SoSH Golf, 2022

Gunca

New Member
Mar 5, 2020
44
Just got home from a 4-day Myrtle Beach trip yesterday with @Zomp. First and foremost, I’d like to thank him for planning the trip entirely and letting me come along for the ride. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t ever leave Rhode Island golf.

Anyway, onto the golf.

Day 1: World Tour. Fun course but a little gimmicky, and was in pretty decent shape. I’d put it in the second tier for courses we played this trip.

Day 2: Grande Dunes and Pine Lakes. Grande Dunes was first class. The fairways were like carpets and the greens may have been the best we putted on all trip. Only issue was it was about 38 degrees when we teed off. It was a top tier course for sure. Pine Lakes….not so much. It was a decent course, but in comparison it was low tier. Fairways were a little overgrown, and the greens felt much slower. The 5 and a half hour round may have had something to with my assessment as well.

Day 3: 36 at TPC Myrtle Beach. Top tier for me. I really loved this course. I think it’s a little ironic that I liked it so much as it’s a shot maker’s course, and that’s the complete opposite of my game. You needed to be able to work the ball both ways and cover some yardages to score well here. Greens were tricky as well but by the 2nd round I think we had them under control. I don’t think there was a hole on the course I didn’t like.

Day 4: True Blue and Caledonia. Well, well, well, where do I begin? True Blue’s conditions rivaled Grande Dunes, but there were 2 or 3 holes that were pretty dumb. Aside from those 2 or 3, wow, what a course. Caledonia was a treat as well. I don’t think I’ve ever played a course where I stood on every tee box and said, “I like the look of this hole.” I think the views were better at Caledonia, but the conditions were a touch better at True Blue. That’s not a knock on Caledonia, it was in great shape, but True Blue was immaculate. Both of these courses were top tier as well.

I had a blast, and am looking forward to the possibility of Turning Stone trip next year.
 

4 6 3 DP

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 24, 2001
2,370
Caledonia is probably my favorite golf course in the world. True Blue is a nice track, and its a tribute to Caledonia that it's that much better. What a great 36 hole day!
 

bostonbeerbelly

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 26, 2008
2,224
San Fran
Just got home from a 4-day Myrtle Beach trip yesterday with @Zomp. First and foremost, I’d like to thank him for planning the trip entirely and letting me come along for the ride. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t ever leave Rhode Island golf.

Anyway, onto the golf.

Day 1: World Tour. Fun course but a little gimmicky, and was in pretty decent shape. I’d put it in the second tier for courses we played this trip.

Day 2: Grande Dunes and Pine Lakes. Grande Dunes was first class. The fairways were like carpets and the greens may have been the best we putted on all trip. Only issue was it was about 38 degrees when we teed off. It was a top tier course for sure. Pine Lakes….not so much. It was a decent course, but in comparison it was low tier. Fairways were a little overgrown, and the greens felt much slower. The 5 and a half hour round may have had something to with my assessment as well.

Day 3: 36 at TPC Myrtle Beach. Top tier for me. I really loved this course. I think it’s a little ironic that I liked it so much as it’s a shot maker’s course, and that’s the complete opposite of my game. You needed to be able to work the ball both ways and cover some yardages to score well here. Greens were tricky as well but by the 2nd round I think we had them under control. I don’t think there was a hole on the course I didn’t like.

Day 4: True Blue and Caledonia. Well, well, well, where do I begin? True Blue’s conditions rivaled Grande Dunes, but there were 2 or 3 holes that were pretty dumb. Aside from those 2 or 3, wow, what a course. Caledonia was a treat as well. I don’t think I’ve ever played a course where I stood on every tee box and said, “I like the look of this hole.” I think the views were better at Caledonia, but the conditions were a touch better at True Blue. That’s not a knock on Caledonia, it was in great shape, but True Blue was immaculate. Both of these courses were top tier as well.

I had a blast, and am looking forward to the possibility of Turning Stone trip next year.
You guys recruiting for new friends? Sounds like an awesome trip and one I will reference when I plan Myrtle in the future. I did Scottsdale a few weeks ago and it was absolutely amazing. I loved We-Ko-Pa so much I wanted to move there to just play it.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
Caledonia is probably my favorite golf course in the world. True Blue is a nice track, and its a tribute to Caledonia that it's that much better. What a great 36 hole day!
So we purposely saved those two courses for the last day of the trip. Luckily we were paired with two guys who appreciate the game like we do and had the same tee times at both courses so we were together all day. These two travel a bit more than we do to play (one lives at Pinehurst during the winter) so I was curious to get their thoughts on the courses. You probably know this but for those that don’t, both are Mike Strantz designed courses. We played True Blue first and it was actually my first time playing it. On the back nine we were talking about the layout and they both said it was a very typical Strantz course. Similar characteristics to Tobacco Road.

They asked me if our PM round at Caledonia would be similar and I told them even though I hadn’t played it in about fifteen years, I don’t think the courses are that similar. I told them layout wise nothing really stood out but I remember it being the prettiest course I’ve ever been on.

halfway through our round at Caledonia they said to me my assessment was spot on. In fact after the round they went into the pro shop to see if there was any cancellations for the next day to play again. There was so they rebooked. Unfortunately we couldn’t take them up on their offer to play again as we had to fly home. But one of the guys has played more than 50 of the top 100 courses in America and he said he’s having trouble thinking of a prettier course.

I don’t think I gave the layout enough credit either. I cannot speak highly enough about that place and it won’t be another 15 years before I play it again. I’d love for it to be my boy’s first golf vacation when they are a little older. The wife can come too, I guess.

Gunca’s 69 was fun to watch too…
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
Oh! Also as we’re having lunch at Caledonia before the round we saw a golfer drive the 18th. A 310 yard par 4 that’s over water. So all carry.

then he 4 putted.
 

petefungtorres

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
730
Portland, ME
Day 3: 36 at TPC Myrtle Beach. Top tier for me. I really loved this course. I think it’s a little ironic that I liked it so much as it’s a shot maker’s course, and that’s the complete opposite of my game. You needed to be able to work the ball both ways and cover some yardages to score well here. Greens were tricky as well but by the 2nd round I think we had them under control. I don’t think there was a hole on the course I didn’t like.

Day 4: True Blue and Caledonia. Well, well, well, where do I begin? True Blue’s conditions rivaled Grande Dunes, but there were 2 or 3 holes that were pretty dumb. Aside from those 2 or 3, wow, what a course. Caledonia was a treat as well. I don’t think I’ve ever played a course where I stood on every tee box and said, “I like the look of this hole.” I think the views were better at Caledonia, but the conditions were a touch better at True Blue. That’s not a knock on Caledonia, it was in great shape, but True Blue was immaculate. Both of these courses were top tier as well.

I had a blast, and am looking forward to the possibility of Turning Stone trip next year.
I head to Myrtle on November 5 for a few days with some buddies. We've done this trip a bunch and the past few years we've just stayed at condos on True Blue and played mostly those two courses, with a couple others thrown in for a little variety (mostly TPC). You guys had a solid lineup of courses. Caledonia's greens were pretty rough last time I played there, hopefully they're recovered by now. I'm a big fan of True Blue - it's just such a different golf experience and a very unique layout. But there are some kind of dumb holes.

@Zomp - I did a golf trip to Myrtle with the family a few years ago (I think the boys were 12 and 9). On the recommendation of a TPC member we got paired with the year before I bought a winter membership for a group of courses (Founder's Club, I think?) for like $250. With that I could book tee times three days in advance at a deep discount. Most rounds were $80 for the four of us (yes, $20 per person), I think I paid like $120 for TPC. We splurged on a good weather day and played True Blue in the morning and Caledonia in the afternoon. It was amazing, highly recommend.
 

4 6 3 DP

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 24, 2001
2,370
I could talk about Caledonia for days.

I think what you all say is very accurate. If anything, True Blue is a little more of a shot makers golf course. Ball position is a big, big deal there. Whereas Caledonia to me is much more of a see it, hit it, go get it, hit it again kind of golf course but visually just so beautiful that every hole is a treasure. I say that not to suggest that shot making isn't at a premium on either course. #4 off the tee is obviously essential to be long and left or otherwise you're making bogey, for example. But generally put you can play the holes differently and get away with it there.

Anyways, anyone wants to put that trip together, let me know.
 

Doug Beerabelli

Killer Threads
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
I'll add to the list of True Blue and Caledonia fans. Moreso Caledonia. I love courses that have a great patio or viewing area near the 18th green so you can see shots approach shots and possibly heckle your fellow golf trip members. I was last down there over a decade ago, and I was playing awful at the time, but I recall enjoying and appreciating those courses.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2005
41,948
I'll add to the list of True Blue and Caledonia fans. Moreso Caledonia. I love courses that have a great patio or viewing area near the 18th green so you can see shots approach shots and possibly heckle your fellow golf trip members. I was last down there over a decade ago, and I was playing awful at the time, but I recall enjoying and appreciating those courses.
One of the best parts about Old Head in Kinsale, Ireland, is the 18th for exactly that reason. This picture is from the deck overlooking the 18th green. It's much closer than it appears in the photo, and is perfect for heckling. If you look just below the lighthouse to the left, you'll see the black tees. There's a small walkway along the cliff that gets you there. When the wind is howling, it's as scary a place to hit a tee ball as you'll find on Earth:
56911
 

TimNJsoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 14, 2004
2,717
NW New Jersey
We go down almsot every summer to Sufrside Beach which is just south of Myrtle. I played True Blue 2 years ago and loved it, although I didnt see any alligators. This past summer I played Willbrook Plantation, which is just down the road from TB/Caledonia. It was a beautiful course with some nice holes. I also played at Kings North at Myrtle Beach National which is also a very nice course. Unfortunately it was a steady rain the whole time.

This summer, I am going to play Caledonia since I will only be playing once due to only one car and not wanting to strand my family at the timeshare all morning twice druing the week. Am REALLY looking forward to it!!
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
SoSH Member
Feb 22, 2004
12,959
The Paris of the 80s
Ping has fantastic customer service. I bought a G410 5-wood from the demo bin at Golfer's Warehouse last summer and the face cracked and caved in a few weeks ago. I called Ping and they said it's under warranty, it doesn't matter where I bought it or that it was a demo, and I could drop it off with any authorized rep who could deal with Ping directly. So I dropped it off at my club and Ping sent a brand new G425 replacement head that arrived in about 10 days. I thought there was a decent chance I was out of luck or it would at least take forever to process.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,376
I've had a pretty good season. Shaky start with scores of 87, 90, 86, and 90 (88.3 avg), things began to pick up. 83, 86, 86, 84, 85, 83, 80, and 84 (83.9 avg). In the last 3 years I've broken 80 three times (my only three times ever): 75, 77, and 79.

Of course thrown in there in 2020 and 2021 were a 99 and a 107 with 12 (!!) lost balls. So...yeah.

But hey to all you golfers out there, I'm playing some of the best overall golf of my life in my early 30s (I'm 52 now). So it's never too late to get better, even as you get older.
 

CPT Neuron

Got Pitching?
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2001
3,515
Biddeford, ME
It is such a fickle, fickle game. We played 27 yesterday, shot 55 with 7/9 3 putts the first 9, 55 with 4 lost balls the second nine, and then a 44 with 4 birdie putts no more than 3 inches short combined....

It is late October in ME, and I'm playing in a short sleeve shirt and a light vest, so I shouldn't bitch too loudly
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
SoSH Member
Feb 22, 2004
12,959
The Paris of the 80s
It is such a fickle, fickle game. We played 27 yesterday, shot 55 with 7/9 3 putts the first 9, 55 with 4 lost balls the second nine, and then a 44 with 4 birdie putts no more than 3 inches short combined....

It is late October in ME, and I'm playing in a short sleeve shirt and a light vest, so I shouldn't bitch too loudly
Temps will be around 70 this coming weekend in central MA. Borrowed time but it might even be warm enough for shorts!
 

Average Game James

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2016
4,346
Ping has fantastic customer service. I bought a G410 5-wood from the demo bin at Golfer's Warehouse last summer and the face cracked and caved in a few weeks ago. I called Ping and they said it's under warranty, it doesn't matter where I bought it or that it was a demo, and I could drop it off with any authorized rep who could deal with Ping directly. So I dropped it off at my club and Ping sent a brand new G425 replacement head that arrived in about 10 days. I thought there was a decent chance I was out of luck or it would at least take forever to process.
Ping service is absurdly customer friendly - some of the best I've encountered anywhere in any industry. I had a 2.5 year old hoofer bag and the strap on it broke, so I reached out to Ping to get a replacement strap. Apparently the grey they used changed a bit with the most recent model bags and the rep was adamant I accept a complete new bag and not just a strap that would be a slightly imperfect match. When I insisted that was super wasteful, Ping sent me a new bag and a new strap so I could donate the old bag to the first tee program at my club. Restored my faith in customer service after a nightmare experience with Fujikura (short version: do not trust the Ventus).
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
PXG opened a store in Framingham. As part of their opening they ran a deal. $25 2-hour full bag fitting. Gunca and I took advantage of it and will be going Sunday. I’m not in the market for any clubs but $25 to test out new clubs on a trackman for 2 hours seems fun.
Pxg may have weird marketing and pricing, but they make some good looking clubs.
 

bostonbeerbelly

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 26, 2008
2,224
San Fran
I just played myopia today. What a treat. Easily into my top 5 golf courses ever played, and now the task to find 8 members to sponsor me begins. If you ever have the chance to play, move around everything in your life for the opportunity.
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2004
27,164
Cambridge, MA
I’ve been plateauing scoring-wise this year, bouncing between a 2.5-4 index since season’s start (last year’s low was 2.6). I made a big grip change a few months ago, and have started finding something by virtue of repetition and putting in the early morning rounds.

Finally shot even par 70 at my real home course (Franklin Park) yesterday. Went back out in a league skins game today (my first with this group) and shot 72 playing cups. Maybe not a good look for the new guy to clean up on skins, and I’ll give it back and then some over the next year, but just glad to have relative confidence in where the ball is going when standing over it throughout the bag.

Solution to a self-driven problem, but dialing in the THC% on what I smoke during rounds has also made a big difference. Comfort on and around the greens was fleeting when overdoing it.

edit: kettle brook got me for an 83 today. 37 putts was the story but this game humbles you quick.
 
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Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2005
41,948
Just got back from a weekend at Old Marsh in Palm Beach Gardens. Place is just spectacular.

We also got a chance to play a round at Trump National in Jupiter (right next to Bear's Club). First time I've played it, greens had to be running about a 12. Couldn't figure it out on the front and shot 45, and then went par, par, par, par, par, birdie, par, double, bogey on the back for 38. Won the match, even though my partner was pretty much blacked out by the 12th. The pool/bar scene at Trump is well, it's very nice. Except for all of the Trump stuff.
 

Freddy Linn

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
9,151
Where it rains. No, seriously.
Yeah - that's by Jon Cavalier, aka LinksGems on IG. He takes good pics then completely over-saturates the colors after to make them look not even realistic, which is a shame.

Anyway - Myopia rules, and that hole is sick. What an ace to have.
Gotcha. That is a shame.

My buddy's brother painted this:

 
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Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
I think we did this last year, and I enjoyed reading all of them, so I’ll kick us off now that the season is over for most of us.

Handicap: Started the year as a 7.2. Got as low as a 4.0 and ended at a 5.2.

High round: 93 on my home course.
Low round: 74 on my home course.


Shot of the year: Playing against @Gunca on vacation and the match is all square after he birdies 3 in a row. Adrenaline is high and we both hit our irons over the green on the fly into a bunker. Pin is tucked in the back of the green with the green running away from us downhill to water, and I’m on the downslope on the backside of a bunker. I take a big swing, taking a lot of sand with me, and the ball lands in the fringe and trickles down to about 5 feet. I make the putt and go back 1 up. Eventually winning. I’ve hit closer shots throughout the year, but that was the hardest shot with the best result.

tell me where you guys finished.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
I think I detailed my struggles at the end of last year when I had a wrist injury. It culminated in me shooting a legit 109 in AZ a year ago. I slowly got back to form and had a pretty fun year. I had a 40 stroke difference between my high score (109) and low score (69) in the past year, it's pretty wild.

Handicap: 7.9 > 1.8

Highlight of my year was winning both the net and gross trophy of the first flight for member/member with one of my best buds.

Crazy fun year.
 

Frisbetarian

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 3, 2003
5,261
Off the beaten track
I hope no one has an issue with me posting this here. If so, please feel free to delete.

But if you're in the Rhode Island area, you can join former Red Sox minor league player and my good friend Ryan Westmoreland on May 7th for a round of golf, with a portion of the proceeds going toward a cure for cavernous malformations! Visit www.makobaseball.com to register.

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