2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

[theprofromdover]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Played the senior (green) tees and hit 7 GIR's on the way to an 88 with 4 mulligans (so an adjusted 92).

Sigh.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

So, I have been playing somewhat consistent golf of late. Up until two weeks ago, my rounds were averaging about 95, with scores anywhere from 91-102 (I typically play from the 2nd Longest Tees, or about an average of 63-6500 yards). My putting has rounded into consistency, and has become the best part of my game (I average about 30-32 putts/round). Anyway, two weeks ago, I played the round of my life. I shot a very solid 43 on the front 9, and followed it up with a 41 on the back. I have broke 90 twice before (I shot an 86 before my hiatus from the sport, and an 89 earlier in the summer), but for whatever reason this 84 felt like I shot a 64 (assuming I know what shooting a 64 feels like, which I don't). I was overjoyed, and decided to buy some new irons. Golfsmith had a deal on Callaway Diablo Edge Irons, and I took them up on the offer ($245 after discounts). Fast forward to my last round that I played. I was pumped. I kept telling myself, I'm going to start routinely breaking 90. First hole, par 5...Quadruple Bogey. Second hole, par 4...Quadruple Bogey. I was about ready to walk off the course and right back to golfsmith to return the clubs, but I hung in there, and all of a sudden, I started playing much better. I finished the front 9 with a 50 (not bad after wasting 17 shots on the first two holes), then shot a 39 on the back for an 89 (the first time I have ever broke 40 on a 9 on a non-executive course). My new clubs added about 10-12 yards, and I got a whole lot more control and forgiveness. Moreover, I only needed 10 putts on the back nine, and only had 21 over the last 16 holes.

Anyway, sorry for the long story, but the point is that I love my new clubs and can't wait to get back on the tee.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

My biggest problem with golf right now is I don't have anyone to play with, and I don't enjoy going out by myself. The social aspect of going out and having fun with friends is one of my favorite parts of the game (and I don't mean drinking, because I rarely drink when I play). I used to be a member back at home, and I knew tons of people that played, so I'd get out often, now I'm too far away to justify driving there, so I don't have a membership and I rarely play.

If anyone in the Twin Cities, northern suburbs, wants to play, I'd be up for it. I'd love to play more, I just need to find a regular group to go out with.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

My biggest problem with golf right now is I don't have anyone to play with, and I don't enjoy going out by myself. The social aspect of going out and having fun with friends is one of my favorite parts of the game (and I don't mean drinking, because I rarely drink when I play). I used to be a member back at home, and I knew tons of people that played, so I'd get out often, now I'm too far away to justify driving there, so I don't have a membership and I rarely play.

If anyone in the Twin Cities, northern suburbs, wants to play, I'd be up for it. I'd love to play more, I just need to find a regular group to go out with.

I completely understand. I never liked playing alone either. When I came out to Colorado I had nobody to play with. The guys at CU were too into the books to ever consider wanting to hit the links. Basically, I took about 5 years off from the game, but finally found some golf buddies at law school. Now my brother-in-law is old enough to play, so I have a few different options, which is nice.

Anyway, hopefully you find a good group to play with.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

My biggest problem with golf right now is I don't have anyone to play with, and I don't enjoy going out by myself. The social aspect of going out and having fun with friends is one of my favorite parts of the game (and I don't mean drinking, because I rarely drink when I play). I used to be a member back at home, and I knew tons of people that played, so I'd get out often, now I'm too far away to justify driving there, so I don't have a membership and I rarely play.

If anyone in the Twin Cities, northern suburbs, wants to play, I'd be up for it. I'd love to play more, I just need to find a regular group to go out with.

XYZ is near you.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

My biggest problem with golf right now is I don't have anyone to play with, and I don't enjoy going out by myself. The social aspect of going out and having fun with friends is one of my favorite parts of the game (and I don't mean drinking, because I rarely drink when I play). I used to be a member back at home, and I knew tons of people that played, so I'd get out often, now I'm too far away to justify driving there, so I don't have a membership and I rarely play.

If anyone in the Twin Cities, northern suburbs, wants to play, I'd be up for it. I'd love to play more, I just need to find a regular group to go out with.

BB I'll play with you any time just let me know when. I know it's far but if you get this way or I get that way let's play.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

BB I'll play with you any time just let me know when. I know it's far but if you get this way or I get that way let's play.

Sure. I have no idea when I'll be back to lower Michigan, but if I do get over there, I'll try to bring my clubs.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

For those of us who play on residential courses, here's a course to avoid: http://www.golfchannel.com/news/ass.../?cid=twitter_A_gc_NEVADAMANSHOTGOLFER_090712

At the course that I play at every now and then, they built the houses way off the right side of the fairway. Left side is a little closer.

 

[SteveP]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Paula Creamer and Jiyai Shin can't finish through 8 playoff holes at Kingsmill so they will come back in the morning. LPGA official tells them they can't start until 9 "because of the Golf Channel."

And Rory is simply on a different planet.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Paula Creamer and Jiyai Shin can't finish through 8 playoff holes at Kingsmill so they will come back in the morning. LPGA official tells them they can't start until 9 "because of the Golf Channel."

And Rory is simply on a different planet.

Somehow I think the Ryder Cup is going to be a lot closer than people think.

 

[Deejpuck]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Hey Golfers, this is my first time posting on this thread... glad to see lots of golfers here that follow hockey. Let me tell you little background about myself.. Been playing golf since I was 8 years old (I'm 32 now) at Big Rapids (home of Ferris State Bulldogs!!) and also I played hockey since forever... Right now I live in Florida.. meaning no college hockey around me..

My handicap is about 6 to 8, depend on how I hit the balls, earlier this summer I shot my best round, 38-32 for 70.. that including 4 birdies in the row to finish out the round.. and I try to play golf once a week (if my wife let me haha)...

What is your favorite golf courses to play in.. mine have to be Tullymore Golf Club in Stanwood, Michigan and Gullane No. 2 in Scotland (I played in World Deaf Golf Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland)

Will love to hear some stories from you guys...

 

[burd]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Hey Golfers, this is my first time posting on this thread... glad to see lots of golfers here that follow hockey. Let me tell you little background about myself.. Been playing golf since I was 8 years old (I'm 32 now) at Big Rapids (home of Ferris State Bulldogs!!) and also I played hockey since forever... Right now I live in Florida.. meaning no college hockey around me..

My handicap is about 6 to 8, depend on how I hit the balls, earlier this summer I shot my best round, 38-32 for 70.. that including 4 birdies in the row to finish out the round.. and I try to play golf once a week (if my wife let me haha)...

What is your favorite golf courses to play in.. mine have to be Tullymore Golf Club in Stanwood, Michigan and Gullane No. 2 in Scotland (I played in World Deaf Golf Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland)

Will love to hear some stories from you guys...

Very envious of anyone who has played St. Andrews. Unfortunately the courses I play on most often have windmills and clown faces . . .

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Very envious of anyone who has played St. Andrews. Unfortunately the courses I play on most often have windmills and clown faces . . .

I would love to play any big time course. I do drive by Cherry Hills on occasion though.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

I would love to play any big time course. I do drive by Cherry Hills on occasion though.

Maybe not this year, as rates will start going up exponentially for the "winter" season, but I am looking at playing TPC Tampa Bay probably next summer. It is like a kid walking into a candy shop now that I live down there.

 

[Deejpuck]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Very envious of anyone who has played St. Andrews. Unfortunately the courses I play on most often have windmills and clown faces . . .

Yeah, I played at Fairmont St Andrews, the Torrance course 5 mins outside of St. Andrews, that golf course is one of the toughest course I ever played, very narrow and long with strong winds and rain, I had to hit 4 iron on 460 par 4 holes several times because if you missed the fairways, you are goner due to long grass and it s impossible to find the balls there. Although our closing ceremony was held at the Old Course Hotel ballroom room by number 17 hole at the Old Course... pretty cool place, one thing that strike me odd is how SMALL the town is, when I saw the Open Championship on TV that was held at Old Course, the town looks bigger than it really is, make me wonder where does the people park their cars because there is NO room for people to park their cars.

About Gullane No. 2, it is really awesome place to play, very beautiful place to play, with lots of hill and interesting greens set up, and incredible fun place to play... if you guys ever visit Scotland, you should check it out, you wont be sorry.

 

[pirate]

I would love to play any big time course. I do drive by Cherry Hills on occasion though.

This summer I've played Bethpage Black and will be playing Cave's Valley in a few weeks. I had been out of the game for almost 7 years aside from 1-2 scrambles.

Smartest thing I did was get some lessons to get my swing back together. Still not 'there' but playing better.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

I checked out Royal Troon when I was in Scotland. I wasn't able to golf because it was a work trip and it just didn't work out. Again, it was in a pretty small town, and Troon and Prestwick were just miles from each other. I was there in mid-January, I had to drop a co-worker off at the Glasgow airport at 4am, so instead of going back to the hotel I drove to Troon to see the course. I got there as the sun was rising, it was 35 degrees, raining, with 30-40 mph winds, in January, and the course was bright green and there were several groups out playing.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Very envious of anyone who has played St. Andrews. Unfortunately the courses I play on most often have windmills and clown faces . . .

I had the privilege of playing the old course in St. Andrews.

It was 1986. I was in my mid-20's spending a couple of months in Europe. Late June I caught a bus out of Edinburgh to St. Andrews, figuring I may never be this close again. No clubs, no tee time, no hotel room, no plan.

Walked up to what we might call the pro shop and inquired about playing. It was a Saturday afternoon. The guy said they had no current times available for that day as the last tee time was about 4, in order to let the players play the outward 9 and still have time to play the 9 coming back.

He also told me the Old Course was closed on Sundays, but I could inquire about times on the other 3 courses. I asked about Monday. He said the only time available was in the second group off that morning, 6:10 a.m. He had just a twosome. Told him to sign me up.

Walked into the town of St. Andrews and rented a room at a little bed and breakfast. Walked around the town (it is an extraordinarily small town) and stopped at a local pub. The 1986 World Cup was on so needless to say everyone was a little amped up.

Spent Sunday wandering around the community. Although most shops were closed, it was still pretty interesting, including a cemetary that had to have been there for centuries.

5:30 a.m. Monday morning I was there, ready to go. Rented a cheap set of clubs. Greens fees were the equivalent of $27 (I still marvel at how unreal that was).

We had a great threesome. A kid from North Dakota, a 50 something year old man from New Zealand, spending a year traveling the world with his wife, and Bob Stockman, a 77 year old life long resident of St. Andrews who had worked as the starter at the course for 37 years, before retiring. He had been the starter during the great British Opens of the '60's and '70's and had wonderful stories to tell. He also knew every square inch of the course and would tell you exactly where to hit every shot (if only it were that easy).

We followed a group of 4 men from Texas who were on a Scotland golf outing. They were really struggling. If you don't know where to go on the course, it would be kind of hard. Many of the holes you stand on the tee and it's not readily apparent where either the green or the fairway are at. They were all over the course.

On the 6th tee we saw an official visit the Texans out on the 6th fairway (actually, the gorse). Bob told me they were probably getting warned about slow play. On the 8th hole (almost at the far end of the course!) they were asked to leave due to slow play. I can't imagine how that would suck.

The first 10 holes I played great -- 2 over par. But remember, being from North Dakota, playing golf on a hard, flat, windy golf course was not exactly a unique experience. Also, the wind really hadn't kicked up yet.

By the time we made the turn it was getting really brutal. The last 8 holes ate me up. I played them in 12 over, including pars on the Road Hole (17) and the 18th. Finished with an 84. I think I still have the card. Took a photo off of every tee box and had the guy from New Zealand take a picture of Bob and me on the Swilken Burn Bridge on the 18th fairway.

One of my favorite memories of a lifetime.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

Great story. I am envious.

 

[burd]

Re: 2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

I had the privilege of playing the old course in St. Andrews.

It was 1986. I was in my mid-20's spending a couple of months in Europe. Late June I caught a bus out of Edinburgh to St. Andrews, figuring I may never be this close again. No clubs, no tee time, no hotel room, no plan.

Walked up to what we might call the pro shop and inquired about playing. It was a Saturday afternoon. The guy said they had no current times available for that day as the last tee time was about 4, in order to let the players play the outward 9 and still have time to play the 9 coming back.

He also told me the Old Course was closed on Sundays, but I could inquire about times on the other 3 courses. I asked about Monday. He said the only time available was in the second group off that morning, 6:10 a.m. He had just a twosome. Told him to sign me up.

Walked into the town of St. Andrews and rented a room at a little bed and breakfast. Walked around the town (it is an extraordinarily small town) and stopped at a local pub. The 1986 World Cup was on so needless to say everyone was a little amped up.

Spent Sunday wandering around the community. Although most shops were closed, it was still pretty interesting, including a cemetary that had to have been there for centuries.

5:30 a.m. Monday morning I was there, ready to go. Rented a cheap set of clubs. Greens fees were the equivalent of $27 (I still marvel at how unreal that was).

We had a great threesome. A kid from North Dakota, a 50 something year old man from New Zealand, spending a year traveling the world with his wife, and Bob Stockman, a 77 year old life long resident of St. Andrews who had worked as the starter at the course for 37 years, before retiring. He had been the starter during the great British Opens of the '60's and '70's and had wonderful stories to tell. He also knew every square inch of the course and would tell you exactly where to hit every shot (if only it were that easy).

We followed a group of 4 men from Texas who were on a Scotland golf outing. They were really struggling. If you don't know where to go on the course, it would be kind of hard. Many of the holes you stand on the tee and it's not readily apparent where either the green or the fairway are at. They were all over the course.

On the 6th tee we saw an official visit the Texans out on the 6th fairway (actually, the gorse). Bob told me they were probably getting warned about slow play. On the 8th hole (almost at the far end of the course!) they were asked to leave due to slow play. I can't imagine how that would suck.

The first 10 holes I played great -- 2 over par. But remember, being from North Dakota, playing golf on a hard, flat, windy golf course was not exactly a unique experience. Also, the wind really hadn't kicked up yet.

By the time we made the turn it was getting really brutal. The last 8 holes ate me up. I played them in 12 over, including pars on the Road Hole (17) and the 18th. Finished with an 84. I think I still have the card. Took a photo off of every tee box and had the guy from New Zealand take a picture of Bob and me on the Swilken Burn Bridge on the 18th fairway.

One of my favorite memories of a lifetime.

Wonderful, Hovey. Thanks for that.