2017 Golf Thread

Papelbon's Poutine

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Dec 4, 2005
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Portsmouth, NH
From what I understand top golf is more of a bar that has a golf thing than it is a golf thing that has a bar, and you're a hardo if you bring your own clubs. Makes sense that was Jercra's advice.
It’s kind of a mix of the two. It’s basically just Astro turf bays that are bigger than your normal range and have tables with waitresses. You can play a bunch of games or you can just use it like a regular range and try to gauge your club distances with the gps. I didn’t find them particularly accurate, but I also don’t at a normal range, since the balls aren’t the same quality I play, but ymmv. I definitely used to bring my own clubs because I used it as a range, it being the closest one near me I didn’t mind paying a little more per bucket to save a drive through DC area traffic and have someone beer me while I hit a bucket. They definitely market it as more the bar aspect - kind of like the upscale bowling alleys - but it can be either effectively. If he’s peeling off from the family on a holiday trip for a night, I think he’d be perfectly happy.
 

jercra

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From what I understand top golf is more of a bar that has a golf thing than it is a golf thing that has a bar, and you're a hardo if you bring your own clubs. Makes sense that was Jercra's advice.
Dude, totally. If you're not trying to rip balls through the netting at the back of a Top Golf you're either not a real golfer or you're not drinking enough. But I get why you wouldn't think that's possible, being that the netting is nearly 200 yards out.
 

jercra

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Playing Trump National on Thursday. I don't know where I'm going with this other than that I've never played a course where the POTUS is a member. I sure wish it was a different POTUS but, still.
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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Feb 22, 2004
12,958
The Paris of the 80s
I guess it’s time for the season wrap-up. It’s my second year back playing regularly (after a 5 year layoff) and I actually felt like I had some control over what I was doing out there unlike last year. Pretty consistently sitting in the 80s by the end of the summer and a few 9s where I cracked 40 but either didn’t finish out or didn’t link them with another strong 9. Some clunkers too but usually because of a blow-up on one hole, not because of an all-around bad day.

Biggest improvements:
- Driver. I managed to tame the snap hook and picked up some distance with some freer/looser swings. There are some wild ones but I’m doing 250-270 on a decent swing and seem to be maxing out around 280. The new drivers are wonderful. You can take a heck of a cut with them and as long as the face is squared up it doesn’t really matter where you catch the ball.
- Sand play. I spent serious hours in the practice bunker after getting fed up with treating bunkers like a small disaster. Aside from a fried egg or downhill lie I’m not feeling like a bunker shot is an issue right now.

Work for 2018:
- Putting. I neglected it the past 2 years and it shows. Too many lags with 4 or 5 footers left over and too many short putts that I burn lips on. I’ll be on the practice green more in 2018 once the course opens up.
- Wedges. Full shots I mean. I suck with wedges. Yeesh. For every good shot I have a couple where I throw a stroke or two away. It’s embarassing.

Comfort Zone:
- Mid irons. Somehow they became a strength. I feel really good with a 5-7 iron in my hands and I’m dialing them in more than I ever did. My brother mentioned at one point I was spending almost no time over the ball with them, which I hadn’t noticed and isn’t the case with other clubs, so maybe there’s something there I want to apply to other clubs. Probably my brain getting in the way.
 

Phragle

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Wedges. Full shots I mean. I suck with wedges. Yeesh. For every good shot I have a couple where I throw a stroke or two away. It’s embarassing.
Same. Not only do I have the short game yips, I'm bad with my full wedge shots too. I've been thinking recently that the shafts are too heavy and stiff. They don't really match my iron shafts at all, and I'm hitting the hosel a lot.
 

jercra

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I'm struggling with a decision about joining a course and wondering if any of you have thoughts/advice. Right now I have the chance to join TPC Colorado as a founding member. They are just completing the course now. I went on a tour 2 weeks ago and the course itself is just stunning. It seriously looks the one of best courses I'll ever play and is a total players course (can stretch out to 8k yards including a near 800 yard par 5). Down payment and dues right now are incredibly low for a course of this caliber ($16k down, $320/mo). Down payment is non-equitable, non-refundable and non-salable. Both will go up significantly after the founding memberships are gone at the end of this month so timing is important. All of this would be a no-brainer for me, except for 2 things. First and foremost, it's nearly an hour drive from my house. Secondly, my wife doesn't play and I don't have kids so I'll get literally 0 benefit from the family only memberships they do. There are other aspects that my wife will use (lakefront dining, pools, beach, horses, etc.) but with the drive it means we'd never go separately and meet up after a round so it's something we'll do probably 5 or 6 times a year.

So, do any of you have significant drives to your courses? Does it deter you from playing? Anyone regret their memberships due to lack of use?
 

FL4WL3SS

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Andy Brickley's potty mouth
I find one of the best benefits of having a membership is the ability to use it on a whim. Whether it's after work for a quick 9 or on a weekend when I find I have nothing else going on. Being able to play randomly and guilt-free rounds of less than 18 holes is one of the major pleasures I get from a membership, all of which would be lost with a lengthy commute.

Just my thoughts. If it's more of a novelty for you and the money doesn't matter, then go for it, but knowing you you'll want to use it a lot and that commute will burn you down.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Also I'll add that the "beauty" of the course will be less of a factor for you as time wears on. The replayability of the course is most important to me, but having some buddies at the course to have a beer or whiskey after the round with is almost as important. So I wonder if this course will feel too much like a resort and you'll lose some of that camaraderie.
 

jercra

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I find one of the best benefits of having a membership is the ability to use it on a whim. Whether it's after work for a quick 9 or on a weekend when I find I have nothing else going on. Being able to play randomly and guilt-free rounds of less than 18 holes is one of the major pleasures I get from a membership, all of which would be lost with a lengthy commute.

Just my thoughts. If it's more of a novelty for you and the money doesn't matter, then go for it, but knowing you you'll want to use it a lot and that commute will burn you down.
Also I'll add that the "beauty" of the course will be less of a factor for you as time wears on. The replayability of the course is most important to me, but having some buddies at the course to have a beer or whiskey after the round with is almost as important. So I wonder if this course will feel too much like a resort and you'll lose some of that camaraderie.
Appreciate the thoughts. Money is certainly an issue. I don't spend $16K without deeply stressing about it (I drive a 2006 pickup truck because I don't want to spend money on a new car) so I really need to get my money's worth. It's definitely not just a novelty.

As far as the course goes, I didn't mean it was nice in the manicured sense, I meant it looks like an incredible course for playability. I honestly don't give a shit if a course is manicured and has nice flowers and shit. I want good conditions and more importantly a great layout and this course has a truly great layout. Seriously, I'm in love with course design. They did a fantastic job and it's not a resort course at all. It's a total players course and the membership will be made up almost entirely of people living in the neighborhood they're building around the course so I expect it to be a good bunch of locals out all the time. The membership director seems to have his shit together to and has tons of events and tourneys planned including regular Sat/Sun money games.

Meeting a bunch of people to have a beer/whiskey with after the round is one of the primary goals actually. The only reason I'm even considering it is because my best golf buddy is moving so I'll be left with a few buddies that don't have time flexibility due to work/kids/life like I do. I've been a member at 2 courses in the past. One had a great membership where I'm still good buddies with a bunch of them. The other, I don't think I stayed after for a single drink with a member.
 

kelpapa

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You should absolutely do it, and I'm not just saying that because I live on the way from your house to that course.
 

jercra

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Don't TPC memberships have really good reciprocal privileges? If you travel at all, that could be a really nice added benefit
I would have thought so too, but they actually have less reciprocity than most private courses. It was one of the things I really wanted to know because if it gained me access to some of the private courses closer to my house it would make the decision easier. They have no local reciprocation though they are working on it with my favorite private course in Co. (Colorado Golf Club) but that course is 40 minutes away and I don't know what that would look like as far as access. You get access to all of the TPC Private courses with no greens fees but still have to pay 50% dues to all of the resort/daily fee courses and the free rounds are limited to 6 per year. There are about 10 private TPC courses in the US. I do travel quite a bit for work and for golf trips so that was a consideration too. Sadly, it doesn't sway the decision one way or another.
 

jercra

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You should absolutely do it, and I'm not just saying that because I live on the way from your house to that course.
Funny, my brother also recommends I join since he'd play for 50% of the guest greens fees. If I lived where you lived I would have joined already. If I do join, look forward to a frequent house guest :)
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Thinking about a new set of irons for next year. I’m in a six year old set of TM R11s that I’ve never really loved and I have literally blanked on gift ideas when family has asked me for birthday and Christmas ideas. I’m thinking I’ll have them crowd source and just amass enough gift cards to get a full fitting and set of new sticks. Wondering if anyone is playing something new this season? Thinking the final five will be:

Titleist 718 AP1
TM M1
TM P-790
Mizuno JPX Hot Metal
Callaway Epic

Anyone playing any of these? I intend to get fit then use a tracman to narrow it down, but just wondering if anyone plays them or has hit them?
Holiday update. Got about $600 in gift cards between bday and Xmas, old set is worth $150 in trade in (or probably a little more if I want to hassle with eBay) and have about $100 in store credit through loyalty program at Golf & Ski. Daddy’s gonna be getting new sticks.
 

TFP

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Holiday update. Got about $600 in gift cards between bday and Xmas, old set is worth $150 in trade in (or probably a little more if I want to hassle with eBay) and have about $100 in store credit through loyalty program at Golf & Ski. Daddy’s gonna be getting new sticks.
Ha, funny you mention it, I got a couple gift cards to Joe & Leigh's as well. Not sure I'll trade in my current set (having a backup is always good) but I'm well on my way to new irons now. Only a matter of time until I schedule a fitting.

I currently have about 7-8 year old Callaway X20 Tours that I'm growing sick of. I'm going to put it in the hands of the fitter, but I'm becoming a Ping guy more and more. Need to figure out where on the scale from blades/CB/MB/GI irons I fall. No clue how to even determine that.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Andy Brickley's potty mouth
Ha, funny you mention it, I got a couple gift cards to Joe & Leigh's as well. Not sure I'll trade in my current set (having a backup is always good) but I'm well on my way to new irons now. Only a matter of time until I schedule a fitting.

I currently have about 7-8 year old Callaway X20 Tours that I'm growing sick of. I'm going to put it in the hands of the fitter, but I'm becoming a Ping guy more and more. Need to figure out where on the scale from blades/CB/MB/GI irons I fall. No clue how to even determine that.
Comfort
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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And also there's no reason to choose these days. You can have an SGI 3 iron and a butter knife for a P-Wedge. Progressive sets are very useful.
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
I'm struggling with a decision about joining a course and wondering if any of you have thoughts/advice. Right now I have the chance to join TPC Colorado as a founding member. They are just completing the course now. I went on a tour 2 weeks ago and the course itself is just stunning. It seriously looks the one of best courses I'll ever play and is a total players course (can stretch out to 8k yards including a near 800 yard par 5). Down payment and dues right now are incredibly low for a course of this caliber ($16k down, $320/mo). Down payment is non-equitable, non-refundable and non-salable. Both will go up significantly after the founding memberships are gone at the end of this month so timing is important. All of this would be a no-brainer for me, except for 2 things. First and foremost, it's nearly an hour drive from my house. Secondly, my wife doesn't play and I don't have kids so I'll get literally 0 benefit from the family only memberships they do. There are other aspects that my wife will use (lakefront dining, pools, beach, horses, etc.) but with the drive it means we'd never go separately and meet up after a round so it's something we'll do probably 5 or 6 times a year.

So, do any of you have significant drives to your courses? Does it deter you from playing? Anyone regret their memberships due to lack of use?
Fuckin do it pussy. Move if you have to.

Seriousy tho, I've found when you drive somewhere all the time you pick up little tricks/shortcuts and can cut some off the time off. It's be huge if you think you could cut it to 45.

Holiday update. Got about $600 in gift cards between bday and Xmas, old set is worth $150 in trade in (or probably a little more if I want to hassle with eBay) and have about $100 in store credit through loyalty program at Golf & Ski. Daddy’s gonna be getting new sticks.
Ebays pretty easy. I sell stuff there all the time. Should be able to get an extra hundo on ebay vs trade in.

Ha, funny you mention it, I got a couple gift cards to Joe & Leigh's as well. Not sure I'll trade in my current set (having a backup is always good) but I'm well on my way to new irons now. Only a matter of time until I schedule a fitting.

I currently have about 7-8 year old Callaway X20 Tours that I'm growing sick of. I'm going to put it in the hands of the fitter, but I'm becoming a Ping guy more and more. Need to figure out where on the scale from blades/CB/MB/GI irons I fall. No clue how to even determine that.
It depends what you want from your irons, but your handicap and swing speed is a good place to start. Also I wouldn't advise you to put it in the hands of the fitter. What feels good and gives you confidence is important, and you don't know what agendas or incentives the fitter is dealing with. My place carries everything but sometimes it feels like they only sell taylormade.
 

TFP

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I’ve gone to them before and they do a great job just guiding without pushing. It’s a good combo of comfort and numbers on the trackman. They just do a better job guiding me to a result than if I went in with my mind made up.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Dec 4, 2005
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Fuckin do it pussy. Move if you have to.

Seriousy tho, I've found when you drive somewhere all the time you pick up little tricks/shortcuts and can cut some off the time off. It's be huge if you think you could cut it to 45.


Ebays pretty easy. I sell stuff there all the time. Should be able to get an extra hundo on ebay vs trade in.


It depends what you want from your irons, but your handicap and swing speed is a good place to start. Also I wouldn't advise you to put it in the hands of the fitter. What feels good and gives you confidence is important, and you don't know what agendas or incentives the fitter is dealing with. My place carries everything but sometimes it feels like they only sell taylormade.
To your second point, yeah I’ll probably throw them on eBay and let them sit there for a bit with a reserve on them - I won’t be playing again other than indoor simulator maybe a few times until spring so there’s no rush. I’ve looked at the same set for sold listings and it’s anywhere from a little below trade in value to twice that, so who knows.

Your last point I am leaning heavily towards. I’ve owned four sets of irons as an adult and the two I bought off rack, without a fitting, I’ve played the best with. The two I’ve gotten fitted for were the worse, one of which I ditched after one season. I know my shaft model, which has always been the same, and 3/4 the loft/lie were standard. The one time they altered it was the set that lasted one season. And that can always be tweaked anyways. I think I’m just going to go off of feel and confidence this time. I’ll hook up to a track man, but it really is amazing how much looking down at a club and feeling good about it or the sound it makes on a clean hit, can do for you.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
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Dec 4, 2005
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Portsmouth, NH
Ha, funny you mention it, I got a couple gift cards to Joe & Leigh's as well. Not sure I'll trade in my current set (having a backup is always good) but I'm well on my way to new irons now. Only a matter of time until I schedule a fitting.

I currently have about 7-8 year old Callaway X20 Tours that I'm growing sick of. I'm going to put it in the hands of the fitter, but I'm becoming a Ping guy more and more. Need to figure out where on the scale from blades/CB/MB/GI irons I fall. No clue how to even determine that.
I’m now intrigued by the new TMs that are coming out, M3 and M4, and their new tech. I need this snow gone so I can hit at a range instead of a bay. Gonna be a long wait...