Golf - Do you play?

Quote: ThatDonGuy

Quote: SOOPOO

I went on a golf trip last week to……. Binghamton, NY. A guy I golf with wanted to play En Joie right after the Champions Tour event was played. We got to play on the same conditions the pros do. I didn’t do particularly well, but the course was not as tough as I expected. We have a few local courses with faster greens, and thicker roughs. Most of the holes were straight one way, with the next hole straight the other way. It was only $50 or so.
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Except for the U.S. Open, which isn't set up by the PGA, are pro tour courses necessarily set up "tougher" for the pros? Maybe the hole placements are, especially on Sunday, but did you play the Sunday holes?
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Can’t be sure, but we ‘think’ we played the Sunday pin placements. If not, they were surely on average in tough spots. I’ve been told that the greens are made way faster for the pros than the general membership of the clubs.
I played up a tee from the pros, so probably 40 yards a hole shorter.

So I just looked up a ‘best public courses in NY’ list. The course I loved was around 15th. The other one we played was rated a few better. After Bethpage Black the next two were 2 of the 3 tTurning Stone courses. My local casino owned golf course was also top 10. I play that one 5-10 times per year.

Quote: SOOPOO

Can’t be sure, but we ‘think’ we played the Sunday pin placements. If not, they were surely on average in tough spots. I’ve been told that the greens are made way faster for the pros than the general membership of the clubs.
I played up a tee from the pros, so probably 40 yards a hole shorter.

So I just looked up a ‘best public courses in NY’ list. The course I loved was around 15th. The other one we played was rated a few better. After Bethpage Black the next two were 2 of the 3 tTurning Stone courses. My local casino owned golf course was also top 10. I play that one 5-10 times per year.
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There ae not many very nice public courses in Vegas but if you are willing to travel an hour or so there are a few.

I’m in the Villages. Playing cheap very nice ‘Championship’ courses and free 9 hole ‘Executive’ courses virtually every day. Have 8:41 tee time today. Took dog out for walk and there is some FROST on the grass! Called course and asked if there is a frost delay. Answer…. Yes! They said no one tees off until 8:30. I asked how long I’d be delayed and they said…. no delay for you!?! They don’t push back all the tee times…. They just cancel any before 8:30. Seems bizarre that the 8:21 tee time is cancelled but the 8:30 tee time is unaffected.

The variance in golf is crazy. Had a nine hole stretch with 7 pars and two bogeys. The two bogeys were both 3 putts.
Next morning played easier 9 hole course. On one hole put two consecutive shots in the water. Only had 3 total pars.

Quote: 100xOdds

I've never played golf.
But if i was to start, i'd do a Happy Gilmore running shot off the tee if it's a par 5. Can you say hole in one possible with all that force behind you?
Also, use a pool stick to putt.

Why aren't you allowed to do that?
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Several golfers used unusual putting methods in the 1960s, but the PGA outlawed them, as I understand it.
While billiards-style putting has been long banned, croquet style putting used to be allowed, as was belly putting

Rarely golf but my exercise of choice is riding my mountain bike near the closet golf course to pick up stray balls. I average maybe 6 per day and now have two Home Depot buckets full, and that is just over the last several months and after giving some to my father in law.

At some point I will donate them to First Tee Foundation. Did that once before, they give the balls to disadvantaged youth golfers.

Quote: SOOPOO

I’m in the Villages. Playing cheap very nice ‘Championship’ courses and free 9 hole ‘Executive’ courses virtually every day. Have 8:41 tee time today. Took dog out for walk and there is some FROST on the grass! Called course and asked if there is a frost delay. Answer…. Yes! They said no one tees off until 8:30. I asked how long I’d be delayed and they said…. no delay for you!?! They don’t push back all the tee times…. They just cancel any before 8:30. Seems bizarre that the 8:21 tee time is cancelled but the 8:30 tee time is unaffected.

The variance in golf is crazy. Had a nine hole stretch with 7 pars and two bogeys. The two bogeys were both 3 putts.
Next morning played easier 9 hole course. On one hole put two consecutive shots in the water. Only had 3 total pars.
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That is why GOLF is a four letter word.

tuttigym

I golf 3 or 4 times a year, almost always at the Angel Park 9-hole par-3 course (which is actually 12 holes during the day). SOOPOO can attest that I'm pretty terrible. I don't even keep score, because it would simply be too depressing to count up at the end. If forced, I shoot about 1.5-2.0 x par and that is with a little cheating. However, I still like it and have my good days.

Quote: Wizard

I golf 3 or 4 times a year, almost always at the Angel Park 9-hole par-3 course (which is actually 12 holes during the day). SOOPOO can attest that I'm pretty terrible. I don't even keep score, because it would simply be too depressing to count up at the end. If forced, I shoot about 1.5-2.0 x par and that is with a little cheating. However, I still like it and have my good days.
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When I play a Par 3 course all I count is the number of pars and birdies I get. It is usually two or less.

I have not played in years, but I remember that one or two good shots made the hundred-plus bad ones fade from memory.
I'm partial to Golden Tee.

Quote: Wizard

I golf 3 or 4 times a year, almost always at the Angel Park 9-hole par-3 course (which is actually 12 holes during the day). SOOPOO can attest that I'm pretty terrible. I don't even keep score, because it would simply be too depressing to count up at the end. If forced, I shoot about 1.5-2.0 x par and that is with a little cheating. However, I still like it and have my good days.
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The beauty of golf is that no matter how good or bad you are you just want to be better.
I’ve improved since Wiz and I played, mostly due to retirement and lots more rounds per year.
As far as ‘a little cheating’, to me it’s only cheating if there is a bet on the line.

Me and my buddies ‘cheat’ in a few ways.

1. Breakfast ball
2. Out of bounds is treated like a lateral hazard
3. Liberal ‘ground under repair’ interpretation

So my handicap is probably around 3 strokes better than I actually am if playing against someone who plays by the exact rules of golf.

Golf here is great. My new routine has been 9 holes from 8-9:30 or so. Then if there’s an opening I’ll play another 9. Sometimes on the same course, sometimes a nearby one. If no opening go home and call around for an afternoon time, say 3:30 or so. Another 9 that way. Favorite course is 7 par 3’s, 2 par 4’s. I have an eagle from 100 yards on one of the par 4’s. I’d say playing as many par 3’s as I do I’m a favorite to get another hole in one in the next few years.

The ‘regular’ courses are now $77. So only play once a week or so. Next year I’ll become an ‘enhanced’ member and it will be around $59 a round.

If you are a golfer, The Villages is a great place to be.

Quote: SOOPOO

Me and my buddies ‘cheat’ in a few ways.

1. Breakfast ball
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I had to look up what a "breakfast ball" was - when my father and brothers played in the Greater Reno Italian Golf Association annual tournament (I think it ended in the late 1980s), it was called a "Bacigalup." Yes, I am aware that pretty much everyone else on the planet calls it a Mulligan.

I wish there was a golf course, based on this 9 hole game I was playing, because in addition to the regular par/birdie etc. scoring, the holes are such that you have to strategically plan which hole to play next in order to have the best shot through all nine. In some cases, it would be better to attempt a ridiculous shot where you can then make two easy holes to make up for it. But if you fail, then you really send your score to the depths.

So, basically a real golf course would be set up so that all holes are more clumped together than usual. The cup positions could be changed each day to vary it up.

I don’t know that the game inventor intended such a thing, but I noticed that it could be played in such a way.

There might already be some courses, that could be easily modded for a limited number of holes. The only additional thing you need to play is birds-eye view of the new course each day. (For your phone or tablet, to map your strategy for that day, which will change on the fly, as you either make or miss your intended ball placement)

OTOH, it would be difficult to have multiple foursomes playing since balls could be flying in every direction)

Might be better to try it for miniature golf.

Have I already thought about this too much? Probably.

Quote: ThatDonGuy

Quote: SOOPOO

Me and my buddies ‘cheat’ in a few ways.

1. Breakfast ball
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I had to look up what a "breakfast ball" was - when my father and brothers played in the Greater Reno Italian Golf Association annual tournament (I think it ended in the late 1980s), it was called a "Bacigalup." Yes, I am aware that pretty much everyone else on the planet calls it a Mulligan.
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A ‘breakfast ball’ according to our ‘rules’ can only be used on the first tee on your first shot. A ‘mulligan’ we play as a ‘redo’ of any shot during the round. If we are playing our usual small betting matches we allow a breakfast ball but no Mulligans. Today I made what is affectionately known as a ‘Mulli-par’. 165 yard hole drive went around 100. Mulligan 30 feet right of the pin. Two putts. Hence, a ‘mulli-par.

I’m playing 27 next Tuesday. I’m hoping for two birdies.

Quote: SOOPOO

Golf here is great. My new routine has been 9 holes from 8-9:30 or so. Then if there’s an opening I’ll play another 9. Sometimes on the same course, sometimes a nearby one. If no opening go home and call around for an afternoon time, say 3:30 or so. Another 9 that way. Favorite course is 7 par 3’s, 2 par 4’s. I have an eagle from 100 yards on one of the par 4’s. I’d say playing as many par 3’s as I do I’m a favorite to get another hole in one in the next few years.

The ‘regular’ courses are now $77. So only play once a week or so. Next year I’ll become an ‘enhanced’ member and it will be around $59 a round.
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Are the Executive courses still free for residents?

Quote: DRich

Quote: SOOPOO

Golf here is great. My new routine has been 9 holes from 8-9:30 or so. Then if there’s an opening I’ll play another 9. Sometimes on the same course, sometimes a nearby one. If no opening go home and call around for an afternoon time, say 3:30 or so. Another 9 that way. Favorite course is 7 par 3’s, 2 par 4’s. I have an eagle from 100 yards on one of the par 4’s. I’d say playing as many par 3’s as I do I’m a favorite to get another hole in one in the next few years.

The ‘regular’ courses are now $77. So only play once a week or so. Next year I’ll become an ‘enhanced’ member and it will be around $59 a round.
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Are the Executive courses still free for residents?
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Essentially yes. I pay $8 a month to be able to pre book on line. And around $100 for my 6 months for the ‘trail fee’ which is a fancy way to say you have to pay to use your own golf cart. If you walk and do not use the automated reservation system there is no charge whatsoever. I’ll end up paying about $1 per nine hole round. That’s why it’s really easy to play the executive courses instead of the ‘Championship’ courses. When I’m home in Buffalo I average around $55 a round everyday.

Quote: SOOPOO

When I’m home in Buffalo I average around $55 a round everyday.

That is probably the average price I paid to golf in Vegas. Obviously, I didn't play the fancy courses.

Played my best 9 ever. One birdie, which was an 8 inch tap in that looked like a hole in one from the tee. The other 7 par 3’s were either on the green or just off and putting. The par 4 was my only bogey due to a ghastly 3 putt. 9th hole I had a 100 foot putt for birdie from long. Missed 8 feet to the right but perfect speed. And miraculously hit the putt in. So first time ever even par for 9 holes.

I’ve played at least 9 holes every day except 2 since late January. It’s so easy to just jump in my cart and go play. If you are a golfer this is the place to live.