2013 SoSH Golf Thread

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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I'm going to be at the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando in June.  They have 2 18-hole courses, and 2 9-hole courses.
 
Anyone ever played any of them?
 

Koufax

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No, but please post about your experience.  I saw that on the map when I was planning my Orlando trip and couldn't understand why I had never heard of it. 
 
Death, when I get sub-20 I'll ask to play at Andover. I live in Boxford and play at Black Swan pretty regularly during the summer.  My regular group is often looking for a 4th, since one of the guys works way too hard.  If you don't mind playing golf with three lawyers, let me know and I'll ping you if you have an interest in slumming at BS.
 

Zomp

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DrewDawg said:
I'm going to be at the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando in June.  They have 2 18-hole courses, and 2 9-hole courses.
 
Anyone ever played any of them?
 
 
Yes, the 18 hole courses are great.
 
For food, go to some of the Disney resorts for dinner.  Jiko, at The Animal Kingdom Lodge, and O'Hana, at the Polynesian, are great.  Make reservations like now though,.
 

Dan1864

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Jan 9, 2013
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Warwick, R
Te palmer course ( i believe its called the legends course) really impressed me at orange lake.. That is by far the best of the courses. The other ones are pretty good but the palmer course is the one to play..

I used to have a time share at Orange Lake. The villas and the whole resort are beautiful. Great place to stay you will love it.
 

FL4WL3SS

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DrewDawg said:
I'm going to be at the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando in June.  They have 2 18-hole courses, and 2 9-hole courses.
 
Anyone ever played any of them?
My grandparents have a condo at Orange Lake, I've been a million times.
 
The courses are great, you can't go wrong. Also, they have bingo a the pool.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
53,847
Zomp said:
Yes, the 18 hole courses are great.
 
For food, go to some of the Disney resorts for dinner.  Jiko, at The Animal Kingdom Lodge, and O'Hana, at the Polynesian, are great.  Make reservations like now though,.
 
My sister is staying at Animal Kingdom so I'll make sure she reserves a night or two there.  We are doing dinner at the Grand Floridian one night, and we made that reservation.
 
I think we'll end up playing one of the 18 hold courses and maybe one of the 9 hole courses.
 
As to the resort, it's a neighbor's timeshare.  We're paying $250 for a week.
 

ezemerson

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Jan 19, 2013
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i am staying at the world marriot in the summer and will be playing that course on the property Hawks Landing....anybody play that....pictures look nice, but seems pretty short.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
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Apr 12, 2005
41,948
terrynever said:
My GF refers to SOSH people as my "imaginary friends." So when deathofthebambino invites his imaginary friends to play at his club, how does he introduce them? It's a legit question. :blink:
 
Haha, having been a member here for 10 years or so, and met and hung out with hundreds of SoSHer's, wives like mine have learned who my "internet" friends are.  But mostly, I just say they're clients to avoid the conversation with other people. 
 

Deathofthebambino

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Koufax said:
No, but please post about your experience.  I saw that on the map when I was planning my Orlando trip and couldn't understand why I had never heard of it. 
 
Death, when I get sub-20 I'll ask to play at Andover. I live in Boxford and play at Black Swan pretty regularly during the summer.  My regular group is often looking for a 4th, since one of the guys works way too hard.  If you don't mind playing golf with three lawyers, let me know and I'll ping you if you have an interest in slumming at BS.
 
Black Swan is the old Georgetown CC, right?  I've played there quite a bit, as I have a number of clients that have been there as members over the years.  A little "target" golf for my tastes, but certainly not a bad course by any means.  It's tough to maintain a good place with the ownership changes that have been going on there in recent years.  I'd be your fourth lawyer in the group if I played with you, so I don't mind, although I also work too much, and find that most of my free golf time is taken up with tournaments and such at the home course, but I'll try and get out on the road more this year.
 

SaveBooFerriss

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I am going to Scottsdale AZ next week.  I'll be staying at the Marriot Camelback Resort and will likely play at least one round there.  Anyone have any other recommendations for Scottsdale? 
 

jmbean50

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I'm going to Scottsdale for the first time at the end of April(staying at Phoenician). I'm also interested in hearing about where to play.
 

Koufax

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Death,
 
Yes, Black Swan is the old Georgetown CC.  They have made it a little less target golf by removing a few trees.  So far they have kept it in good shape, the rates are very attractive, and the 19th hole is first rate.  I'll ping you when the season starts.
 
K
 

thestardawg

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Jul 30, 2005
862
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Guys.

Any recommendations for courses within 30 minutes of Chicago?

My brother and I are going out there May 19-22 to watch the Cubs on Sunday, and then White Sox-Red Sox the 20th and 21st. We'd like to golf Monday and Tuesday before the games.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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thestardawg said:
Guys. Any recommendations for courses within 30 minutes of Chicago? My brother and I are going out there May 19-22 to watch the Cubs on Sunday, and then White Sox-Red Sox the 20th and 21st. We'd like to golf Monday and Tuesday before the games.
Are you staying downtown?
 
EDIT--if you are, you should check out Harborside.  Two really good courses, and some cool views of the city.   
http://www.harborsideinternational.com/
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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My annual trip to Bandon is coming up next weekend and we always do a night event.  In years past it's been night putting on the giant green outside of the clubhouse.  Last year we got to do 4 holes of night golf on the front side of Bandon where they put glow sticks around the bunkers and green and on the flag poles.  I decided that a horse race would be great fun.  I was partially right.  It was lots of fun.  It was also one of the most dangerous things I've ever done in sport.  There's nothing like 24 drunk as shit people of very varying golf skills on a golf course in the pitch black with lots of flasks.  I'm really surprised that no one was hurt by as 150mph golf ball from point blank range.  I'd like to avoid that scenario again so I turn to the collective wisdom of SoSH for ideas.  Right now I'm thing of 3 groups of 8 guys playing as 2 four man scrambles.  That way everyone gets to play all 4 holes and we'll still have 16 guys on the same hole and all 24 guys on the closing hole without the risk of death.  It also means people will be able to still talk shit and yell during each other's swings and such.  Any other ideas that will be fun for a bunch of drunks?
 

Koufax

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Fort Lauderdale:  It has been several years, but I have had very good luck at Emerald Hills.  It is ostensibly private, but you can get on.  I have also enjoyed Bonaventure, Polo Trace (in Delray) and Binks Forest (Wellington).
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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thestardawg said:
   

Don't know yet. We have the flights and the game tix, but still working out the golf and hotels.
Okay, well I've played just about every decent public course in the Chicago area.  If you're staying in the O'Hare area, you're going to be within 30 minutes of more courses, but obviously, it will be more of a pain getting to the games.  If you're staying downtown, Harborside is really good and relatively convenient.  If you drive out of the city to golf in the 'burbs, you're probably looking at 45 minutes to an hour, or possibly more depending on the traffic.
 

teddykgb

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Jul 16, 2005
11,016
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Anyone played in Puerto Rico? Heading there for a destination wedding and would love to get out early this season.  Staying in San Juan, particularly interested in seeing how people get to and from the courses, probably eyeing the Trump Courses but definitely open to suggestion.
 

RSN Diaspora

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Jul 29, 2005
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teddykgb said:
Anyone played in Puerto Rico? Heading there for a destination wedding and would love to get out early this season.  Staying in San Juan, particularly interested in seeing how people get to and from the courses, probably eyeing the Trump Courses but definitely open to suggestion.
 
I played a fabulous course in Puerto Rico: the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort course has ocean views, meticulously maintained greens, and the occasional iguana on the fairway. I was staying there, so I didn't need transportation, but there are a variety of car services you can use on the island that I don't remember costing more than any I paid for on the mainland.
 

Koufax

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Back from Orlando, which was quite cold.  Here's my take on the courses that I played:
 
Southern Dunes - A+.  Hadn't been here in years, and was fearful that it might have lost its charm.  Not the case at all -- as good as ever.
Shingle Creek - B.  The grade would have been higher but some of the greens were a mess.
Reunion - Palmer course -  C.  The front 9 is ridiculous because they crammed the holes into too small a piece of property.  Waste bunkers everywhere, and fairways that slope towards them.  The back 9 was much better, but my mood was spoiled by the time I got to it.
Orange County National - Crooked Cat - B+ :  An OK layout in very good condition.
OCN - Panther Lake:  A- :  A better layout in equally fine shape.
Celebration:  A  :  A very pleasant surprise.  Nice amenities, good layout, great condition.
 

Dave Stapleton

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Hey guys ... I'm a member at Franklin (Mass) and would always welcome getting out and playing with you folks.  As you may all recall, I am one of those 16s that can shoot from Lows 80s to High 90s (i.e. good teammate in a better ball net tourney).
 
I have to second (or 3rd or 4th) the love for Caledonia.  The 18th hole is pretty special too.  Second shot all carry over the water right back to the clubhouse.  Also love sitting in those rocking chairs overlooking the 18th green with a drink in hand.
 

grsharky7

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Jul 15, 2005
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Just got word that I'm going to get the opportunity to play Latrobe Country Club here this spring.  This is Arnold Palmer's course in his hometown.  I live about 45 minutes from Latrobe and I've always wanted to play this course.  My boss was invited to play and he was able to get me on with them.  Hopefully we can play here in the next couple of weeks, although we still have some snow here.  Just really excited to play this course.
 

TFP

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The Four Peters said:
After one lesson and the one session on my own in a hitting bay...this is going to be a lot of work. Definitely not regretting the decision though.
 
Edit: I really need to find a place to park though rather than taking the bus. It's turning into a 40 min round trip bus commute for what is realistically an 8 min round trip drive, and I'm the guy who gets onto the bus holding a club or two.
So I've had a few more lessons and hit a few more buckets on the range. Still going to be a lot of work, and there are some "one step back, two steps forward" moments, but overall I can already feel my swing improving. It won't be a wholesale change and I'm not gonna shave 10 strokes off my handicap, but it's nice to see general improvements.
 
Can't wait to get back out onto the course.
 

Number45forever

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Apr 16, 2003
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I haven't hit a golf ball since November and it's getting so I don't even remember what golf was like.  This winter is taking absolutely for freaking ever.  Last winter, our driving range opened on March 15, a record her in Vermont for us.  This year, I'd be happy with April 15. 
 
Also just popped into the Weather thread over in Blind Leading Stupid...weather geeks are saying forecast models call for another Noreaster in about a week.  Joy of joys.
 
Watching Tiger win yesterday is not making this any easier.
 
That's all I have, I miss golf.
 

Koufax

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I am planning a Fall golf trip for about 12 guys and am thinking of Williamsburg VA as the destination.  Any suggestions as to courses to play?
 

cshea

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Yeah, I've really had the urge to go hit balls with the warm temperatures the past two days. I bought a new set of irons over the winter and I'm dying to get out on the course and use them.

I'm hoping to really dive back into the game this season. The past few years I've only made it out a handful of times, and I really want that to change. I moved and currently live and work about 5 minutes away from Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Not the best course, but it is convenient enough that I can squeeze 9 in after work on weekdays. Then find better places to play on the weekends. I'd love to re-establish a handicap (how does one to about doing that?). I figure I'm likely in the 17/18 range. I'd love to get back into it and start improving again.
 

TFP

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cshea said:
I'd love to re-establish a handicap (how does one to about doing that?).
This is an excellent question and one that I echo as I have no idea.
 

jercra

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cshea said:
Yeah, I've really had the urge to go hit balls with the warm temperatures the past two days. I bought a new set of irons over the winter and I'm dying to get out on the course and use them.

I'm hoping to really dive back into the game this season. The past few years I've only made it out a handful of times, and I really want that to change. I moved and currently live and work about 5 minutes away from Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Not the best course, but it is convenient enough that I can squeeze 9 in after work on weekdays. Then find better places to play on the weekends. I'd love to re-establish a handicap (how does one to about doing that?). I figure I'm likely in the 17/18 range. I'd love to get back into it and start improving again.
Just ask at Fresh Pond about getting your handicap.  It usually costs around $50 for the year, you can sign up at just about any course and you can post all of your scores online.  
 
Edit: The above is if you want an official USGA handicap to allow you to play in tournaments or men's/women's clubs events and such.  If you just want to know what your handicap is but without it being official then just use OOB golf.  They've got some really nice features like tracking your buddies while they play, tracking all of your stats, on course GPS for your phone (iOS and Android), etc. and it's free. 
 

teddykgb

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You may need to rethink the quick 9 after work plan. There are so many leagues now that after work golf is often impossible. Can't speak to fresh pond specifically, but that course is often mobbed to begin with
 

Doug Beerabelli

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Visited my parents in FL with my 7 year old son last week.  I had shipped a set of old but still doable clubs (Tommy Armour 855s, Great Big Bertha driver, Tight Lies 3, a Hagen hybrid) to them so there'd be a set to use down there for myself and siblings, etc.   I managed to get my son's clubs into our travel bag.
 
Anyway...first time out, haven't hit golf ball since November.  Play Venice East CC, an executive dog track that's great for kids.   20 mph winds, so the place is empty, but it's sunny, about 65, and we're playing golf.   My 70 year old father is in cart with my son, I'm walking.  We finish the first hole, and I walk to the second tee.  I see my dad and son get into the cart, and my dad is letting the boy drive.  Knowing my son, this is a bad idea, but when I do it, I control gas and brake and let him steer.   I sense that my dad hasn't figured this out, and my hackles go.  There's a pond near the tee, and I can see him driving into it.  The boy navigates the turn to avoid the small pond, then approaches the tee (sort of raised up on small hill from the cart path).  He's not slowing down.   The cart runs up the tee and runs over my golf bag until it comes to a stop.  I'm initially furious, chastising both of them, and check out the damage, which is just a bent leg on the bag stand.  I do my best to bend it back to workability, give my dad a tutorial on how to best let the boy drive, and we move on.
 
In retrospect,  hilarious.   The fact the ranger was a hole and a half away and missed all of this made it better.  The golf was OK for first time out, a typical showing for this 18 HC playing on small but slow greens.  Finally got a par on the last hole.  The boy hit the ball pretty well, even popped a drive about 120 on the last hole, and almost reached the green of the 250yd par 4 in two.   We've had him doing First Tee, which is a great deal, but fitting it into schedule can be tough.  May shoot for one on one lessons if there's time and interest on his part.
 
Nice to be out there again.  The itch to play is still there, hopefully will get out a bit more than previous year.
 

cshea

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jercra said:
Just ask at Fresh Pond about getting your handicap.  It usually costs around $50 for the year, you can sign up at just about any course and you can post all of your scores online.  
 
Edit: The above is if you want an official USGA handicap to allow you to play in tournaments or men's/women's clubs events and such.  If you just want to know what your handicap is but without it being official then just use OOB golf.  They've got some really nice features like tracking your buddies while they play, tracking all of your stats, on course GPS for your phone (iOS and Android), etc. and it's free. 
Thanks. I'm not really looking to play tournaments, I just would like to know my handicap to get a baseline and track my progress. If I do the 9-hole thing (since getting 18 in is pretty much impossible during the work week) can you even post it as an official score?

As for Fresh Pond being mobbed- it is. I realize that. I used to be a member when I was in high school, so there will be some challenge getting on the course amongst the leagues, but it's not impossible. IIRC, they don't run them every day. That may have changed though. Can anyone recommend other good courses near Cambridge/Belmont to sneak in some twilight weekday rounds?
 

jercra

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FL4WL3SS said:
It might be kind of fun for everyone to sign up for one of the free apps and we can all track each other's progress, give encouragement and/or humiliate each other/ourselves.
Great idea.  I'm signed up as jercra.
 

TFP

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Just joined the group. Gonna download the app now.
 
Now I just need to play!
 

TFP

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FYI the default email settings seem to be to email you your friend's scores. I won't be offended if you uncheck that because I will be unchecking it for you fools.
 

jercra

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The Four Peters said:
FYI the default email settings seem to be to email you your friend's scores. I won't be offended if you uncheck that because I will be unchecking it for you fools.
If you use the phone app to put your scores in hole by hole it will even notify your friends that you've started a round and they can track you as you play.  Nothing quite like the peanut gallery weighing in on that double you just made.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Looks like I"m going to get my first round of the year in on Saturday. I took a full 2 months off from swinging a club and have not spent a considerable amount of time at the range this winter, which is different from the last few winters where I spent a lot of time working on my swing.
 
We'll see how it goes.
 

jercra

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FL4WL3SS said:
Looks like I"m going to get my first round of the year in on Saturday. I took a full 2 months off from swinging a club and have not spent a considerable amount of time at the range this winter, which is different from the last few winters where I spent a lot of time working on my swing.
 
We'll see how it goes.
Guess it didn't go well enough to post in the OOB Golf group?