***Official 2025 Golf Thread, tbd*** (3 Viewers)

[belljr]

It burns me when people cheat in tournaments like this.

My story. I also played in a scramble recently at a course none of us had played before. It's a pretty tough course, lots of blind shots and arroyos. Lots of forced carries, sometimes multiple times on the same hole. All of the par threes were over two hundred yards and they either had water or deep arroyos in front of them. Our group shot a net 66, which we were pretty proud of. Birdied all of the par fives, parred all of the par threes and only had one bogie on the toughest par four. When we checked in, we had the low score by a stroke.

When they announced the results, the sponsor stated that the previous low score for any scramble tournament round had been a 60. Then he announced that the top two scores were a 56 and a 55. What?!?

Apparently the group with the 55 won all of the long drive and closest to the pin prizes including a hole-in-one on one of the par threes. Now, again, that is an over 200 yard shot with a forced carry. No witnesses except the group itself.

I have a feeling (just a feeling) that something was going on there. Either that or they were just that d*mn good. Maybe I'm just pissed that we got bested by so much. Rant over.

We shot a -18 (54)  on a course here, I don't think we even used a mulligan. Maybe 1. We eagled the 4 par 5s.   It felt dirty even though it was legitimate.

 

[BeTheMatch]

All courses??!!!

The lodging there. Didn't end up even asking about the tee times.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

We shot a -18 (54)  on a course here, I don't think we even used a mulligan. Maybe 1. We eagled the 4 par 5s.   It felt dirty even though it was legitimate.

i was in a group that shot -20 (52) we had a female who played at Texas A&M and got to hit from the reds which put us in prime position for the holes our bomber missed with his drives. our bomber averages 290 on the fly and the rollout was unreal in the summer. We each bought 4 mulligans since it was an event to raise money but i think we only used 3 total out of our group. no mulligans on the green so we did use 2 of them for an extra 2 chips from a drive short of the green on a par 4 and were able to get an extra eagle by making it. i think what helped us score low was that even though it was a scramble we were betting amongst ourselves for closest approach shots. i think it was the 7th hole when we toned down some of the trash talking when we realized we were going low and maybe should be a bit of a team. our same group played a tourney 6 months later and shot -9  but we were drinking from the moment we got in with our DD. fn road sodas and range shots turn to black out back 9’s

 

[CGRdrJoe]

i have a CG tourney tomorrow and i’ve barley been playing lately; i’m hoping to remember course management to minimize double bogeys. i hate being back to a regular work schedule, it’s messing with my golf game

 

[Zow]

We shot a -18 (54)  on a course here, I don't think we even used a mulligan. Maybe 1. We eagled the 4 par 5s.   It felt dirty even though it was legitimate.

I think my best legitimate round is either -18 or -19 (I think -19 because there were two eagles and a par). All single digits, easyi-ish course, and boxes only like 6k. It's doable, but kind of silly at the same time. Just comes down to making a few 30 plus footers. 

 

[TLEF316]

The lodging there. Didn't end up even asking about the tee times.

Insane,  but good to know

 

[Zow]

It burns me when people cheat in tournaments like this.

My story. I also played in a scramble recently at a course none of us had played before. It's a pretty tough course, lots of blind shots and arroyos. Lots of forced carries, sometimes multiple times on the same hole. All of the par threes were over two hundred yards and they either had water or deep arroyos in front of them. Our group shot a net 66, which we were pretty proud of. Birdied all of the par fives, parred all of the par threes and only had one bogie on the toughest par four. When we checked in, we had the low score by a stroke.

When they announced the results, the sponsor stated that the previous low score for any scramble tournament round had been a 60. Then he announced that the top two scores were a 56 and a 55. What?!?

Apparently the group with the 55 won all of the long drive and closest to the pin prizes including a hole-in-one on one of the par threes. Now, again, that is an over 200 yard shot with a forced carry. No witnesses except the group itself.

I have a feeling (just a feeling) that something was going on there. Either that or they were just that d*mn good. Maybe I'm just pissed that we got bested by so much. Rant over.

Do you mean gross 66? Respectfully, a net 66 score in a scramble shouldn't be winning a whole lot. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Do you mean gross 66? Respectfully, a net 66 score in a scramble shouldn't be winning a whole lot. 

honestly i never thought handicaps factored in scrambles, would it be based off who made the low putt? and yeah, net 66 isn’t winning a scramble unless everyone is a 16/higher or ####faced. 

 

[James Bond]

Do you mean gross 66? Respectfully, a net 66 score in a scramble shouldn't be winning a whole lot. 

Yes, it was a gross 66. None of us are close to scratch. No long bombers, no mulligans, and we were playing the long tees. This was a fund raiser for our office (a rather large office) and no one is more than a social golfer. In fact, one guy in our foursome was playing his second round ever. We didn't expect much because this course was quite challenging. There were groups that were scoring in the 80s. Just frustrating that a couple of groups seemed to be playing a different game from the rest. And like I said, even the sponsors were "surprised" that the course best scramble score was bested by six strokes.

 

[Zow]

honestly i never thought handicaps factored in scrambles, would it be based off who made the low putt? and yeah, net 66 isn’t winning a scramble unless everyone is a 16/higher or ####faced. 

No usually it’s 50% of A player’s handicap, 30 % B’s, etc. Then the team total handicap is those four total numbers and that number is subtracted from the team’s gross score. 
 

Doing the above plus playing two teams to a box is the only good/fair way to do a scramble tournament for real cash. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

i was in a group that shot -20 (52) we had a female who played at Texas A&M and got to hit from the reds which put us in prime position for the holes our bomber missed with his drives. our bomber averages 290 on the fly and the rollout was unreal in the summer. We each bought 4 mulligans since it was an event to raise money but i think we only used 3 total out of our group. no mulligans on the green so we did use 2 of them for an extra 2 chips from a drive short of the green on a par 4 and were able to get an extra eagle by making it. i think what helped us score low was that even though it was a scramble we were betting amongst ourselves for closest approach shots. i think it was the 7th hole when we toned down some of the trash talking when we realized we were going low and maybe should be a bit of a team. our same group played a tourney 6 months later and shot -9  but we were drinking from the moment we got in with our DD. fn road sodas and range shots turn to black out back 9’s

No offense, but I never understood the appeal of 4 scratch golfers teaming up and housing all the prizes at fundraising scrambles 

I also think it keeps the fundraising down because some people won’t play in them anymore because the ringers take all the fun out of it 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

No offense, but I never understood the appeal of 4 scratch golfers teaming up and housing all the prizes at fundraising scrambles 

I also think it keeps the fundraising down because some people won’t play in them anymore because the ringers take all the fun out of it 

only one guy in our group was a 1 handicap, the female is a 9, one buddy a 10 and me a 13. that said i average on the lower side 20 putts a round but my issue is always missing greens by being aggressive instead of going for the middle of rhe green. we each brought something to the table and had fun doing it, work moving people every 3 to 4 years closed our window pretty fast. 

@Zowthe 2 groups per tee is nice as it keeps things more honest and speeds up the round as no group wants to be the clog in the round.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

only one guy in our group was a 1 handicap, the female is a 9, one buddy a 10 and me a 13. that said i average on the lower side 20 putts a round but my issue is always missing greens by being aggressive instead of going for the middle of rhe green. we each brought something to the table and had fun doing it, work moving people every 3 to 4 years closed our window pretty fast. 

@Zowthe 2 groups per tee is nice as it keeps things more honest and speeds up the round as no group wants to be the clog in the round.

Yeah I shouldn’t have quoted you , I wasn’t trying to call you out personally

 We’ve all seen it though, happens all the time. And it’s dumb 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

welp played decent enough on the front nine with a 43 but fell apart for 2 holes on the back 9 for a 46, should have been a 83 at worst minus 2 holes push me to an 89

 

[BeTheMatch]

Haven't played in three weeks. Almost shot a hundred today for the first time since I was about 10. 

Can't seem to square up my irons anymore. No idea what I'm doing. 

And my touch around the greens is just embarrassing.

Need to put in some practice time. But reinforcing bad habits on the range off mats is pretty much worthless.

 

[BeTheMatch]

League has year-end match play tourney tomorrow. If I lose to this 75-year-old, I guess I finally will have to quit.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

7iron - 4 hybrid and i’m completely lost again in my swing, it’s amazing how incompetent i feel with those clubs in my hand. i know it’s all over thinking but i can not seem to turn off my swing thoughts. my short game and putting are the only things saving my score right now or else i’d be shooting 90+. i have a scramble tomorrow so maybe with no pressure to perform i can refind what’s been completely lost for over a month now.  

 

[3 hour lunch]

Bandon Dunes already booked for all of 2022... 

I just booked March 2023 today. They just opened up first 4 months of 2023 and there was already no 5 night stay available in February 

 

[TLEF316]

Played at a pretty nice course in Connecticut called Hop Valley over over weekend. Interesting layout (2 190 yard par 3's with like 100 foot elevation changes) but the greens were unlike anything I've ever played. They looked really nice but they were so damn grabby.  And they didn't play like normal slow greens where you hit your putt and then slow down like half way to the hole. They grabbed right after you hit your putt.  It was like I was putting through fringe every single time.

And of course,  when I tried to power through the initial grab, I started just blowing putts right by.....

Fun to play a new course with some unique features but man....it was a rough round. I drove the ball like crap too, which didn't help. 

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Planning on doing some exercises over the winter to increase my golf fitness (core strength, etc.).

What sort of practice activities are useful to do inside for the next six months or so?

Does anyone use a putting mirror, for example, and do they work?

 

[BeTheMatch]

I just booked March 2023 today. They just opened up first 4 months of 2023 and there was already no 5 night stay available in February 

Just booked April of 2023 at Bandon Dunes.

Playing 36 holes for each of three days.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Just booked April of 2023 at Bandon Dunes.

Playing 36 holes for each of three days.

Nice- I’m glad we are spreading ours over 4 days but I’m sure lots of people do it in 3. Can’t wait! 

 

[Zow]

Interesting dilemma just came up with my big yearly tournament with my primary golf group (no money on the line, some cheesy, oversized bowling trophy from 1965 with a torn up dollar as the lone prize with nothing but the incredibly important bragging rights on the line). We drew our primary rivals in the first round. It's partners best ball match play. Individual handicap strokes adjusted off the lowest handicap in the group. 

Our opponent has made us an interesting proffer which has somewhat spiraled into some serious to not so funny #### talking. Our opponents have challenged us to play from the tips while they play from the forwards. Obviously included here is the handicap adjustments. My partner is ~2 handicap and I'm ~7. Opponents are ~6 and 8 respectively. With adjustments we'd actually be playing off the opponent 6 as a zero with my partner getting 1, me getting 7, and the 8 getting 2. I love my odds against the ~6 with me getting seven pops. Also, both my partner and I are pretty long (numbers similar for my partner to a Korn Ferry player and I'm there with everything but driving accuracy - meaning length isn't an issue). Worry is that the ~8, who is in his 50s and has lost some distance, is a very good wedge player. Second worry is that playing the tips really lengthens the par 5s (where several would be reachable I'd say only one is now and one extends to over 650 yards) and 3s (several move from ~150 to >200). Nonetheless, the bragging rights here would be significant. 

Thoughts on whether to accept?

 

[3 hour lunch]

Interesting dilemma just came up with my big yearly tournament with my primary golf group (no money on the line, some cheesy, oversized bowling trophy from 1965 with a torn up dollar as the lone prize with nothing but the incredibly important bragging rights on the line). We drew our primary rivals in the first round. It's partners best ball match play. Individual handicap strokes adjusted off the lowest handicap in the group. 

Our opponent has made us an interesting proffer which has somewhat spiraled into some serious to not so funny #### talking. Our opponents have challenged us to play from the tips while they play from the forwards. Obviously included here is the handicap adjustments. My partner is ~2 handicap and I'm ~7. Opponents are ~6 and 8 respectively. With adjustments we'd actually be playing off the opponent 6 as a zero with my partner getting 1, me getting 7, and the 8 getting 2. I love my odds against the ~6 with me getting seven pops. Also, both my partner and I are pretty long (numbers similar for my partner to a Korn Ferry player and I'm there with everything but driving accuracy - meaning length isn't an issue). Worry is that the ~8, who is in his 50s and has lost some distance, is a very good wedge player. Second worry is that playing the tips really lengthens the par 5s (where several would be reachable I'd say only one is now and one extends to over 650 yards) and 3s (several move from ~150 to >200). Nonetheless, the bragging rights here would be significant. 

Thoughts on whether to accept?

I’m surprised you have the option- most clubs lock your tee for the year? If you’ve played the back tees before and don’t mind it, I’d say go for it. I’d say the offer was thought out and not off the cuff though, so……

 

[Zow]

I’m surprised you have the option- most clubs lock your tee for the year? If you’ve played the back tees before and don’t mind it, I’d say go for it. I’d say the offer was thought out and not off the cuff though, so……

Oh, this isn't a sanctioned club event. This is informally set up by the same 8 of us every year. It probably means more to the winner than if we had won the actual club championship. 

None of us have played this course (Wekopa Saguaro in the Phoenix area) in years. It's a desert course that appears to be a bit target-y. .

 

[belljr]

Planning on doing some exercises over the winter to increase my golf fitness (core strength, etc.).

What sort of practice activities are useful to do inside for the next six months or so?

Does anyone use a putting mirror, for example, and do they work?

If you use it correctly it works but I only use it for alignment and my eyes.

I would probably get something like this.

https://www.golfgalaxy.com/p/19wjluwllpttmtstrtrn/19wjluwllpttmtstrtrn?clickid=WUlS-mwDFxyIUOMT4WT16Sn1UkG2cr2ZRTWtz40&irgwc=1&camp=AFF:mediapartner:ONLINE_TRACKING_LINK::490947:WUlS-mwDFxyIUOMT4WT16Sn1UkG2cr2ZRTWtz40:361344&PDPShare=1

*I do not have a mat by basement is perfect for putting so I just use a ring 

https://www.golfgalaxy.com/p/sklz-putt-pocket-golf-training-aid-papmicpbbmnonafm/papmicpbbmnonafm?bopisFilter=false&isaFilter=true&PDPShare=1

 

[3 hour lunch]

Oh, this isn't a sanctioned club event. This is informally set up by the same 8 of us every year. It probably means more to the winner than if we had won the actual club championship. 

None of us have played this course (Wekopa Saguaro in the Phoenix area) in years. It's a desert course that appears to be a bit target-y. .

I’ve played Saguaro- fun track; the greens are difficult. You may want to look at the layout of each hole and get a feel for how you might play it differently. Some courses playing back actually takes some of the trouble away, some courses the opposite. I don’t quite remember the course in enough detail to give you a recommendation but enjoy the course! 

 

[Gilroy34]

Question for you guys.  I need to buy a new driver, preferably one that forgives my slice.  If cost was no issue what would you recommend?

 

[TLEF316]

Question for you guys.  I need to buy a new driver, preferably one that forgives my slice.  If cost was no issue what would you recommend?

How bad we talking here? If you're just missing fairways by 10 yards, pretty much any driver is gonna claim some sort of technology to help that (Taylormade "twist face").  IMO, its more about your personal preference (in terms of sound and how it looks down by the ball) and getting fitted for the right shaft.

If you're putting it in the trees, lessons are the better investment here. No club is gonna help.

My guess is we'll start seeing all the 2022 driver roll outs in the next few weeks (seems like they're delayed a bit this year, probably because of all the supply chain issues. Apparently the wait for a new set of custom fit clubs is like 5 months right now). Tiger was playing the new Taylormade driver this weekend but there's really still very little info out there.

 

[Gilroy34]

How bad we talking here? If you're just missing fairways by 10 yards, pretty much any driver is gonna claim some sort of technology to help that (Taylormade "twist face").  IMO, its more about your personal preference (in terms of sound and how it looks down by the ball) and getting fitted for the right shaft.

If you're putting it in the trees, lessons are the better investment here. No club is gonna help.

My guess is we'll start seeing all the 2022 driver roll outs in the next few weeks (seems like they're delayed a bit this year, probably because of all the supply chain issues. Apparently the wait for a new set of custom fit clubs is like 5 months right now). Tiger was playing the new Taylormade driver this weekend but there's really still very little info out there.

Thanks.  I have thought about lessons and that would probably make sense.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Thanks.  I have thought about lessons and that would probably make sense.

I got a Titleist driver last year, and it's been pretty good for me. Have it dialed in to help on my slice. Thinking of resetting it back to normal though.

I for sure should do lessons. I can't square up my irons. Can't figure it out. I'm pin high on every approach shot but left or right of green 10-15 yards almost every time. If I could somehow fix that, I'd be shooting 80 or better. But how do you find someone to give you lessons? I belong to a CC, but I've never heard of them having someone available for lessons there.

 

[Gilroy34]

I got a Titleist driver last year, and it's been pretty good for me. Have it dialed in to help on my slice. Thinking of resetting it back to normal though.

I for sure should do lessons. I can't square up my irons. Can't figure it out. I'm pin high on every approach shot but left or right of green 10-15 yards almost every time. If I could somehow fix that, I'd be shooting 80 or better. But how do you find someone to give you lessons? I belong to a CC, but I've never heard of them having someone available for lessons there.

I am the exact opposite.  My irons are decent and accurate unless I am hitting longer irons then I sometimes slice a bit.  My woods are imcredibly bad, so much so I have been teeing off with my irons.

 

[Zow]

Question for you guys.  I need to buy a new driver, preferably one that forgives my slice.  If cost was no issue what would you recommend?

Getting fitted by a fitter with no brand loyalty. 

 

[Zow]

I got a Titleist driver last year, and it's been pretty good for me. Have it dialed in to help on my slice. Thinking of resetting it back to normal though.

I for sure should do lessons. I can't square up my irons. Can't figure it out. I'm pin high on every approach shot but left or right of green 10-15 yards almost every time. If I could somehow fix that, I'd be shooting 80 or better. But how do you find someone to give you lessons? I belong to a CC, but I've never heard of them having someone available for lessons there.

Talked to the head pro. Guarantee he can point you in the direction of lessons. 

 

[RoxSolid]

Gents,

I have started a free golf trip planning service - think of it as a travel agency for golf trips.  If you are planning on taking a trip in the future and looking for some guidance or quoting, please feel free to reach out.  Everything is free, so I am hoping this won't be look at as spam, but rather an asset to our community.  We are only domestic (US) at this time.

www.goanywheregolf.com is the site for those interested.

For all you northerners, stay warm.  For the southerners, we're jealous.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[BeTheMatch]

I've convinced myself that a 7 hybrid is the key to improving my horrible iron play.

It'll be here Monday. Godspeed.

 

[The General]

Playing for the first time since November. Has rained for like 2 months, The course will be a swamp, will probably lose drives down the middle that burrow a foot into mud, maybe lose a shoe. 

Can't wait to play!!!

 

[Judge Smails]

One of my best rounds yesterday.  75.  From the whites though.  Still not easy on our track.  Shot even on the front and was 1 under going into 9.  Gagged my tee shot as I broke the cardinal rule of playing 1 shot at a time and thought about my score.  Putted great and made everything inside of 10 feet which saved the round.  Short game was hit and miss.  Made a few great chips that were dead which was great, but also hit a few iffy that led me to bogeys.  If I tighten that up I can scare par.  3 over though - I'll take it.  

 

[BeTheMatch]

Shot an 83 today, easily my best round in like 20 years.

Just one double-bogey (first hole) and no birdies. Difference for me was better approach shots and then a much higher success rate getting up and down when I missed the green.

Had 7 or 8 looks at birdie and missed by less than six inches on a few of them. Just couldn't get anything to drop.

Nothing spectacular for me, which is just crazy that I could post this number without some heroic shots. The whole key, which I've known and have been trying to do, was just avoiding the blow-up hole. The one double-bogey came when I had to punch out behind a tree and then chunked a wedge from 100 yards and couldn't even get up and down from the next shot.

Only three-putted once - for bogey from inside 20 feet!

 

[Da Guru]

I laughed reading some of the posts about guys cheating.  My one buddy used to be a 7-8 and now after a number of injuries is more like a 12-13 and that is right where I am at.

So when we play it bothers him that he no longer scores way better than me.  I am playing better and he is playing worse.

We only play for 10 bucks a side match so it is not a big deal but last couple years he has been fudging his score here and there.   

Last time we played I know he got a 6 on a par 4 as he put his drive OB.  I took a 5 on same hole.  I ask him his score and he says 5 which would halve the hole.  I say "Are you sure?"

Then he starts counting and says "Oh yeah it was a 6"  This has happened 4-5 times in the past season.

This guy is a CPA so he can count.  I say to him " Why when you give me an incorrect score you never give me a score one more that you actually got, it is always one less"  If you had a 4 you never say i had a 5.  I said it you are making mistakes it should go both ways at times.

My buddy did not talk to me the final 9 holes.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

I enjoy golfing, I just don't do it often enough to be any good at it though. I've been lucky enough to be able to play some great courses at my company's expense. A few years ago it was Pinehurst. Played the Blue Monster at Doral when I first moved down to Florida 10+ years ago. Last year I was able to golf at Pebble Beach and Spyglass (repeating that again this year). Going to add St. Andrew's Castle and Old Course in April. Yes, this is just a minor flex with no other value to add to the thread.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Anyone bothered to get fitted for just their wedges?

If you're just hitting from a carpet in a bay is there any way to get a feel for which bounce you really need?

 

[coopersdad]

Shot an 83 today, easily my best round in like 20 years.

Just one double-bogey (first hole) and no birdies. Difference for me was better approach shots and then a much higher success rate getting up and down when I missed the green.

Had 7 or 8 looks at birdie and missed by less than six inches on a few of them. Just couldn't get anything to drop.

Nothing spectacular for me, which is just crazy that I could post this number without some heroic shots. The whole key, which I've known and have been trying to do, was just avoiding the blow-up hole. The one double-bogey came when I had to punch out behind a tree and then chunked a wedge from 100 yards and couldn't even get up and down from the next shot.

Only three-putted once - for bogey from inside 20 feet!

Eliminate bad holes.

I used to be scratch back when I was young (56 now), but I play w/ my sons for fun now (and no matter what I always have to buy dinner).  One is 25 and one is 18.  Both can knock the snot out of the ball.  Older one gets double crossed all the time.  Younger has a great power fade that is repeatable.  We'll play and I'll throw out a high 70's playing old man golf, younger son will usually be lower to mid 80's and older will be about 90-95.  Difference is all in the bad holes.  I'll rarely have anything over bogey and ALOT of pars.  18YO will throw in a few birdies and a few doubles.  Older will have more birdies, but he'll have 2-3 triples or quads and more bogies than pars.

I just try to tell them, stay w/ in yourself and eliminate the disasters, and  you'll usually have a good round.

Played on New Years morning.  I shot 77, youngest was 82, and oldest shot his best ever 84 because he kept the ball in play and as the 18yo said "yeah, and you didn't drink any beers". 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I've convinced myself that a 7 hybrid is the key to improving my horrible iron play.

It'll be here Monday. Godspeed.

I see a 9 wood in your future very soon.  

 

[belljr]

Anyone bothered to get fitted for just their wedges?

If you're just hitting from a carpet in a bay is there any way to get a feel for which bounce you really need?

I got my lie fitted with my irons.

Bounce is personal preference imo, based on type of courses you play, how you use your wedge, etc....my .02

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Kevin Kisner  

 

[belljr]

Kevin Kisner  

Good on him.  I'd gladly take his career

 

[TLEF316]

Kis is great on the Barstool Foreplay stuff. Super funny dude who clearly doesn't take himself too seriously. 

$25M+ in career tournament earnings (plus whatever he's gotten from sponsorships) makes it easy to laugh at yourself I guess.

 

[SouthJersey]

Kevin Kisner  

Kevin Na

 

[CGRdrJoe]

ok, over the summer got down to a 10 but work came back with a vengeance and i lost my ability to hit my irons and am now sitting at a 16. I worked the problem and realized I was over complicating my takeaway, I fixed that and shot a 2 over on the front 9 which is my best 9 ever. was absolutely puring my shots and had complete confidence. Back 9 is a bit tougher and i had a rough 3 hole span of doubles but was happy over all 12 over after being a disaster for the last 2 months. Golf is hard  

Setting up a week out in Mesquite for the 3rd week in March, absolutely geeked to play Wolf Creek.