. And they have an annual match that started with just Shinnecock, but has now added St. Andrew's (us club) and THE Country Club (Brookline). They are SUPER strict about pictures and social media, so we laid low and just played. She was something. They had the member-guest this weekend as well, so they had it in tip top shape, showing out. Such a different world from beach golf. In more ways than one.
And it was HOT!!!!! Like tiple digits hot every day. Luckily they had plenty of water on the course and kept the beer even colder. I'm paying for it this morning, but such a cool little weekend get away.
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Here's a shot from the Tuxedo Club, from their page, so I can share...
Hole on the left goes from top to bottom (#7.) The green with the lone bunker in the middle is #5, coming from the fairway at the bottom. For #6, you walk back across the bridge tot he tee box lower right to the green at the top. You can kinda see it on google street view. The club is int he public section, but the Park residential area around the Lake is gated. The tee box for the tips on #8 is right next to the maintenance house, and it just so cool. It's just outside this pic.
All private, and 99% of play is members. They have strips for tee boxes which is really cool and cuts down on maintenance costs. And irrigation. The tee box in the pic above might be one of the biggest on the course.
And then there's the dual tee box of 11 and 16. There's a tree right in the middle of it. Like a 250 year old oak tree.
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There's a tree right in the middle of it. Like a 250 year old oak tree.
Count me out.
Played my home course last week hole 3, par 5 there's a cluster of 3 pines 10-15 yards infront of the tee box set just middle right. Water runs the whole left of the fairway so I always want to start my draw pretty far right. I've whizzed by that tree within a foot a dozen times. Last week I finally hit it. Dead square in the center, came right back at me bounce off the tee box about where I tee'd it up, continued 20 yards backwards, down the hill and into the water....negative 20 yard tee shot into a hazard.
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Oof, no bueno. We have some longer par 3's that have trees overhanging like 60 yards off the box. Makes drawing it into the hole impossible. That's not ideal for that tee shot. And too much generalizing that everyone playing that tee will be cutting/fading the ball. Boo.
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99% of instructors today and modern swing mechanics teach draw bias for right hand golfers. Because nobody wants the dreaded slice. The power fade is a tough shot to master without the occasional banana ball. That's why most instructors want inside out path/shallow plane- for a righty- that's a draw if done properly
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They always have the markers center or right back when I play, everyone I play with has a cut (slice) and never has to worry about those trees, I'm bringing a chainsaw next time.
Prevailing wind is always at your back. Even with the negative yard drive and water penalty round its still my best hole, if I miss that tree I end up with an eagle putt 75% of the time.
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Last week saw th completion of the first half of our leagues season. We were 3 points ahead of the second place team. We needed 3 points to clinch first. My partner, who gets in his way too much, couldn't get out of it and proceeded to card a NET 52 and we lost 7.5 to 1.5. I managed to card 2 birdies, but since our league is net aggregate they couldn't overcome his disaster.
On the plus side, those two birdies vaulted me into first place in the net birdies or better comp that was running, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
Over the weekend I managed to shoot my best round of the year so far, carding an 85. Nine pars, 5 bogeys and 4 doubles, so nothing really exciting, but no real disasters either. Started hitting some greens which helped keep the numbers down. Hoping the trend continues.
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I played yesterday. I'm a 9/10 HCP... carded a net 51 of course. - oh you are talking 9 holes? I was being sarcastic, but I get it now. just ignore me lol.
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Random question: I got a random set of Ben Hogan Edge GS Forged irons someone gave to me... Are they any good? Or worth any money? How can I tell when they were made? Best I can tell is early 90's but that's just from a quick google.
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The good: they are made on a smaller scale, in the US with old fashioned "club making" in mind. IIRC they only recently sold out to Tour Edge or some other big mass produced company. The Bad: Forged, players irons have a limited market as it is- not for casuals- and that market is not a strong one for older clubs. They aren't special antiques, so unless Hogan himself gamed them- not worth much. They are priceless though if you hit them great and enjoy playing them yourself.
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Hogan forged irons are buttery sweet when you catch them pure. And NOT when you don't. They are pretty, and always end up with character throughout from the dings they get. If you don't want to game them, there's always someone looking for nostalgia that will buy them for an occasional round or even putting on display in an old staff bag.
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They do have the serial numbers: GE4422
So - doesn't quite match that scheme (second digit=E, not a number). Also - the shafts are Apex 4, but I'm assuming those could be different than what left the factory
Edit to your edit - Thanks! - seeing some other stuff in there for some more info
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Just had league with no one registered my partner no showed. Played the best golf I've played in years. Got through 5 holes in under 30 minutes at at 2 over with 3 straight pars before the sky dumped and lightening started striking everywhere. Frustrating round to get called off.
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I was a combined 2" from being even there with a chip that rested itself on the edge of the hole and a birdie putt that was an inch right. I'm sure I eventually would have blew up but was just in a rhythm with no one else on the course trying to beat the weather. One look, one practice swing, swing, no thoughts just do.
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Hey folks! I know this is a long shot but I booked a tee time for four at a course near Durham NC at 11am this Saturday (July 6) and one of our foursome dropped out so if anyone is interested in playing a round let me know and I'll get you the details.
The three of us probably hover around 100-115. I would consider us to be C-level players in a ABCD type of group. We're all capable of hitting great shots but consistency is not great. Anyway, if you're interested, respond to this message and we can connect off line to work out the details
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"We're all capable of hitting great shots but consistency is not great." Best description of an amateur golfer ever. Should be in Websters under golf. lol. So so true
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Clubs didn't show up, air tag said they were at airport, goes to airport, they can't find them, shows up seconds late for tee time, docked 2 shots, shoots -7 over next 17 w borrowed sticks.
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Hot is an understatement. MasScott practically burned his hand on a packet of relish that was sitting on the counter in the sun. Had to have been over 120*. At least the AC was working at the brewery and the beer was cold!
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Tried to walk 18 this a.m.; quit after 15. Was playing okay but I could feel the heat getting me and I'd already downed 80 oz of Gatorade. Air wasn't moving at all. Maybe it's back in the cart until the fall. Really enjoy walking with the trolley tho.
edit:
much more manageable today...a little breeze...some clouds early kept a bit of a lid on the temp...just gotta pick my spots. golf-wise it was a slow start but finished great...-3 on the last 5 holes...so 76 from the seniors with two s/d penalties
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Cool to play around them. Many don't come into play, but some do. Neat features, and they cannot be removed.
On North Berwick, next door to Renaissance Club, the 13th hole has a stone wall that runs the length of the hole. Not unique until you get to the gree and you have to hit over the wall to get to the green.
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Just finished the member guest I play in every year at Ocean City. Thursday is the par3; alternate shot. We never play well in it, are just happy to be out of the office (typically work the morning then rush out the door to go to the course...) this year we decided there was no reason to break tradition and finish while donating to the pot.
Friday is 3 9-hole matches. Each hole worth a point. In our flight, judging from the betting, we were 3rd or 4th favorite. Opening match was against a guy that's been on the state team for OC for over a decade. Grinder out 4 points. Next was against a former club champ at OC and his partner who shot 62 net on Thursday. They ham and egged is, and we gutted out 4 points in that match as well. Final match, against a father son team. We've played them before when the son was playing college golf (it was d3, so he wasn't scratch then.) Got a little bit of rain during the match, but we turned on a little and got 5.5 points. After day one we were in 4th in the flight, but withing striking range.
The tournament lucked out as well in the weather department. We got 3 holes of rain, while Salisbury 25-30 miles away got around 4-5".
Saturday is the big day. 3 of the 5 matches are done, but still need to get it across the line. I went to bed Friday night not happy at all. Shot like 85 the opening 18 and around 41 the last 9 holes. Couldn't find the center of the club. Couldn't chip. Just didn't have anything. Went into Saturday on a mission.
Lone story short, we won match 4 w 6.5 points that vaulted us to first. Knew what we needed to do in the last and won w 6 points. I shot 2 over and we brought home the crystal!!!!!!
Time to rest my back today and watch the Scottish Open and 2 football finals.
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Great job! I also had my 3-day MG the past few days and my Hokie Dad partner and I didn't fare as well. We won our flight last year, and have a very good record together over the past few years. However, this year we just couldn't get it going. Neither of us had any consistency under tough conditions, and unfortunately we didn't 'ding & dong' this year. Oh well, it happens, ya can't win 'em all.
However, we did win our last match convincingly enough to vault us from last place in our flight to the middle of the pack. Also, on 'Casino Night' I won enough fake $ at the blackjack table to get a $300 shop credit, and bottles of Casamigos and Kettle One.
It was the swan song for the Tkachuk's, as they sold their house here at the club. Keith played with his brother Kevin as always and Brady played with Robert Thomas. Matthew was going to be here (& played here last weekend), but got an invite to the celebrity tournament in Tahoe so obviously played there instead. The Tkachuk's know how to party, that's for sure.
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Bobby Mac is my spirit animal. He wins the Canadian Open, flies home, and skips the signature event he just qualified for because he was on a bender with his dad and mates. Now, he wins his national open and is pre-planning to skip his press time at the Open because he'll be on another bender. He either competes for the win next week or shoots 80-80. My guess, with the amount of mojo he has right now, he's in contention.
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Was down in OBX last week. I got out with my father in law to play The Pointe. Shorter course (from the whites at least) but really nice overall. Pricey, but what isn't at the beach?
Anyway, I saw a tip on social media about mindset to break 90. Literally you just play every hole like its a par 5 (par 5 x 18 holes = 90... go figure). That way, even a bogey on a par 3 feels like a "birdie". No kidding I played by far the best round of my life and shot a legit 86. I even threw in an 8 blow up hole with my approach in the water on 16. It blew my mind.
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Was paired with Cazzie Russell this morning (you whippersnappers can look him up). He's now 80 and coming off of back surgery so the driver swing was a little rough. Great short game and more importantly, super nice guy!
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Planning a golf trip to Williamsburg in late October for some buddies and I. Just a weekend getaway. Plan is to get in Friday, maybe play a round. 2 rounds Saturday. Round Sunday and head out.
Any recommendations? Courses? Lodging? Anything would be greatly appreciated. The group kind of dumped it on me to get it all together. Thanks!
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Royal New Kent or Brickshire. They're about 35 minutes from Williamsburg. I've played RNK, its incredibly beautiful and also tough. I've heard lots of good things about Brickshire. I don't know about the rest of the courses in that area (but this thread should help solve that). Enjoy!
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I like Golden Horseshoe Gold and Green course. Gold is the better course. You can stay on property as well, and it is quite nice. I will say your budget is important here because I am pretty sure the greensfees at Golden Horseshoe are up there.
A lot of people love Kiskiack, but I have not played there myself.
Then of course there is Kingsmill. The River course there is nice but not much is actually on the water until the end of the round. The woods course seemed decent (I caddied as a kid for a friend there in a VSGA junior event), but I'd guess not a good bang for your buck.
Colonial Heritage is the only one in the area I have played and disliked.
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Definitely play Royal New Kent. A good Friday round option is Belmont. It's 13 holes but it's a Tillie. It's about an hour from Williamsburg, but perhaps hit it on the way in town.
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If you are going to splurge on a round, Golden Horseshoe Gold is really really good. Its been like 10 years, but Royal New Kent was fun, and everyone else seems to be recommending it as well. Other than that, if you could pull some strings, Fords Colony is pretty good too.
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Ford's Colony has 3 courses. Several years ago I played the Blue Heron course. It was very nice. Also Deer Run in Newport News is a nice course that is easier on the budget. About 25 minutes from Williamsburg.
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Thank you everyone! Playing Royal New Kent Friday,
Kingsmill river and plantation Saturday, and Golden Horseshoe Gold on the way out. Appreciate the info. Sounded like couldn't pass up Royal new Kent and gold course. Was stuck with the kingsmill ones on Saturday but not worried about it. Should be a great time! Thanks again!
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If you have a chance read about mike strantz. Dude was killing golf course design when cancer took him in his 50s. You'll love RNK. It's a feast for the eyes, but damn it's tough, a real enjoyable challenge.
After playing that course, I have deep respect for mike strantz.
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Bit the bullet and went to Club Champion for a retrofit on the shaft for my Qi 10. I've been very satisfied with distance but consistency has been elusive.
It was a wonderful experience; we went through close to 10 different shafts as he dialed it in. On the Trackman, I'm gaining a little ball speed and showing dramatically improved dispersion. Shaft is a Graphite Design Tour AD HD. I'm otherwise totally unfamiliar with them, so we'll see!
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Remember Tiger's and Spieth's orange shafts w the stripes near the grip? Those are Graphite Design. (Differnt than the HD, they are the DI). They have a lot of profiles, so fairly easy to fit a proper fit and not just a close one. They are fantastic shafts.
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The most difficult part of the fitting was mental, i.e., me just sticking to my stock swing and setup (keeping it apples to apples) rather than trying to adjust to whatever shaft we were trying.
Trackman is soooo useful! Smash Factor on my original shaft (speeder nxt) was different for each of the 6 swings in the set (avg 1.46); SF for the graphite design shaft was 1.50 on five of six (and 1.49 on the other swing). Got the same avg SF on a ventus, but in terms of dispersion the worst miss on the graph design was closer to the center line than the best drive with the ventus. Easy choice.
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played 54 holes between Friday and Saturday. Tried a subtle grip change to ease my draw a bit. Guess I over corrected. Just say no to on course adjustments.
Sliced the hell out of every ball off the tee and didn't get my swing feel back to till hole 50/54, finished par par par bird after a miserable 50 holes prior.
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Best advice I ever got from an instructor- prepare like hell, drill etc BEFORE the round. Once you put a tee in the ground on #1- have 1 thought- Ball/divot contact. Hit the ball first somewhere near the middle of the face...then take a divot. This thought will help most golfers... it helps self correct a million other thoughts and potential faults.
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I played the Naval Academy course yesterday. It's on a really awesome piece of property and Hokie Andrew Green did the renovation back in 2018. Highly recommend trying to find your way on there at some point.
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Have a buddy that did Streamsong last November. Pretty much peak season. 4 rounds and 3 nights i believe and it was around $3k including the caddies and tips. Was looking at it today, and put in a quote request then tightened it up a little bit, but first week of June, 4 rounds and 3 nights without the caddies is around 850.
Serious question, is there a bug issue around that time of year? Or is it the grey hairs come north? Why the extreme cost difference? I know it's central FLA in June, and it'll be hot and humidity, but that's a huge price break. At that price, definitely considering it.
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I think Streamsong only makes sense from the east coast. Too many other good options across the country. The main draw for me is it has courses from good designers and is an easy direct flight from RIC to Tampa. That said, I have never even really looked into it, and now Cabot Citrus Farms is also that same easy flight away and seems way more desirable.
I'd prioritize Sand Valley over Streamsong for sure if I were you.
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In the past few weeks I've discovered that cabot citrus is raising rates for next year, going exclusively walking, and from a buddy not ready for the big stage, yet. While it's a fantastic property and they prob have at least 5 championship courses slated, the 2 there now aren't quite ready and worth the asking price.
And I'm curious about sand valley as well. We may be doing the OG cabot in Nova Scotia next fall, so others may have to wait.
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Good to know. I wasn't expecting to be able to make it down there anytime soon, so hopefully they figure it out and don't price me out when they do. My Scotland trip is now replacing a Bandon trip I had for March/April 2025, so Bandon will hopefully be the next trip I make in the next few years.
I've only heard great things about Sand Valley, but I want to make it to Bandon first.
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FL peak golf season (including rates) Nov thru April; but that much of a discrepancy????
In June, snowbirds will be gone and it will be hot. Summer pattern (i.e., daily thunderstorms in the "lightning capital of the U.S.") may or may not have kicked in at that point. If it hasn't, it could be really hot. If it has, it will be very humid and perhaps a struggle to get in 2 rounds on a given day.
If they overseed with rye, that will be long gone as well; but the bermuda should be going full tilt...in Jax the courses are in great shape by May.
There will probably be some bugs but not so bad that you can't play. We get hatches of various things throughout spring and summer. Yellow flies are the most difficult to tolerate (for me anyway). Maybe you can find some reviews for that time of year.
Mosaic (HUGE mining company) sold that a couple years ago (early 2023) so your buddy may have played under the current ownership/management.
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Gracias! Asked a few others and they said love bugs might be around but not a hindrance to golf. Just wanna play 18, eat lunch, maybe play the chain or bass fish the afternoon. 36 for several days straight isn't in the cards for my knee no matter the weather. Just want something close to Scotland golf in the US before the rates go way up. I've got enough miles for free round trip so I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger.
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Played in a charity scramble. Was actually a great competitive time. Pretty much every team had at least one player that was a -5 or better all the way up to a team with a couple of scratches and a PGA pro. 8 mulligans/8 ladies tee shots/4 shot extensions by throwing the ball. Our 53 didn't place top 3. The aforementioned PGA pro team shot a 49 and left us tied for 4th.
I did manage to throw a well timed dart on the closest to the pin hole 128yd gap wedge:
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Unless there are holes in one, there are 36 shots on any round of golf. A tee shot and a putt. I am so fucking sure there was a 4 some of 15 HCPs that made it around in only 13 additional shots. Yep.
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I mean the team that won had Mark Anderson and two other former tour players. With the mulligans and shot throws and everything it was actually really realistic with them playing from the whites and each getting 2 opportunities to shoot from the front tees. They drove 2 of the par 5s...
We recorded 2 HO1's on the card but both were just a couple feet from the pin and we used our "shot extension throw" to drop it in the cup.
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Yeah, like I said it was the most well rounded scramble tournament that I've been in I was definitely in the bottom half of skill level there and it wasn't close. If I had to guess the average HCP was probably <8 with a lot of single digits, 0's and +'s
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I used to play in an annual one where they usually had a korn ferry type guy and some really low HCP players as well. They would always post mid-low 50's without crazy crazy mulligans, etc.
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I found out last weekend that I won the St Andrews Swilcan package lottery, which means I have a tee time for two on The Old Course in mid-June, along with Jubilee. This means I'll be canceling my Bandon trip for April 2025 and planning a Scotland trip. It will be my dad and I, and this is our first golf trip over there, although we did play Carnoustie with rentals in 2015 on a family vacation.
Does anyone have any tips on where else to play and where to stay? I think we will try to setup in Fife and play courses around there, but maybe we could be talked into splitting time in St Andrews and closer to Edinburgh, like North Berwick.
Courses we are currently considering are The New Course, Elie, Crail, Kingsbarns, and (maybe) Castle Course.
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Congrats!!!!!!!! You'll love both courses. (The college kids are playing jubilee now on the golf channel...if you wanna peep.)
Sadly you've found out you're going at peak season after most packages have been set up. I'd suggest reaching out to Kevin at scottish golf adventures (tell him i sent you) and he may be able to help fill in some times for you. Good news is you only have 2 which is easier to squeeze than 8. He might be able to get one a few on either side.
As far as preference, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and Dumbarnie would be 3 I'd really try to line up. Castle is great and the New is so cool as well.
They are pros over there at same day laundry. That allows you to pack slightly lighter than you think which allows room for souvenirs in the luggage coming home.
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Thanks for the tips! Dumbarnie wasn't on my radar yet, so I'll check that out. I have reached out to a few courses already, including Kingsbarns, and I haven't had any issues with getting tee times for 2 so far. St Andrews won't let you book anything later than March 2025 right now though. Just looking to add the New and maybe Castle as far as their courses go.
I may reach out to Kevin, but a google search of "scottish golf adventures" didn't give any hits.
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My bad, it's Scottish Golf Experience https://scottishgolfexperience.com/
He has connections and can make times ahead of the public. He has plenty of insight into the area and a great guy to boot.
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I submitted a request to St Andrews for times at New and Castle. Seems like I should hear back in the next few days. I see some times for Elie that we want but need to get the St Andrews times settled first.
Right now our plan is the following, with only Jubilee and Old booked currently:
Day 1 (of golf. We arrive to Edinburgh and St Andrews the day before) - Himalayas putting course in AM. Jubilee in PM
Day 2 - Old Course AM. New Course PM
Day 3 - Castle Course AM. Elie PM.
Day 4 - Try for Musselburgh early AM. Flight around midday.
Likely staying at the university. Reviews seem like it'll get the job done and looks hard to beat the location for the price.
I reached out to Kevin a couple of times with no response, so I'm trying to book things myself. With only two of us and it being a smaller trip it seems doable so far.
----------------------
UPDATE: I heard back from St Andrews and we have the following schedule now:
Day 1 (of golf) - Himalayas putting course in AM. Jubilee in PM
Day 4 - Try for Musselburgh early AM. Flight around midday.
The bold is the only thing still undecided. I know vtnerf loved Dumbarnie. Has anyone here played Crail Craighead or Lundin? Not sure Dumbarnie is available yet, plus it is about $450.
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Sweet. Elie was fully booked up when we went, but can't complain as we ended up at Dumbarnie. We loved the New and Castle.
For the Himalayas, get your request in on time. It fills up and there's one day a week where it's closed to the public for all of the women members.
You'll be in a good spot at the University. Close enough to everything. And it's all walkable.
Kevin's been all over (was in Portugal for a weeding then Spain for family holiday) and trying to wrap up details of large group for next year. He said he got the message but was just so jammed up. He still might be able to offer some advice if you need some in a few weeks. It's slowing up there. But he was ramping up since adding guaranteed times on the old and getting some times at North Berwick and Muirfield.
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Dumbarnie isn't cheap, and won't be a 3.5 hour round either...but you can have a fantastic lunch and it's 5 minute from Elie. The views are jawdropping there, looking across at Muirfield, North Berwick, and the Renaissance Club, not to mention all of Edinburgh. But, Craighead is a great track too, and one of the oldest member clubs in the world. Lundin is the one pulling up the rear of those 3, but it won't beat you up.
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Anyone else see Ryder Cup tickets for 2025 at Bethpage are going to be $750 per day?? And between $200 and $400 for practice rounds. Absolutely absurd. They'll sell, but, that's absurd
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Shotgun Start podcast mentioned how a Ryder Cup is one of the worst in-person viewing experiences in sports. There is hardly any golf on the course at any time and typically big crowds to navigate. $750 is just stupid.
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And the comment about pricing the local and American crowd (read New York) out of it will remove the home field advantage. LACC priced tickets high to keep the crowd low, because LACC, and they said it was the quietest USOpen in decades.
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Anyone in the Richmond to Va Beach or even north on 95 looking for a 4th on Election Day? I'm coming back from Roanoke and could possibly make something happen...
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As I sit here on a cold December day on a day-long teams call for grants, just after submitting my ballot entry for the Old Course Reversed, there's time to reflect on this past year of golf. I've was lucky to add a few top notch fantastic courses to the list played: Rehoboth Country Club, Tuxedo Club, and Ballyhack. Was able to string together 4 rounds that were all sub 75. And grinded out a 1 over par round in the member-guest during a deluge of rain to go from 4th in our flight to winning it. Here's to another great year in 2025 with many more rounds and keeping the cap in the mid single digits. Time to prep for Myrtle in March.
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Just got my 2024 GHIN year in review summary. Played 1125 holes that I posted (plus a number of other club events that couldn't be posted.) I didn't play as well this year as 2023 and my handicap went up by 1.9 strokes. Got to play some great courses in Indiana - both Purdue courses, the Pfau Course at IU along with some local courses.
Highlights of the year we're winning the second half of our men's league (finishing second in the first half) after both my partner and I realized that neither of us really wanted to play and coming in second in the league shootout.
Off-season sim league has begun but it's not quite scratching the itch it did last winter. I think it's because my game fell off at the end of the season this year and last year I ended playing really well. I'll save next years goals for the 2025 thread which will be coming soon.
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Played all 3 reunion courses and crooked cat in Orlando this weekend. Crooked cat was where LIV orlando was this year. Pretty good course- in good shape, and had some interesting holes. I'd rate it very good. I's play it again. BTW the driving range there is "the largest in the US"- basically a huge field where all 4 corners can be hitting areas depending on how they open it/set it up. Just huge. As for reunion - meh... the Niklaus course was the best one- it used to be private and now is part of the resort. It's basically myrtle beach golf in Orlando. Think legends or barefoot- same/same. 5:30 hour rounds, staff with their hands out constantly, etc. Won't do it again. Orlando traffic also sucks!!
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Comments
So currently a 12.1 cap.
Goals are:
Break 80 - preferably at my home course (71.5/139)
Single digit cap
Planning to travel to West Lafayette, IN to play Purdue's courses and some other nice ones in the area in June. Would like to get down to French Lick to play the new Pete Dye course there and the refurbished Donald Ross course (played it several times in the 90's). Also want to get back to the Pfau Course at IU (played it twice last year).
Have a Bandon trip planned for April 13th for my dad's 60th. I think I booked it about 15 months ago. Last Friday he broke his arm. Thankfully no surgery is needed, but the Dr. said 2-3 months to recover which is a bit tight. Keeping the trip as planned for now and my fingers crossed.
Is this your first trip out there?
Yep, 4/13-17. Playing all the courses once and have Bandon on the schedule an extra time one afternoon, but that will be a game time decision. We want to have the spot but allow us the rest that day if we need it. We are a couple of dads in our thirties going with our dads that are 60 and 62. This is all assuming this radial head fracture will heal in time for my dad to get back in a bit of golf shape before we leave.
EDIT: Forgot to add that per your recommendation on the 2023 thread we booked Jay Jordan as our group caddie for the trip
2023: Break 1002024: Break 100
I'm doing it this year dammit
Also, my buddies and I do our best to golf year round. We like to plan a yearly below 30° golf trip simply because of the ridiculousness of it. The sound of a golf ball bouncing along a frozen pond is like nothing you've heard before
A course management tip to help you out - to break 100 you need 9 bogeys and 9 double bogeys. Play for bogey on every hole. Play each hole with the primary focus of keeping the ball in play. It's hard to put up numbers higher than double bogey if you don't throw away shots to penalties. And no hero shots.
Good luck. Oh and about that 30° round - you crazy! Just sayin'.
That is great advice, I keep the word "birdie" out of my vocabulary at all times lol. Just last week I figured out I was addressing the ball too close in my stance and my iron swings weren't nearly vertical enough. Seemed like I gained a club head of length on every one of my clubs once I made some adjustments.
You definitely have to have the right group and mindset for the cold round. The sun being out is obviously a plus. But man those are some of the best rounds (beer helps too 😉)
The chances of a 10-15 HCP making birdie from the fairway is close to Nil. Thus, GIR is your most important focus. How many times have you dropped one into 4 feet from the fairway to save birdie? Not many times. Focus on the weakness in your game that keeps you from hitting GIR. Be it wayward drives or chunked approaches. The more GIR you have, you exponentially increase your chances at birdie. Also keep in mind- 2 keys to lower scores really- and only 2 for amateurs. No lost balls, No 3 putts. Do those 2 things and you shoot 75-78 right there.
He's not even a 15 cap - closer to 25. But your advice about keeping the ball in play is spot on even for his goal to break 100. His goal right now should be on the green in regulation+1. That takes away the pressure of hitting the green from out of position (I.e. in the trees, 175 yds+ out, etc.). 2 putts is still a bogey and 9 of those with 9 doubles is 99. And that philosophy will get him close to breaking 90 in time, too. That's just 18 bogeys.
That's been my goal for a while. Hitting greens in regulation + 1 and two-putting = bogey golf, and damn close to breaking 90. I haven't done that yet, but I will.
You got this. Find a consistent swing for you- meaning one where you know your misses. That's how you break 90. Not by hitting a 300 yard drive then 2 chunks. That is not a consistent swing. A consistent swing for a high HCP is one particular "miss".
I know this was directed to BT, but I had never thought of consistency like that. I couldn't tell you what my misses are right now. Huh. Lots to work on
Any instructor will tell you that a repeatable swing is key to consistent golf and lower scores. If you work toward that, eventually when you miss hit the ball it will be the same miss- always thin, or always a hook (my miss personally), or always a slice (coming over the top). Golf is mostly mental, so the point is that if you can train your body for one swing, one consistent plane, when you are nervous or its raining or you are hitting over a water carry, IF you miss, it will be where you always miss it. And that is much more manageable and doesn't wreck your confidence. We have all played with the guy that hits a banana slice on every tee with his driver. Every tee box. Well, that particular miss is simply an open club face relative to your aim. So to fix a slice, you must aim properly AND get that club face closed. Most high HCP slicers make the problem worse by aiming more left. All that is going to do is cause you to be even more out to in. No Bueno. The better golfer would have fixed his open club face and out to in path to thr point where they don't slice every tee ball. If they do miss however, it will likely be that miss- to the right, over the top, open face. Very few cronic slicers become hookers of the ball for example.
I call it mitigating the miss. Look at the trouble ahead, figure out what your standard miss is, and what a flushed shot is, and that is your circle of aiming point. Basically, if a 50/50 shot could end up in the water, adjust your aim. Make sure that the miss doesn't cost you dearly. Bu also if you do pull the shot off, you are rewarded for it. Make sense?
There are too many times I hear guys say "i know I was going to do that..." Well, why did you actually do it then? Adjust.
Yep, when people approach that 12-to single digit HCP, their misses are usually the same- they have a good swing, just might get a little quick, less turn etc. Pro golfers ultimate sin is the "2 way miss" - it has ended careers due mostly to mental aspects of it.
This is so important and how I got down to a 12 from an 18 last year. Every approach I was thinking about where I want to miss. Trouble on the right - miss left. Then I would aim half way between my optimum target ( usually center of the green) and where my miss needs to be. Started taking big numbers off the card.
Currently a 15.1. Lowest ever is 10.7. Goal for 2024 is to be around a 12. I like my shots. :)
Win Flight at Member Member with Dad
Win Flight at Member Guest with Brother
I am a lucky guy. I am able to play both of these tournaments (which are the 2 biggest at my club) with my Dad and my brother. I never want it to end. Unfortunately I am the worst golfer in the family with both of them maintaining single digit handicaps closer to 5 than 9.
That's cool. I moved away after college so golfing with my dad was limited to when one of us visited the other. Wish I could share my country club experience with him now, but he's been gone for many years.
I don't take it for granted that is for sure. After I left VT I thought I wanted to live the big city life and moved to Charlotte. Boy was I wrong. I was back home in small town NC within 5 years. I am now a member at the Country Club I grew up at. Pretty cool indeed.
Highlight of the year for golf will be finally attending the Masters (Tuesday practice round) but goals are:
- Average 1 birdie per round
- Complete 2 Stack programs to increase speed
- Win annual boys golf trip (5 out of 7 years finished 2nd)
- 2 double bogey free rounds
- 2 three putt free rounds
I've had the opportunity to attend a couple Monday practice rounds at the Masters, and let me tell you that you are in for what is basically a golfers religious experience. The practice rounds are almost better you first time out from what I understand (never went to a tournament round) becuase you really just get to take in the whole course. You will be wiped out (it is way more hilly in person than on TV, so make sure you were good walking shoes).
The beers and food will be the most reasonable pricing you will find and any sporting event. They really do an amazing job there on everthing for the patrons.
That is number 1 on my life's bucket list for sure. I'm likely going to be the idiot that pays a broker 2500 bucks for a pass.
Keep the faith. Took almost 15 years of entering the lottery but my number finally got picked.
We spent about $400 each for the Monday practice round in 2014 on Stubhub. That seemed crazy at the time but very worth it. I can't imagine what it costs now. I think I am up to 0/12 on the lottery.
I waited until a week before the masters and got a Sunday ticket for 1600 bucks all in to watch Rahm walk up 18. It was SICK. You won't regret it at all. It is and always will be one of the best sporting experiences in the world.
While that is still very expensive it isn't the nut buster like they used to be. This was my 4th masters. I have won the lottery twice already. I think statistically I have a better shot at winning 1M bucks on a scratch off.
If you don't mind me asking, where did you stay? Tentative plan is to find a hotel in Columbia SC and drive down early since we dont want to pay $600 to stay at a hampton inn closer.
We stayed in a terrible Knights Inn in Aiken, SC that was somewhere around $270 for the night in 2014
When I went (2006/2007) I was living in Atlanta so we just got up super early and drove down for the day on both trips.
Aiken is a good place to stay. It is about 40 mins non traffic when you can finally get out of the venue.
I was lucky enough to go to a Sunday round at the Masters recently. Even though it was hella crowded -- around 40k people -- the place is incredibly efficient. You will never stand still in a line and they will make is easy to spend money! As others have said, it's has a lot of elevation change. Even after people warn you, it's more than you're currently thinking.
One very nice thing is you can set your chair anywhere and no one will move it or sit in it. So if you want to catch a certain green or tee box but want to do that later just go put your chair there and it will be ready when you come back.
Amen corner is great viewing where you can see drives coming down the hill, the tee to the par 3 and the tee back up the hill. There's a nice pine tree peninsula there where you can see it all that's close to beer/food/restrooms. But do walk as much as the course as you can. The fairways are nicer than most greens I've been on!
Very excited for the Wednesday practice round at the Masters. Second time heading down to Augusta.
I am a part of a Ryder Cup group within my firm that does an annual trip in the fall. We will go back to Briggs Ranch in San Antonio this year. 24 people. 3 day tournament. It is electric.
Hoping to do at least one other golf trip this year.
Main goal for the year is figure out Driver. Getting off the tee has always been my Achilles heel. Last year I went pretty exclusively to 3 wood which helped but I need to learn to hit driver consistently with confidence.
Secondary goal is 10 rounds in the 70s.
What are your goals?- Hit hard shots better- 3 hybrid, 70 yard controlled approach, consistent driver ball flight. Get down to single digits.
What cool trips do you have planned?- My buddies are coming here to North Phoenix/Scottsdale this year. Playing 2 rounds at my club and one somewhere else. Go to the Wasted Open and watch the super bowl. Will be a fun time.
Being able to play year round is awesome out here in PHX. Game changer for me.
Goal:
Play once a month leading up to my trip in April, so I can try and play semi-close to what my handicap is these days. Then keep my frequency to at least once every 6 weeks the rest of the year. Two young kids and a bad back make getting on the course quite rare lately.
Side goal:
My dad got me a Garmin Approach R10 for Christmas. I am going to try and setup a very rudimentary simulator in my garage. Just a mat, net, and iPad or TV for now until I get hooked and start researching ways to burn a lot of money.
You have started down a wonderful slippery slope my friend. I started with a skytrak hitting into a net in the garage during COVID. Upgraded to a better mat (definitely don't cheap out if you tend to hit it fat as concrete kills the joints and you will develop golfers elbow), screen, projector, and GsPro (best sim software out there).
Just pulled the trigger on an Uneekor Eye XO during their holiday sale so if anyone has been interested in a skytrak I will have one for sale when it comes in and I get it set up.
Currently at 6.3.
Want to be sub 5.0 by August 2024
No big trips planned, but have buddies in Richmond that are planning for a Royal New Kent, Kinloch, Ballyhack trip at some point.
Want to win our flight in the MG, again.
Pretty happy with the bag. Only thing I might change up is I need a new 52*, so I'm peeping the Mizuno T24 wedge to replace my Vokey SM9. Have ProV's ready for the year. Got a bag right before Scotland last year. Just need to play more. And take advantage of the membership I'm getting back this season.
I'm playing in the annual Feed the Need Tournament at The Ocean Course on Kiawah this Monday. Will be my 5th consecutive time playing and it's always a blast. Weather looks pretty cold and windy this year but I'll have a really heavy beer jacket it. Last year we shot -1 as a team; hoping to best that next week.
Currently 4.8. Only that low because of the best round of my life, 71 +1, 4 rounds ago.
So the goal would be to stay below 5.0 (or get back below 5.0 as quickly as possible because I'm going back up) for the year with a few rounds close to even par on the year.
And win my yearly Luray Golf trip. Been top 3-5 every year but the current format highly favors the higher handicaps.
I have a question for you golf guys and I don't know where else to ask so here goes:
I'm not an avid golfer but I play several times a year, mostly for work related captains choice type tournaments, etc. I'm not very good, but have a good hole from time to time. I have two boys who are really showing an interest in the sport, and I would like to get better and play more. My questions are as follows:
1. I've only ever played with hand me down clubs. I'm 6'4 and everyone says that I would likely play better with fitted clubs given my height. I do feel that I have a lot of inconsistency in my shot and feel that I'm reaching for my ball. I have a horrible slice (most of the time) on my drive and hit my long irons best out of all my clubs. I don't get under the ball very well. Would fitted clubs help? Should I just get some longer shafts based on some measurements?
2. Other than getting clubs that fit, what's the best way to improve my score? Simply play more? I have no desire to be a scratch golfer nor could I, however I'd like to be more serviceable or at least consistent. Everyone on the tee box has advice. Any pointers here?
Thanks in advance guys - please ignore if this is hijacking the thread
You can get a static fitting which is basically just measuring how much extra length you need on your shafts.
There are a lot of different approaches to getting better, but playing more will be key to any of them. I would recommend avoiding YouTube videos for instruction. There is a lot of advice out there that might not apply to your particular swing and you won't be able to discern the good from the bad.
I am 6'4 as well. It depends more on your arm length than your actual height. I got fitted and my irons are +0.5" over stock irons but if you have long arms you might not need longer. Either way, the fitting is worth it.
Only way to get better is lessons, driving range, putting green. You can find good instructors on instagram and do their drills on the range to start. I like Mike Bender. If you are willing to put the time and effort, lessons with a pro are good. The basics of setup to the ball, posture, and grip are as important as any swing drills.
Fittings are generally based on distance from your wrist to the floor when standing straight up. At 6'4", you're probably benefit from +0.5" on your irons. Maybe a lie angle adjustment as well. But standard length fits a lot of people, and only starts changing when you creep into the 6'1" and taller range. Even then, it's most just half an inch.
yes, get clubs that fit. if the lie angle is off, you'll start the ball either left of your aim or right of your aim. then you start compensating. then you are long-term screwed.
take a lesson to at least make sure your basic grip and stance/setup are fundamentally sound. you may think it feels like you are doing what the person in the picture/video is doing, but chances are very good you aren't. that's why golf is so difficult for most people
in your swing you should/must turn, not sway. 99.9% of people who don't break 100, sway...and consistency is nearly impossible. learn to turn...engrain the feel...there are lots of easy drills
Is that right? I'd always heard about the hip transfer of momentum, but thought that was more of a horizontal shift (what you call a sway) and then turn. If what you say is true, then this could be a really helpful tip for me.
For a right handed golfer, sway is moving horizontally away from the target in the backswing. Like if you put a stick in the ground touching your right hip at setup, it would get knocked over during the backswing. Then, on the swing, you are moving laterally back towards the target, which kills true speed and control.
Rather, turn (X factor between shoulders and hips) with a slight lateral movement, but head staying relatively still, and turn THRU the ball, which will make you move slightly laterally towards the target, but not zapping speed or control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMNF9-87c4Q&ab_channel=Weplaygolf
it's true
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CAFgLDOFZMm/
or you can watch any of several scott mccarron videos
here's one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n09nIZ2I1Js
I miss golf, but I like fishing more. But I will probably yeet a few at the range at Massanutten.
I got you French:
2023 was a very good year. Moved up a tee box mid-year and I'm now regularly in the 70's from that distance...level par for 9 once in awhile.
Would like to pick up a couple more strokes in 2024 before time closes that door (scheduled to turn 69 this year). A little more accuracy/consistency off the tee should get that done...may take a look at a new driver at some point (it's gotta be the club, right?). Will also play a few more rounds from the traditional middle tees on days when the winds are calm and greens are receptive.
No trips scheduled. Son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first very soon, so I may pack the sticks when we visit.
Dave:
1st: Congratulations grampa to be. It's a great ride, enjoy it
2nd: When our grand daughter Dixie was born we were able to go to Phoenix for a month to help and see her and the new mom and dad. I was able to work and played several rounds w my son. It was a great trip.
Hope u and yours can swing a trip like that.
thanks
that would be nice but as you know, first things first. just have to see how everything goes
spent too much time at PGA Superstore yesterday and a closeout model Stealth 2+ followed me home.
hit a Cobra...lacked consistency (with my swing anyway); hit a Paradym...nice but no better than my 2018 Rogue (which I also had with me); Stealth 2+ was consistently 5 yards longer on carry (7 on rollout) and had tighter dispersion, once I dialed in the settings
weather sucks for the next couple days but should be able to get out soon.
EDIT/UPDATE: I took advantage of the PGASS playability guarantee and returned the Stealth 2+. Nice club but shaft was too heavy and being end of year, the shaft options were limited. Ordered a 9 degree Qi 10 LS to replace it with the 50g shaft. Played it today for the first time and it is amazing. I'm 10+ yards longer with it than my 2018 Rogue. The lighter shaft is also a bit higher launching and more spinny. So I dropped the loft by a couple clicks (to 7.5 I think) to get my favorite ball flight.
just in time for the golf ball rollback
indeed!
Any beer league level players interested in playing in the Baltimore/DC area? In need of some golf partners
(It's a slow day)
Chasing my Great White Whale...
One of the things I find fascinating about golf is that there are relatively few fundamentals, but there are myriad ways to describe them. There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to describe grip, stance, what your hands do and don't do, wrists, forearm position, elbows, backswing, swing plane, head tilt...
Why? Because what you (me) feel like you (me) are doing in the golf swing is likely not exactly what you (me) are actually doing...sometimes not even close. And we're searching for someone who can describe what to do in a way that we can understand and implement. Who knew it was so difficult to hit a stationary ball a couple feet in front of you with a stick...and an effing custom made stick, at that!
My white whale in golf is a controlled draw with a driver. On TV and videos it looks so easy, no one is doing anything special. They swing, ball goes a mile and curves little. Nothing to it!
[Well not all of them make it look easy and some have lots of secrets to be revealed. Are they really secrets? This is the first video that came up when I googled " how to hit a draw with a driver" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flPkrhHzOec... spoiler, he talks about more than 3 things....way more. In fact, don't even watch it, no one can or should do what he says. "First aim a little right"...Harvey Penick probably would have shot him dead right then and there...golf instructors were allowed to do that in the old days]
Anyway, nothing in my natural/comfortable set up and swing will get me there; my shoulders are naturally slightly open at address because that's what happens when my right hand is lower than my left on the grip. And I'm kind of a one thing at a time thinker/feeler/learner..."first do this, then that, then that, then that"...nope!. I take the clubhead away; bring it back the same way it left; do nothing special with my hands; and get what I get; usually a low baby fade somewhere near the middle of the fairway. If I'm in balance, it works great; just avoid courses that have holes that bend from right to left...especially around tall trees...and be satisfied with very modest distance.
I've been committing some type of golf for over 5 decades and I've tried every tip imaginable to hit a draw; and to be sure, I have no trouble hitting an uncontrolled snap hook with a driver. In the last two years, I've also learned to hit a fairly controlled draw with my irons. But a controlled draw with a driver? Maybe one out of 10...until this morning.
Today I gave up trying to do two things during my swing: 1. straight takeaway in the backswing, then 2. approaching the ball inside out on the downswing (and getting a good turn and not releasing the club too soon or not at all...okay, more than 2 things). Instead, I set up with my feet on the target line and my shoulders and hips pointed to right center field. Then I just took a swing along that right-center target line...essentially a one plane swing from a two plane setup. Voila! So I tried it with my 3 wood...also voila! And my 7 iron...same same...feet pointed at target, ball starts to the right and gently curves back to the target.
So if a draw is your white whale; and if my back/hips survive what I did to them today; and if you have a somewhat limited ability to process and execute more than one swing thought at a time; maybe starting your swing on the second of a classic two plane swing can work for you, too!
So what is the white whale in your swing and what are you doing about it?
My Great White Whale is similar to yours - a baby draw which is dependable (I won't pretend that I can "control" any shot - I am happy it goes the direction I want it to.). For reference I am 12 index.
For most of my 45 years of golfing life, I've had a ball flight that was anywhere between a horrible slice and a power fade. However, for about 7 years I played very little golf (like twice a year) and when I came back, I had a slight draw with all my clubs. I attributed this to two things. First, my muscle memory deteriorated and second, I was able to visualize (and feel) an in to out swing path.
Unfortunately, within about 3 months, my muscle memory returned and my left to right ball came back. That was in June of 2022. About the middle of last year, I realized that if I could visualize the in to out path again, I could probably train myself to do it. I started with a 8 iron in my basement where I have just enough room to take a full swing. I worked on swinging with no ball every day. The basement ceiling also ended up flattening out my swing, too, which has helped. On the range, I started to get my short irons to turn over and they would occasionally do that on the course, but they straightened out.
With my driver, my swing thought was turn at the hips to keep the club inside on the takeaway and then rotate the hips through the ball. In the sim, 8 out of 10 drives are straight or a baby draw and the metrics show a straight to 5° inside out swing path (5° is probably more than I want, 2° is a better target).
Towards the end of last season, the draw started showing up in my irons and occasionally the driver. Interestingly, I still feel like I can hit a fade with any club if I want to ( and I usually want to out of the rough to get the ball up quicker and higher).
The only drawback that I need to sort out is sometimes with my shorter iron, I will tug it left. I think the problem there is my hips are firing too fast in the downswing and I have too much lag. When I control that my iron accuracy is improved. We'll have to see what happens on the course this year when the weather warms up.
The groundhog here n Michigan must not have seen his shadow, because the temp topped out near 60° today. I cut out early from work and got 9 holes in. Had to use an old set of clubs as I am currently having my regular set regripped. Managed to shoot a winter rules 44 with 3 pars and 2 doubles. No flags in the holes, so it was shoot for the middle of the greens except the couple of holes I remembered where the holes were from the last time I played around Christmas.
Temp is supposed to hit 60 again tomorrow and make it to the upper 40's on Saturday so I'll get at least 9 more in each day. Not sure my legs are up to walking 18.
February golf in Michigan is playing with house money.
It is looking more and more likely that my long-booked April Bandon trip is going to be postponed a year. Instead of fully dying inside I am hoping to replace it with a Pinehurst trip in late summer.
Has anyone done Pinehurst, staying on and/or off property, or any of the surrounding courses? Any tips or recommendations?
We will likely just be a twosome now, which I figure helps our odds of finding lodging and tee times.
Done a few trips to the pinehurst area for buddies trips. There are so many options and the best part is you would really have to work to not have a good time and play a fun course. We have done AirBnBs so cant comment on pinehurst resort or playing #2 and #4 (will hopefully one day), but favorite courses for me are Tobacco Road and Mid Pines.
Tobacco's sister course, Tot Hill Farm just reopened after a big renovation too.
Done both. If you are staying on property, financially it makes sense to play the resort courses. I have not played #2 or the new one #10 that just opened. Here is how I would prioritize them if I were you.
#2, #4, #8, #10, #3, #9, and the rest are all equal. Try and play the Craddle as much as you can. Go early and slip the starter at the shack a $50 and have him put you on to play all day.
If you stay off property:
Mid Pines
Pine Needles
Tobacco Road
Southern Pines
Mid South
Talamore
Go have a beer at Dugan's Pub and the Pinehurst Brewery.
Spend an hour or two on the back patio at the Duece (bar inside the resort) and bet with your buddy on guys coming up 18. I love to bring a bunch of singles and just bet GIR or no GIR, does this guy get up and down, does this putt go in, etc.
Either way you do it, you'll have a blast. That area is disney world for golfers.
Try Thistle Dhu, the 18 hole putting green course at Pinehurst Resort. You could easily spend a couple hours there. We play it twice after our round. It was a lot of fun.
I went on a golf trip to the area about 16-18 years ago and we played Tobacco Road. That course was absolutely bonkers, and the number of blind tee shots was ridiculous, so you need to make sure you have a yardage book just to tell you where to hit it (at least at that time they did not have hold diagrams at the tee boxes, which is absolutely needed). It was a very cool course, we enjoyed that one the most.
It's sister course, Tot Hill Farm just reopened after a renovation. They are extremely similar.
Officially canceled Bandon and called up Pinehurst. It was night and day as far as getting what I wanted on short notice.
We are arriving late on 4/13, so no golf. Then on 4/14 we are playing No 3 and the Cradle before chilling to watch the final round of the Masters. We then play No 2 at 8:20am on 4/15 before heading home.
This is just a quick makeup trip to make me less sad about canceling Bandon. My original plan was just No 3 and Cradle and then trying to find availability on a nearby course, so getting to play a bucket list course that will be hosting the US Open later this year is an awesome bonus.
Despite always living within easy driving distance (3.5 hrs), this is my first trip to Pinehurst. Does anyone have any tips on where to try to watch the Masters there? We are staying on property at The Manor but will be finishing up at the Cradle around 3pm on Sunday. Should we just try and hole up at The Deuce? My thought is to try and watch near the main clubhouse area so we can hop on Thistle Dhu if the end of the tournament isn't too exciting, but I'm open to any suggestions.
In my experience, the caddies on #2 are worthless. No help whatsoever, etc. So plan accordingly and don't be shocked if they are "meh"
And given that time of year, the really good ones/travelers are either south in Florida or headed back to Scotland/Ireland. Had a few in Scotland that basically do 50/50 between St. Andrews area and around Seminole/Lake Nona/PGA National during the winter months.
I thought about doing it for a living, but I don't have enough in my investments yet to make that move/retire
Deuce is definitely a great place to watch the masters. If it's nice out get one of the tables outside near the big outdoor tv. Alternate watching the tourney and people coming up 18. Brewery or the whiskey bar in the manor would be good options too if you wanna be in the village.
And yeah some of the caddies on 2 can be meh but also some are great. But the real benefit is getting to walk. Cart path only means you do just as much trekking back and forth to the cart as you would walking. And walking that track is magical.
All the suggestions given seem pretty good. If you are curious about any places to hit up for food / drinks in the area outside the clubhouses let me know. I live about 10 min from Pinehurst. adam dot paxton at protonmail dot com
Since the trip will be pretty quick, we'll likely spend all of our non-golf time on the resort, but I'll hit you up if it looks like that will change. Thanks!
Hey Bragghokie, sorry to revive this old thread but are you still up for sharing some recommendations? I am making a return trip March 12-15. This time there will be 4 of us and we're only staying on resort the last night of the trip.
Welp, with a change in life plans, I've joined my old club again. Was 45 minutes away last few seasons so I dropped the membership, but now I'm back within 15 minutes. Ready to play some golf this year. Just ordered a new 52*. While the Vokey has been a staple in my bag for several years, decided to give the Mizuno T24 a chance to compliment the Pro225's. Got the same shaft in it too, the Nippon Modus Pro 115. Prob will end up with a new 60* by the time Father's Day rolls around this year too.
I crossed the threshold last Thanksgiving time so I'm able to play in the Sr Club Championship this year too. Woo Hoo and Ugh.
Im about to retire my vokey's. They are made for pro's, and for me the back spin juice is not worth the zero margin for error squeeze most of the time. My T300 48 degree plays like a pitching wedge vs. the 52 vokey which is not easy to hit full crisp shots with.
I was on the Cleveland train for a LONG time, then switched over to Vokey when all 14 clubs in my bag were Titleist. I was a club ho. Now there's a mix. But the 52 Vokey is the enigma of the bunch. Read fantastic things about the T24 and the lower trajectory which is nice playing near the coast with constant wind. Priced the same basically and no upcharge for custom shaft options.
My 52 Vokey is the least dependable club in my bag. Love my 56 Vokey, though...
Did get a new 56 sandie right before going to Scotland last year. I call it Vader.
Congrats. Private club golf is the best.
Going to retire my two Vokey wedges this year, too. They are well past their prime. Not sure what I will get as I think I will go get fitted.
From a bounce standpoint I think I am going to go with something at both ends of the range - a 4° or 6° and a 10° or 12°. Both my current wedges are high bounce now and I feel like I am missing something.
Semi...public/private. We get first dibs on early morning tee times. Downside is they hold like 4 or 5 (non-member) tournaments on Saturdays throughout the year. Upside there's enough other options to fill in the gaps. Plus we get Glenriddle for $35, Rum Pointe at $40 and Lighthouse at $45.
If you are playing a wet mess of a track, high bounce can help. If you are playing a hard and fast track, low bounce will help. Now, prob best for mid bounce, but pay attention to the grinds and HOW you hit shots. Might be worth checking out a Cleveland wedge fitting or going to a TM or Cally demo day and talking to those fitters about the right sole grind. They know their stuff, and it does make a big difference in contact and reactions.
average at best with my wedges so I'll take all the help I can get...have the S 23's (50/8/S, 54/8/D, 58/12/D).
Yeah, my plan is to go get fitted at the same place I got fitted for the rest of my bag.
Fairways are usually firm at my home course but rough is chewy. Not sure what the bunkers are going to be like, but they tend to be more firmly packed early in the year and possibly fluffier later in the year.
Bounce and grind (which I understand less about) will be part of the conversation with the fitter.
Anyone interested in taking over my Bandon Dunes reservation for this upcoming 4/14-17? Just finally had it confirmed that we have to cancel and the agent said they prefer if you can find someone to take over the itinerary. I don't know anyone personally that can do it so I figured I'd try here before just straight up canceling.
Oh man, that sucks. Also, kind of an interesting ask from Bandon.
Played in 21... would love to, but I can't this time. I am certain Bandon would have no trouble filling the spot though- they are booked a year in advance
Yea I'm not worried about them filling the spot or putting any real effort into finding a replacement. I was more just hoping to make a Hokie's year by getting them a spot this April.
How many people?
4. See below
Consider me intrigued. Is it taking over only one spot? What tee times do you have lined up?
It was for a foursome with the lodging being 2 golf doubles in the INN, so twosomes sharing a room with 2 queen beds. No lodging the night before when we were planning to stay in Bandon proper.
BT and Preserve get punched on 4/16, so this itinerary avoids that. BD will have been punched on 4/2.
Golf:
4/14
BT 9:00 AM
Preserve 5:45 PM
4/15
OM 7:50 AM
BD 2:40 PM
4/16
PD 8:40 AM
BD 3:10 PM (not guaranteed to finish)
4/17
SR 9:20 AM
Lodging:
4/14-17
1 Golf Double - INN
1 Golf Double - INN
Dining:
4/14
Pacific Grill 8:30 PM
4/15
Ghost Tree Grill 8:00 PM
4/16
Ghost Tree Grill 8:30 PM
Does hole-in-one count if you hit it in your dream? It was a 4-iron, thought it was short but bounced into the pin, then had a little bit of mini-golf sloped-into-the-hole action for the ace.
I'm counting it because I can barely swing or even get lined up in my usual golf dreams.
depends, are you buying a round for the board?
In an otherwise meh round yesterday, made my first lifetime eagle on a par 4. Holed out from 130.
congrats!
Nice!
My buddy and I tried a scramble format for the first time yesterday. Neither of us are very good, but he'll break 90 every now and then. Finished up with an 85 together and that was probably the most relaxed round of golf I've ever played. Wasn't worried about the score at all and I realized how far my game has come from just last year as I work to break 100.
These are fun and an easy way to remove a lot of pressure while still keeping some there. First guy hits one well, second guy gets to try a hero shot or something he doesn't hit all of the time. First guy dunks one, second guy has to step up and hit a good one. Keeps it light, but still focused. And allows you to learn things about your game along the way. Enjoy it!
My buddy called it ham and eggs! (Or something like that lol.)
So he had a hero shot that worked out wonderfully on 4 or 5 because I set us up nicely in the fairway. He felt freed up to rip one with no pressure. He ended up out driving me through a gap in the trees with a 3 wood.
Ham and egg! Or, if you like Will Ferrell, Shake n Bake! But ham and egg means that you compliment each other, both contribute (even if your shot isn't taken...like his allowing him to be freed up), and help each other. The sum is greater than the parts.
WOLF is a fun game to play with your 4-some that is not a tournament/scramble game but similar. The "wolf" rotates tee shots. If you are the "wolf" of a hole you can pick a tee shot in the fairway/best tee shot or take your own. The winner of the hole get's a point and the points carry over some guys play 17 and 18 as winner take all- but you don't have to. We place some action on it. Try it sometime- tough part is remembering who is the wolf.
And you can go lone wolf and take (or lose) it all.
And trying to remember that on top of several beers.... woof 😬
In all seriousness I think my usual group would love that
Speaking of games, we will play 6's. You partner up with someone different every 6 holes. Allows you to play with AND against everyone. most of the time the money washes out with switching around, but sometimes one person can get hot and win all three matches. Keeps it friendly, but at arms length too. Mind games the first 6 holes sometimes are oddfellows since you'll be their partner sometime over the next 12.
That sounds like a cool game. Ill have to try it
My family does something similar but you keep the same partners. First six is better ball, middle six is combined score, last six you pair off and play singles matches. 4 total points to be won. Call it a one round Ryder cup
We used to sometimes play something called Lefty-righty. The leftmost 2 tee shots and the right most 2 tee shots were paired for the hole and played as best ball from then on (play your own ball to the hole- not a scramble) winners took a point each if they won the hole. Sometimes the last guy to tee off could try to pick his partner based on where the first 3 had hit.
any of y'all in town this week for TPC?
wind during practice Tue/Wed will be lighter than Thur-Sun
could have an earlier start Sunday if current forecast holds (afternoon showers)
we haven't had any crazy weather recently; course conditions should be flawless
If the greens don't firm up, it might take -20 to win. wind (< 10 mph) isn't going to be much of a factor thru the weekend
Wyndham is on a mission!!! (And I stupidly have him on the bench this week. Booo!!!)
Does anyone have lessons for swing coaches in the DMV area (prefer NoVA but will drive anywhere around DC for a good coach)? Started to get serious about golf about half-way through last year and really want to start to get my swing dialed in and break 90 this year. My goal is to shoot below 100 consistently and hopefully break 90 by the fall.
C at help you with the swing coach, but I can tell you that you will break 90 long before you consistently shoot below 100. Good luck.
There is only 2 keys to breaking 90- and not this is not snark or captain obvious- its the dead truth if you think about it. In order to break 90 on a par 72 course of a normal "slope" you need to be slightly better than bogey golf. There are 2 sure fire ways to avoid double and triple bogeys. 1. No lost balls- Keep it out of the woods and water, and making double is hard if you think about it. You can bunt a 7 iron up the fairway and make par. 2. No 3 putts. Yes count your number of putts- if you can avoid 3 putting, you will make more pars and shoot lower scores. To re-cap- don't slice it right of right and learn how to lag putt. That's how you break 90.
Just to pile on, DC's strategy can get you into the low eighties, I know, I did it.
Know your miss, and if you don't, work to get a one way miss (I.e. all your misses go right, or left) and manage it so you stay out of bad spots. For putting, distance control is much more important that an accurate read of the green. Good distance control and a bad read might leave you with a 4 foot putt which is makeable. Bad distance control with a good read might leave you ten feet away, which is probably a miss.
distance control on putts is the most difficult part of the game for me...and it's all mental...I leave everything criminally short, like if it goes one inch too far, I get DQ'd, lol
Absolutely- look at the very best golfers in the world % made from 8-10 ft. It's not good. Those putts don't drop for weekend golfers 90% of the time. You won't break 90 if you can't lag putt decently- or are a superior short-mid iron player- that can cover up some bad putting.
I don't break 80 often, I'm usually in the low 80s, but when I do:
Smart golf - I use my Garmin golf watch to pick a safe landing spot for my tee shot that will put me within an easy distance (100-150 yards) so I can hit a short wedge or iron (SW, PW, or 9i) for my second shot. This gets me on the green or if I miss, very near it on the fringe.
With the above strategy, never 3 putt.
Accept that you don't need to smash driver 280-300 yards on every tee box and you'll find many more fairways. Hitting a 4i or 5i off the tee (if it'll get you within that 100-150 yard range) gives you an easy second shot you can be more accurate going into the green with.
Can't remember their name, but if you called Rob Canaday at Compass Pointe (tell him VTnerf sent you) he could let you know whom to go to, and give a general idea of costs as well.
That's a decent track. There are 2 better "9s" and one is meh if I remember correctly. That is pretty far from NOVA though.
It is, but Rob knows all the players and teachers. He'll be able to provide intel without bias for the most part.
For where you are, don't waste your money on high end lessons. You can probably get what you need form any pro shop/golf galaxy or something like that. You may want to check FB marketplace too. You will just need some base drills to get you into better positions for now.
But I agree with DC. Most higher handicap golfers get hurt by the big numbers and short game. If you got up and down in no more than 3 from greenside everytime you should be breaking 90. Also dont be afraid to play from farther up to teach yourself how to score and manage the course rather than needing long irons into greens.
Also recommend you play the tees/combo tees that fit your abilities. It will be more fun for both you and the people around you; and you'll get better faster, especially your short game. Give yourself real opportunities to make pars! As you improve and become more consistent, you can move back and make it more challenging. And you'll be breaking 90 in short order.
Re: Course Management...
Good explanation about mitigating your shots and end results'
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4dbUkRuQUP/?igsh=MWE1aGVsYjliazI4bg==
Exactly, the key is to eliminate the two way miss so your shot either goes straight or misses in a predictable direction.
Bingo. Played with a huge slicer for a while. I told him one day- lets go to the range and I won't make you Tiger Woods, but Ill show you a way where its almost impossible to slice. I told him that he would never hit it "way right" again this way and that takes that side of the course out of play. It was the classic, just take your driver stance and put your right foot slightly behind your left. Take the same swing. You might hook it, top it sky it- BUT you are never going to slice it from that position- nearly impossible. It changed his game big time.
Rest in Peace Chubbs 🥺
First round since very early November tomorrow. Definitely excited for it. Just want some fresh air and clean strikes.
I'll be going out for 18 tomorrow, too. Walking which means I'll be dragging ass the last 4 holes. But it will be good to get out again.
Super happy. First round of the season. No doubles. Even par on the last 7. One lost ball but still managed bogey. Putting was meh, but that touch is the last to come back. 78 for mid March, I'll take it.
Enjoying the log jam at the Players now.
Nice.
Can't say the same for my round. Windy as hell, gusts probably to 40+. Hit some good shots but way too many mental mistakes. Greens were bumpy and slow so putting wasn't as good as it normally is. But golf in Michigan in March is a win.
And regarding the Players Championship, Brian Harman is the human rain delay. Don't use his waggles as a drinking game, you won't make it 3 holes.
Having him, Keith Mitchell, and Kisner on "Happy Hour" on Fri afternoon with Smylie Kaufman was great. They were at 17 tee...hilarious.
I hadn't seen that segment before...just stumbled into it... but it was great
New for the last few tournaments. Whomever thought of that should get a bonus. It's fantastic.
So damn envious of you being able to take 4 months off and come back firing a nonchalant 78.
Over 40 years of learning my swing, several range sessions, good sleep the night before, and mentally bashing myself to play smart. Mix with some good luck, playing the one-up tees, and knowing I had some good beer at home no matter and it worked out.
Wow. Just wow. Not sure I've seen a putt do that on the 72nd hole that mattered that much. Wow.
Changed where I'm playing Spark this year and that was a stellar decision. Old South in Bluffton ~1 mile from Hilton Head one of the better public courses I've played on that stretch.
This weekend looks like a complete washout, which isn't the worst since they punched our greens earlier this week anyway. The rain should push the sand in and help with healing. If weather holds this summer like last, I'm expecting firm and fast greens in July and August. Giddy UP!!
Spring of Deception is over in Michigan. Looks like next opportunity might be Easter. Back to the sim to build up some confidence.
Got a round in yesterday. Hit some really good shots, but the consistency with the irons is lacking. The greens were possibly cut, and at the very least rolled so their speed was a bit closer to normal. Still didn't get any putts to drop, though. The hole locations haven't been changed since last fall, so the cups are ragged and a couple locations are difficult.
Driving and chipping/pitching were the strengths. I think time in the sim this winter helped both. Scoring season starts on Monday but the weather is iffy the rest of the weekend. Next weekend looks good, though.
Didn't realize til yesterday that PGA had moved the Houston Open (back) to Memorial Park. Love seeing a tournament at a muni! Wish they would do it more.
We lived in the Houston burbs from 88-96. Saw the tournament one year when it was at the The Woodlands; and I knew they had subsequently moved it to Redstone. But I loved seeing Tx Children's Hospital as the title sponsor with the tournament right down the street.
Our son and daughter-in-law are moving there this summer for what looks to be a 3 year stint for them. So maybe I can slip out when we visit and play the course. Memorial wasn't in the best of shape when we were there.
Know it too well and hate to see it but....
Golf.com/news/denny-mccarthy-distraction-playoff-waterball/
Look at the photos. Golfer's surrender cobra with his "GO HOOS" yardage book prominently displayed.
He putted 92 times in 72 holes which is insane....to lose on a flubbed 99 yard wedge shot had to hurt
The ONLY thing that is comforting is that he's already in the field at Augusta, and the win put Akshay in as well.
Otherwise, Denny put on a show for the ages. And a back nine 28 on Sunday!!!
The dude can putt.
Made it out last night to just wander around, play a few holes, try out a new-to-me hybrid, and saw something odd and disturbing. Checked in and asked if the back nine was open and the guy in the shop says "not really, there's an extremely slow group that just made the turn..." Um, ok, we'll figure something out. Given they just sent 4 2-somes off the front, my buddy and I went off 10. The slow group was on the green when we teed off so it shouldn't be an issue. Well, we get to our approach shots (par 5) and see a cart near the green. And one in front of the next tee box. And one person on the tee. One near the green adjacent to the tee box (like 45* left). One in the woods. Um, wth is going on. We chip up (2 balls each), putt out, and go to the 11th tee. By now, they had come back to get the cart left alone but hadn't made it to the fairway yet. We improvised...hitting 5 iron to the 12th fairway, then hitting back to the green. Putting out on 13, they had just finished 11 and the marshal comes up to them on the 12th tee. He parks 30 yards away, walks over to them, talks for 5 minutes, and goes along. We make the loop from 13-18 to look back from the 18th fairway to see them just getting to 13 green. And one of them loudly makes a statement that they were taking 45 minutes per hole. Wild. They knew how slow they were. The shop knew how slow they were. The marshal knew how slow they were. And yet, they held it like a badge of honor.
I'm all for growing the game, and teaching. The course was not busy. The marshal could have easily spent a hole with them to show them how to play faster, and ready golf. But he (and I'm not surprised with older marshals that are just out of the house...) showboated in front of them parking way off and walking towards them. Nothing was learned. Nothing will change. And luckily it wasn't busy so we could hop around, but this could have turned really bad on a busier day or around some guys that were deep in the sauce.
Anyone that like a decent ball value Snell has MTB X Primes (2023) on sale for $19.99/doz they're by far my favorite DTC ball. Its Dean Snell's company same guy that made the ProV series and pretty much every TaylorMade ball including the TP. They've consistently rated pretty well in independent testing.
https://www.snellgolf.com/
In other golf news I started +1 thru 5 and still managed a 50 9 yesterday so that was frustrating my irons are all over the place right now.
I've heard decent things about them. Might try them. Currently I'm a TP5X guy.
For scrambles and just bang around days, at $20 they are a great value and solid ball.
I liked Snell but they had to change factories; so for me, the jury is out until they get a decent MyGolfSpy review. Meanwhile, y'all sold me on Maxfli's; love 'em.
My game went to shit last fall/winter but I went out today and hopefully got a bit of my mojo back. Had a horrific start thru 6; then just +2 over the last 12 holes. Hoping that carries over...
Yeah Maxfli's are a staple good ball. The lack of MGS detailed Snell review kept me away from their 2023 ball for awhile, I hope they jump on reviewing the new ball it sounds like they've got production back to where they want it which was a massive issue for them from covid to 2022.
I am very fortunate to live on a golf course that has a few water holes, including an island par 3 on #17 and a peninsula green on the par 5 18th. I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I golf and 'fish' in the late afternoons. I haven't had to buy golf balls in over 15 years, and have boxes of sorted/found ProV's, ProVX's, and AVX's. I save the Bridgestone's for one friend, the Callaways for another, and the TaylorMades for yet another friend. The other 'lesser' balls get donated to various charities. If you go out to #17 after a MG, you can fish enough Titleists to last all year. My ball retriever is the only 'club' I have that needs to be re-gripped!
Shows you how hard the game is. Compare the number of folks just taking up the game/true hackers at your course to "decent/good/experienced" golfers. I bet the later is much higher number, yet they rinse balls regularly. That's golf! I read a story that they pull like a thousand balls out of the pond around TPC sawgrass 17th every year!
Before I moved to a smaller house in the community, I lived right by the tee boxes on our #17 island green. The 'hit & stay' rate is probably 50%, and easily 90% of the shots that miss fall short. The green around the front and sides slope to the water, so even shots that land on the green can spin or roll off. Needless to say, my kids learned a few new words when they were younger. The women were the worst "Jesus F***ing Christ, now I have to go the f***ing circle of shame".
Most amateurs still think along the lines of "when I hit my 9-iron well, it goes 140". But, they don't factor in roll, wind, and the reality that they don't hit every shot 'well'. Always good advice to take an extra club. I personally have found it very difficult to putt from the water.
Often the worst part about rinsing one is that awkward 75-80 yard shot (that I hate).. I've worked very hard on improving my ball striking, so its hard for me to hit a 75 yard shot. It's basically a hinge and hold with a 56... not ideal if you need a high shot to hold an island green. A total flop shot is not easy for any golfer. I'd much prefer to re-load from my tee box in most cases.
The course I'm playing frequently now (Old South) has 2 par 4 island fairway to island greens over protected marsh/wet land and 2-3 island par 3s over it. You're not supposed to go in there but at low tide its about 50% balls 50% mud. Very thankful feeling when you walk across the bridges to a ball on the green seeing how many people miss.
Leaving for Pinehurst on Saturday morning. My game is nowhere near as sharp as I'd like, but I'm still pumped. First time down there.
We play Southern Pines Saturday afternoon. Then Sunday morning we play No 3, have a quick lunch, play the Cradle, and then watch the Masters. We wrap up with No 2 on Monday morning before heading home.
Southern Pines was awesome. My dad, who has played a lot at Pine Needles and Mid Pines ranked it above Mid Pines but below Pine Needles. It was a really fun course with lots of elevation change and quite difficult. The greens are still new-feeling so very firm.
No 3 was a really fun course. Definitely short but you still had to hit good shots to score. Some of the green complexes were pretty nuts but I wouldn't call it overly difficult. I'd definitely have it in the rotation on a return trip.
Cradle was awesome. What a fun place. We managed to get a round in before the Masters coverage started on Sunday and then again when it was clear Scottie was running away with it. That whole area--Cradle, Thistle Dhu and the practice area--was a great place to spend the day. We were putting at Thistle Dhu until we couldn't see the holes anymore.
No 2 was epic. I felt as bad about my game (and my back) as I maybe ever have, which was not great for that test but it was still an incredible experience. I've never been in a greenside bunker and thought I had zero chance to get on the green before like I was there multiple times. Makes me really excited to watch the US Open. If you're hitting good shots you can still score in spurts (but I very much was not), but the margin for error was so small. IMO it was absolutely harder than Oakmont, Spyglass, and Carnoustie.
Love the Cradle- an American gem. Missed an Ace on #1 there by a roll of the ball.
So fun. Really a perfect experience. Our first round we played with a 30-ish year old and his girlfriend and they were really fun (mostly his GF). She was very new to golf but all of us had at least 1 birdie by the end. We also played behind a family with two kids under 8 years old. Really want to get back there with my son in a few years--he's 4 now.
Masters Week!!!!!
Interesting story lines.
Rahm back to defend.
Scottie, as the odds on favorite pre-tournament, saying he would WD if his wife goes into labor.
Tiger back for 36, hopefully, and potentially 72, after the "flu" at the Riv earlier this year.
Wyndham coming in playing well with back-to-back runner up finishes to Scottie.
Rory chasing history...again.
Spieth playing some of the best golf he's played in some time.
JT with a new caddie.
Rory/Scottie/Xander grouping.
Brooks paired with mister 97 waggle Harman.
Can Denny keep the putter hot hot hot?
Aberg...the new golden child...can he make some noise?
Did you see that 18th hole in the Valero 3rd Round?
I wondered if he hit that third ball onto the clubhouse roof gutter on purpose to get the free drop back close to fairway.
I enjoy his game, but man his brain farts drive me nuts.
Yes, it was on purpose. Since he was in the hazard, there is no line of sight relief. He had to make sure to hit it hard and far enough to get out of the junk he was in. He could have hit it 5 yards to just outside the penalty area and gotten the same drop. There wasn't any OB over there, so no worry about that. Since it was behind the stands, he got a drop back nearly in the fairway. Smart play, even if it was a little extra on the hitting it THAT far, but at least it did go a little forward, so that afforded some gain in yardage on the relief drop.
The interesting thing was that under normal circumstances, he should have dropped on the path under the gutter, reviewed the lie, then taken relief from there. Highly doubtful he would have gotten a perfect lie in that vicinity (the ball cannot roll more than a club length (the relief area) and that is still on the path. So, they took complete relief right off the bat and went clear of the stands for line of sight from a temporary immoveable obstruction.
Reminded me of the drop at The Open the year he won.
I think the effort on the 2nd shot was an attempt to get it in the hospitality tent left of where he ended up. Had that happened, his drop for the 3rd shot would have been about where his caddie is standing in the pic.
He's lucky he didn't nestle up against a rock, or worse, disappear in the outfall structure.
Shoot me, but yes I am the guy rooting for Rahm, Cam Smith, and Brooks to shoot 82 every time they play. I don't care about the hackers (sergio, phil, westwood, hatton) that went to LIV. Fuck those guys, they can't play anymore anyway. But to win a major (Cam Smith/Rahm) and THEN bolt for the terrorist money in your prime - fuck those guys. I hope Rahm misses every cut the rest of his career. And Tiger is done- physically- done. He literally can't play 72 holes anymore- hasn't played this year. No chance he has the game sharp enough- yes he knows every single putt break at Augusta, but he's done as a competitive golfer there. There are too many guys that are good golfers now as opposed to the choking dogs he dominated for years. Done.
it's rare that I completely agree with you DC. But this is one of those times.
I hate hearing the whining about Rahm missing out at the beginning of the year. Shut. Up. He knew the deal, and still went. Life is full of choices. Now he comes out and says he was hoping to work a reconciliation from the inside...oh, thank you Jon, our great savior. Get outta here. No offense, but you aren't that guy Jon!!!!
And Cam...I get Cam. Greg had a different hold on him being fellow Aussies. And he didn't whine about things. He did his thing, and got paid. I don't root for him, but I get his decision.
Brooks is a gamer, but his IQ is around his average score. Bless his heart.
I'm rooting for all of them to make the cut, and finish dead last of those playing 72.
And Tiger is toast. Donzo. No mas. With the rain, I'm not sure he completes 18. I'm seeing stupid silly bets on him, but nothing about him not making the cut or O/U first round. (If he finishes it, I'd put it over 73.5.)
Agreed. You can't say LIV is superior, not exhibitions, etc. then whine about not being on the Ryder Cup team. You can't have both. You leave for terrorists money and no cuts, you don't play on the ryder cup team. Period. And now everyone- including Bryson - who also sucks now- is walking back the "did it for more time with family" lie. All of those dudes left for the money. the only reason. their right to do so, my right to root that they have career ending back injuries.
Pinehurst No. 10 was phenomenal.
Love that they brough the property back to life. And did it in the natural style.
Great to hear. We almost worked that in over Southern Pines but the only tee time this Saturday afternoon was earlier than we could get down there.
Had you played The Pit before it closed?
I didn't, but learned a lot about its history from my Caddie.
Where would you rank it among the other courses at Pinehurst? (Assuming you've played them)
It's the best course on the property. I played 2, 4, 8, 10 and The Cradle.
Gotta love Gary Woodland putting on a show at the par 3. And the walk-n-talks with him. Love it!!!!!
Happy golf and taxes weekend! (to those who celebrate)
Been glued to The Masters since Thur. I think I'm becoming a Max Homa fan. We'll see how it goes today.
Fully acknowledged my golf limitations this week by swapping out my 5 hybrid for a 9 (24 degree) wood. High lofted woods are just too easy to hit to not use them...already have a 7 (21 degree). Can't get enough loft on a 5 iron; can't get enough spin on a hybrid.
Old man golf
https://imgur.com/Y1WzwK7
Good looking bag. Mizzys always look good no matter the model.
LOFT is usually my problem too - Lack of Fucking Talent.
That said, the rust is coming off the game slowly. Carded the best round of my year so far by quite a bit today with a 90. Felt like it could have been an 85 The highlight was the first birdie of year after throwing a 52° to 4 feet from 75 yards out.
Spent 30 minutes yesterday on the putting green doing the 5 ball 3' drill. Couldn't get 15 in a row to drop, but I had confidence that every putt was starting on the line I wanted it to.
Needed new irons, was about to get fitted then suddenly saw Wilson Staff Forged D9's on sale for $499 and just hopped on that. I fall very much into the stock stick category. Never used Wilson irons I know the brand as a whole has a not great reputation but MyGolfSpy raved about these when they came out and at $499 I couldn't pass them up.
For anyone else looking for a deal $499 RH $459 LH stiff flex shaft only
https://maplehillgolf.com/wilson-staff-d9-forged-irons/
My Golf Spy:
https://mygolfspy.com/buyers-guides/irons/2022-most-wanted-players-dista...
The way irons are priced today, that is an absolute steal
Don't worry about past reputation. All irons now are so far advanced that it's hard to find a clunky set, so at that price you got a great deal.
yeah kinda what I figured I was really interested in the mizuno JPX series (would have had made a full mizuno bag from Driver to putter) but these were continuously compared to them so can't be that far off.
i think you got a steal, and they look great!
loft is the same as hot metal pro; offset is same as the hot metal. and they are forged, so you can bend them a bit if needed.
Got them out to the range yesterday they hit really well super happy with them.
After mostly struggling for the first 9 rounds of the year, I finally got things going today. Shattered 90 with an 86. Had a 7 hole par streak in the middle of the round and hit 8 fairways and 7 greens. Managed to sink a birdie putt on the first hole to get the round started.
putting is still shit; last round (+10) had 5 three putts and missed two birdie putts under 6 feet.
having a ton of trouble with speed and mis-reads (line on the ball ball tracks nicely...it's going the direction I'm aiming...just need to pick a better line).
been watching green reading videos all weekend and ordered a small digital level for practice, lol.
edit: level was shit so sending it back; but I did find a $2 clinometer app for my phone. it will be as accurate as I can calibrate it
Might help, might complicate, but one of the best bits for practicing putting (not reading, just consistent putting) is a putting mirror. Honestly any small mirror will work, but make sure you can stand over and see your eyes in relation to the ball. They sell cheap ones on Amazon for around $10 that you can put tees in on the practice green too.
good advice. i've done it before but it is easy to slide into bad habits
I use it like an oil change to make sure I'm not slumping or leaning. Majority of shots come w that club so if I can trim 3 or so a round, that's substantial.
Need some advice finishing out my bag and gapping my longer clubs.
D - 275-280ish
3w- 255ish
?
?
5i- 195ish
Right now that gap is a 4i and a 4h I pretty much never hit either. My 4i is inconsistent. The 4h was a gift but has a R shaft and feels like a wet noodle and I can't control it. Never been big on hybrids but they probably make more sense. I've seriously considered a 7w in there but not sure I'd pair that with. Plan on going to demo some clubs but not sure what combos to even pick up to demo. 3H+7W? 3H+4H? 5W+4H? Probably eliminated irons at this point, I'm just not good enough to consistently control them.
I'd gap based on average carry distance ONLY and with your length, I'd look at clubs that I could get some loft and spin on. You have plenty of length and just need to stop the ball pretty close to where it lands. Woods aren't as precise as hybrids but often provide more loft and spin and critically, are ridiculously easy to hit. They are also better than hybrids out of the rough. Having been through numerous high quality hybrids from 4 major manufacturers, I now use a 21 degree 7 wood for my 4 iron and a 24 degree 9 wood for a 5 iron. I'm not suggesting carrying both (I do it because I'm in old man mode...because I'm old) but if you are a double digit hcp, I'd have a high lofted wood (20-24 degrees) somewhere in the bag. They are just too useful.
So yeah, imo, one of those two ?'s would be a high lofted wood and the other would probably be a hybrid to fill whatever the remaining gap is. I'd find the wood first; one that feels like it's cheating to use. Then go hybrid hunting.
This is what I keep hearing about woods and it keeps making me interested but I always struggle to find 7 woods anywhere to hit before I buy them and they're seemingly always a more premium cost than a hybrid.
Also, you are ALLOWED to carry 14 clubs. You don't HAVE to carry 14 clubs.
If you find a 7w that fills the 230 shot, you can always choke down for the 215 shot.
Or a 3H. Easier to have one club you have confidence in versus 2 that you are in between on. Guarantees that neither of them scratch the itch then.
And could add a wedge or something at the bottom of the bag. 4* separation down there.
Yeah I think the bottom of my bag is set I don't really have any gaps to fill down there and feel comfortable at just about any range with: Putter, 60, 56, 52, P-5. Its the 215-235 range where I just get puzzled and I ended up with like 3 of those shots in 4 holes yesterday and just got frustrated second guessing what I was doing.
yup, woods are pricey; probably the biggest downside
map says there is a PGA SS in Bluffton; not sure how far that is for you but you might find something there.
Callaway pre-owned site is sometimes useful; finding a 7 or heavenwood should be easy...finding one with a stiff enough shaft probably less so
Yeah finding a 7 wood with a stiff shaft is definitely a challenge the callaway pre-owned has paradym X in there with a S shaft but the last thing I need it is a draw tendency club. There are a couple Rouge's that I've got my eye on. Definitely plan on swinging in to the superstore here soon.
Edit: Gotta do something better with my free time rather than browse the internet for golf deals. Found a Paradym demo 7w with S flex and bought it. Just gonna reshaft my 4H and see how this set up goes for a few rounds. D 3W 7W 4H
lol
i have a paradym 3 wood...love it
hope yours works out!
Had a couple opportunities to use it today I was not prepared for how easy it launches the ball. First swind was from the rough and it got on the ball surprisingly easy though I toed it pretty hard with a closed face and hooked it.
Choked up and took it off the tee to an island fairway that basically gives you 195-220 to land on put it right at the back of the fairway. Happy with this purchase.
hit that one a bit to get your yardage dialed in before you re-shaft the 4H...you may want to go another route
Bizarro round yesterday...10 pars, a birdie (lipped out 2 others), and an eagle (holed out from 72 on a short par 4)...also 2 triples and 3 doubles which included 3 drops from the water and 2 s/d out of bounds penalties. So 13 over on 6 of the holes and 3 under on 12 of the holes. Maybe I need to try match play, lol!
Lastly, is there room to 3-lane I-95, at least from Savannah to I-26? I know a lot of that is on fill anyway. Made that trek again last Wed and Sat (to and from Winston-Salem) to see the new grand daughter. As it is, they'd probably be better off just making the speed limit 55 and restricting trucks to the right lane.
That's the plan I'm just carrying 13 right now
That stretch is miserable have to drive it anytime I leave town. I'm not sure about expansion there they can't hardly maintain the integrity of the existing road there and it bounces in and out of straight swamp land. Combination of horrible drivers, bad roads, and a high speed limit make it very frustrating.
As a 13-clubber, I agree with this take. My pick would be a 3H (should get you around 215-220 and be relatively easy to hit). Play a couple rounds and see if you need another club. Personally, I would think the number of times youll need a 230 shot and couldn't hit the 3H to be a bit short or choke up a 3W won't justify buying another club but you did say it's come up recently so what do I know. But you have the chance to add later if you feel otherwise.
Plus you get to enjoy a lighter bag
I have the exact same yardages as you and I filled the gap with 4H and 5W. Works like a charm except for when I hook the living shit out of my 5W. Although I'm a big advocate for hybrids. I've got a 5H and 6H in the bag
A 195 5 iron is not insane, but a 255 3 wood is pretty sick for an Am. Nice job. If you compress your irons and have a good path, consider a "utility iron"- I have buddies that murder those straight as a laser. But they can really compress- say a 5 iron. You may want to try it. If you hit it on the face, you will hit it 220 easily. They are basically low COG long irons with slightly shorter shafts.
89 at Auburn Hills on Friday. Played pretty consistent. Hoping I can keep that consistency this week at Thorn Springs.
Hit em straight u all!
So how wild is this Scheffler scenario???? I'm guessing he was just trying to pull the "I have a tee time, so I need to go around" thing..vs. beating up a cop- which is essentially what he is charged with. Seems a case of over-zealous policing to the letter of the law in a chaotic scenario here. But who knows. Never seen anything like it.
He was sliding by, just like the other players and personnel that needed to be in the front door early were doing. What's wild is the "cop attached himself to the car" bit of it. From all accounts, and there was a guy right there videoing it and on ESPN, you couldn't tell who were cops and who were volunteers directing traffic. And they had no idea he was a player, allegedly, despite the big decals on the side of the car (typically) and mirror hanger. Terrible that he's been charged with a felony now (2nd degree assault of an officer.
And the biggest tragedy was the vendor that was killed this morning trying to cross the road.
His team needs to find a lawyer that can get that dropped ASAP. They are out there. find one. He can afford it.
Sounds like a case for Jimmy Turk.
The owner of Valhalla picked him up and drove him back to the course. I'm sure calls have already been made.
Oh yeah- apparently the cop hopped on the hood of his courtesy car? and that's why its assault? Is this cop tone deaf or not know that a major golf tournament is going on? did schefflers big magnet that said "PGA courtesy car" not tip the cop off? its all crazy. Cop had to know what detail he was on...
I'm sure he was called in after the death, and possibly gotten up out of bed; not originally on the detail and didn't want to be out in the rain in the first place. Then it spiraled.
EDIT: Just saw that the cop that was "drug to the ground" by Scheffler's car was not part of the original traffic duty. "so that's where the miscommunication arose." Um, jumping on the vehicle to attach yourself, reaching into the car to grab a guys arm and open the door, then forcibly dragging him from the vehicle is not a miscommunication.
No shit- we have gone from police escorts- which the players ALWAYS get at these majors- especially the top players- to cops not reading the room- AT ALL. Did he seriously not understand that this was not a valhalla member guest?
I usually ike to give the police the benefit of doubt. But based on the image I have of Scheffler, no way he was trying to break any rules. This should go away fast, unless there is a financial angle that some opportunist would try to exploit.
Has anyone used the L.A.B. putters successfully? I have a history of yips where 2 footers are real challenges. I've been advised to spend the money and get one, but I feel like I could flinch any type of putter regardless of any design advantages.
Find a putter fitting. Worth the money if you're already willing to spend $$$ on a LAB. So many different set ups, face balances, hotel positions, arc fits....get the right one for you. If it's a LAB at the end of the day, you'll have even more confidence in it.
messed around with them at PGA SS. LABs aren't my personal taste but there are several heavier options, both face balanced and toe balanced, with high moi that might be helpful.
I'd try a bunch of them until I found what feels good and behaves like you want...or helps you to behave like you want.
Best round of 2024 yesterday...9 bogeys and 9 pars from the regular tees (6000 yds). Slow start; bogeyed 1-5, then only 4 more the rest of the way. Most importantly, kept the really big numbers off the board, which has been quite the problem thus far. Still a ways to go but got some validation re: some recent swing adjustments. Also walked with the push cart...really enjoying that.
[implementing some of these tips from Steven Orr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g94zt00fy6E]
Traded in my Rogue ST Max 3h for a PING G430 MAX 5w yesterday. The initial range session was very promising. Went in for a 7w but I was only hitting the 7 about 175 yards. Would've created a big gap in my bag, where the 5w seemed to be equivalent. I can hit that between 200-220 and my 3h, when I could hit it, would go 190-200 yards
I was shocked to find out that woods can be easier to hit with how much material out there saying how forgiving hybrids are. I just couldn't ever jive with my old hybrid. I feel way more confident with the 5w
See my thread above about the 7W. People aren't kidding lofted woods are a cheat code. If I have trouble getting off the tee with my driver or 3w, boom 7W from the shit 2nd shot or just 7W from the tee. Sure I'm 50-70 short but I can hit my 7w 220 from the tee then 220 again I'm in play every hole.
Yeah the post above nailed it. I was already wondering if I should replace my 4i with a 7w next. Looks like I need to do that right away (but money... lol)
Do it!!!
Distance envy...if I could hit a 7 wood 220...or even 180. I played with a couple of very athletic 30 year old types on Fri. We come up to a par 3...forced carryover the water and OB right. One says "I'm just going to hit an easy 8 iron". I laughed and said, "I'm about to hit a screaming 7 wood"; but I did put it in the middle of the green and he missed : )
I know the national data says the % play is to hit it far; but I think they need a data set for just NEFL where most holes have water and/or OB catching the wayward tee shots (14 of the holes on the course I play have water or OB paralleling the fairways...9 of them have it on both sides). There is little to no playing out of the rough. I'm sure you see a lot of that as well.
Had one of my worst front nines in some time yesterday. Just never clicked in. Was half a club short on shots. Never on line. Just meh. Something clicked on the back for one over, but it was strange.
Did put a new hybrid in play. My 5 iron was always hit and miss. Couldn't trust it. So picked up a Sub70 939x 4h. Can choke down, or let it out. First round yesterday and it's the perfect gap. At least that's a plus.
Got to break in the new 60 too. Chipped in for bird on 17 to close out the match. It's definitely staying.
Any Hokies in here live in the Hudson Valley around Sleepy Hollow?
Bumping this...specifically for Friday June 21 around 2:10 pm
(Unfortunately its not on Sleepy Hollow, but in the hood.)
Ben Griffin playing a Maxfli Tour X in the Canadian Open
edit: looking into it, I see he made an announcement a month or so ago and Lexi Thompson has been playing the Maxfli Tour this year. So two pros playing a $2 ball.
They ramped up w the the Tour S, Tour, and Tour X (softest to hardest) and are priced at $40 a dozen. Many are saying it rivals the Pro V! I know the pros take endorsements (see Bubba playing the Volvik) but a lot of them learned from him about just taking the bag. Griffin has been playing well this year, which makes me even more curious about the Tour X.
just bought 4 doz of the Tour on sale ($110) with an additional $20 coupon and free shipping...just under $96 including tax.
That's a heck of a deal!!!! Hope it lives up. Might have to check them out.
Had my worst round in years yesterday. Played with a guy for the first time on a new course and we decided to play the back tees(note that most courses around here aren't very long) played just over 6900 yards, some 600-900 yards more than what I typically play. Started rough but ended up playing a streak of straight bogey golf going into the back. Should have jumped to the front tees but I cooked a couple long drives that put me in position on two long par 5s and a decently long par 4. Everything fell apart on the back. Realized how much more OB kills you when you're that far back and missed every fairway on the back with a bunch of OBs
Have got to find some time for just some basic driving range sessions once I start missing off the tee box I've got 0 ability/confidence to fix it on the course.
The best thing to develop is a tee shot that you are confident you can get in play.
What I do when I need a tee shot in play and have trouble on both sides is choke up to the middle of the grip, effectively shortening the driver club length. I tee the ball lower to reduce the amount of spin I put on the ball and keep the ball flight lower. Finally, I swing about 80% of my full swing.
I am willing to trade distance for accuracy, but often I make better contact and hit the ball just as far.
something you can do at home: review your setup...what you do when you aren't moving...grip, stance, ball placement, etc. when I have trouble, it's often because some bad habit has found its way back into my routine like my left shoulder is a bit open or I'm setting up too far from the ball. get the new mrs to take some photos/videos. are you doing what you think you are doing?
might also think about balance. were you finishing those wayward drives in balance? take a few practice swings...make sure sure you get a good turn...finish facing the target and in balance
if you have a fundamentally sound setup and good balance in your swing, the instructor will have a great canvas to work with
Narrowed it down to a couple of factors after hitting the range and playing 9 yesterday. Firstly my high hooking shots are usually because I stopped my chest turn through impact, my arms continue the swing and my body was just stopping pretty much lead to a high pull hook. My low hooks were usually a horrible (fast, violent) transition to the down swing where my hands get left way high and I'm trying to fight back inside, ended up with a hosel rocket hook.
Cleaned stuff up and shot a nice average 9 yesterday, squandered 2 eagle opportunities (one birdie and one par) Old South's greens have gone completely down hill to an almost unplayable state, using a temp green on 6. Strongly considering playing another course loosing half a stroke/hole on green conditions.
100% this... when I pipe a drive 280 down the middle and then top a hybrid 8 feet- 100% of the time - it's my set up. 100%. You can "swing too quick, try to kill it" sure- but those will be at worse a low screamer or hook. me- nah, I rush my set up, and top a 4 hybrid like nobody's business far more than I care to admit. Since it's golf, if I hit a poor drive and need a recovery - THAT shot I can hit. I hate this game. !!
Went to West Lafayette, IN this past weekend. Played the Ackerman-Allen course Saturday afternoon. It's a really good course that is fairly challenging. Sunday morning we managed to get on the Kampen course. Very challenging - punished you for missing in the wrong places and the greens were peppy.
Before that we played Tippecanoe on Friday afternoon and Harrison Hills on Saturday morning. Tippecanoe was sort of ho-hum, but Harrison Hills was a nice older course with postage stamps for greens and not a single flat putt on them.
Didn't really play my best golf over the weekend but had a blast. Also, the pork tenderloin sandwich at Harrison Hills is probably in my top 5 best that I've had and I lived in Indiana for 3.5 years.
Love the Purdue courses. classic Pete Dye
Playing in my first member-guest at my club this week. Thursday-Saturday two-man stableford. Never played stableford before and our quota is going to be tough to hit, but I'm just looking forward to having a good time for 3 days.
Hopefully it is not stressful- most are. Make sure you establish on the first tee that its either hard corps USGA rules or not. I'm not talking about the obvious rules. I'm talking about unmarked lateral hazards, loose impediments, etc. There is always one asshole that accuses literally everyone of "cheating".
I had to putt 3 10 inch putts in my last member member match after giving them a good good on the first the hole that the guy proceeded to miss the rest of the match.
Take a deep breath, and enjoy it. Make sure to get to know the members in your flight better...they might turn into weekend standard group partners for a lifetime. Then the member guest matches get to be real fun. But seriously, enjoy it. You're playing for a few bucks and a trophy instead of putting out fires at work. It's fantastic.
Small vent...and I know what I'm about to say is true and I do know it...
I hate scrambles. Played in our annual one for a big charity yesterday. It's about the fundraising. The focus is a rare form of MD, and this tournament has turned into the largest fundraiser in the county for research into the disease. In the country! They fill up both courses at Queenstown with over 300 players. Obviously it's not going to be a 4 hour round. Obviously not every one is honest. Obviously a lot of things...
BUT...
The group in front of us never made a putt all day. We were waiting and watching them from the fairway. ALL DAY LONG. Wasn't their fault, the group in front of them had 2 holes open by the time we were done. after 6 hours and 15 minutes. But they didn't make a putt other than the 5 footer for par on the one par 3. But to come in and post 57?!!!!! 14 under?? I now they didn't eagle any par 5's. Come on man. (And they didn't win either...56's tied.)
That is why the BIG prize is not for the winners of the tournament. Make it the raffle. Make it the Chinese auction. But definitely do not announce before the round that you are playing for a new $600 Taylormade driver. Each. The winners should get $50-$100 pro shop credit. The drivers should be drawn out of a hat. Keeps legit teams moving along instead of grinding on choices on the green or taking 8 putts at a 20 footer they are never going to make even if you gave them 50. And everyone who donated to the cause from the jump with the entry fee and the raffles and the 50/50 and the mulligans and the air cannon and the left handed bucket of steam...everyone has a chance as a thank you for ponying up that money. But you cannot tell shady teams they can walk away with a $600 driver.
Nor can you tell them that they can win a Yeti cooler for closest to the pin. We were the next to last group to finish on a par 3. CTP was 10'7". The winner was announcer at 10'4". There wasn't a spotter there either. Hmm....last group won CTP for a $300 Yeti? SUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE................
End of old man rant. Part frustration. But I keep signing up for it so only person to blame is myself.
That is my biggest pet peeve. This is a gentlemen's game. If you are dishonest on the golf course than you are dishonest in everything you do.
I 100% get paid mulligan tikets, long drive appearances where you play from where that guy hits it, etc. I also understand that you can get a group of guys where 3 of the 4 of them are damn good Am golfers- scratch or plus. I get it. I do. I have been golfing for 30 years. Having said all of that. A 54 on a legit golf course is total horseshit. Why? not because of hot putting, no- 1 out of 4 decent golfers is going to lag it well- chances are- and you can use mulligans to putt in these things. No, the reason a 54 is horseshit is that 95% of the groups full, real shots have to be immaculate for 5 hours. Each par 3 tee shot has to be tight, each drive on a par 5 has to be 300 with a tight draw, each iron approach has to be tight- in fact you also need to chip in a couple. Not fucking happening - don't care who is in your group. Nelly Korda made a 12 on a 120 yard Par 3 recently. Tiger Woods cold topped a 3 wood at the US open. Webb Simpson hit a hozel rocket in the ryder cup that almost killed someone. All 3 of those golfers playing a course set up like these scrambles, playing their own ball would shoot at BEST 62-63 on average. Fuck your 54 or 56 or whatever bullshit you say you shot.
Yeah I love playing in scrambles up until its time to get back to the clubhouse. Then it immediately pisses me off. Like you said they need to stop incentivizing the cheating. Raffle large prizes, give a moderate prize to the "winner" or an extra raffle entry. It's strange how the last group wins an insane percentage of CTP and long drives on scrambles.
yeah don't get me fucking started. There are 18 tee shots and 18 putts- unless there is a hole in one- which in fucking scrambles seems to miraculously happen. That is 36 shots right there. So say there are 4 par 5's. EVEN if you get there in 2- because of course you fucking do in a scramble... that is 40 shots. So 14 more shots total over 18 holes of golf is a 54 - 14... you are talking many eagles and nearly a birdie on every other hole. Fucking bull- shit...
I have been the D player on a team when I was a 3 cap. We legit shot -20 in a tournament with a par on the card one year. When we came back the next year, to make it fun and competitive, we played our own ball and wrote down the best score of the 4 of us. We shot -11. The other teams knew we were there, so I'm sure there was some creative writing going on, and we didn't win. Of course, caught a bunch of crap from teams until we told them what we did...and finished 3rd anyway.
A 4-person scramble is just for fun. It should never be rewarded with a big prize. If you want to throw down and play true golf; no mulligans, no throws, no string, no move-ups, just straight up golf, play a 2-man scramble or preferred drive then your own ball from there. Then, you can pair up teams, keep an eye out, and it eliminates the riff-raff from signing up. I've played in a few of these and if you get rolling, the scores can be impressive. Heritage Club in Pawleys a few summers ago, -9 was the number after day one in a 2-man scramble.
Im not so much accusing people of cheating... but 14-15 under on 18 holes takes every lucky bounce, every putt holed, etc. just do the math, as I have pointed out. You MUST hit the ball 40 times unless you have holes in one or drive the green on a par 5 or hell par 4 for that matter- which rarely ever happens for Am's hitting their own ball. Go from there on the math.
I agree, especially when you look at the teams (and know them) and they have all double digit handicaps. No way one of them hits a career shot on every approach AND that they can hole a 20 footer on EVERY hole.
We were behind a group Monday, saw every shot (over 6 hours...you get to watch and spectate a LOT) and they were grinding on 5 footers for par. Posted a 57.
I've played regularly with low HCP guys before. I have also played a few pro ams and with several club pros. Over 18 holes, golf is golf. Bad bounce, miscalculated yardage, not a perfect strike. I have never witnessed with my own eyes a scratch HCP or even a korn ferry guy flush every shot and hole every putt on 18 holes. Never.
I used to play in a huge money 4 man CC tournament where you played 8 somes so people couldn't cheat. Winning scores always fell around -13. It was an A,B,C,D player drawing based on handicap. Was fun as shit.
Yeah, I've been 'pencil-whipped' more than once in charity tournaments, including a similar experience where the group in front of us (wearing jeans, tennis shoes (one wore work boots), shaggy beards, chugging beers, driving their carts up to the green, etc.) waited until all other scores were posted and miraculously came in 1 under the best score. They never made a putt, or rarely even hit from the fairway, yet took the $500 prize amid a chorus of boos. A charity scramble for a local high school hockey player that had cancer. Absolutely shameful.
I believe all charity tournaments should offer cheap trophies for the winners, that's it. If the goal is to raise money, why give a big chunk back? No one enters a charity tournament because of the potential prizes, and I think offering substantial prizes encourages cheating.
100!
For the guys that have zero shot at winning legitimately, as least give them a shot since they paid the same amount to get it. The better players can fight it out for the pro shop credit, and all have a shot at the new driver.
Plus, let's be honest, if you are shooting 54ish in a scramble, you aren't using a $600 driver off the rack in Golf Galaxy with a regular shaft. That's up there with someone winning a new putter for the putting contest. I think that one is working just fine! Give putters to the long driver and drivers to the putting contest (at least the putting contest has witnesses!)
But everyone paid the same amount to support, just like they paid the same amount for the 50/50.
AND....as I was typing this up, a coworker came by. He played in one yesterday where you paid Kyle Berkshire to hit a drive for you, then you could pay again to go up and have 6 tries from 12'...all to write a 1 down on a par 5. They paid $100 apiece on that hole for the 1. And the entry was stiff. They finished second and won $100 pro shop credit. I don't agree with the 1 on a par 5 thing, but at least the prizes were proper. I don't think you should hit someone up for another $200 apiece the day of the tournament after paying $250 to get in. (And if it rains, a very large chunk of that $200 isn't realized.)
My worst charity scramble experience was when they WAY overbooked it and the damn round took over 6 hours. There were two groups on almost every tee for the shotgun start. It was the longest round of golf in my life. There needs to be a limit on the number of players.
With that much extra time waiting and my horrible self control I'd be hammered well before the turn.
Why limit players when you can charge 2K per 4 some and people are on a waiting list.? For charity, of course.
36 teams is the norm in a "full" event.
If you have something a little more "serious" for better players (2-man scramble or no silly gimmicks,) it gets trimmed to 28 or 30.
BUT, I've seen it where there were C groups on par 5's. One course likes to start 3 on #18 that is a par 5. And 17 is a par 3. They will finish the par 3, then have to wait 25 minutes to tee off because it's a reachable par 5 that had 3 groups on it to begin with. Some people don't understand queuing. Some just don't care.
a PSA for the class too:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DoMrVNW94/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Was that local? Wow
Queenstown. Up near the Chesapeake. On the lakes course, 2,000' from the Bay.
Very disappointing on how little bay views they were able to capture on 36 holes, IMO. Great courses, but not a ton (maybe 2-3?) good bay views. Not unlike Swan Point in southern maryland- quality course, so much more opportunities for water views than they were able to capture. Contrast with Bandon's Sheep Ranch. The only shot you don't see the pacific on is the opening tee shot. True story.
Yeah, River has the better Bay scenes, but with as flat as it is, you'd think you would get better glimpses. Even Rum Pointe has water views on 14-15 holes.
We've always played the River in the tournament, but decided to give the Lakes a go this year. Mistake. It is NOT easier, the greens are not as true, and too many pinched landing areas for bombing it out there. Back to the River next year.
agreed. Rum point is a solid track for what it is.
Finally got out for the first time this year other than the range on my birthday Friday, and was surprised to card a 48 for 9 holes. Pretty good for me having not played....I'll lake it.
Sounds like what my ball says when water's in play
It's all about keeping it in play brother....
Let's see how much of a bloodbath Pinehurst is going to be this weekend.
I feel like the USGA is going to fight back this year. 3 of the last 7 winners have been double digits under par. And another 3 were -6. Wouldn't shock me to see plus par win. And if it doesn't, wouldn't be surprised to see under a handful under par. The way the practice rounds have looked, it might come down to the 72nd hole because double is in play on every hole.
Only 4 players in history have finished under par at a US Open at Pinehurst #2. None of them named Nicklaus or Woods, either. Logic tells me very high ball hitter- Rors, Day, Scheffler... that can stop the ball on these greens. Second logic would say someone great at making par. Wouldn't count Speith out there- even in his current form. I find Keopka and DeChambeau interesting- both are playing "well" and both are only really concerned about majors now. I can see Keopka staying around par. Bryson can bomb it past the sandhill areas on most holes. I think it will be very close to even par that wins, and if someone goes out and fires a -3 on thursday, that could well likely hold up.
I have a feeling that the USGA is going to set up the course so that it is borderline unplayable. I'v already seen a few videos on social media indicating that the greens are going to be impossibly fast. On Donald Ross turtle backs it means holding them will be nearly impossible. If the rough is as chewy as they usually make it, shots from the rough have no chance.
I don't like to see scores in the high double digits in majors, but I also don't like to see Pros consistently struggling to make par.
guy in a VT polo following the scheffler/mcilroy/schauffle group
Johnson Wagner maybe?
Or one of the 6 million people annually that attend the (impossible to get tickets to) Masters
if this course was in NEFL, there would be a pygmy rattler under every other clump of wiregrass
fun/boring fact...Pinehurst got the first safe harbor agreement (Endangered Species Act) in the country for red-cockaded woodpeckers.
[my shop in Texas put together the second (attwaters prairie chicken) and third (aplomado falcon)]
Wagner with the attempted gobble call, lol
That caterpillar he has going is something...
push broom
The past couple weeks with his chipping on camera, etc. you can see why he is no longer on tour. Yikes.
Scottie could spend the weekend in Dallas...though I think the afternoon will play tougher than this morning, if that is possible
As long as Bryson or Cam Smith don't win- I'm good. The only 2 guys prior to Rahm to go play for the terrorists in their prime. Assholes. both of them.
This afternoon could be brutal. It's warming up and they won't syringe them now. Hang on boys. And the 10 shot rule is in play too. Not sure it gets lower than -5 after this afternoon.
And the 10 shot rule is in play too.
didn't know that
Always in the US open- until 2011- lol- Thanks!! my bad
Nevermind...they stopped that in 2011. Coulda swore i heard them say it was in play during yesterdays telecast. Nope. It's top 60 and ties. +3 is in right now...but can see the moving to +4 easily maybe even +5 after this afternoons wave.
no smylie?
edit: ah, at 5
In plus 4s!
LOL, I don't know if I'd play #2 if it was free. Maybe if I could do it every day for a week to try to learn how to play it.
They like to crisp it up to the extreme for the Open at Pinehurst. It's borderline absurd.
had to laugh yesterday...in the preview, at #9 announcers were saying words to the effect that "it's a very small landing area but with the front placement and the tees moved up, we should see some opportunities for birdies today". Then 19 of the first 22 players through missed the green from I think it was 167 yards; I would rate that all the way to "absurd".
I'll bet Shipley's ball wasn't the only one to move like that this week.
I don't know about anyone else but that was brutal to watch yesterday. Rory never going to get over this one, I know I wouldn't.
This one could be worse than #10 at the Masters..........
Sidebar, anyone see Johnson Wagner hit the Bryson shot out of the bunker to 2', with Bryson standing there?
The whole segment he did was really cool. I was not a fan of Bryson before this weekend, but seeing him interact with the fans, sign the kid's hat (mid-round, I think) and talk to the media really changed my impression of him. Still wish he was PGAT ant LIV but I am more of a fan now.
Wagner's second attempt was impressive.
Meh. no different than Phil, Poulter, any of them. He got his sports washing money from the Saudis, then whined about not getting points, not being on the ryder cup etc. He got his blood money. I'd wish they would go away.
Bryson might be the biggest turn around in sports - definitely golf - I think he realized how much of a d-bag the average fan thought he was, went to LIV didn't gain any fans doing that then manages to start doing more fan engagement than any player I remember and he's changed everyone's mind. I've come to like him quite a bit doesn't seem like anyone has actual gripes against him anymore just LIV.
I'm not sure he's changed minds as much as the American sports fan has short-term and short-sighted approaches many times. Case in point were the USA chants yesterday. He sold out to blood money. But because 'Merica they were rooting against Rory. Who, by the way, stayed with the tour, spoke out for the tour, has done as much as anyone for the PGA (...the A is for AMERICA...) tour, and they turned against him trying to compete with Bethpage for being one of the boyz. Yes, Bryson is American. But also got left off the Ryder Cup team because he made his choice and after he previous Ryder Cup didn't have many friends in the locker room. (Didn't hear the rooting for Cantlay who at least stood toe-to-toe with Rory on Saturday last year...and is way more liked in the locker room than Bryson has been.) I'm not saying guys don't deserve a second chance, and he has gone off, heard the whispers, and reinvented himself. But he also took the bag and thumbed his nose at the PGA tour and everything. I don't fault people for giving in to him. He's a larger than life spectacle. I get it. But Rory winning would have done so much more for US golf than what happened yesterday.
Don't get me wrong, I was rooting for Rory and thought the U-S-A chants were disrespectful, especially after Rory missed the putt on 18.
I choke several of those short putts each week and still come back./s I figure a player at that level can and will put it in the past and come through positively next opportunity. But these deals are devastating. I remember watching Roanoke's native son Ed Sneed with a 3 shot lead, miss 3 similar short putts on 16-18 in the 1979 Masters final round. He went into a playoff with Tom Watson, who won it.
And the 2024 revamp of my bag is complete, new Maltby 54 and 60 wedge came in today to complete (hopefully my golf bag for awhile).
D- Mizuno JPX EZ
3W - Mizuno JPX EZ
7W - Callaway Paradym
5-G - Wilson D9 Forged
54, 60 - Maltby TSW DRM Forged
P - Cleveland TFI Smart Square
How much do you like the D9s?? I've heard rave reviews.
They hit really long (still figuring out my distances as they're relatively low lofted) and are as forgiving or more forgiving than my giant player improvement irons. Don't have a bad thing to say about them at all for $499 they were an absolute steal.
Appreciate it! They sound amazing
giant player improvement irons.
What did you have in your bag before the Wilsons?
2013 Callaway X-Hot I actually liked them quite a bit up until I got these and its quite a big difference. The D9s are not a blade profile but they definitely are a lot less clunky than a true player imporvement iron
They've found way to introduce heavier materials and move them around so you don't need the wide sole anymore. A lot of mizuno's line now are not true blades, but appear that way.
I actually had the X-hots for a minute but then got gifted a set of Callaway Steelheads. I like the forgiveness of those more than the hots - how do you think the D9s compare to the hots in that regard?
Buddy of mine had the big bertha irons- circa 2005. His swing was terrible, but those clubs were so forgiving he could actually get around the course.
tried to maintain some pinehurst-inspired focus this morning...kept it going for a little while before giving in to the wind, heat, and some recently maintained greens badly in need of mowing, and rolling. 10 pars, a bird, 6 bogeys, 1 double...78 on the par 71.
Got to do something this past weekend I haven't done in like 6 years. Played in a solo competition. Our clubs *gulp* senior club championship. I do think I was the youngest one in the field. But it was nice getting back to competition. I played growing up and between club matches, junior events, tournaments, high school matches, everything, I was playing in 30ish "competitions" a year. I'd say the competitive rounds almost outnumbered the practice and friendly rounds. Then I got into VT. And was working at the beach. No need to touch a club after my senior year (Jay told me to pound sand as he had HIS class handpicked all from VA.) I've played a few here and there, and when I've been a member, always played in the club championship. But now, my club plays it's regular club championship on the same weekend as the member-guest I play in at OC. So, I've gotten a few 2-man events and some scrambles. Funsie events, but not the gut check for the inner self that solo comps are.
Well, I've been playing decent for the past 15 months or so. Posted several rounds sub-70 in Scotland and have maintained my handicap in the same range for a year and a half. And with wonky weather, crazy schedules, life changes, all that, the weekend rounds have been a combination of personal therapy, fresh air, gym time, and how far can I hit this ball down this fairway. Seeing that the tournament was on Father's Day weekend was also a new spot for me. Firs tone without my dad, who introduced me to the game at age 8. He was a teacher, and we would play 2 or 3 nights a week growing up. I've had to go through some stuff (figuratively and literally) and he had all sorts of scorecards posted on the wall in his collection room. "Lowest score together". "Best round with grandsons". These things. I didn't have great high hopes for the tournament, but knew if I could put up a 72 or 73, maybe I could get lucky. (It's from the whites...so not a long challenge.) There's 40 guys, but 2 that I really was worried about........
Shotgun start. We go off 18. Not much different drive than 1 with a pond on the right. Reachable. Trouble. Been hitting a draw for a month. Not on the very first shot of the day.......nice continued fade right in the middle....splash. Welp, time to dig deep, grind, and keep going. I had it at +2 thru the 12th hole so I was happy with that. Until a silly triple without losing a ball on the 16th hole. Disappointed, but no ashamed. Get in the clubhouse, and the one guy I thought might be able to post a number put up a 67!!! And let me say, they had the greens around 11 and some pins that were in spots I've never seen.
Took my moment to reflect. Nodded to the skies to thank my dad. Clapped for the winner (a buddy of mine) for his win and 67. Went home and gave my daughter a huge hug for Father's Day. On to the next one! A little cathartic day.
Life always has a way of humbling you. Glad you could find some solace on the course with everything going the other way. As I've gotten older, I've learned to enjoy the opportunity and the moments rather than the results. I still feel 18 in my heart, but the lows don't bother me as much as they used to, and I'll take the highs for what they are when I get them. Glad you could end on a high note and pull a win out for yourself. I know it's tough to do at times.
Had a trip lined up for a month or so...
Got up Friday am, dropped my daughter off at her grandparents, and drove 4.5 hour up to the Hudson Valley. Dobbs Ferry to be exact. We were in the middle of St. Andrew's (US club, founded in 1888), West Chester Country Club, Winged Foot, Trump Westchester, and Sleepy Hollow. This place is Ardsley, founded in 1895. The clubhouse is an old monastery. The pic is the opening tee shot. The green is just up/left of the fountain. And it's a 362 yard par 4. There's a 120' drop from tee to green. You can see the Hudson running through the pic, and this is looking directly west. I'm working on a few golf courses, and the golf architect redid the bunker complexes at Ardsley..so I pulled a favor. Fantastic condition, pretty cool layout, friendly people all around, and a car show in the parking lot. (Not literal, just cars I do not see around the beach in golf course parking lots...)
Then ended up at the Tuxedo Club. That is an entirely different world. The club was founded in 1886. Depends on who you ask, it could be the oldest member club in the US. They are on their 3rd course now, a Rees Jones (not RTJ...) design. And they have an annual match that started with just Shinnecock, but has now added St. Andrew's (us club) and THE Country Club (Brookline). They are SUPER strict about pictures and social media, so we laid low and just played. She was something. They had the member-guest this weekend as well, so they had it in tip top shape, showing out. Such a different world from beach golf. In more ways than one.
And it was HOT!!!!! Like tiple digits hot every day. Luckily they had plenty of water on the course and kept the beer even colder. I'm paying for it this morning, but such a cool little weekend get away.
beautiful!
Here's a shot from the Tuxedo Club, from their page, so I can share...
Hole on the left goes from top to bottom (#7.) The green with the lone bunker in the middle is #5, coming from the fairway at the bottom. For #6, you walk back across the bridge tot he tee box lower right to the green at the top. You can kinda see it on google street view. The club is int he public section, but the Park residential area around the Lake is gated. The tee box for the tips on #8 is right next to the maintenance house, and it just so cool. It's just outside this pic.
All private, and 99% of play is members. They have strips for tee boxes which is really cool and cuts down on maintenance costs. And irrigation. The tee box in the pic above might be one of the biggest on the course.
And then there's the dual tee box of 11 and 16. There's a tree right in the middle of it. Like a 250 year old oak tree.
Dude! This is such a legit opportunity. Thanks for sharing.
Count me out.
Played my home course last week hole 3, par 5 there's a cluster of 3 pines 10-15 yards infront of the tee box set just middle right. Water runs the whole left of the fairway so I always want to start my draw pretty far right. I've whizzed by that tree within a foot a dozen times. Last week I finally hit it. Dead square in the center, came right back at me bounce off the tee box about where I tee'd it up, continued 20 yards backwards, down the hill and into the water....negative 20 yard tee shot into a hazard.
It's not in play. It's a feature, not a bug.
Street view of tee box/tree
that's wild
I've played so many Florida subdivision courses for so long, I'd love to play a course that looks like that for a change
oh okay that's better than this (note the markers are never that far to the left):
Oof, no bueno. We have some longer par 3's that have trees overhanging like 60 yards off the box. Makes drawing it into the hole impossible. That's not ideal for that tee shot. And too much generalizing that everyone playing that tee will be cutting/fading the ball. Boo.
99% of instructors today and modern swing mechanics teach draw bias for right hand golfers. Because nobody wants the dreaded slice. The power fade is a tough shot to master without the occasional banana ball. That's why most instructors want inside out path/shallow plane- for a righty- that's a draw if done properly
the right half of that tee box is pointless. with a decent right to left wind, i guess you...well...
They always have the markers center or right back when I play, everyone I play with has a cut (slice) and never has to worry about those trees, I'm bringing a chainsaw next time.
Prevailing wind is always at your back. Even with the negative yard drive and water penalty round its still my best hole, if I miss that tree I end up with an eagle putt 75% of the time.
Last week saw th completion of the first half of our leagues season. We were 3 points ahead of the second place team. We needed 3 points to clinch first. My partner, who gets in his way too much, couldn't get out of it and proceeded to card a NET 52 and we lost 7.5 to 1.5. I managed to card 2 birdies, but since our league is net aggregate they couldn't overcome his disaster.
On the plus side, those two birdies vaulted me into first place in the net birdies or better comp that was running, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
Over the weekend I managed to shoot my best round of the year so far, carding an 85. Nine pars, 5 bogeys and 4 doubles, so nothing really exciting, but no real disasters either. Started hitting some greens which helped keep the numbers down. Hoping the trend continues.
I played yesterday. I'm a 9/10 HCP... carded a net 51 of course. - oh you are talking 9 holes? I was being sarcastic, but I get it now. just ignore me lol.
Random question: I got a random set of Ben Hogan Edge GS Forged irons someone gave to me... Are they any good? Or worth any money? How can I tell when they were made? Best I can tell is early 90's but that's just from a quick google.
The good: they are made on a smaller scale, in the US with old fashioned "club making" in mind. IIRC they only recently sold out to Tour Edge or some other big mass produced company. The Bad: Forged, players irons have a limited market as it is- not for casuals- and that market is not a strong one for older clubs. They aren't special antiques, so unless Hogan himself gamed them- not worth much. They are priceless though if you hit them great and enjoy playing them yourself.
Hogan forged irons are buttery sweet when you catch them pure. And NOT when you don't. They are pretty, and always end up with character throughout from the dings they get. If you don't want to game them, there's always someone looking for nostalgia that will buy them for an occasional round or even putting on display in an old staff bag.
Is there a serial number on the ferrule? Like these on the black part?
With Apex shafts;
Pos 1: = month of yr (ex. B = Feb.)
Pos 2: = last digit of year (ex. 5 = 1975)
Pos 3-4: model # (ex. 77)
Pos 5: shaft flex(ie 3)
Pos 6: swing wt. (ie 3)
Edit: Here's a thread you can poke around if the serial number convention above doesn't make sense...
https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1925543-hogan-edge-gs-serial-numbers-way-to-date/
Awesome info - thanks to both of you guys!
They do have the serial numbers: GE4422
So - doesn't quite match that scheme (second digit=E, not a number). Also - the shafts are Apex 4, but I'm assuming those could be different than what left the factory
Edit to your edit - Thanks! - seeing some other stuff in there for some more info
I would say then that they are '95's with the E.
1980's Hogan Radials were great
Look them up on ebay. Not worth much, but a decent feeling iron back in the day.
Just had league with no one registered my partner no showed. Played the best golf I've played in years. Got through 5 holes in under 30 minutes at at 2 over with 3 straight pars before the sky dumped and lightening started striking everywhere. Frustrating round to get called off.
Surely the good lord wouldn't ruin the best round of my life.
I was a combined 2" from being even there with a chip that rested itself on the edge of the hole and a birdie putt that was an inch right. I'm sure I eventually would have blew up but was just in a rhythm with no one else on the course trying to beat the weather. One look, one practice swing, swing, no thoughts just do.
Always reminds me of caddy shack
Hey folks! I know this is a long shot but I booked a tee time for four at a course near Durham NC at 11am this Saturday (July 6) and one of our foursome dropped out so if anyone is interested in playing a round let me know and I'll get you the details.
The three of us probably hover around 100-115. I would consider us to be C-level players in a ABCD type of group. We're all capable of hitting great shots but consistency is not great. Anyway, if you're interested, respond to this message and we can connect off line to work out the details
"We're all capable of hitting great shots but consistency is not great." Best description of an amateur golfer ever. Should be in Websters under golf. lol. So so true
You wanna fly all the way to Durham from Phoenix for a round of golf with a bunch of amateurs?
Wish i could...but I'll be in San Fran. Hit em straight!!
Wild Scott Vincent stroy from today.
https://www.skuld.com/topics/ship/safety/good-anchoring-practice/#:~:text=Sternway%20speed%3A%20the%20speed%20over,0.25%20to%200.5%20knots%20only.
What's the TLDR of that article. Couldn't find anything regarding Scott Vincent among all the discussions on anchoring.
Clubs didn't show up, air tag said they were at airport, goes to airport, they can't find them, shows up seconds late for tee time, docked 2 shots, shoots -7 over next 17 w borrowed sticks.
Got out yesterday with MasScott and Nerf for our annual round in Delaware. Man it was hot!
Hot is an understatement. MasScott practically burned his hand on a packet of relish that was sitting on the counter in the sun. Had to have been over 120*. At least the AC was working at the brewery and the beer was cold!
Tried to walk 18 this a.m.; quit after 15. Was playing okay but I could feel the heat getting me and I'd already downed 80 oz of Gatorade. Air wasn't moving at all. Maybe it's back in the cart until the fall. Really enjoy walking with the trolley tho.
edit:
much more manageable today...a little breeze...some clouds early kept a bit of a lid on the temp...just gotta pick my spots. golf-wise it was a slow start but finished great...-3 on the last 5 holes...so 76 from the seniors with two s/d penalties
My buddy walked 18 on the 6th. Threw up from heat exhaustion in the drive through of burger King after the round. It's just too hot
gotta love the stone wall hazard in the 18th fairway at the Scottish Open
Cool to play around them. Many don't come into play, but some do. Neat features, and they cannot be removed.
On North Berwick, next door to Renaissance Club, the 13th hole has a stone wall that runs the length of the hole. Not unique until you get to the gree and you have to hit over the wall to get to the green.
Just finished the member guest I play in every year at Ocean City. Thursday is the par3; alternate shot. We never play well in it, are just happy to be out of the office (typically work the morning then rush out the door to go to the course...) this year we decided there was no reason to break tradition and finish while donating to the pot.
Friday is 3 9-hole matches. Each hole worth a point. In our flight, judging from the betting, we were 3rd or 4th favorite. Opening match was against a guy that's been on the state team for OC for over a decade. Grinder out 4 points. Next was against a former club champ at OC and his partner who shot 62 net on Thursday. They ham and egged is, and we gutted out 4 points in that match as well. Final match, against a father son team. We've played them before when the son was playing college golf (it was d3, so he wasn't scratch then.) Got a little bit of rain during the match, but we turned on a little and got 5.5 points. After day one we were in 4th in the flight, but withing striking range.
The tournament lucked out as well in the weather department. We got 3 holes of rain, while Salisbury 25-30 miles away got around 4-5".
Saturday is the big day. 3 of the 5 matches are done, but still need to get it across the line. I went to bed Friday night not happy at all. Shot like 85 the opening 18 and around 41 the last 9 holes. Couldn't find the center of the club. Couldn't chip. Just didn't have anything. Went into Saturday on a mission.
Lone story short, we won match 4 w 6.5 points that vaulted us to first. Knew what we needed to do in the last and won w 6 points. I shot 2 over and we brought home the crystal!!!!!!
Time to rest my back today and watch the Scottish Open and 2 football finals.
hell of a finish!
Great job! I also had my 3-day MG the past few days and my Hokie Dad partner and I didn't fare as well. We won our flight last year, and have a very good record together over the past few years. However, this year we just couldn't get it going. Neither of us had any consistency under tough conditions, and unfortunately we didn't 'ding & dong' this year. Oh well, it happens, ya can't win 'em all.
However, we did win our last match convincingly enough to vault us from last place in our flight to the middle of the pack. Also, on 'Casino Night' I won enough fake $ at the blackjack table to get a $300 shop credit, and bottles of Casamigos and Kettle One.
It was the swan song for the Tkachuk's, as they sold their house here at the club. Keith played with his brother Kevin as always and Brady played with Robert Thomas. Matthew was going to be here (& played here last weekend), but got an invite to the celebrity tournament in Tahoe so obviously played there instead. The Tkachuk's know how to party, that's for sure.
Bobby Mac is my spirit animal. He wins the Canadian Open, flies home, and skips the signature event he just qualified for because he was on a bender with his dad and mates. Now, he wins his national open and is pre-planning to skip his press time at the Open because he'll be on another bender. He either competes for the win next week or shoots 80-80. My guess, with the amount of mojo he has right now, he's in contention.
with this wind, the UK crowds have gotten pretty good at ducking in unison
Was down in OBX last week. I got out with my father in law to play The Pointe. Shorter course (from the whites at least) but really nice overall. Pricey, but what isn't at the beach?
Anyway, I saw a tip on social media about mindset to break 90. Literally you just play every hole like its a par 5 (par 5 x 18 holes = 90... go figure). That way, even a bogey on a par 3 feels like a "birdie". No kidding I played by far the best round of my life and shot a legit 86. I even threw in an 8 blow up hole with my approach in the water on 16. It blew my mind.
Was paired with Cazzie Russell this morning (you whippersnappers can look him up). He's now 80 and coming off of back surgery so the driver swing was a little rough. Great short game and more importantly, super nice guy!
Planning a golf trip to Williamsburg in late October for some buddies and I. Just a weekend getaway. Plan is to get in Friday, maybe play a round. 2 rounds Saturday. Round Sunday and head out.
Any recommendations? Courses? Lodging? Anything would be greatly appreciated. The group kind of dumped it on me to get it all together. Thanks!
Royal New Kent or Brickshire. They're about 35 minutes from Williamsburg. I've played RNK, its incredibly beautiful and also tough. I've heard lots of good things about Brickshire. I don't know about the rest of the courses in that area (but this thread should help solve that). Enjoy!
Played both. Both very solid. A couple of "tricked" up holes on Birkshire though. Neat, but not my favorite.
I like Golden Horseshoe Gold and Green course. Gold is the better course. You can stay on property as well, and it is quite nice. I will say your budget is important here because I am pretty sure the greensfees at Golden Horseshoe are up there.
A lot of people love Kiskiack, but I have not played there myself.
Then of course there is Kingsmill. The River course there is nice but not much is actually on the water until the end of the round. The woods course seemed decent (I caddied as a kid for a friend there in a VSGA junior event), but I'd guess not a good bang for your buck.
Colonial Heritage is the only one in the area I have played and disliked.
I thought Kingsmill was crap relative to its price. The experience at Golden Horseshoe was so much better.
Definitely play Royal New Kent. A good Friday round option is Belmont. It's 13 holes but it's a Tillie. It's about an hour from Williamsburg, but perhaps hit it on the way in town.
I'm not sure Belmont really has much Tillinghast left. Davis Love III overhauled it quite a bit when it was converted to 13 holes for The First Tee.
Viniterra is a decent option in New Kent too, but nothing is like Royal New Kent. Mike Strantz is one of one.
Yeah that's fair. Feel like his fingerprints are still on it though.
If you are going to splurge on a round, Golden Horseshoe Gold is really really good. Its been like 10 years, but Royal New Kent was fun, and everyone else seems to be recommending it as well. Other than that, if you could pull some strings, Fords Colony is pretty good too.
Ford's Colony has 3 courses. Several years ago I played the Blue Heron course. It was very nice. Also Deer Run in Newport News is a nice course that is easier on the budget. About 25 minutes from Williamsburg.
Thank you everyone! Playing Royal New Kent Friday,
Kingsmill river and plantation Saturday, and Golden Horseshoe Gold on the way out. Appreciate the info. Sounded like couldn't pass up Royal new Kent and gold course. Was stuck with the kingsmill ones on Saturday but not worried about it. Should be a great time! Thanks again!
If you have a chance read about mike strantz. Dude was killing golf course design when cancer took him in his 50s. You'll love RNK. It's a feast for the eyes, but damn it's tough, a real enjoyable challenge.
After playing that course, I have deep respect for mike strantz.
He's in the white hat. This is how he got around Tobacco Road and Tot Hill Farm when laying it out and scaping the courses.
Bit the bullet and went to Club Champion for a retrofit on the shaft for my Qi 10. I've been very satisfied with distance but consistency has been elusive.
It was a wonderful experience; we went through close to 10 different shafts as he dialed it in. On the Trackman, I'm gaining a little ball speed and showing dramatically improved dispersion. Shaft is a Graphite Design Tour AD HD. I'm otherwise totally unfamiliar with them, so we'll see!
Remember Tiger's and Spieth's orange shafts w the stripes near the grip? Those are Graphite Design. (Differnt than the HD, they are the DI). They have a lot of profiles, so fairly easy to fit a proper fit and not just a close one. They are fantastic shafts.
very good to know!
I'm excited; should be done in a couple weeks.
The most difficult part of the fitting was mental, i.e., me just sticking to my stock swing and setup (keeping it apples to apples) rather than trying to adjust to whatever shaft we were trying.
Trackman is soooo useful! Smash Factor on my original shaft (speeder nxt) was different for each of the 6 swings in the set (avg 1.46); SF for the graphite design shaft was 1.50 on five of six (and 1.49 on the other swing). Got the same avg SF on a ventus, but in terms of dispersion the worst miss on the graph design was closer to the center line than the best drive with the ventus. Easy choice.
played 54 holes between Friday and Saturday. Tried a subtle grip change to ease my draw a bit. Guess I over corrected. Just say no to on course adjustments.
Sliced the hell out of every ball off the tee and didn't get my swing feel back to till hole 50/54, finished par par par bird after a miserable 50 holes prior.
Best advice I ever got from an instructor- prepare like hell, drill etc BEFORE the round. Once you put a tee in the ground on #1- have 1 thought- Ball/divot contact. Hit the ball first somewhere near the middle of the face...then take a divot. This thought will help most golfers... it helps self correct a million other thoughts and potential faults.
I played the Naval Academy course yesterday. It's on a really awesome piece of property and Hokie Andrew Green did the renovation back in 2018. Highly recommend trying to find your way on there at some point.
17" of rain at our local course in the last 3 weeks...mud pit
club up
if the ball bounces, you know you hit the cart path
Have a buddy that did Streamsong last November. Pretty much peak season. 4 rounds and 3 nights i believe and it was around $3k including the caddies and tips. Was looking at it today, and put in a quote request then tightened it up a little bit, but first week of June, 4 rounds and 3 nights without the caddies is around 850.
Serious question, is there a bug issue around that time of year? Or is it the grey hairs come north? Why the extreme cost difference? I know it's central FLA in June, and it'll be hot and humidity, but that's a huge price break. At that price, definitely considering it.
I have heard so many mixed things about Streamsong. I've done Bandon, Kohler, etc. I don't think I'm taking the plunge any time soon.
I think Streamsong only makes sense from the east coast. Too many other good options across the country. The main draw for me is it has courses from good designers and is an easy direct flight from RIC to Tampa. That said, I have never even really looked into it, and now Cabot Citrus Farms is also that same easy flight away and seems way more desirable.
I'd prioritize Sand Valley over Streamsong for sure if I were you.
In the past few weeks I've discovered that cabot citrus is raising rates for next year, going exclusively walking, and from a buddy not ready for the big stage, yet. While it's a fantastic property and they prob have at least 5 championship courses slated, the 2 there now aren't quite ready and worth the asking price.
And I'm curious about sand valley as well. We may be doing the OG cabot in Nova Scotia next fall, so others may have to wait.
Good to know. I wasn't expecting to be able to make it down there anytime soon, so hopefully they figure it out and don't price me out when they do. My Scotland trip is now replacing a Bandon trip I had for March/April 2025, so Bandon will hopefully be the next trip I make in the next few years.
I've only heard great things about Sand Valley, but I want to make it to Bandon first.
Id like to do Sand Valley too. Im told they book over a year out.
FL peak golf season (including rates) Nov thru April; but that much of a discrepancy????
In June, snowbirds will be gone and it will be hot. Summer pattern (i.e., daily thunderstorms in the "lightning capital of the U.S.") may or may not have kicked in at that point. If it hasn't, it could be really hot. If it has, it will be very humid and perhaps a struggle to get in 2 rounds on a given day.
If they overseed with rye, that will be long gone as well; but the bermuda should be going full tilt...in Jax the courses are in great shape by May.
There will probably be some bugs but not so bad that you can't play. We get hatches of various things throughout spring and summer. Yellow flies are the most difficult to tolerate (for me anyway). Maybe you can find some reviews for that time of year.
Mosaic (HUGE mining company) sold that a couple years ago (early 2023) so your buddy may have played under the current ownership/management.
Gracias! Asked a few others and they said love bugs might be around but not a hindrance to golf. Just wanna play 18, eat lunch, maybe play the chain or bass fish the afternoon. 36 for several days straight isn't in the cards for my knee no matter the weather. Just want something close to Scotland golf in the US before the rates go way up. I've got enough miles for free round trip so I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger.
Love bugs are an issue for your car, not your golf, lol.
Should be Scotland with less wind and no cold.
Bass fishing should be superb if you can get into one of Florida's famous phosphate pits...of which Mosaic created plenty.
I guess the one thing I'd be sure to check on is their aeration and top dressing schedule.
Played in a charity scramble. Was actually a great competitive time. Pretty much every team had at least one player that was a -5 or better all the way up to a team with a couple of scratches and a PGA pro. 8 mulligans/8 ladies tee shots/4 shot extensions by throwing the ball. Our 53 didn't place top 3. The aforementioned PGA pro team shot a 49 and left us tied for 4th.
I did manage to throw a well timed dart on the closest to the pin hole 128yd gap wedge:
Unless there are holes in one, there are 36 shots on any round of golf. A tee shot and a putt. I am so fucking sure there was a 4 some of 15 HCPs that made it around in only 13 additional shots. Yep.
I mean the team that won had Mark Anderson and two other former tour players. With the mulligans and shot throws and everything it was actually really realistic with them playing from the whites and each getting 2 opportunities to shoot from the front tees. They drove 2 of the par 5s...
We recorded 2 HO1's on the card but both were just a couple feet from the pin and we used our "shot extension throw" to drop it in the cup.
well yeah a former tour pro using bullshit mulligans etc - i can see that.
Yeah, like I said it was the most well rounded scramble tournament that I've been in I was definitely in the bottom half of skill level there and it wasn't close. If I had to guess the average HCP was probably <8 with a lot of single digits, 0's and +'s
I used to play in an annual one where they usually had a korn ferry type guy and some really low HCP players as well. They would always post mid-low 50's without crazy crazy mulligans, etc.
I found out last weekend that I won the St Andrews Swilcan package lottery, which means I have a tee time for two on The Old Course in mid-June, along with Jubilee. This means I'll be canceling my Bandon trip for April 2025 and planning a Scotland trip. It will be my dad and I, and this is our first golf trip over there, although we did play Carnoustie with rentals in 2015 on a family vacation.
Does anyone have any tips on where else to play and where to stay? I think we will try to setup in Fife and play courses around there, but maybe we could be talked into splitting time in St Andrews and closer to Edinburgh, like North Berwick.
Courses we are currently considering are The New Course, Elie, Crail, Kingsbarns, and (maybe) Castle Course.
Im told kingsbarns is much better than the old course without being "famous". I've heard that from multiple people. So make sure you play that one.
Congrats!!!!!!!! You'll love both courses. (The college kids are playing jubilee now on the golf channel...if you wanna peep.)
Sadly you've found out you're going at peak season after most packages have been set up. I'd suggest reaching out to Kevin at scottish golf adventures (tell him i sent you) and he may be able to help fill in some times for you. Good news is you only have 2 which is easier to squeeze than 8. He might be able to get one a few on either side.
As far as preference, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and Dumbarnie would be 3 I'd really try to line up. Castle is great and the New is so cool as well.
They are pros over there at same day laundry. That allows you to pack slightly lighter than you think which allows room for souvenirs in the luggage coming home.
Thanks for the tips! Dumbarnie wasn't on my radar yet, so I'll check that out. I have reached out to a few courses already, including Kingsbarns, and I haven't had any issues with getting tee times for 2 so far. St Andrews won't let you book anything later than March 2025 right now though. Just looking to add the New and maybe Castle as far as their courses go.
I may reach out to Kevin, but a google search of "scottish golf adventures" didn't give any hits.
My bad, it's Scottish Golf Experience
https://scottishgolfexperience.com/
He has connections and can make times ahead of the public. He has plenty of insight into the area and a great guy to boot.
Thanks!! You said to tell him you sent me...does he know you by "vtnerf"?
he does now.
Get any more set up? What courses have you lined up?
I submitted a request to St Andrews for times at New and Castle. Seems like I should hear back in the next few days. I see some times for Elie that we want but need to get the St Andrews times settled first.
Right now our plan is the following, with only Jubilee and Old booked currently:
Day 1 (of golf. We arrive to Edinburgh and St Andrews the day before) - Himalayas putting course in AM. Jubilee in PM
Day 2 - Old Course AM. New Course PM
Day 3 - Castle Course AM. Elie PM.
Day 4 - Try for Musselburgh early AM. Flight around midday.
Likely staying at the university. Reviews seem like it'll get the job done and looks hard to beat the location for the price.
I reached out to Kevin a couple of times with no response, so I'm trying to book things myself. With only two of us and it being a smaller trip it seems doable so far.
----------------------
UPDATE: I heard back from St Andrews and we have the following schedule now:
Day 1 (of golf) - Himalayas putting course in AM. Jubilee in PM
Day 2 - Old Course AM. Castle Course PM
Day 3 - Crail (Craighead) / Lundin / Dumbarnie AM. Elie PM.
Day 4 - Try for Musselburgh early AM. Flight around midday.
The bold is the only thing still undecided. I know vtnerf loved Dumbarnie. Has anyone here played Crail Craighead or Lundin? Not sure Dumbarnie is available yet, plus it is about $450.
Sweet. Elie was fully booked up when we went, but can't complain as we ended up at Dumbarnie. We loved the New and Castle.
For the Himalayas, get your request in on time. It fills up and there's one day a week where it's closed to the public for all of the women members.
You'll be in a good spot at the University. Close enough to everything. And it's all walkable.
Kevin's been all over (was in Portugal for a weeding then Spain for family holiday) and trying to wrap up details of large group for next year. He said he got the message but was just so jammed up. He still might be able to offer some advice if you need some in a few weeks. It's slowing up there. But he was ramping up since adding guaranteed times on the old and getting some times at North Berwick and Muirfield.
Dumbarnie isn't cheap, and won't be a 3.5 hour round either...but you can have a fantastic lunch and it's 5 minute from Elie. The views are jawdropping there, looking across at Muirfield, North Berwick, and the Renaissance Club, not to mention all of Edinburgh. But, Craighead is a great track too, and one of the oldest member clubs in the world. Lundin is the one pulling up the rear of those 3, but it won't beat you up.
Finally booked all the golf last night. We ended up going for Dumbarnie. Thanks for the rec! Flying out on June 13th
Here is what we settled on:
Day 1 (of golf) - Himalayas putting course in AM. Jubilee in PM
Day 2 - Old Course AM. Castle Course PM
Day 3 - Dumbarnie AM. Elie PM
Day 4 - Try for Musselburgh early AM. Flight around midday.
How did you get a guaranteed tee time at the old course?
He won the swilcan package lottery. Round on the old and jubilee.
Yep. I am now 1 for 1 on the Swilcan lottery and 0 for 15 on Masters tickets.
Anyone else see Ryder Cup tickets for 2025 at Bethpage are going to be $750 per day?? And between $200 and $400 for practice rounds. Absolutely absurd. They'll sell, but, that's absurd
A shit ton of money to watch no-name Euro's beat Speith and Fowler 8 and 7.
Calling the Euro team "no-names".... lol. Good joke DC /s
Shotgun Start podcast mentioned how a Ryder Cup is one of the worst in-person viewing experiences in sports. There is hardly any golf on the course at any time and typically big crowds to navigate. $750 is just stupid.
had tix for Saturday in MSP in 2016. It was interesting but I wouldn't do it again.
And the comment about pricing the local and American crowd (read New York) out of it will remove the home field advantage. LACC priced tickets high to keep the crowd low, because LACC, and they said it was the quietest USOpen in decades.
Anyone in the Richmond to Va Beach or even north on 95 looking for a 4th on Election Day? I'm coming back from Roanoke and could possibly make something happen...
I know we're down in the dumps but I have to announce it.
I did it. I freaking did it. Shot a 99 this morning. I didn't even know how to feel because I didn't believe the math!
Congratulations! Here's to 89 next year 🍻
Congrats! Breaking into double figures is a great accomplishment.
Thank you! Seriously one of the most difficult things I've worked towards
Mulligan.... Moved comment to above thread
As I sit here on a cold December day on a day-long teams call for grants, just after submitting my ballot entry for the Old Course Reversed, there's time to reflect on this past year of golf. I've was lucky to add a few top notch fantastic courses to the list played: Rehoboth Country Club, Tuxedo Club, and Ballyhack. Was able to string together 4 rounds that were all sub 75. And grinded out a 1 over par round in the member-guest during a deluge of rain to go from 4th in our flight to winning it. Here's to another great year in 2025 with many more rounds and keeping the cap in the mid single digits. Time to prep for Myrtle in March.
Just got my 2024 GHIN year in review summary. Played 1125 holes that I posted (plus a number of other club events that couldn't be posted.) I didn't play as well this year as 2023 and my handicap went up by 1.9 strokes. Got to play some great courses in Indiana - both Purdue courses, the Pfau Course at IU along with some local courses.
Highlights of the year we're winning the second half of our men's league (finishing second in the first half) after both my partner and I realized that neither of us really wanted to play and coming in second in the league shootout.
Off-season sim league has begun but it's not quite scratching the itch it did last winter. I think it's because my game fell off at the end of the season this year and last year I ended playing really well. I'll save next years goals for the 2025 thread which will be coming soon.
Played all 3 reunion courses and crooked cat in Orlando this weekend. Crooked cat was where LIV orlando was this year. Pretty good course- in good shape, and had some interesting holes. I'd rate it very good. I's play it again. BTW the driving range there is "the largest in the US"- basically a huge field where all 4 corners can be hitting areas depending on how they open it/set it up. Just huge. As for reunion - meh... the Niklaus course was the best one- it used to be private and now is part of the resort. It's basically myrtle beach golf in Orlando. Think legends or barefoot- same/same. 5:30 hour rounds, staff with their hands out constantly, etc. Won't do it again. Orlando traffic also sucks!!
moved to 2025 thread
With the new PGA season, TGL kicking off, and the calendar flipping over, prob time to open a new thread...
I'll start one.