2018 Golf Thread
- Thread starter jercra
- Start date
Everything was fantastic, other than how we did. First day was better ball, and we were fair at best. Second day was a select drive, better ball, and we were pretty good(it's a good scoring format). Final day it was hit, switch, and pick, which isn't that easy a format but we did ok. We ended up 20th out of 50 in our flight, so while we really could have/should have been better, at least we beat some guys. I also think there are a lot of sandbaggers out there.
But the experience was amazing--everything was incredibly well organized, and there was always food and booze aplenty. I would love to get invited back another year.
But the experience was amazing--everything was incredibly well organized, and there was always food and booze aplenty. I would love to get invited back another year.
There are six courses there and we played on three. I've played them all before, and they're fantastic courses. The Schwab Cup Championship was held there for several years.
We came dangerously close to a rattlesnake on a cart path and saw another in a bunker being tracked by a roadrunner.
We came dangerously close to a rattlesnake on a cart path and saw another in a bunker being tracked by a roadrunner.
Has anyone played Streamsong outside of Tampa? Any reviews or things we should know about (distance to the Mons or equivalent, eg...).
Thanks
Thanks
Just got back from there 3 weeks ago.
Don't skimp and stay at the Best Western, it's gross. We originally planned to do that, but then saw the condition of it and stayed at the resort and it was worth it. You'll be stuck on the resort all weekend unless you want to drive 30 mins in town, but it has everything you need and you won't want to leave.
I'd recommend playing Red/Blue first in either order and leaving black last. Black is unlike both of those courses and a ton of fun. It's a great way to end the trip.
Black has an 18 hole putting green that is a blast in the evening after a day of golf. We went there every night and drank and gambled on the putting green. It's a total dudefest at the resort, so going to the "bar" is kind of lame and you'll witness guys being really annoying with the female staff.
There's also par 3 that you should play. We didn't play it, but regret not doing it. If you have the course to yourself, you can play across holes and make par 4s. We planned on paying it one night with only one club and gambling, but decided to do the putting green instead.
I know they started allowing carts in the month of April, but for the love of God, please walk the courses. We got caddies every day and they were great. We had two caddies double bag for us all three days. The experience is so much better walking. It's probably getting pretty warm down there, so book early tee times and walk.
It's no Bandon, but you'll love it.
Also, plan on not having reception all weekend (except at the lodge). The complex is in the middle of nowhere.
The entire weekend is pretty expensive, so plan on spending at least $2500.
If you're planning on buying swag, get it from the black clubhouse. Much cooler selection and the black logo is the windmill which is way better than the standard Streamsong logo (which I think kind of sucks). I overpaid for a metal ballmarker at the black clubhouse and they punched my initials into the back. It's pretty sweet.
The entire weekend is pretty expensive, so plan on spending at least $2500.
If you're planning on buying swag, get it from the black clubhouse. Much cooler selection and the black logo is the windmill which is way better than the standard Streamsong logo (which I think kind of sucks). I overpaid for a metal ballmarker at the black clubhouse and they punched my initials into the back. It's pretty sweet.
I am hoping to get out for the first time next week. I won't have had a practice session under my belt yet, so I am not expecting much. Would it kill me, though, to remember my swing thought from my last time out in 2017? I hit the ball probably as well as I ever have (ask @The Napkin) It sucks getting old.
A few weeks ago my wife set me up with Pete, the son of one of her friends at church - he and two of his mates all graduated from the University of St. Andrews (where I also spent the year about which I wrote a book) a couple of years ago, and they were going to be in the area this past weekend, so we set up a game and played a fourball match in which Pete was on the other team. My goodness...Pete had three eagle putts on the front nine, two at two of the par 5s and the other at the 4th hole, a 353-yard par 4 with the rocky beach on the left and a really narrow entrance to a green (pictured here from behind) guarded by bunkers on either side:
There wasn't really even much of a breeze behind us - he just nailed his drive with a slight draw and rolled his ball right onto the green amidst the Japanese threesome in front of us. It was pretty awesome to behold. Meanwhile, my teammate yanked his drive onto the rocky beach, took a penalty drop, terribly chunked his third...and then from about 40 yards short of the green played a bump-and-run around the edge of the front-left bunker that went straight into the hole for a par. And then Pete three-putted from 20 feet for one of the most unlikely halved holes I've ever seen.
I birdied both of the par 3s on the front nine, so despite Pete's great form - he did eagle the 9th - the match remained close, but in the end we lost 2&1 and were lucky to have made it to the 17th. A really fun day out, though.
There wasn't really even much of a breeze behind us - he just nailed his drive with a slight draw and rolled his ball right onto the green amidst the Japanese threesome in front of us. It was pretty awesome to behold. Meanwhile, my teammate yanked his drive onto the rocky beach, took a penalty drop, terribly chunked his third...and then from about 40 yards short of the green played a bump-and-run around the edge of the front-left bunker that went straight into the hole for a par. And then Pete three-putted from 20 feet for one of the most unlikely halved holes I've ever seen.
I birdied both of the par 3s on the front nine, so despite Pete's great form - he did eagle the 9th - the match remained close, but in the end we lost 2&1 and were lucky to have made it to the 17th. A really fun day out, though.
The persimmon is the bigger difference by far and it’s weird to use that with a Professional 90 for this thing. That’s a 1970s era driver and a mid/late 1990s ball.
Someone on golfwrx recently posted a Rick Shiels comparison video with the same modern clubs and a new old stock Professional 90 vs a modern Pro v1. The difference was 10 yards.
The Professional has a rubber and liquid core though and I’m not sure that would hold up well over two decades of sitting on a shelf.
Someone on golfwrx recently posted a Rick Shiels comparison video with the same modern clubs and a new old stock Professional 90 vs a modern Pro v1. The difference was 10 yards.
The Professional has a rubber and liquid core though and I’m not sure that would hold up well over two decades of sitting on a shelf.
Played yesterday. First 18 in 2 years. 87, which I'm okay with. Definitely rusty but short game was there (always is...I don't know why that stays with me but I can't get off the tee).
My rangefinder has shit the bed, so I bought this one:
https://www.precisionprogolf.com/products/nx7-pro-rangefinder
It should be at home today after work so I'll take it for a spin this weekend but the reviews make it seem just as good as the nice Bushnell for half the price.
Also, I got hooked up from a friend of mine who works at a course in Maryland. They were doing a special for their members so I bought 4 dozen Callaway Chrome soft with the Truvis print for $28 per dozen.
My rangefinder has shit the bed, so I bought this one:
https://www.precisionprogolf.com/products/nx7-pro-rangefinder
It should be at home today after work so I'll take it for a spin this weekend but the reviews make it seem just as good as the nice Bushnell for half the price.
Also, I got hooked up from a friend of mine who works at a course in Maryland. They were doing a special for their members so I bought 4 dozen Callaway Chrome soft with the Truvis print for $28 per dozen.
My league started Wed night. Partner I’ve never played with. I play so abhorrently terrible that I’ll be shocked if he comes back next week. I’m now an 8.0 and I was the low man in the two groups for the match.
I made one par. 3 lip outs. Found 7 bunkers in 9 holes and shot my worst 9 hole score in a long time (47).
Nothing else to add really. Struck the ball well but just caught every bad kick, lie, and break the course had to offer.
Every time you think you have this game figured out...
I made one par. 3 lip outs. Found 7 bunkers in 9 holes and shot my worst 9 hole score in a long time (47).
Nothing else to add really. Struck the ball well but just caught every bad kick, lie, and break the course had to offer.
Every time you think you have this game figured out...
Pressure does weird things to a golf game. I can't tell you how many times I play a practice round and shoot 75 before a tournament and then go out and shoot 85+ in the tournament.
Keep playing rounds under pressure and it'll become more comfortable.
Keep playing rounds under pressure and it'll become more comfortable.
Yeah and it’s weird that it goes both ways sometimes. About four or five years ago, my buddy and I entered our clubs cup tournament - 32 twosomes, bracketed, 18 hole matches and you scheduled hem yourselves (you had a month play it when convenient for both teams). He was an 8, I was a 15. We got to the third round and drew a husband wife duo - he was a 9 and I forget her cap, but with the adjustment for being a woman, it meant we were giving a stroke on like 14 holes (I forget the actual numbers). We kinda knew we were fucked from jump street.
My partner was always the steady hand when we played, I was more boom or bust; well, he wasn’t playing for shit that day and somehow I got us to one up on the front, with no help from him and shot a 38 (+2). I just kinda looked at him and said ‘you know I can’t keep this shit up, you better get your head out of your ass’. He turned it around as I blew up a bit on the back to the tune of a 46 and we lost 1 up. I honestly still think if he had kept playing like shit on the back I would have been able to keep it up, if not to the tune of breaking 40 again, at least enough to force a playoff. When I saw him get back on track, it was like the pressure being lifted made me lose focus.
Being in "the zone" playing golf is like getting a 4 hour sensual massage that you don't ever want to end.
Sure is. I've been playing some terrible golf over the past month or so. Like, really, really bad. Then on Sunday I continued that trend to start my round with a nice double, par, bogey, par, bogey and I think I'm off to the races again. Then something clicked. I finished the rest of the round at -5 for and even par round. Had to go play another 9 to keep that feeling up. Shot even on that round. 3 nines of 39/31/35 on a par 70 course that's over 7k yards. I know I'm going to shoot an 82 tomorrow. Spa days don't last.
Yeah. This is my first league and every time I play with someone new I don’t play well. He was good natured about it, gave me the requisite David Hasselhoff joke and he played out of his mind and we halved the match so no blood at least.
It was just shocking I could make such pure contact all day and be in such bad shape every hole.
The 4 hour massage is the best way to describe a good round. On another note I saw my first ace live w the group behind us so at least I got a free drink. Tough night to make one. 42 teams of two at the course
It was just shocking I could make such pure contact all day and be in such bad shape every hole.
The 4 hour massage is the best way to describe a good round. On another note I saw my first ace live w the group behind us so at least I got a free drink. Tough night to make one. 42 teams of two at the course
88 yesterday. Just couldn't get comfortable off the tee. We do have a new club pro that has worked with some big regional names so I may give a lesson or two a shot.
That rangefinder is great. It varied from my buddy's bushnell by about half a yard and I had to aim at the actual flag rather than the stick (ours have prisms so I was trying to pick those up) but it worked nicely.
That rangefinder is great. It varied from my buddy's bushnell by about half a yard and I had to aim at the actual flag rather than the stick (ours have prisms so I was trying to pick those up) but it worked nicely.
(Making my way over from my Craigslist thread...)
I didn’t know this thread existed. I’ve been playing on and off for 15-20 years or so, basically a round or two a year until the last couple years. I was actually a cart boy at a course for four summers, but even though I could play for free, I barely took advantage of it (I never wanted to be at work longer than I had to be).
Anyways, the last four or so years I’ve been playing weekly with my girlfriend’s father. Last year was the first year where I can truly say that I was actually looking forward to playing every weekend. And would actually go to the range to improve my game rather than just work on not embarrassing myself. I have no idea what happened last year, but since then I’ve been kind of obsessed. It’s a little bizarre, honestly.
I got a 3 lesson package for Christmas (a hint from my playing partner?) and have had the first two lessons so far. I feel like a total idiot for not having had lessons sooner. Spent a bunch of time at a golf dome this winter grooving my swing changes. Finally, I went and got fitted for irons, since the ones I bought last year were off-the-shelf. Turns out I was playing the wrong shaft - I bought the regular shafts last year since the 12-year old at Dick’s thought they’d work for me. Turns out I definitely needed stiff. I found a set of Mizuno JPX 850 Forged, with True Temper X105 S300 shafts (perfect fit for me) on Callaway Preowned for $350 with their 25% off deal. They arrived Friday, I took em to the range Saturday, and put them in play today. Sweet holy moly what have I been missing? I’ve literally never hit my irons better in my life. What an absolutely gorgeous ball flight these things produce.
Of course, I haven’t broken 90 this year still. My average has improved by a couple strokes, but not significantly. For one, I’m still wildly inconsistent off the tee. I really struggle to hit up on the ball and often hit screaming worm burners or big pop ups. I know that’s an angle of attack problem. I also just can’t seem to avoid the blow up holes - I had three triple bogeys on par 3’s today! And an 8 on another hole after putting two tee shots in the woods. It doesn’t help that the weather has been atrocious.
My next steps are to get my third lesson in maybe a month or so. Then maybe get a driver fitting, since I’m using a hand-me-down 12 degree Callaway XR driver from my father. I did put a new shaft in it, but I’m pretty doubtful that the driver is right for me.
Edit: dear god this was long, I’m sorry.
I didn’t know this thread existed. I’ve been playing on and off for 15-20 years or so, basically a round or two a year until the last couple years. I was actually a cart boy at a course for four summers, but even though I could play for free, I barely took advantage of it (I never wanted to be at work longer than I had to be).
Anyways, the last four or so years I’ve been playing weekly with my girlfriend’s father. Last year was the first year where I can truly say that I was actually looking forward to playing every weekend. And would actually go to the range to improve my game rather than just work on not embarrassing myself. I have no idea what happened last year, but since then I’ve been kind of obsessed. It’s a little bizarre, honestly.
I got a 3 lesson package for Christmas (a hint from my playing partner?) and have had the first two lessons so far. I feel like a total idiot for not having had lessons sooner. Spent a bunch of time at a golf dome this winter grooving my swing changes. Finally, I went and got fitted for irons, since the ones I bought last year were off-the-shelf. Turns out I was playing the wrong shaft - I bought the regular shafts last year since the 12-year old at Dick’s thought they’d work for me. Turns out I definitely needed stiff. I found a set of Mizuno JPX 850 Forged, with True Temper X105 S300 shafts (perfect fit for me) on Callaway Preowned for $350 with their 25% off deal. They arrived Friday, I took em to the range Saturday, and put them in play today. Sweet holy moly what have I been missing? I’ve literally never hit my irons better in my life. What an absolutely gorgeous ball flight these things produce.
Of course, I haven’t broken 90 this year still. My average has improved by a couple strokes, but not significantly. For one, I’m still wildly inconsistent off the tee. I really struggle to hit up on the ball and often hit screaming worm burners or big pop ups. I know that’s an angle of attack problem. I also just can’t seem to avoid the blow up holes - I had three triple bogeys on par 3’s today! And an 8 on another hole after putting two tee shots in the woods. It doesn’t help that the weather has been atrocious.
My next steps are to get my third lesson in maybe a month or so. Then maybe get a driver fitting, since I’m using a hand-me-down 12 degree Callaway XR driver from my father. I did put a new shaft in it, but I’m pretty doubtful that the driver is right for me.
Edit: dear god this was long, I’m sorry.
My game is slowly coming around. Twice in the last 2 weeks I've tied my personal best (84) without even feeling like I played super great. Obviously I played well, but it felt more like solid golf where there is still room for improvement. I left putts out there, I mishit some shots, etc. So I think there's still room for improvement (and room for getting worse of course).
My biggest focus has been playing a bit more conservatively, keeping the ball in play, missing in the right spots, and improving my short game. Additionally, I'm working really hard on the "aim small, miss small" philosophy of picking very small and specific targets/lines, which seems to encourage the body subconsciously to miss by a smaller amount. If I aim for the "the fairway" and miss...it can be anywhere. If I aim for a tree trunk behind the fairway that's on the left side of the fairway and miss it...I might still be in the fairway. And it forces me to really think about where I'm aiming and why, rather than just getting up and swinging. It's seemed to make a big difference.
Also - I love the new irons. Still have to work on getting more consistent with them, but the misses are much less penal and when I pure them it feels unbelievable. I actually feel comfortable standing over iron shots now, which is a new feeling.
My goal is to break 80 and get down to a single digit this year (trending at 12.4 right now). It's definitely possible, but will take some work too.
My biggest focus has been playing a bit more conservatively, keeping the ball in play, missing in the right spots, and improving my short game. Additionally, I'm working really hard on the "aim small, miss small" philosophy of picking very small and specific targets/lines, which seems to encourage the body subconsciously to miss by a smaller amount. If I aim for the "the fairway" and miss...it can be anywhere. If I aim for a tree trunk behind the fairway that's on the left side of the fairway and miss it...I might still be in the fairway. And it forces me to really think about where I'm aiming and why, rather than just getting up and swinging. It's seemed to make a big difference.
Also - I love the new irons. Still have to work on getting more consistent with them, but the misses are much less penal and when I pure them it feels unbelievable. I actually feel comfortable standing over iron shots now, which is a new feeling.
My goal is to break 80 and get down to a single digit this year (trending at 12.4 right now). It's definitely possible, but will take some work too.
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Sounds like you’re where I was last year TFP. Definitely achievable.
Broke 80 again Sunday w a 79. Also played first round of my clubs summer long match play event, closing out the 16 I was playing w a chip in par on 15 for a 4 and 3 victory. I really enjoyed the match play format. Playing against just one guy really kept me steady and in tempo all day. I was down 2 through 3 but just focused on hitting fairways and greens. At one point i rattled off 11 pars in a row, easily a record for me. I think the consistency really started to bother him after a few holes and got him out of his game.
I really should just translate that thought to stroke play, where I often get consumed about my relation to par and what I can realistically shoot for the day after each hole, which is probably the worst thought to have in your head.
Broke 80 again Sunday w a 79. Also played first round of my clubs summer long match play event, closing out the 16 I was playing w a chip in par on 15 for a 4 and 3 victory. I really enjoyed the match play format. Playing against just one guy really kept me steady and in tempo all day. I was down 2 through 3 but just focused on hitting fairways and greens. At one point i rattled off 11 pars in a row, easily a record for me. I think the consistency really started to bother him after a few holes and got him out of his game.
I really should just translate that thought to stroke play, where I often get consumed about my relation to par and what I can realistically shoot for the day after each hole, which is probably the worst thought to have in your head.
Of course I went out today and played as bad as I have all year in the first week of golf league. Something about competitive golf got me jittery and I just couldn’t find my game. I ground out a 45
(with a quad...that actually mattered until the final stroke) but it felt like a 55. I think I only hit 2 shots that felt like what I wanted.
Such is golf.
(with a quad...that actually mattered until the final stroke) but it felt like a 55. I think I only hit 2 shots that felt like what I wanted.
Such is golf.
Haha I’ve never had the massage feeling on the course.
Your point about match play vs stroke play is well taken, except I focus too much on the micro. Like “if I fuck up this shot I’ll lose the hole” where in stroke play I’ll say “if I fuck up this shot, I can still save bogey and not ruin my round and bounce back”. Definitely applies to chips and putts more than anything.
Like anything, it just takes practice like anything else. The more I play match play the better I’ll get it.
Your point about match play vs stroke play is well taken, except I focus too much on the micro. Like “if I fuck up this shot I’ll lose the hole” where in stroke play I’ll say “if I fuck up this shot, I can still save bogey and not ruin my round and bounce back”. Definitely applies to chips and putts more than anything.
Like anything, it just takes practice like anything else. The more I play match play the better I’ll get it.
I have a huge next 10 days of golf coming up, and I have only played 36 holes so far this year. Combination of my busy season running late, bad weather, and my course still had 5 temp greens up until Monday - just haven't found the time.
Playing Thursday at Turner Hill in a decent money match. Friday in my first weekly league match at my club - 28 guys quota game. Then I have a week for practice before I head off to Samoset with 28 guys for a memorial day weekend 4 day tournament where I try to back up my win from last year.
Phragle always kept an eye out for me for my desired 13 degree 3wood - and I am happy to say it will be here on Wednesday and i hope it is everything I have dreamed it to be.
Hopefully lots of range time Sunday - Thursday coming up, with a nightly session at the chipping area practicing 30 yards and in.
Playing Thursday at Turner Hill in a decent money match. Friday in my first weekly league match at my club - 28 guys quota game. Then I have a week for practice before I head off to Samoset with 28 guys for a memorial day weekend 4 day tournament where I try to back up my win from last year.
Phragle always kept an eye out for me for my desired 13 degree 3wood - and I am happy to say it will be here on Wednesday and i hope it is everything I have dreamed it to be.
Hopefully lots of range time Sunday - Thursday coming up, with a nightly session at the chipping area practicing 30 yards and in.
Yeah it was a bear. I went through hell to find that thing for you. It'd be a real shame if you didn't invite me to Turner Hill. A real shame.
You have a standing invite to Bass Rocks (my home club) - Turner is a treat for me, kind of a guest of a guest. Seriously anytime anyone wants to play the Rock in Gloucester, shoot me a message and I will host some SoSH contingent.
You can't stay at my house, but you can play at my course.
TFP is the only one allowed at my house and that's only because my wife and kids like him. I only tolerate him.
TFP is the only one allowed at my house and that's only because my wife and kids like him. I only tolerate him.
I have Sox tickets in June and an extensive collection of hard to get whiskey of which I'll bring a selection. I feel like that should get some pretty detailed reports about how much longer and better than you I am. I suppose we could talk about golf too if you wanted.
To continue my Scottish golf chronicles: I had booked a morning tee time at Dunbar on Thursday, intending to play on my own and get a bit of practice, but the evening before I was asked by a senior member if I wouldn't mind escorting a young freelance golf journalist around the course - Becky Gee is @girloncourse on Twitter, and here's a photo I took of her on the 4th tee:
She has a 2 handicap and a really lovely swing (but took four shots to get out of one of the deep greenside bunkers on the 15th hole), and she's good friends with some of the better English LPGA players like Charley Hull. She also did her masters in history at the University of St. Andrews, and we share similar tastes in golf course architecture...needless to say, we had plenty to talk about on our way round.
Then, yesterday it was round two of my Club Championship qualifying, and I went off just after 11:00. I was -1 after six but then bogeyed 7, 8, 9 and 10 and double-bogeyed 11 - just running out of gas after a very tiring week. I tried to fight back, but after pars on 12 and 13, I horseshoed a two-foot par putt on 14 that came right back to me, and then when I carelessly stabbed at the ball, I got a 90-degree lip-out. And then, after trying to regather my thoughts, I must have still been in a daze, because I didn't even touch the hole with my third two-footer on the hole. That was pretty much that. I doubt that episode would have mattered; it's hardly rained at all over the past two weeks, so the course is getting really firm and fiery, and I didn't think I was going to beat my 77 from Round 1. So I'll still need to shoot 73 or 74 next week to get into the top 16 and qualify for match play. I don't fancy my chances, but at least the course is playing short enough that my biggest weakness (in theory) is largely negated.
She has a 2 handicap and a really lovely swing (but took four shots to get out of one of the deep greenside bunkers on the 15th hole), and she's good friends with some of the better English LPGA players like Charley Hull. She also did her masters in history at the University of St. Andrews, and we share similar tastes in golf course architecture...needless to say, we had plenty to talk about on our way round.
Then, yesterday it was round two of my Club Championship qualifying, and I went off just after 11:00. I was -1 after six but then bogeyed 7, 8, 9 and 10 and double-bogeyed 11 - just running out of gas after a very tiring week. I tried to fight back, but after pars on 12 and 13, I horseshoed a two-foot par putt on 14 that came right back to me, and then when I carelessly stabbed at the ball, I got a 90-degree lip-out. And then, after trying to regather my thoughts, I must have still been in a daze, because I didn't even touch the hole with my third two-footer on the hole. That was pretty much that. I doubt that episode would have mattered; it's hardly rained at all over the past two weeks, so the course is getting really firm and fiery, and I didn't think I was going to beat my 77 from Round 1. So I'll still need to shoot 73 or 74 next week to get into the top 16 and qualify for match play. I don't fancy my chances, but at least the course is playing short enough that my biggest weakness (in theory) is largely negated.
FYI I ordered this on Amazon and just finished it. Great read! I’m impressed with your writing and your experiences - and when I come over to Scotland I will definitely let you know.
Kind of an aside but El Pres of Barstool fame has been granted 5hours and 15min to break par at Shinnecock tomorrow with unlimited mulligans. Should be great content.
