***Official 2025 Golf Thread, tbd*** (7 Viewers)

[TLEF316]

Went up to PA and played a couple of cool places this weekend. Booked through Open Rounds, which was pretty seemless. Wyoming Valley Country Club and Irem Country club. Both designed by AW Tillinghast back in the 1920s. Was trying to get on at Country Club of Scranton (I'm an alum of the U of S) but they politely declined the request from my pro (claiming they didn't have a single sunday afternoon opening...which I didn't buy...considering they have 27 holes)

Wyoming valley was pretty solid. Played firm and fast and was very dry (like pretty much every place else in the NE due to the recent weather). Greens were pretty quick and ran true but you could tell the whole course was just lacking a LITTLE bit of love and care. (driving range was abysmal) I was there on Sat afternoon and the weather was perfect but the place was still EMPTY in the afternoon. Guessing they're hurting for members.

Irem was a bit nicer. Greens were crazy fast and looked/ran pretty much flawless (despite the lack of rain). Clearly they're putting in the work. Mediocre practice facility but otherwise a really nice club. They had their annual Shriners Day going so there were a ton of people around. But again....relatively open golf course in the afternoon.

Would recommend both places if you have the ability to play them. Irem was the nicer track and the better value (it was like $10 cheaper) but both are worth playing if you're in the area. Lots of big elevation changes and very firm conditions (even when there's rain, I'm sure the ground is pretty hard) which is very different than what I'm used to. And obviously a legendary course designer.

I didn't play well either day (hit a handful of bad drives and otherwise put myself in some bad spots around the green...mostly due to lack of course familiarity) but definetely enjoyed both rounds.

 

[James Bond]

Played in a scramble this week. Same one I was complaining about last year. This time we had a new player in our group and he was awesome. Consistently outdrove the rest of us by 50-70 yards. A little erratic at times but it made all the difference. We only used one of my drives but my putter was hot. We had five eagles, twelve birdies, and one par. Twenty two under. It was mostly following up his drive with wedges and putts. Even with that we lost out to a group with a former pro baseball player in it. Still, so much fun.

 

[belljr]

So back from hiatus. First round back I was this close to quitting after 9. Had an ok back.

Went to range just as bad. Farting around in yard, then had a click I've had my hands too high and toe down all year

Shot -1 on the front!!! Plus 3 on the back. Made a few long putts but also missed 2 putts inside 3 feet. ...... Had to scramble a bit on the back but man did it feel good

So played Friday and was back to normal for the front 9. Plus 3 felt great and then on 10 after my drive all of a sudden things went back like the rest of the year. Couldn't do anything plus 10 on the back. Sigh

 

[TLEF316]

needed to close with a par and a bogey today to break 80 (despite a LOT of near misses on putts. Easily one of my best ball striking rounds ever)

Proceeded to pull my drive on left OB....re-load....4th shot long on a hole you can't be long, 2 chips...2 putts....quadruple bogey 8

18th, drive a little right but ends up in a terrible spot....yadda yadda yadda....made a double bogey 7.

Ended up with an 84 (83 on the index because I can't take a quad for handicap purposes)

Golf sucks.

 

[Zow]

Played in my club championship this past Friday through Sunday. First hole (our course's first hole is the handicap 3 because it's considerably narrow for an opening hole with OB both sides) I commit the cardinal sin of commenting to one of my playing partners (a regular golfing buddy of mine) that I hadn't been OB all year off of one. Well, I hit a slight shove and get an awful bounce. A couple of the assistant pros were spotting and had to laser the stakes because it was so close. But, ultimately, out by an inch or less. Then, next hole, I make a 9. Tournament shot thereafter though I played fine the rest of the way but as one of the lower handicaps in my flight I effectively had no chance.

So, yesterday, I'm in the semifinal of my club's match play tournament. Both myself and my playing partner play extremely well and each play one over our respective handicaps. He had one double bogey and I had none. I'm down one going into the final hole, a reachable par 5. I have a length advantage and after a good drive I play a 7 iron easily to the middle of the green. I'm pumping myself up for a playoff hole when the guy gets up and down from 40 yards to birdie and halve the hole.

Not sure which is worse - playing yourself out and then relaxing or playing quite well and it not being enough.

 

[belljr]

So back from hiatus. First round back I was this close to quitting after 9. Had an ok back.

Went to range just as bad. Farting around in yard, then had a click I've had my hands too high and toe down all year

Shot -1 on the front!!! Plus 3 on the back. Made a few long putts but also missed 2 putts inside 3 feet. ...... Had to scramble a bit on the back but man did it feel good

So played Friday and was back to normal for the front 9. Plus 3 felt great and then on 10 after my drive all of a sudden things went back like the rest of the year. Couldn't do anything plus 10 on the back. Sigh

Good day yesterday. Driver was awful yesterday - my score was good because of a couple good breaks off of trees. Didnt hit the ball spectacular but didnt hit any completely awful shots minus the driver i mentioned. A couple bogies were punch outs on green and 2 putt. That being said my putting was atrocious for me. I had 3 - 3 putts but I missed a ton of short putts or lag putts that were just awful ( i left everything short all day minus 18) - i had a couple dead center that jsut stopped a foot short.

Was brutal. That being said - put together a +7 round so overall felt good compared to how I've been playing.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

last wednesday i had time to squeeze in the front 9 at my local course and shot 2 over, by far my best front 9 there ever. the course i shot 1 over on the front 9 is easier and followed with a terrible back 9. anywho, i went out the very next day with 2 different friends and was 13 over on the same exact front 9 pulled myself together a bit at the turn and was played that 5 over. f’n golf

 

[The General]

Just returned from a golf and drink wine trip in Walla Walla. Played Wine Valley and the local muni and I don't know what has happened but the driver is on beast mode. All the instagram videos I have watched may have sinked in.

Played again this morning and a tough local course and was again bombing it.

Can I somehow lock this knowledge in a vault?

 

[Schmeabs]

Just returned from a golf and drink wine trip in Walla Walla. Played Wine Valley and the local muni and I don't know what has happened but the driver is on beast mode. All the instagram videos I have watched may have sinked in.

Played again this morning and a tough local course and was again bombing it.

Can I somehow lock this knowledge in a vault?

Can you link the videos you watched lol

 

[TLEF316]

It really is just a funny game. Most days, one part of the game just aint working. Sunday, it was my chipping....usually the strongest part of my game. Should have been in the mix to break 80 but just couldn't hit a good chip.

Did break 80 for the 3rd time this year (4th time overall) on Thursday, and that was one of my goals this year, so that's pretty awesome. Unfortunately, my all time best round is falling off the index next time I play, so I'll be back in the mid 9's. Goal was to be under 9 for the club championship weekend (to hopefully get in a higher flight than the one I won last year) so I'll probably need to find another round in the 70's in the next 2 weeks. Gonna be tough.

Played in a scramble 2 weeks ago. Knew we wouldn't be contenders (it was me and 3 basically non-golfers) so I just tried for hero shots the whole day. Absolutely found the perfect slot with the driver and just hit bombs all day. The harder I swung...the straighter it went. They all think I'm a monster now.....Tried to replicate that same swing a couple of days later and just couldn't find it. Oh well.

Went down to visit a buddy and played the University of Maryland course on Friday. Decent layout and it played firm and fast, which is fun. But the tee boxes were terrible and the greens had just been aerated (and probably weren't that great to begin with). Have to believe they get it in better shape for the main Spring college golf season. Can't imagine its worthy of Big Ten play in its current state. Had fun with my friend and continued towards my "play new courses" goal for the year, but probably an overpay at $70+.

 

[belljr]

So back from hiatus. First round back I was this close to quitting after 9. Had an ok back.

Went to range just as bad. Farting around in yard, then had a click I've had my hands too high and toe down all year

Shot -1 on the front!!! Plus 3 on the back. Made a few long putts but also missed 2 putts inside 3 feet. ...... Had to scramble a bit on the back but man did it feel good

So played Friday and was back to normal for the front 9. Plus 3 felt great and then on 10 after my drive all of a sudden things went back like the rest of the year. Couldn't do anything plus 10 on the back. Sigh

Good day yesterday. Driver was awful yesterday - my score was good because of a couple good breaks off of trees. Didnt hit the ball spectacular but didnt hit any completely awful shots minus the driver i mentioned. A couple bogies were punch outs on green and 2 putt. That being said my putting was atrocious for me. I had 3 - 3 putts but I missed a ton of short putts or lag putts that were just awful ( i left everything short all day minus 18) - i had a couple dead center that jsut stopped a foot short.

Was brutal. That being said - put together a +7 round so overall felt good compared to how I've been playing.

And I put up another 90......no feel at all .. I'd laugh but it will make me cry

 

[Judge Smails]

Played in my club championship this past Friday through Sunday. First hole (our course's first hole is the handicap 3 because it's considerably narrow for an opening hole with OB both sides) I commit the cardinal sin of commenting to one of my playing partners (a regular golfing buddy of mine) that I hadn't been OB all year off of one. Well, I hit a slight shove and get an awful bounce. A couple of the assistant pros were spotting and had to laser the stakes because it was so close. But, ultimately, out by an inch or less. Then, next hole, I make a 9. Tournament shot thereafter though I played fine the rest of the way but as one of the lower handicaps in my flight I effectively had no chance.

So, yesterday, I'm in the semifinal of my club's match play tournament. Both myself and my playing partner play extremely well and each play one over our respective handicaps. He had one double bogey and I had none. I'm down one going into the final hole, a reachable par 5. I have a length advantage and after a good drive I play a 7 iron easily to the middle of the green. I'm pumping myself up for a playoff hole when the guy gets up and down from 40 yards to birdie and halve the hole.

Not sure which is worse - playing yourself out and then relaxing or playing quite well and it not being enough.

Playing yourself out of the tourney early is way worse. I did that one year at PGA West. One hole has a split fairway and then nothing but 30 foot Pete Dye bunkers down the middle all the way to the hole. Pulled my 5 wood into the trap. Hit it to the front of the green only for it to roll back in. Then sculled one deep and it was on. Got a 10’ five holes into the tourney and I was done. Just played for skins and CTPs the rest of the way.

 

[MAC_32]

I haven't made a putt from more than 5' (only kinda exaggerating) since June. First 4 holes on Monday, which may be my last round of the year - 15' for par, 20' for par, 15' for birdie, 30' for birdie. The shots that ensure we always come back for more...

 

[Zow]

I haven't made a putt from more than 5' (only kinda exaggerating) since June. First 4 holes on Monday, which may be my last round of the year - 15' for par, 20' for par, 15' for birdie, 30' for birdie. The shots that ensure we always come back for more...

This is where I’m at with birdies. Was averaging two per round for the last year then my last ten or so, despite playing fine/normal (but for the aforementioned nine), I had two in one round and like one other. I’m actually putting well in terms of three putt avoidance, long putts for par, and easy tap in pars, but can’t seem to hit one super tight or roll in the fifteen footers.

Got a big tournament this weekend and I’m hoping the birdie floodgates open and I aggress back to the mean like you did.

 

[Thorn]

Broke 75 for the first time ever Sunday in style. Shot 73 in our member guest. Was looking at breaking par for a while, but a late double did me in. Ended up with 5 birdies and a lot of cash.

 

[TLEF316]

Our club's big stroke play event is this weekend. I had to skip it but just got an email with the standings.

Some dude I've never heard of is winning the Net division.......by SIX strokes. His GHIN lists him as a 15.4 index with only 5 rounds in the system (Guessing maybe he just joined the club?). 95,95, 93,91,90

Shot an 80 today....in an event where you need to putt out everything.

Guessing this dude's plan is to win $250 in pro-shop credit and then find a new club or something. Jokes on him....our pro-shop sucks.

 

[gump]

SIAP...anyone tried Golf Forever? As a 50-yr-old golfer who's getting stiffer and stiffer every year, and as someone who WFH 3 days/week and can fit this in time-wise without leaving home...I'm intrigued.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

welp just got off the course and shot a 47 on the front 9; hit the ball well but couldn’t putt to save my life back 9 is way harder and i shoot a 3 over 39 because i quit over thinking my putts. sometimes i hate golf

 

[SouthJersey]

Our club's big stroke play event is this weekend. I had to skip it but just got an email with the standings.

Some dude I've never heard of is winning the Net division.......by SIX strokes. His GHIN lists him as a 15.4 index with only 5 rounds in the system (Guessing maybe he just joined the club?). 95,95, 93,91,90

Shot an 80 today....in an event where you need to putt out everything.

Guessing this dude's plan is to win $250 in pro-shop credit and then find a new club or something. Jokes on him....our pro-shop sucks.

I feel for this guy. I'm an 18 and this is my 2nd legit year of playing golf. Have had clubs forever but mostly would go out and drink lots beers while trying to hit the ball a few times each summer.

Joined a club last year and have been slowly getting better. Playing in our men's league my team has made it to the finals and the past 2 times I played I shot net 2 under and net 5 under. I still suck, but sometimes you're able to string a row of pars together and instead of getting high fives you get accused of being a sandbagger.

 

[belljr]

So my putter is a little dinged up. Its 7 years old? Anyway - I have always used a blade..... decided to change things up this time

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[Schmeabs]

After a frustrating start I put together a good 9 hole round for me yesterday with 5 pars, 2 bogeys, 1 double bogey and 1 triple bogey. Took me 3 shots to get out of the sand on the triple bogey. Still three putted 2 holes though.

 

[Zow]

Our club's big stroke play event is this weekend. I had to skip it but just got an email with the standings.

Some dude I've never heard of is winning the Net division.......by SIX strokes. His GHIN lists him as a 15.4 index with only 5 rounds in the system (Guessing maybe he just joined the club?). 95,95, 93,91,90

Shot an 80 today....in an event where you need to putt out everything.

Guessing this dude's plan is to win $250 in pro-shop credit and then find a new club or something. Jokes on him....our pro-shop sucks.

Hate to say it, but this is a common story. My BIL (great high school player, had D1 offers, etc.) joined his club after barely playing for a few years and then, since he didn't know anybody and this was when you couldn't record a score if you played solo, he practiced and played a bunch without legitimately recording a score. His index was ~8 and he shot 71-72-74 in his first club championship (to win the gross club championship all the way from like flight 3). It was near mutiny but his saving grace was that he told the pro he should play in a better flight and be a low single digit.

In my club a guy who is a 12 shot a 73. Other guy who is a ~6 shot 68 (holed out two eagles) followed up by a 72.

Personally, I've been a 15 and shot in the mid-70s (had the length so I had the ability to crush my handicap if my iron play was on and I stayed aware from ob off the tee - those days are done for me).

So, yeah, I get it - some days one gets on a heater. This is way the stroke play championship events need to be at least 2-3 days and even then flukes happen.

 

[Zow]

So my putter is a little dinged up. Its 7 years old? Anyway - I have always used a blade..... decided to change things up this time

imgur.com

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I went from a blade to a face-balanced mallet and my putting inside 10 feet has improved a lot. I have a straight back straight through stroke so the blade was a bad fit.

 

[Instinctive]

So my putter is a little dinged up. Its 7 years old? Anyway - I have always used a blade..... decided to change things up this time

imgur.com

Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more from users.

imgur.com

I went from a blade to a face-balanced mallet and my putting inside 10 feet has improved a lot. I have a straight back straight through stroke so the blade was a bad fit.

What does that mean - why would straight back and through be bad for a blade?

 

[belljr]

So my putter is a little dinged up. Its 7 years old? Anyway - I have always used a blade..... decided to change things up this time

imgur.com

Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more from users.

imgur.com

I went from a blade to a face-balanced mallet and my putting inside 10 feet has improved a lot. I have a straight back straight through stroke so the blade was a bad fit.

What does that mean - why would straight back and through be bad for a blade?

It's not bad. But blades are built a little more for the arc, turn toe

 

[Instinctive]

It's not bad. But blades are built a little more for the arc, turn toe

Interesting.

When I had the fitting, he talked about swing path and how a thin mallet (I think that's the right term. it's like a blade but with some hanging off the back but not nearly as much as the pic a few posts ago) would be best but it was near the end of the session so I didn't have time to ask a million questions (probably because I asked a million about shafts and heads etc. earlier).

All I know is it made my putting way worse for a couple rounds, but as I've gotten more used to the weight of the putter I reallllly like it. Super consistent.

 

[Zow]

The story above is also why a pure club "champion" should be based off low gross scores.

 

[TLEF316]

The story above is also why a pure club "champion" should be based off low gross scores.

Ours (which starts on Saturday) is match play. Top 15 qualifiers and the defending champ over the course of 2 weekends. Obviously no strokes.

 

[belljr]

The phantom is like a combo blade/mallet.

As I gotten older my consistency is getting a tad worse

 

[Zow]

The story above is also why a pure club "champion" should be based off low gross scores.

Ours (which starts on Saturday) is match play. Top 15 qualifiers and the defending champ over the course of 2 weekends. Obviously no strokes.

That works as well. I wish ours was match play.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If anyone ended up looking to golf in the Minneapolis area, just across the border in Hudson, Wisconsin is a course named Troy Burne. I highly recommend it - it's in the running for best course I've ever played.

 

[gump]

SIAP...anyone tried Golf Forever? As a 50-yr-old golfer who's getting stiffer and stiffer every year, and as someone who WFH 3 days/week and can fit this in time-wise without leaving home...I'm intrigued.

I bought in...just took the assessment and going to start the workouts on Sunday.

 

[Schmeabs]

Played last week and was hitting my driver pretty straight and had a great round. Played again this week and was slicing my driver most of the time. Hit the range after and I think I figured out I was standing too close to the ball making it easier to have an outside in swing.

 

[TLEF316]

Won the first match of my flight in the club championship last Sunday. Shot an 81 (likely would have been an 82 after I conceded a hole with a long putt left) to win 5 and 4. Opponent was an older guy who was listed as an 8 index. (I'm just over a 9) He wasn't a bad player and has some decent length with the driver....but just nothing with his other clubs. If he missed the fairway, he was basically hitting a 5 wood into every green (out of rough that has finally gotten some teeth after a very dry summer). Didn't put one close all day. I gave away 2 holes on the front with bad tee shots but didn't give him much of a chance after that. Had like 7 chips to tap in range. He was not pleased.

Semis tomorrow morning....in the path of Hurricane Ian. Looks like rain starting in a couple of hours and then basically all night and through the match. (As of now....not cancelled). I had to go out and buy rain gloves and gear, as I didn't have any (when it rains....I dont play).

Playing another older guy tomorrow....and he's currently using a handicap exemption for a cart (we're both obviously allowed carts, but if the course goes path-only tomorrow...not sure what the protocol is) because he has a knee replacement scheduled for next month. So I either beat a handicapped guy in the rain....or lose to a handicapped guy in the rain. Good times.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

hit my first 300 yard drive today!!! it was not really a big downhill, probably added 20 yards but i absolutely swang through and crushed the ball. my longest drive before was probably 240 with a big downhill. i hit 2 more drives over 250 and one was uphill. i played lights out but of course it was a scramble and our 10 under was good for 6th. it was really me and my one buddy carrying the team, had the other two guys even contributed more than 4 putts, 2 drives and 2 approach shots i think we could have destroyed the tourney.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

SIAP...anyone tried Golf Forever? As a 50-yr-old golfer who's getting stiffer and stiffer every year, and as someone who WFH 3 days/week and can fit this in time-wise without leaving home...I'm intrigued.

I bought in...just took the assessment and going to start the workouts on Sunday.

Let me know how it goes. I'm really interested in doing something over the winter to get better. If I hit it perfectly I'm only getting 230 yards at my best. Would be great to get over 250.

Oh, and I HAVE to get better at putting. I know I add at least 5 shots per round due to bad putting.

 

[MAC_32]

Our club's big stroke play event is this weekend. I had to skip it but just got an email with the standings.

Some dude I've never heard of is winning the Net division.......by SIX strokes. His GHIN lists him as a 15.4 index with only 5 rounds in the system (Guessing maybe he just joined the club?). 95,95, 93,91,90

Shot an 80 today....in an event where you need to putt out everything.

Guessing this dude's plan is to win $250 in pro-shop credit and then find a new club or something. Jokes on him....our pro-shop sucks.

Hate to say it, but this is a common story. My BIL (great high school player, had D1 offers, etc.) joined his club after barely playing for a few years and then, since he didn't know anybody and this was when you couldn't record a score if you played solo, he practiced and played a bunch without legitimately recording a score. His index was ~8 and he shot 71-72-74 in his first club championship (to win the gross club championship all the way from like flight 3). It was near mutiny but his saving grace was that he told the pro he should play in a better flight and be a low single digit.

In my club a guy who is a 12 shot a 73. Other guy who is a ~6 shot 68 (holed out two eagles) followed up by a 72.

Personally, I've been a 15 and shot in the mid-70s (had the length so I had the ability to crush my handicap if my iron play was on and I stayed aware from ob off the tee - those days are done for me).

So, yeah, I get it - some days one gets on a heater. This is way the stroke play championship events need to be at least 2-3 days and even then flukes happen.

Me 5-7 years ago is probably not common if one is a member, but I hadn't played double digit rounds in a season between age 16 and covid. My day-to-day was not surprisingly very irratic, but while there were days I'd venture into triple digits more than a couple times I broke 80. Although one round really sticks out...

I was +1 through 14. Had an early double, but after back-to-back birdies strung together a half dozen pars in a row. Stood on the 15th tee and promptly fell off a cliff. Duffed my way to a triple on an easy par 3 then put five straights balls ob or in the water on 16. +1 on the 15th tee and ended up needing to 3 putt 18 to break 100

 

[Zow]

Our club's big stroke play event is this weekend. I had to skip it but just got an email with the standings.

Some dude I've never heard of is winning the Net division.......by SIX strokes. His GHIN lists him as a 15.4 index with only 5 rounds in the system (Guessing maybe he just joined the club?). 95,95, 93,91,90

Shot an 80 today....in an event where you need to putt out everything.

Guessing this dude's plan is to win $250 in pro-shop credit and then find a new club or something. Jokes on him....our pro-shop sucks.

Hate to say it, but this is a common story. My BIL (great high school player, had D1 offers, etc.) joined his club after barely playing for a few years and then, since he didn't know anybody and this was when you couldn't record a score if you played solo, he practiced and played a bunch without legitimately recording a score. His index was ~8 and he shot 71-72-74 in his first club championship (to win the gross club championship all the way from like flight 3). It was near mutiny but his saving grace was that he told the pro he should play in a better flight and be a low single digit.

In my club a guy who is a 12 shot a 73. Other guy who is a ~6 shot 68 (holed out two eagles) followed up by a 72.

Personally, I've been a 15 and shot in the mid-70s (had the length so I had the ability to crush my handicap if my iron play was on and I stayed aware from ob off the tee - those days are done for me).

So, yeah, I get it - some days one gets on a heater. This is way the stroke play championship events need to be at least 2-3 days and even then flukes happen.

Me 5-7 years ago is probably not common if one is a member, but I hadn't played double digit rounds in a season between age 16 and covid. My day-to-day was not surprisingly very irratic, but while there were days I'd venture into triple digits more than a couple times I broke 80. Although one round really sticks out...

I was +1 through 14. Had an early double, but after back-to-back birdies strung together a half dozen pars in a row. Stood on the 15th tee and promptly fell off a cliff. Duffed my way to a triple on an easy par 3 then put five straights balls ob or in the water on 16. +1 on the 15th tee and ended up needing to 3 putt 18 to break 100

But they remember your 12!

 

[TLEF316]

Won the first match of my flight in the club championship last Sunday. Shot an 81 (likely would have been an 82 after I conceded a hole with a long putt left) to win 5 and 4. Opponent was an older guy who was listed as an 8 index. (I'm just over a 9) He wasn't a bad player and has some decent length with the driver....but just nothing with his other clubs. If he missed the fairway, he was basically hitting a 5 wood into every green (out of rough that has finally gotten some teeth after a very dry summer). Didn't put one close all day. I gave away 2 holes on the front with bad tee shots but didn't give him much of a chance after that. Had like 7 chips to tap in range. He was not pleased.

Semis tomorrow morning....in the path of Hurricane Ian. Looks like rain starting in a couple of hours and then basically all night and through the match. (As of now....not cancelled). I had to go out and buy rain gloves and gear, as I didn't have any (when it rains....I dont play).

Playing another older guy tomorrow....and he's currently using a handicap exemption for a cart (we're both obviously allowed carts, but if the course goes path-only tomorrow...not sure what the protocol is) because he has a knee replacement scheduled for next month. So I either beat a handicapped guy in the rain....or lose to a handicapped guy in the rain. Good times.

Update....played in the rain and got absolutely torched. I didn't play well but my opponent was absolutely lights out. On the first 8 holes, he had 8 tap-in pars. I made him putt a couple of them (just to try and stem the tide a LITTLE bit) but it was basically hit fairway (or just off) put it on green or fringe...lag putt to less than 2 feet....conceded par.

I couldn't get anything going (struggled with the conditions and left myself a bunch of 6-10 foot par putts that I just couldn't make). The only hole I even tied until 9 was our first par 3 (where we both hit it to about 5 feet and missed downhill birdie putts) and then I FINALLY won #9 after he went long and hit a bad chip. Down SIX at the turn Halved 10, I won 11, halved 12 (I had a tricky little putt to win it, but couldn't put it in. Might have put a LITTLE pressure on him) and then lost 13 (Drive clipped a tree and we couldn't find it) and that was that. 6 and 5. WOOF.

No excuses, as we both obviously played in the same weather. But I really struggled. It had rained all night and kept raining so the course was soaked. Decided to try and club up and hit punch shots (rather than risk chunks) and just couldn't get it right. left a few short, pulled a couple into bunkers. Just let myself in bad spots the entire front 9. We were cart path only, which was super annoying (and to my opponent's credit, he didn't utilize his handicap exemption. He played cart path only as well). Played in rain gloves for the first time and just couldn't get a feel for it. Bummed out, but when you get to this point (single digit) you can't expect guys to just give you holes. Better conditions would have helped me, but he was the better player. Oh well. Can't win em all (was going for my 3rd flight win in a row).

Goals for the rest of the year.....finish sub 9.5 index (I'm at a 9.1 right now), shoot even par for 9 holes (still haven't done it) maybe get one more round in the 70's before the end of the year (goal for the year was 3, which I've hit). Would like to birdie the last 3 holes on the course that I haven't gotten yet (to beat my brother in our annual competition) but that wont be easy.

 

[Zow]

Won the first match of my flight in the club championship last Sunday. Shot an 81 (likely would have been an 82 after I conceded a hole with a long putt left) to win 5 and 4. Opponent was an older guy who was listed as an 8 index. (I'm just over a 9) He wasn't a bad player and has some decent length with the driver....but just nothing with his other clubs. If he missed the fairway, he was basically hitting a 5 wood into every green (out of rough that has finally gotten some teeth after a very dry summer). Didn't put one close all day. I gave away 2 holes on the front with bad tee shots but didn't give him much of a chance after that. Had like 7 chips to tap in range. He was not pleased.

Semis tomorrow morning....in the path of Hurricane Ian. Looks like rain starting in a couple of hours and then basically all night and through the match. (As of now....not cancelled). I had to go out and buy rain gloves and gear, as I didn't have any (when it rains....I dont play).

Playing another older guy tomorrow....and he's currently using a handicap exemption for a cart (we're both obviously allowed carts, but if the course goes path-only tomorrow...not sure what the protocol is) because he has a knee replacement scheduled for next month. So I either beat a handicapped guy in the rain....or lose to a handicapped guy in the rain. Good times.

Update....played in the rain and got absolutely torched. I didn't play well but my opponent was absolutely lights out. On the first 8 holes, he had 8 tap-in pars. I made him putt a couple of them (just to try and stem the tide a LITTLE bit) but it was basically hit fairway (or just off) put it on green or fringe...lag putt to less than 2 feet....conceded par.

You got what I call "old man-styled."

It's a badge of honor, frankly.

 

[TLEF316]

Won the first match of my flight in the club championship last Sunday. Shot an 81 (likely would have been an 82 after I conceded a hole with a long putt left) to win 5 and 4. Opponent was an older guy who was listed as an 8 index. (I'm just over a 9) He wasn't a bad player and has some decent length with the driver....but just nothing with his other clubs. If he missed the fairway, he was basically hitting a 5 wood into every green (out of rough that has finally gotten some teeth after a very dry summer). Didn't put one close all day. I gave away 2 holes on the front with bad tee shots but didn't give him much of a chance after that. Had like 7 chips to tap in range. He was not pleased.

Semis tomorrow morning....in the path of Hurricane Ian. Looks like rain starting in a couple of hours and then basically all night and through the match. (As of now....not cancelled). I had to go out and buy rain gloves and gear, as I didn't have any (when it rains....I dont play).

Playing another older guy tomorrow....and he's currently using a handicap exemption for a cart (we're both obviously allowed carts, but if the course goes path-only tomorrow...not sure what the protocol is) because he has a knee replacement scheduled for next month. So I either beat a handicapped guy in the rain....or lose to a handicapped guy in the rain. Good times.

Update....played in the rain and got absolutely torched. I didn't play well but my opponent was absolutely lights out. On the first 8 holes, he had 8 tap-in pars. I made him putt a couple of them (just to try and stem the tide a LITTLE bit) but it was basically hit fairway (or just off) put it on green or fringe...lag putt to less than 2 feet....conceded par.

You got what I call "old man-styled."

It's a badge of honor, frankly.

Certainly seems that way. Guy matched the best front 9 I've ever shot (I think I've shot 37 on our front 9 twice. Never 36) in horrendous conditions. Even if I had played "well" and gotten a couple of putts to drop, I almost certainly would have been down like 3 holes at the turn.

The worst part.....the guy shot a ****in 93 yesterday in the finals (in better weather, albeit with some wind) and lost 2-1. (to a guy that shot a 90).

 

[belljr]

Was playing fantastic and last round - irons completely **** the bed...... put up a 90 - also didnt help i wanted to murder the guys in front AND behind us......

Still getting used to the new putter also

 

[Da Guru]

Played Arcadia Bluffs for the second time last week.

Crisp fall day in the high 60s with plenty of sun. Beautiful holes along Lake Michigan. Bagpipers in the morning and evening. Highly recommend

 

[MAC_32]

But they remember your 12!

If I remember right the last four holes were 6 (par 3), 18 (par 5), 8 (par 3), 8 (par 4). I put another one in the drink later on 16, one more on 17, played sand trap volleyball after the re-tee, then went ob again off 18 tee. I had some wild swings in quality of play between the years 2000 and 2020, but that one stands above the rest!

 

[Schmeabs]

I need to buy a golf club travel bag for use when I fly on airplanes. What do you guys recommend? Need something good to protect my new set of Ping clubs. Thanks!

 

[BeTheMatch]

I need to buy a golf club travel bag for use when I fly on airplanes. What do you guys recommend? Need something good to protect my new set of Ping clubs. Thanks!

I have a Himal brand. Soft-sided but good padding at top to protect clubs. tons of room. Roller wheels. Wasn't very expensive. Would recommend.

 

[gump]

SIAP...anyone tried Golf Forever? As a 50-yr-old golfer who's getting stiffer and stiffer every year, and as someone who WFH 3 days/week and can fit this in time-wise without leaving home...I'm intrigued.

I bought in...just took the assessment and going to start the workouts on Sunday.

Let me know how it goes. I'm really interested in doing something over the winter to get better. If I hit it perfectly I'm only getting 230 yards at my best. Would be great to get over 250.

Oh, and I HAVE to get better at putting. I know I add at least 5 shots per round due to bad putting.

Checking back after a few weeks...I've been doing a workout 2-3 times/week over 3 weeks now. Got out to the course for the 1st time last Sunday. Immediately noticed a difference! I'm not measuring my swing speed, but it was obviously I was getting thru the faster and hitting it harder. Felt i had a little less control which is understandable, but that'll come back...I'm excited...will be disciplined with the 2-3 workouts a week now. Highly recommend.

 

[James Bond]

I need to buy a golf club travel bag for use when I fly on airplanes. What do you guys recommend? Need something good to protect my new set of Ping clubs. Thanks!

I have a Himal brand. Soft-sided but good padding at top to protect clubs. tons of room. Roller wheels. Wasn't very expensive. Would recommend.

I also got a Himal travel bag. This one. It held my clubs and gear perfectly to Scotland and back. It has wheels, a padded top, inside and outside straps to keep everything secure, and good handles. It wasn't too expensive either. You might want to look at a travel bag support system to protect you longer clubs.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I need to buy a golf club travel bag for use when I fly on airplanes. What do you guys recommend? Need something good to protect my new set of Ping clubs. Thanks!

ALPHA Travel Cover MID

If you think that travelling with your clubs is difficult, stressful, or profanity-inducing, it just means that you’re travelling with the wrong bag. No matter where you are going, or how many golf trips you have planned this year, the ALPHA MID will be ready for anywhere you’re headed; birdies...

www.ogio.com

I have the above case, it's worked great for me over the last 2 years. It's light enough that with all of my clubs and shoes my bag usually weighs about 35 pounds. My buddy has a hard case and he is always over the 50 pound weight limit, he doesn't get over weight fees due to being active duty but it's something to consider when buying one.

 

[belljr]

Whatever you do get this

https://www.golfgalaxy.com/p/tourtrek-club-shield-18iafutrtrkclbshltrv/18iafutrtrkclbshltrv?sku=18823254&camp=CSE:GGXY_92700073680615147_lia_pla-1743122809905camp%3DCSE:GGXY_92700073680615147_lia_pla-1743122809905&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhsmaBhCvARIsAIbEbH735rJe4IvbwtZeIZHjTgUVG3VlSpd7dipVXpINr-VG431fHOMfgTIaAjIuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds