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.