Thanks. I'm playing the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass tomorrow to regain some humility. That course is too hard.
SoSH Golf, 2023
- Thread starter Gunca
- Start date
Can you please, please, please take a video of you teeing off on 17? (and post it here?)
Sure, if you want me to. I've played the course many, many times and 17 is pretty squarely the easiest hole on the course, but if you want to see me hit a baby p-wedge into a green from 137 yards out, I can do that. I can also edit and do multiple takes if necessary
Can't wait to see the fat into the water now.Sure, if you want me to. I've played the course many, many times and 17 is pretty squarely the easiest hole on the course, but if you want to see me hit a baby p-wedge into a green from 137 yards out, I can do that. I can also edit and do multiple takes if necessary
Haha I definitely want to see this shot now.Sure, if you want me to. I've played the course many, many times and 17 is pretty squarely the easiest hole on the course, but if you want to see me hit a baby p-wedge into a green from 137 yards out, I can do that. I can also edit and do multiple takes if necessary
Not sure how it rates from an amateur playability standpoint but I've always found 16 to be more interesting than 17. When the pro's play, wind is needed to make 17 fun otherwise it's basically a wedge and 1 or 2 putts. The year Cam won and there were a million weather delays and half the field had to play that hole in hurricane force winds in round 1 or 2, that was the good stuff.
16 for the vast majority of amateurs is just a 3 shot hole. If you don't hit your 2nd too far left into the bunker, it's a pretty straightforward 100 yardish approach. Where it gets interesting is with your better/longer players. A good driver leaves 180-220 in where right is death and left leaves a really hard downhill shot off of a lie the could be anywhere from flat to 3' above your feet to 3 feet below your feet. Pull off that approach and you may still have an 80 foot double breaker. It's the most fun hole in the course.
Not 2023, but didn't know where else to put this.
Came across this Jack Nicklaus gem...
View: https://youtu.be/u9KrMQDU94g
Came across this Jack Nicklaus gem...
View: https://youtu.be/u9KrMQDU94g
Well, my Stadium round was an abject disaster but by way of follow-up, on 17 we had all 4 guys hit the Green with the lightening horn sounding. 4 2 putt pars. Handicaps between 2 and 9. My buddy too video and I'll post it when he sends it to me, but I hit baby p-wedge from 133 to the back of green. Should have hit 52, but whatever. If the wind isn't howling it's the only simple shot on the course. It was also 95+ with full humidity today with greens running at least 12 and crispy as could be. Brutally hard day out there.
Played a fun format yesterday while we successfully dodged raindrops. Each player had to decide before the round which tees they would play. You had to choose 6 back, six middle, and six front. For men, that was black/blue/white, ladies gold/green/red. The best score counted on the par 4s, but two best combined counted on the par 5s, and best 3 combined counted on the par 3s. Our club has tough par 3s, so this led to some interesting results. Played wife and kids (22 and 18). It was a fun change from the usual scoring methods for these one-day tourneys, as was strategizing the tee choices. I figured I'd be particularly useless on the par 4s, so I chose back tees on most of those, and front tee'd the par 3s. My son did the opposite, going to front tees on shorter holes to try to drive ball on on near green. So 4 or 5 times I was hitting from back tees, while he hit from front tees on same hole.
T4 both gross and net, but that was mostly my doing -- in a bad way, as I shot a 97 and shot our group out of the money.
T4 both gross and net, but that was mostly my doing -- in a bad way, as I shot a 97 and shot our group out of the money.
Yep, this is how our 4th of July Member/Member 2 day is set up. You pick your tees (our tees are red, white and blue, so it works for the 4th anyway), 6 of each. But we don't have to use 2 balls on any hole, just straight best ball.
Last year, my partner and I went -14 on day 1, got hammered, and then went -1 on day 2 and finished in 4th. LOL.
This year, we went -8 on day 1, and woke up on Sunday to pouring rain, and a text from him at 7:00 a.m. (our tee time was at 8:40) that just said "I quit." Now, I knew he would show up, but let's just say he's a bit of a hot head, and when he loses it, it's fucking gone. He showed up with his cart tent on, said he got a flat tire, couldn't find diesel for his truck, almost ran out of gas, and I knew it wasn't going to go well. He proceeded to dunk his 1st tee ball into the pond on 1 (about 30 yards in front of the tee), I've been playing with him for years, he's a 6 index, and I've never seen him do that.
Let's just say it got worse from there. I'm pretty sure he only played a total of 4 holes out. I did what I could, shot 39 on the front, with 4 putts missed inside 6 feet, to make the turn at -3, but then the skies really opened up. My partner played the 15th hole without a shirt on because he said if he's going to get that wet, he may as well get clean too. Folks were bullshit, we had a fucking rain date on the calendar for Tuesday, but our pro decided 3 inches of rain doesn't qualify for a rain out, because there was no lightning. In reality, they wanted more cart fees.
Quick update.....I took a 30 min lesson with a random guy I found at the driving range....and wholly crap he basically fixed me. my issues were this.
1. I had been setting my club flat like I would with my irons and not balance on the toe of the club to promote loft.
2. My backswing was too up and he got me swinging lower around my body.
3. a little spine tilt.
those dumb things now allow me to actually get the ball in the air and after playing with my grip (more strong than neutral) I'm hitting them down the middle.
Next up....how the hell do I get the ball out of the green side bunker? I'll take a lesson there as well, but feel I've watched every video and my results still suck.
Stay tuned.
Shot 77 yesterday and handicap dipped to a 4.2. My low handicap is a 4.0.
Shot even on the front today with two birdies. Head to the back and 3 putt 10 for a bogey. Leave it in the green side bunker on 12 and make another bogey. Sprayed a tee shot on 15 and had to run one up to the green under trees. Hit it too long and ended up on the back of the double green where the pin was in front. I had probably a 90 ft downhill putt. Took my medicine and putted off the green to send it back up the hill for another bogey.
Birdied 16 and told myself if I par out I’d shoot 74 and dip below a 4.0 for my first time.
17 is a par 3 and I yank my tee shot left. I’m short sided on a down hill lie. Blade my flop shot and send it over the green. Make double.
18 is a par 5. I totally choke and top my tee shot that ends up IN A TREE. Take an unplayable, then advance it as much as I can. 4th shot is a smoked 3 wood, 5th shot is a 7 iron to 3 ft. Probably the best bogey of the year.
77 again. Handicap goes up to 4.4. I hate this game. Can’t wait to play later in the week.
Shot even on the front today with two birdies. Head to the back and 3 putt 10 for a bogey. Leave it in the green side bunker on 12 and make another bogey. Sprayed a tee shot on 15 and had to run one up to the green under trees. Hit it too long and ended up on the back of the double green where the pin was in front. I had probably a 90 ft downhill putt. Took my medicine and putted off the green to send it back up the hill for another bogey.
Birdied 16 and told myself if I par out I’d shoot 74 and dip below a 4.0 for my first time.
17 is a par 3 and I yank my tee shot left. I’m short sided on a down hill lie. Blade my flop shot and send it over the green. Make double.
18 is a par 5. I totally choke and top my tee shot that ends up IN A TREE. Take an unplayable, then advance it as much as I can. 4th shot is a smoked 3 wood, 5th shot is a 7 iron to 3 ft. Probably the best bogey of the year.
77 again. Handicap goes up to 4.4. I hate this game. Can’t wait to play later in the week.
Shot 79 on Saturday myself.
My handicap started at 9.1 this year, dropped down to 6.8, then climbed all the way back up to 10.3, and is now down to 7.5. I don't know if I'm the most inconsistent golfer on Earth, or if I am just playing a metric fuck ton of golf, so my cap is moving around like crazy, but the last 3-4 weeks have been really solid in tournament play.
Leaving at 7:05 tonight, flight to Shannon, Ireland, and tee off tomorrow morning at Old Head for the first round of 5 days, 36 holes a day. We'll see how the handicap holds up there. The weather is always the wild card, and I suck in the rain.
I have two younger brothers. They both played a little as kids, I didn't play at all. We've all taken it up as adults- the two of them much more seriously than I. They're both pretty competent- I'm the definition of a 100 golfer.
Just bragging on behalf of the middle one who's currently on a weeklong jaunt through all the famous courses in Scotland. Kid shot 72 at Muirfield yesterday playing at 6500 yards. He's not one to toot his own horn, but he said the caddy told him it was one of the best amateur rounds he's seen in 10 years there (I'm certain he was blowing some smoke up his ass, but still). Knowing my brother he's absolutely beside himself with glee (and deservedly so).
Just bragging on behalf of the middle one who's currently on a weeklong jaunt through all the famous courses in Scotland. Kid shot 72 at Muirfield yesterday playing at 6500 yards. He's not one to toot his own horn, but he said the caddy told him it was one of the best amateur rounds he's seen in 10 years there (I'm certain he was blowing some smoke up his ass, but still). Knowing my brother he's absolutely beside himself with glee (and deservedly so).
That's awesome.
I recently swapped out a 3 hybrid that I could never hit well for a fairway 5 wood and the results have been amazing. I'm not a long hitter but I am pretty consistently hitting this thing 180 yards straight as an arrow. I played yesterday and had four 'holy shit' moments with it. For those that struggle with the hybrids I really recommend thinking about a fairway wood instead.
I recently swapped out a 3 hybrid that I could never hit well for a fairway 5 wood and the results have been amazing. I'm not a long hitter but I am pretty consistently hitting this thing 180 yards straight as an arrow. I played yesterday and had four 'holy shit' moments with it. For those that struggle with the hybrids I really recommend thinking about a fairway wood instead.
Back when I moved to southeastern Ct some 30 years ago Winnapaug CC was one of my favorite courses. It’s a Donald Ross course and I really enjoyed playing it. But the last 10 years it’s just gone way downhill. I played a couple a years ago and there was no fairway/rough it was just hardpan all around. I got a call the other day to play it and said no thanks as it’s garbage. He said he played it the week before and it’s in good shape. Apparently they got new ownership and are spending money. It was in very nice shape.
And even almost better I have had a goal to break 90. It’s probably been 10 years since I have done that. But I played my best round of the year and shot 90. I 3 putted 18 from 30’ . But it was the most fun I had in yers on the course. One negative. They gave me the senior rate thinking I was 60:even though I’m still 3 years away.
And even almost better I have had a goal to break 90. It’s probably been 10 years since I have done that. But I played my best round of the year and shot 90. I 3 putted 18 from 30’ . But it was the most fun I had in yers on the course. One negative. They gave me the senior rate thinking I was 60:even though I’m still 3 years away.
I broke 90 for the first time today.
Per my post above, I stopped going for lessons at golftec and really honed in on just getting comfortable with my driver instead of tweaking and constantly fidgeting. I'll finish this summer with my swing like this and over the winter see if I can get a better coach. To be honest though, my only goal for the rest of my life is hitting in the 80s consistently. No need or interest in getting any better than that. I think.
Per my post above, I stopped going for lessons at golftec and really honed in on just getting comfortable with my driver instead of tweaking and constantly fidgeting. I'll finish this summer with my swing like this and over the winter see if I can get a better coach. To be honest though, my only goal for the rest of my life is hitting in the 80s consistently. No need or interest in getting any better than that. I think.
That’s a noble outlook, but the game won’t allow it. You’ll always want to be one shot better.
Well, maybe. But nobody I golf with is any better than 95....ever...on their best days. As long as I keep winning those bets, I'm happy.
I'm officially exhausted.
Played the 3 day at Walpole CC last month.
Then went to Old Head for a week, came back last Sunday.
Then rolled right into my club's 3 day member guest (won our flight, but I choked my ass off in the shootout).
Playing well, my liver is currently in prime drinking shape.
Need a break. The end.
Played the 3 day at Walpole CC last month.
Then went to Old Head for a week, came back last Sunday.
Then rolled right into my club's 3 day member guest (won our flight, but I choked my ass off in the shootout).
Playing well, my liver is currently in prime drinking shape.
Need a break. The end.
Likewise, I'm exhausted. Was in Helena, MT all weekend.
Last minute fill-in for a tourney on a public track on Thursday. 95 degrees. It was a scramble and the other 3 were all the max +28 caps. Did my best to keep us at -2 for the day. The net score was good enough 12th out of 36 teams. Won a Wilson Infinite putter.
Played 27 Friday at my buddies club on Friday. Started at 5 PM at 97 degrees.
Played 36 Saturday. Started at 9 AM. By 2 it was 101 degrees. Finished at 4:30 at 103.
Played 27 yesterday. Started at 1. Temps hit 103.
Drank one large Gatorade and 2 gallons of water both Saturday and Sunday. Soaked hydration towels the entire way.
Drinks and dinner in and by the pool each night. Went through 2 spray cans of 50 Sunblock. I'm still toasted.
Playing well so it was worth it.
Last minute fill-in for a tourney on a public track on Thursday. 95 degrees. It was a scramble and the other 3 were all the max +28 caps. Did my best to keep us at -2 for the day. The net score was good enough 12th out of 36 teams. Won a Wilson Infinite putter.
Played 27 Friday at my buddies club on Friday. Started at 5 PM at 97 degrees.
Played 36 Saturday. Started at 9 AM. By 2 it was 101 degrees. Finished at 4:30 at 103.
Played 27 yesterday. Started at 1. Temps hit 103.
Drank one large Gatorade and 2 gallons of water both Saturday and Sunday. Soaked hydration towels the entire way.
Drinks and dinner in and by the pool each night. Went through 2 spray cans of 50 Sunblock. I'm still toasted.
Playing well so it was worth it.
I had my 54 hole (in one day) event a couple of weeks ago and it was a blast. Just 24 guys, rotating scramble groups. We play within the confines of a regular day on the course, and the pro does a good job moving us through appropriate tee times. Other patrons are there of course. One group that was at the course tried to bully their way between two of our groups. And one guy in the group was a total jack wagon. Later in the day he was a total dink to one of our younger players - the nicest kid you'd ever meet ("kid" = 23 year old). I snapped a photo of the guy on the 18th green because this is what that jerk looked like. This is a real photo of the guy on the golf course. Mind you, he obviously didn't start the round looking like this.
I brought this photo to the club pro. I'm gonna guess that he won't be allowed back on the course ever again.
I brought this photo to the club pro. I'm gonna guess that he won't be allowed back on the course ever again.
Death are you a member at OH? I went over 4 years in a row, before Covid with a good friend who was a member there.
Did you play in the Stone of Accord?
I'm not a member, but 3 of my good friends are, so this was my 5th time over there, 4th time playing in the Stone (it's their international member/3 guest), and I'll be going back again next year. Place is spectacular. If you're buddy is still a member, text me their name, I've gotten to know a ton of the members there over the years and one of my closest friends is a founding member and former Captain of Old Head.
Shot my best round ever today. 7 pars on the front nine but the triple bogey on 10 really hurt my chance at breaking 80.
My scores lately have been so consistently annoying. Rarely do I get a birdie, but I also never really get a triple. So basically I'm stuck in 1-2 over everything. I desperately have to work on my chipping. Between 25-50 yards is a fucking nightmare for me.
The two most important aspects of golf are 1) getting off the tee (mostly driver, but also par 3s) and 2) 100-120y and in. Literally nothing else matters. If you want to improve, determine where you're losing the most strokes in those two categories and try to improve that aspect.
You've just described my game perfectly. I will usually hit 13-14 fairways in a round with my tee ball (all drivers, we only have 3 par 3's, so 15 possible shots) and when I miss a fairway, I'm not blowing it out. However, I'm not long at all, like 230-240 at most off the tee. My wedge and putting game is the next best part of my game, and I hit my 3 and 5 wood from the fairway and rough crazy good. My problems start and finish with my irons. I miss so many greens from 135-170 that it makes me fucking insane. When I have a good day with the irons, I can score. But usually, I'm forced to get up and down constantly, and well, I can't make every 8-10 foot par putt I see.
Thus, I live around a 7.5-8.5 index.
I'm the exact opposite, sitting at a 9. Driver is all over the place. Chip well, putt well, irons inside 170 are very good, but my driver is a trainwreck. I'd kill to know where my ball was off every tee.
I am the same as 463. I hit 12 greens in reg on Tuesday, made up and down on 1/2 holes, and then 4 holes couldn't get off the tee and have a playable ball.
I am sitting at mid 9's and feel so close, but also that I am holding it all together with hopes and dreams.
I am sitting at mid 9's and feel so close, but also that I am holding it all together with hopes and dreams.
Yep, total opposite of my game. Honestly, I notice this with guys who play at or near my index who are much longer than I am. They tend to blow 2-3 tee balls out of play every round. I think I've just reached the point where I'm so content with not being long off the tee that I've just focused on hitting it straight and repeating the same thing over and over again.
I would say more than 50% of my rounds do not involve a double bogey. But I'll routinely have rounds where I make 1 birdie, 7 pars and 10 bogeys. Such is the life of a short hitter, who struggles with irons. I actually play holes better when I have a 3 or 5 wood approach than I do with a 7 iron approach.
Wrapped up a team + individual 1st place prize to the tune of $500 in my 9 hole Sunday league today. Psyched over my consistency of play this season, but a repeat in the fall will be a stretch as my handicap dropped from 9 to 5 over the course of the season.
Gunca and I had our member member this weekend. A local pro is a member at our course and played in our division with his partner.
Dropped 31 on us in our 9 hole match and lipped out for a 30…
Dropped 31 on us in our 9 hole match and lipped out for a 30…
Played TPC River Highlands this weekend, the course where they hold the Travelers. It was every bit as challenging as I remembered, but beautiful course. If you can keep the ball relatively straight, it's gettable. The problem is the rough. It is so damn thick, but does not appear so from afar, one has a significantly hard time first finding the ball, and then striking it cleanly from the rough. Greens were still at tournament conditions, like glass. All in all a worthwhile round, albeit pricey, if you can get on.
My wife just texted me to take off 10/24. She got me in her company's employee golf day at Fishers Island. I played it back in my junior & senior year in high school almost 40 years ago. Now hopefully it's a nice weather day.
https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/fishers-island
https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/fishers-island
Got my first hole in one on Friday. I played 18 in the morning and then went out for an additional 9 with me lady and her sister (both extremely good golfers). It was a pretty funny story, but I effectively called it on the tee because me and the lady were having some good banter back and forth and I had just sunk a 50 footer on her on the previous hole. I walked up, dropped the ball on the tee without teeing it up and said "guess I'll just hole this one too". It was pretty surreal.
We played the forward tees, so it was only 140 yards and with my 52 degree (plays slightly downhill). Didn't feel super special, but the circumstances made it pretty funny and fun.
We played the forward tees, so it was only 140 yards and with my 52 degree (plays slightly downhill). Didn't feel super special, but the circumstances made it pretty funny and fun.