I know snow totals are almost getting out of gimmie range and the temps are approaching even par (or tournament records on the °C scale) here in Michigan, but we're less than 60 days from spring.
I've working on my game at Golf Tec this winter with a coach. I've had 9 lessons and combination of a good coach, video analysis and regular practice has given me a better swing. We'll see if I can bring it to the course this spring but I have learned a lot about my swing and can hopefully self correct when things go awry. It was not cheap but worth it, at least to me.
I did manage to find some sunshine and warm weather in Arizona and played my first round of the year. Played the Preserve at Saddlebrooke which is northwest of Tucson. It was largely forgettable except I lipped out for birdie on the first hole. However, I was not tied up in my head with swing thoughts thinking about the new swing.
My buddies and I have our annual golf trip scheduled this year. We're headed to Greensboro (were from Michigan) to play some of the nicer courses in the area. We're also going to make drive up to Meadows of Dan to play Primland - I am really looking forward to that.
What you most looking forward to golf-wise this year?
Comments
congrats!
I'm looking forward to being healed enough to play (leg and hip issues). Maybe in a couple of weeks?
Missed a beautiful fall of golf and fishing weather here in NEFL. At my age don't know how many more of those I get.
Sounds like a solid winter plan.
I injured my hip at my daughter's wedding (loading trailer til 2 am drunk as heck - no the loading was not a clusterfark). Now recovered, though shoveling is testing that. Can't wait for a round.
Thanks for starting a new thread!
Fore!
Sweet. Enjoy Primland. Stop and enjoy the view behind the first hole...its jaw-dropping. And get the pig candy at the bar when you are done!
Im remembering this!
Can u just play there for a day and not stay there. I've seen conflicting messaging. Thanks.
You can now. I think when it opened 20 years ago you had to stay on property. I think you get a discount if you do. We're playing April 30 to take advantage of the shoulder season rate $225. It goes up to $325 May 1st.
Will add, that at $225 worth (imho) the round, but pushing the higher end...needs a gut check. Especially if local. Im funny about that...since I live near Ocean City and their courses. I will pay under $100 for a lot of courses. But when they push it towards $300 in the summer...not a shot. But thats my mileage, yours may vary.
Understandable. We're from Michigan so this will be a once in a lifetime deal. Our course choices for Greensboro are going to be value picks as my buddy is very familiar with the courses there (and there are some great public courses).
Side note, I grew up about an hour east of Meadows of Dan and drove past the sign for Primland several times on my way to my parents house. It's been a place I've wanted to go since then.
Then, definitely, do it! Get a yardage book...it definitely helps on this course. Enjoy. It's an impressive property.
I probably will get the yardage book more as a souvenir than anything else. Arccos will help me navigate the course.
Just looking forward to getting out there after having my first kid in September
Headed back to Pinehurst in March for 3 nights. Planning to play Tobacco Road (new to me), Pine Needles or Mid Pines (both new to me), no 5 (new to me), Cradle, and no 3.
We're renting a condo across the street from the Cradle the first two nights and then staying on property the last night. Not sure that plan makes total since based on the Pinehurst tracks we booked, but the guy booking wants a night on property. Any suggestions on where to eat off property?
Also, the guy went for guaranteed tee times at 5 and 3 instead of Cradle, so we still have to call ahead to try and get on for Saturday afternoon. He said we can call 7 days out instead of day before. Has anyone done this? Do we have a shot at getting on the Cradle on 3/14?
You have a good shot at getting a tee time on 3/14 but if you can't, a $100 to the guy at the starter shack by the Craddle should help.
We had a great trip but were not able to get on the Cradle. The resort was noticeably much busier this year in mid-March than my first trip in mid-April 2024. The starter at the Cradle was quite aggressive in chasing anyone away who didn't have a tee time. So, lesson learned for next time.
At the end of February, I'll be doing my annual "Church Guys" golf trip at the Legends in Myrtle that my Father-in-Law recruited me into about 12 years ago. Luckily I'll be bringing a buddy so I'm not the only person under 50 to keep things fresh. Drinking a 750ml of bourbon in 18 holes was proving to be a task when I had to do it solo.
That's how you make SaucedHokie.
My handicap slid north on me last season. Well, to be fair, I had a few low rounds late 2024 that were pushing the beginning of 2025 down. Got another cortisone shot in my knee and it's feeling much better. And down a few pounds from mid summer last year. Hoping I can put everything together to get more consistent, play some more this year, and drop the cap back to 2024 levels...in the high 5's.
As far as playing more, need to take that 2 hours here and there and go play 9 holes. Get out more. Go mentally unplug. And figure out the weekend schedules better. They were all over the place last year. Hoping to play more than every two weeks and hoping the weather cooperates. If I can do that, should be able to hone the game a little better and get more consistent.
Also would like to get actually fit for a new driver. I've hit a few others and none of them have been able to knock the current TSi2 out of the bag. It's over 5 years old now, and while it's solid, I feel that a fitting would be able to get me more consistent and longer.
won't some of those medications they advertise on the ACCN to that?
The golf trip to Greensboro is coming into focus:
Tanglewood Park
Primland
Bryan Park
Tot Hill Farm
Can't wait to tee it up.
Some really good stuff on there. I think once I get home, I'm going to order me some.
https://theswvashop.com/products/the-stone-quarter-zip
https://theswvashop.com/products/golfing-turkey-performance-polo
I just wish the first one had pockets. Big fan of quarter-zips with pockets these days.
The Masters is coming up soon. And for those with more money than sense......
($189): https://tasteofthemasters.goldbelly.com/large-hosting-kit
And if you're thirsty ($99, but sold out): https://tasteofthemasters.goldbelly.com/limited-edition-azalea-kit
It's truly frightening what happens to prices at the confluence of Goldbelly (already expensive) and The Masters (also already expensive).
This is Goldbelly running with a brand. Trying to part a fool and their money.
The prices on-site are hilariously low...with nothing outside of alcohol over $2.50 on the menu. (Just googled, and they've raised the prices...up from $2.50 to $3.00 on a few items.)
As a side bar, going to the practice round for the PGA outside Philly this year, and they've included food and non-alcoholic beverages in the cost. You can get a sandwich/chips/soda or water each time you go into the concession tent. Pretty sweet baked-in aspect.
It's Master's Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So......
Does Rory defend? Where does he finish?
Does Rahm has a shot? He's one of the statistical favs...
Does Bryson make the cut? Challenge? Fade?
Does Fitzpatrick (my pick) pull it off this year?
Does Reed finish top 10? (yes!)
Does Aberg get over his final round block and finish top 10 or so...?
Does Scottie show up and play well enough to make the cut?
Who is your dark horse? Rose, Fleetwood, Si Woo, Straka (he's mine) anyone?
Fitz has been playing great. He could do it, but this course is an equalizer. Great week!
I always love the wed par 3 day. The families are great!
hard to pick against Fitz if his driver stays on auto pilot.
Bobby Mac has been playing well but has been spraying his driver around...disappointed he didn't close out in San Antonio
Xander is my favorite American golfer but his putter hasn't returned.
can Hovland, Fleetwood, or Rose be considered dark horses? any of those could win
true dark horse? maybe Bhatia...he can get crazy hot. he can also miss the cut
Well, at least it wasn't a run away. I do feel a bit for Rosey...would loved to have seen him get one. They need to invite him for a drink before the champions dinners one of these years. 4 times in the top 3, 11 top 20's.
McIlroy gets to host the champions dinner again. His interview on that topic at the Par 3 contest (one of my fav parts) was interesting. Their wine collection is insane apparently, but it dented his wallet pretty heavily - he gets to do that again next year.
Cool story about Shane Lowry talking the Augusta somolier into some bottles after Rory won last year...
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14243949/mcilroy-lowry-wine-gift-augusta-masters-win/
as Rory was on the 18th tee, i turned to my wife and said, "there is no way he's going to hit driver, an unplayable lie is Scheffler's only chance". then of course he bombs it into the trees
one of my pet peeves this year was watching college teams do the ONLY thing possible to let their opponents have a chance to win when the game should be over...see VT, Miami, UF, Duke...
there should be a sports psychology course on just that moment when you have complete control of the outcome ..."How to let the game be over"
Played Duran in Viera, FL Thursday with my SIL. 1st round in 6 months. 96 w 3 pars.
They're preparing to strip and redo the greens so they cut them very tight. Drought in FL isreal as well. Greens were 14 on the meter. Very intimidating, I have a lot of respect for what the pros dealt w at Augusta. Fun day though.
The club operations manager went to Radford for a year. She posts pics of the course occasionally. Wonder what they are converting the greens to...
I didnt ask. The redo starts May 1, 9 holes at a time.
soooo dry...we may be looking at another fire summer. yuck
I haven't swung a club for real since early October. First a leg muscle injury; then a hip issue (on the opposite side compensating for the muscle injury); then persistent A-fib and SVT issues.
Had cardiac ablation for both A-fib and SVT in late March. Hope to get back out on the course (and on the water) in late May...fingers crossed.
Hope ur healing goes exceptionally well. Get back out there ASAP. I just have this sneaking suspicion we're gonna have an active thunderstorm loaded summer, but its just a hunch.
thanks
need some moisture to charge the system...and not the kind that comes with wind speed
Just got back from our golf trip to Greensboro (live in Michigan).
Played Tanglewood Park - good layout at a great price. Greens were a little bumpy but overall a good experience.
Next up was Primland in Meadows of Dan (technically Ararat). We played it April 30th so got a break of $100 due to the early season. Tough course. Lots of blind shots and elevation changes. Also a bit of hill climbing up and down to greens and some fairways. I enjoyed the round and the service there was great. Lunch off their smoker was included (brisket was amazing). However, I would probably not play it again. If you're into mountain golf, you should play it, but you'd better be in shape.
Played Bryan Park Champions course next. Solid course, greens were like lightning. Would play this one again.
Wrapped up the trip with Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro. Very unique layout. Some very tight holes where there was only one place to miss in a lot cases. Greens were in great shape and pretty peppy. Cost us $180 and worth the money if you're willing to drop coin for a round of golf. Shot my best round of the year so far, breaking 90 for the first time.
Tagging along on my brothers buddy trip to Cabot Cape Breton this July. Anyone else been and have insights what I'm getting myself into?
Right now the plan is Evening round on the short course when we get in on Thursday night followed by 36 Friday and 36 Saturday (links and cliffs once each per day with caddies). I know the courses are elite but as someone who can't hit the ball low to save my life, I'm nervous about that sea breeze
My buddy went last April and I feel like he undersold it. Everything I've seen is it's a fantastic trip...once you get there. That's the difficult part. But the courses are supposed to be chef's kiss.
for those who like to tinker...I've had way too much time to over think golf the last few months waiting to heal.
So I noticed at PGASS that all of the new onset Spiders come with an off axis grip, the Superstroke TLT 1.0 (in their badging of course). Tried one and it felt great.
I have a Bettinardi SB1 putter...center shafted zero torque blade. It has one degree of onset which matches the forward press of the SS TLT 1.0 so I ordered one and made the change. Et voila! Less moi than the mallets but if you like the look of a blade, the putter pretty much drives itself. Bettinardi should offer this as a stock grip
Just watching the multiview on ESPN (might be the greatest invention of my lifetime) for the CJ Cup. VT's own Brendon de Jonge is one of the studio analysts! Love that guy. Hope he makes a splash (like Wagner did) and keeps moving up the ranks.
Johnson Wagner is great on air as well.
very surprised the early tee times at the Nelson are putting on greens with enough dew to see the trails of the previous putts.
announcer: "let's see if player X learned anything from the putt of player Y"
me: well, he's looking at the trails of a half dozen lag putts
Im surprised they didnt sweep them. Or maybe they did and there's so much humidity. But at a pro event, shouldn't have that happening.
announcer just mentioned it on Pendrith's putt at #3...so 8:30 a.m. central time
played 9 holes this morning; other than a few trips to the range, first golf since early October. Recuperating parts hung in there and I decided not to press my luck with the second 9. Will get out there again in a couple weeks.
shot +3...all things considered, am quite pleased
That's funny, I have a similar story. Played today for first time since February and February was my first round coming off ankle surgery in June 2026.
No driving range or warm up and shot a 77. My little 10 year old cousin who joined us for the first time thought I was some kind of a semi pro.
Headed to Chicago for work and playing Harborside (starboard) with my boss...haven't swung a club in 6+ months so this should be an adventure
I'm headed into a busy stretch of golf, with my club's 9-hole league match tonight, a one-day tournament tomorrow at Acushnet River Valley CC tomorrow (never played there), then going right into my club's 3-day MM on Friday.
I started out this season playing great, index went down to a 7.3, and I had regained 10-15 yards on my woods & hybrids. I thought that all the leg work and rehab I had done on my surgically ill-repaired knee (had a PRP injection in it 9 weeks ago, which has definitely taken an edge off of the pain) had led to a major break-through. But as we all know, golf is not like that. I have been going through a rough stretch the past couple of weeks with swinging too hard, loss of tempo, etc. Even my short game, which is my strength, has been spotty. I need to get back to just feeling like I'm dropping the head of the club onto the ball & swinging easy again. It's the same cycle I have been on for 20 years. Two weeks of good/average play, one week of excellent play, then swing mechanics fall apart and have a week or so of struggles.
I need to regain my swing and confidence quickly. It will happen, just hopefully starting today.
ever try something like Hovland's double pump on the range when warming up?
I have not, but I might give it a try this afternoon. Thanks!
I'll do that warming up...1-3 pumps...kind of ratchet my way into a full swing.
I tried the double-pump once on the range, topped it, and hit it about 12 feet, amid much laughter from my fellow members nearby. If anything, it accentuated my tendency to go back too far in my take-away, so probably not something that works for me. But, thanks for the tip!
Fortunately, I did lock in my swing for 4 of the 5 matches in our MM this past weekend. Course & greens were running very fast & firm, with very difficult pin placements...just like how I like them. I love the challenge. Although overall scores really don't matter that much in match play, I was able to shoot 38-40 in four of our 5 matches. In one match, I inexplicably put four balls in the water and shot a 47, our only loss, which was enough for us to miss out on 1st place in our flight by 1 point. That is more balls than I have lost in the previous two months combined! I actually had to run by my house between matches and grab another sleeve of balls as I was down to two balls for the final match of the day. I then went out and shot 38 in the next match. WTF, it's golf.
I played with my brother this past weekend at Pohick Bay and finally got my first eagle on par 5 (at least I have a witness!). Been playing for about 10-12 years and have had an eagle putt probably a dozen times and never made the putt. The best part? it was a zero putt eagle (nice little chip from about 10 yards from green). So I guess the trick is to land close to the green and avoid putting :-)
Flying to Utah next week to play some golf with family in Park City. Never played there, so looking forward to the high elevation distance gains.
Nice! Live pretty close to pohick. Have done a few of their scrambles they set up. Was pretty rough shape last time I was there. Maybe a year or so ago
Yea, it was in terrible shape but this year it's looking great. The fairways were in decent shape and the greens were in great condition for a nova public course.
Elevation increase experience i have. Play regularly in the Bburg area at 2100 ft ASL. Played in Boulder, CO, mile high elevation, so ~3200 ft higher, had to adjust 2 clubs.
Hope that helps u.
Sea level here. Been awhile but I'm a club longer in Asheville and at least 2 clubs longer in Albuquerque
I lived in ABQ for 4 years before moving back to VA and I'll admit, it was a humbling experience watching my distance plummet. We'll be doing a practice round on Wednesday so I'll deff pay attention to distances. Guessing it'll be easily a club longer, if not more given that Park City is ~2,000 ft higher than ABQ. Appreciate the comments!
I realize that peoples' mileage may vary, but, according to Arccos, a change from 900 ft above sea level to 3500 feet is about 8 yards for driver and about 6 yards for all your other clubs. For reference my driver distance is 246 at 900 ft and my 7i distance is 158.
I suspect that humidity also plays a bit of a role going from desert to humid conditions.
Getting into the swing this season, finally. Had a blast at the Tuesday practice round of the PGA in Philly. Always cool to see the pros work and grind. Got to see Rory and Cam Young side-by-side on the range. You know Cam can bomb it, but when Rory is dropping it 20 past him...jeez.
I've been able to drop from an 8.2 in September to 6.6 now. And that was with taking off from late October thru March. Keeping it straight as much as possible, in control, one more club when able, and put some scores together. Made the turn in 34 the other week (paired it with a 40.) Getting prepped for the senior club championship this weekend. Unfortunately we typically play it at 6,400, but the championship plays at 5,500. Yeah, sounds easier, but there are spots we aren't used to playing from, and shots we never have. Pair that with some winter kill on the bermuda over the winter and the super's refusal to hand water over the past few weeks for crusty greens already, and it could be interesting.
On another note, switched balls this year from the V1 to the Wilson Staff Model. I feel like it's longer off the driver and irons, and I don't have to sacrifice too much spin. And being able to snag them at $30 a dozen on ebay has helped.
Here's to a fun US Open this weekend. If you get under par, you'll have a great opportunity to win it!!!
Good luck in your Senior Championship! It looks like I'm going to miss mine this year, as my daughter & family are visiting from AZ that weekend.
Played Friday am in the rain. Been a bit since I played a full round with jacket, bucket hat, and rain gloves, but we troopered thru. Hit it meh, but got some shady breaks. Then Saturday in the Sr Championship couldn't get out of my own way with the wedges and 9 iron. Couldn't score, make a putt, or gain traction. Until the last 4 holes where I birdied 3 of them. After 12 holes was 6 behind one of my playing partners, and ended up beating him by one. Was lowest in my foursome but figured I had no shot at 78. Came in 3rd, but was good enough for first net. No trophy for that, but got my money back for the entry! Good enough...and stuck it out to go -3 on the last 4 holes.
Great job hanging in there, particularly with those three birdies! Is your Senior a 2-day event like ours? A 78 both days would have won ours last year.
I have won a few low net trophies for the Club and Senior Championships, but those don't get your name on the wall in the clubhouse. As it turns out, my Senior is this weekend (I had my dates wrong), but my boss planned a "home & home" challenge with a few guys, one round at his course on Friday and one at mine on Saturday, then a one-day MG at his course on Monday. I'm tempted to still play in the Senior, but that would mean 54 holes in 24 hours (18 on Fri, 36 on Sat), 18 (final of Senior) on Sunday, then the 18 MG on Monday. That's a lot of golf, plus there is some big wine dinners each night, so if I play the Senior, I'm thinking of moving up to the hybrids & playing in the "Super Senior" division. I've been eligible to play in that division for the last 8 years, but I'm not sure I am ready to give in to age yet. Ha ha. Plus, I don't play from those tees regularly. The early forecast is for rain, and if that's the case, I probably will sit out the Senior this year.
Ours is a one day...and we play the forward tees. The super did put some pins in places I've never seen on that course. The last 2 years 67 and 68 won the gross, but 73 won it this year.
Agree that's a lot of golf, especially with the dinners and company stuff. On a trip, maybe, but "at home"...meh.
Finally got out and played some this weekend. Hit the local par 3 a couple times which is always fun and super low key. Took my boys out out there for their first 'real' golf course and they loved it. Also hit my muni course and broke 100 after not playing since fall. As always, walked away both mad and happy, but overall satisfied and wanting to play more! Those damn three putts though....
Finally got 18 in yesterday in the heat.
First full round since Oct. Was 12 over after 7 holes on the same 9 that I tore up 2 weeks ago, lol. Hit the first green in regulation and promptly 4 putted...rinse and repeat.
Then the shit button disengaged and was +1 the rest of the way (2 bogeys, 8 pars and a bird).
Got up and down twice with flop shots off skinny lies on the back nine. I really don't have that shot so that may have filled the quota for the year. At 13 over it was, "what the hell, just try to do what they do on the videos".
Has anyone camped at the Open Championship? We're considering the glamping option at the Old Course next year for the Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds, but don't really know what to expect.
great line a couple weeks ago from the announcer re: Ben James putting..."left hand low, reverse claw...that's how you know he's tried everything"