oldguy819

PREMIUM golf ball:  Left Dash ProV1X
MAY be just as good:  Maxfli CG Tour
I play the premiums for tourneys and outings. Maxfli for every day  A third the price.  Doesn't hurt so bad when I lose them.

PREMIUM golf ball:  Left Dash ProV1X
MAY be just as good:  Maxfli CG Tour
I play the premiums for tourneys and outings. Maxfli for every day  A third the price.  Doesn't hurt so bad when I lose them.

This thread saddens me. Top ten in terms of fun factor.
 
Top 10
 
1. Otsego Country Club
 
2. Belvedere
 
3. Dunmaglaus
 
4. Boyne Courses 4 of them
 
5. Crooked Tree
 
6. Walloon Lake Country Club
 
7. Bay View Country Club
 
8. Sweet Grass
 
9. Charlevoix Country Club
 
10. Black Bear
 
All in Michigan... all north of the 45th parallel...
 
 
 

In no order:
- St Andrews Old Course
- Carnoustie
- Oakland Hills South
- Point o’Woods
- Pinehurst #2
- Firestone (north and south)
- Pasatiempo
- Kapalua Plantation
- Bay Hill
- Mid Ocean (Bermuda)
 
Honorable mention:
- Mid Pines
- Arcadia Bluffs
 
Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy
 

Wood or composite.  Plastic leaves marks on the face.  In cold temps (Michigan weather) sometimes 45 degrees, it's like hitting stones. one in our group just got a stealth this past spring and the carbon face was actually damaged. The place he bought it replaced his driver but THEN the guys says you shouldn't use plastic tees with the carbon face especially in cold weather.  Combine the cold with the club AND the tee and the ball.  My personal use/feeling is, though the plastic last longer the trade off isn't worth the scars and the mower blades

Ease of access. Familiarity with staff, people, and course. I play several rounds at various courses so it's not the same-ole same-ole.  I've become friends with some terrific guys. We play regularly and make games such as "Red-White-Blue.  Sometimes the tips as well. DOTS.  Different tee boxes.  You'd be surprized how it changes the course. COST.  Playing 60-80 rounds plus 2 leagues per year. Convenience. Maybe 9 holes today. Mostly 18 holes. I find I'm playing Sept and Oct almost free. That said, this is a semi private club with no monthly fees or dues so we don't have that burden. Otherwise, if you meant "Country Clubs" Highly doubtful I'd join. Those are 95% status symbols and hardly worth the money.

I think it's time JT found himself another caddy.  Bones MAY be an incredibly brilliant caddy BUT!.  Unlike Lefty, JT gets his head filled with too much information and forgets why he's on the golf course.  JT needs the distances, elevations, winds.  Which way the sun is shining. How much moisture is in the ground and what he did last year is too much useless information. Bones just over inundates JT with TOO DAMN MUCH to think about. Free your mind JT. Let your natural abilities work FOR you.  You can see when you address your ball.  Thinking too much.

At 70 years old, I ride. But in my youth, I walked using a pull cart. The key to using a riding cart is "etiquette" and "speed".  NEVER drive up on a golfer who's addressing or hitting his ball. If you cartmate's ball is one side of the fairway opposite yours, Park in the middle and walk to both. Take 2 or 3 clubs if necessary if you're unsure of distance.  Learn to carry your yardage assistant.  This B.S. of sitting in the cart waiting for you mate to hit before driving 40 feet to yours because the range finder is in the cart or you're uncertain of distance.   Well.  You should be CRUCIFIED!  Strong language to be sure but with the chatter about "pace of play" It is only common sense. The beauty of a riding cart is 2 fold. 1. If you're next to each other where ever that may be, PERFECT. But if you're on both ends of the earth, Drop your mate at his ball (the one hitting first) then drive to yours meeting somewhere in the middle on the way to your next shots. 
Co-mon.  You can walk a little

At 70 years old, I ride. But in my youth, I walked using a pull cart. The key to using a riding cart is "etiquette" and "speed".  NEVER drive up on a golfer who's addressing or hitting his ball. If you cartmate's ball is one side of the fairway opposite yours, Park in the middle and walk to both. Take 2 or 3 clubs if necessary if you're unsure of distance.  Learn to carry your yardage assistant.  This B.S. of sitting in the cart waiting for you mate to hit before driving 40 feet to yours because the range finder is in the cart or you're uncertain of distance.   Well.  You should be CRUCIFIED!  Strong language to be sure but with the chatter about "pace of play" It is only common sense. The beauty of a riding cart is 2 fold. 1. If you're next to each other where ever that may be, PERFECT. But if you're on both ends of the earth, Drop your mate at his ball (the one hitting first) then drive to yours meeting somewhere in the middle on the way to your next shots. 
Co-mon.  You can walk a little

At 70 years old, I ride. But in my youth, I walked using a pull cart. The key to using a riding cart is "etiquette" and "speed".  NEVER drive up on a golfer who's addressing or hitting his ball. If you cartmate's ball is one side of the fairway opposite yours, Park in the middle and walk to both. Take 2 or 3 clubs if necessary if you're unsure of distance.  Learn to carry your yardage assistant.  This B.S. of sitting in the cart waiting for you mate to hit before driving 40 feet to yours because the range finder is in the cart or you're uncertain of distance.   Well.  You should be CRUCIFIED!  Strong language to be sure but with the chatter about "pace of play" It is only common sense. The beauty of a riding cart is 2 fold. 1. If you're next to each other where ever that may be, PERFECT. But if you're on both ends of the earth, Drop your mate at his ball (the one hitting first) then drive to yours meeting somewhere in the middle on the way to your next shots. 
Co-mon.  You can walk a little

At 70 years old, I ride. But in my youth, I walked using a pull cart. The key to using a riding cart is "etiquette" and "speed".  NEVER drive up on a golfer who's addressing or hitting his ball. If you cartmate's ball is one side of the fairway opposite yours, Park in the middle and walk to both. Take 2 or 3 clubs if necessary if you're unsure of distance.  Learn to carry your yardage assistant.  This B.S. of sitting in the cart waiting for you mate to hit before driving 40 feet to yours because the range finder is in the cart or you're uncertain of distance.   Well.  You should be CRUCIFIED!  Strong language to be sure but with the chatter about "pace of play" It is only common sense. The beauty of a riding cart is 2 fold. 1. If you're next to each other where ever that may be, PERFECT. But if you're on both ends of the earth, Drop your mate at his ball (the one hitting first) then drive to yours meeting somewhere in the middle on the way to your next shots. 
Co-mon.  You can walk a little

As far as this topic goes, I think the main thing to teach new golfers is "Pace of play".  I fall into the range of the better than average golfer but by no means great.  I've played with Pros in Pro-ams in my state and I've played with guys who shot 140.  I can play with guys who shoot double par as long as they PLAY and KEEP MOVING.  I've also played with guys who were better than me but WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH must we look for balls on every stinking hole INCLUDING tee boxes. Hardly anyone walks these days so you must learn cart speed of play as well. If your cartmate is on one side of the fairway or even in the gigs, you can do one of 3 things.  Drop him off to look for his ball.  (by the way, you've got THREE minutes.  NOT 5 or 10)  Drop me off at may ball and let me play while you look. And if you're both playable, park in between and walk to your respective balls WITH your club or maybe even 2 or 3 clubs should you not be certain.  Keep an extra ball in your pocket JUST IN CASE and for GODS sake, Pre mark your ball so if you're in a competition, (A money game no matter how insignificant) There's no danger of playing the wrong ball. These few simple things will make the round much more enjoyable for you and your fellow golfers in your group and the course.

OH MY GOD!  OH please Oh please.  NEVER. EVER shuck sunflower seeds or any other hulled seed type nuts and spit them on the course ANYWHERE let alone the greens. Ever try clearing the path you need to putt your ball picking up those shells?.  They don't do the green mowers any good either. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE habit.  Don't start then you won't have to quit.

As far as this topic goes, I think the main thing to teach new golfers is "Pace of play".  I fall into the range of the better than average golfer but by no means great.  I've played with Pros in Pro-ams in my state and I've played with guys who shot 140.  I can play with guys who shoot double par as long as they PLAY and KEEP MOVING.  I've also played with guys who were better than me but WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH must we look for balls on every stinking hole INCLUDING tee boxes. Hardly anyone walks these days so you must learn cart speed of play as well. If your cartmate is on one side of the fairway or even in the gigs, you can do one of 3 things.  Drop him off to look for his ball.  (by the way, you've got THREE minutes.  NOT 5 or 10)  Drop me off at may ball and let me play while you look. And if you're both playable, park in between and walk to your respective balls WITH your club or maybe even 2 or 3 clubs should you not be certain.  Keep an extra ball in your pocket JUST IN CASE and for GODS sake, Pre mark your ball so if you're in a competition, (A money game no matter how insignificant) There's no danger of playing the wrong ball. These few simple things will make the round much more enjoyable for you and your fellow golfers in your group and the course.

OH MY GOD!  OH please Oh please.  NEVER. EVER shuck sunflower seeds or any other hulled seed type nuts and spit them on the course ANYWHERE let alone the greens. Ever try clearing the path you need to putt your ball picking up those shells?.  They don't do the green mowers any good either. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE habit.  Don't start then you won't have to quit.

1.  Pace of play.  Learn ready golf.  If you are learning the game you will undoubtedly fall behind on some holes.  Talk to experienced players, it won't annoy them, they'll be happy to help you through things like when to let groups behind you play through.
2.  Greens etiquette.....Repair (properly) pitch marks.  Please pick up your feet when walking on greens.   Don't spit seed shells on the green (or dip).  Knock the sand off your shoes before walking to the green after playing out of a bunker.
3.  Jerks.....You will run into jerks on the course from time to time.  Perhaps they are members that think they own the place, perhaps they are having a bad round and let the world know it with their attitude (club throwing guy), perhaps they are sloppy drunks.......Politely apologize and ignore these folks and make a "note to self" that this is not how to act in any situation.  I used to be one of these jerks when I was younger, and it cost me a lot of friends that I enjoyed playing golf with.  Turns out they did not enjoy playing golf only when I was with them.  Recognize "the jerks" and make an oath not to be one of them (this is half the battle in regards to "golf etiquette")  
 
Play with more experienced golfers when you can.  Ask questions.  Common sense and a little respect goes a long way in golf.

As far as this topic goes, I think the main thing to teach new golfers is "Pace of play".  I fall into the range of the better than average golfer but by no means great.  I've played with Pros in Pro-ams in my state and I've played with guys who shot 140.  I can play with guys who shoot double par as long as they PLAY and KEEP MOVING.  I've also played with guys who were better than me but WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH must we look for balls on every stinking hole INCLUDING tee boxes. Hardly anyone walks these days so you must learn cart speed of play as well. If your cartmate is on one side of the fairway or even in the gigs, you can do one of 3 things.  Drop him off to look for his ball.  (by the way, you've got THREE minutes.  NOT 5 or 10)  Drop me off at may ball and let me play while you look. And if you're both playable, park in between and walk to your respective balls WITH your club or maybe even 2 or 3 clubs should you not be certain.  Keep an extra ball in your pocket JUST IN CASE and for GODS sake, Pre mark your ball so if you're in a competition, (A money game no matter how insignificant) There's no danger of playing the wrong ball. These few simple things will make the round much more enjoyable for you and your fellow golfers in your group and the course.

As far as this topic goes, I think the main thing to teach new golfers is "Pace of play".  I fall into the range of the better than average golfer but by no means great.  I've played with Pros in Pro-ams in my state and I've played with guys who shot 140.  I can play with guys who shoot double par as long as they PLAY and KEEP MOVING.  I've also played with guys who were better than me but WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH must we look for balls on every stinking hole INCLUDING tee boxes. Hardly anyone walks these days so you must learn cart speed of play as well. If your cartmate is on one side of the fairway or even in the gigs, you can do one of 3 things.  Drop him off to look for his ball.  (by the way, you've got THREE minutes.  NOT 5 or 10)  Drop me off at may ball and let me play while you look. And if you're both playable, park in between and walk to your respective balls WITH your club or maybe even 2 or 3 clubs should you not be certain.  Keep an extra ball in your pocket JUST IN CASE and for GODS sake, Pre mark your ball so if you're in a competition, (A money game no matter how insignificant) There's no danger of playing the wrong ball. These few simple things will make the round much more enjoyable for you and your fellow golfers in your group and the course.

2nd reply to this topic.  All I've read and only one reference to the fairways being like the billiard table top..  When I see stats like "Carry" and Roll out", and see carry 290 or 310 or there about.  Then you see the roll outs going another 30, 60, and in some cases 100 yards.  Then you want to retard the balls so they travel less.  Why not TRY and leave the fairways say, like the current "First cut" of rough?  Balls won't roll out as far.  A little trickier into the greens.  It could EASILY be done for a couple of tourneys and check the numbers.  BEFORE you hack the industry to pieces and bankrupt manufacturers.
 

""the bifurcation of the profession into social do-gooders and self-serving iconoclasts""
I know they've been talking about this for years.  I can GUESS what they're complaining about but How can you put restrictions on balls or equipment without destroying that industry.  I'm old enough to remember the BAN of the "Brittish" balls.  There's been no discussion about the "lofts" of the clubs.  Why do they hit lob wedges 100+ yards?  9 irons 180 yards?  Because they manipulate the lofts. You're going to penalize the golfer who strives to have a faster swing or make "pure" hits of the ball.  Isn't this a little (a LOT) like socialism/communism?  Someone is too good so "we MUST penalize the achiever to make the underachiever look better?"  I've been golfing 60 years.  There was a day when I could OCCASIONALLY hit a balata 300 yards with a persimmon.  Made me feel great and impress those I played with.  All that I've read only speaks of "They hit it too far".  What is their ultimate goal? Are we going to limit their engines like nascar? LeMans?  To what end?
I'd look at redesigning the courses. Tighter and shorter dog legs Thicker rough. Longer fairway grass/turf.  The rollouts are INCREDIBLE. One or two more trees they have to navigate? Make the players MANIPULATE or WORK the ball around the course again.  Not that many can fade or draw the ball on command or certain degrees of bend.  This would force the ball makers to redesign the balls again because today's balls, you can't make em bend like you used too.  My two cents

YES!

I joined for the unbiased equipment testing.Equipment is such a personal thing.  It must fit the eye. Feel good.  And of course the price. But after factoring in these things, it's nice to read some unbiased testing to re-enforce ones decision making.  I'm from the world of "You get what you pay for".  And REALLY impressed with the ball testing,  Spring and fall I and I'm not hitting the ball solidly, I can play water balls.  It doesn't matter.  But when the grove comes back I like to think I'm playing the best ball for me.

I joined for the unbiased equipment testing.Equipment is such a personal thing.  It must fit the eye. Feel good.  And of course the price. But after factoring in these things, it's nice to read some unbiased testing to re-enforce ones decision making.  I'm from the world of "You get what you pay for".  And REALLY impressed with the ball testing,  Spring and fall I and I'm not hitting the ball solidly, I can play water balls.  It doesn't matter.  But when the grove comes back I like to think I'm playing the best ball for me.

I joined for the unbiased equipment testing.Equipment is such a personal thing.  It must fit the eye. Feel good.  And of course the price. But after factoring in these things, it's nice to read some unbiased testing to re-enforce ones decision making.  I'm from the world of "You get what you pay for".  And REALLY impressed with the ball testing,  Spring and fall I and I'm not hitting the ball solidly, I can play water balls.  It doesn't matter.  But when the grove comes back I like to think I'm playing the best ball for me.

I joined for the unbiased equipment testing.Equipment is such a personal thing.  It must fit the eye. Feel good.  And of course the price. But after factoring in these things, it's nice to read some unbiased testing to re-enforce ones decision making.  I'm from the world of "You get what you pay for".  And REALLY impressed with the ball testing,  Spring and fall I and I'm not hitting the ball solidly, I can play water balls.  It doesn't matter.  But when the grove comes back I like to think I'm playing the best ball for me.