[Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News]

They just announced who is going to be playing in the first event.

Notable names: DJ, Talor Gooch, Kevin Na, Louis, Poulter, Garcia and Westwood. See players list below.

I really like Talor Gooch and it sucks to see him leave the PGA tour. Also, not a good look for DJ based off these comments...

Your move PGA tour.

[The Memorial - 2022]

With rain in the forecast for the morning Thursday tee times, it’s going to be interesting to see how the AM/PM scores compare to PM/AM. 

Not sure if this has been answered before, but how do players get assigned their Thurs/Fri tee times? Outside of being selected as a featured group, is it purely random or can they ask for a time frame? I’ve seen a ton of “tough luck” for the guys that had a PM/AM at PGA Championship and to go back a little, the Players.

[The Memorial - 2022]

Love this tournament. Excited to see who can navigate the back 9 and get into contention throughout the week.
 

My only request is for Bryson to play just to try and hit the second fairway on 5 again.

 

[What club in your bag is giving you hell right now?]

Putter for me. More of a consistency thing. Can have a solid round of making some putts, but that is followed closely by rounds of bad putting overall. I’ve always played the blade, but am reading into some mallet options. We will see.

[Happy Birthday thread]

Thanks guys, it was a good one! 

[2022 PGA Championship Contest Presented by Titleist and Vokey Wedges]

Thanks @Golfspy_CG2 for the opportunity and some sweet prizes!

I’m either feast or famine. Last major pool - 589th. The one before that - 8th. Let’s get back to feasting!

[Kelly Plantation Destin]

7 minutes ago, vandyland said:

@Mtbryant01have you ever played Links before? If so, is it painfully tight like it looks?

I have not but looks like a fun challenging track. Take some pics and report back how hard those holes are along the water!

[Kelly Plantation Destin]

22 minutes ago, vandyland said:

I am headed to Destin next week and since I have two small kids I have to play close to where we stay (Tops'l - Miramar). As such, Windswept is off the table. I typically play at Baytowne since it is across the street. I am finally going to test the waters at the Links of Sandestin. I always look at it on Google Earth and decide it looks WAY too tight off the tee but I am going to bite the bullet and play out there this time. I have played all the Destin courses and this time I just playing some of the less expensive courses so it is going to be Links, Baytowne and Emerald Bay. I have a soft spot for Emerald Bay because I lit it up one time (made 6 birdies out there) and so I ignore a lot of its short comings (pace of play out there is typically awful). Baytowne is fine, nothing exceptional but I always enjoy it. So the Links is really the wildcard. I legitimately may not hit Driver once out there...it just doesn't seem worth it. The 18th hole at the Links also looks incredibly intimidating. I mean...there is no where to miss on your approach. It is like a golf designed in a lab to be insanely penal. Check this out:

 

Only reason I didn’t play in Destin/Sandestin area this past week was that a lot of the courses just went through punching the greens and I didn’t want to pinball my way to the hole. Not sure if Links of Sandestin did or not, can’t remember seeing it on the website.

[How'd you play?]

Played Windswept Dunes yesterday while at the beach down here in Florida with my dad and bro in law. Weather was perfect in the high 70s and sunny.

I decided to challenge myself and play the tournament tees at 7300 yards. I shot a 78 with a double, some bogies, and a birdie. I had my driver working and some really nice up and downs to help my goal of breaking 80. My double consisted of a plugged ball into the side of a bunker. This was one of the worst I’ve ever seen as I could only see 5-6 dimples of the ball and the letter S from Snell. Avoided disaster by hacking at it and getting it to fall into the bottom of the trap.

I highly suggest playing Windswept Dunes if you’re in the Destin/Panama City area in Florida. I know golf is expensive at the beach, but this course is a little bit of a hidden gem to me. Not on the beach, but still has that beachy vibe. 7 tee boxes to pick from, challenging green complexes, and unique course layout.

Alright I’m done, back to the beach.

[Kelly Plantation Destin]

On 5/11/2022 at 4:39 PM, TBS said:

I agree with this completely. There are a few interesting holes but overall a pretty basic Florida course. I found that Regatta Bay was much more enjoyable with a good mix of holes and you had to use every club in your bag.

I also really like Windswept Dunes. Windswept Dunes should be a model for courses. With so many tee boxes, it played perfect when I played with my sister who has only been playing for a year. Easy enough for her but still challenging enough for me. It's also a great example how wide fairways and sparingly using rough still requires strategy.

I’m out here today and just got done at Windswept. Love playing here when I visit for the week at the beach. Course is in fantastic shape. 5-6 tee boxes to pick from and always a fun challenge!

Like some have mentioned, I wish there were a couple more comparable options in price over in the Seagrove/Seacrest area as I don’t want to pay $300 for Camp Creek or Sharks Tooth.

 

[Big Cedar Lodge]

As @Ben_Howell34 recapped above, 11 of us from Alabama took over Big Cedar Lodge. We played all 5 courses (Payne’s Valley, Buffalo Ridge, Ozark National, Mountain Top, and Top of the Rock) and had a blast! We were a little worried about weather coming in but didn’t have one rain drop on us all weekend.

Here’s my rank of the 3 main courses and then the 2 par 3 courses. Hard to pick as every course was immaculate and worthy of playing over and over.

1) Buffalo Ridge - course has been around the longest of the 3 main courses. I really enjoyed the tree lined holes as compared to the other 2 courses. Really fun layout to challenge yourself off the tee and around the greens. My favorite stretch throughout the weekend was playing 13, 14, and 15. You have to eat the Buffalo dog after hole 5. Such a clutch mid round snack. Ozark National has it too.

2) Payne’s Valley - *disclaimer* I made the poor decision to play from the Tiger tees (7500 yds) in 30-40 mph winds. Performance during the round was not great. The course is incredible though. It has your challenging par 3 and 5s as well as your long par 4s to combat a couple driveable par 4s. Enjoyed the snack house after 9 where I could load up on snacks for free. 

3) Ozark National - another really pristine course as I attempted to do what Phil did on the Champions tour here. Unfortunately didn’t succeed, but had a lot of fun playing it. Really cool layout of holes. The back 9 was the toughest 9 I played all weekend. I enjoyed the challenge of holes 12, 13, and 16. This course had a snack hut after 9 as well which come up clutch.

Par 3 courses

1) Mountain Top - I actually enjoyed this one a little more than Top of the Rock. 13 holes, all varying in distances and elevation. Wind was a little brutal as we played it the same day as Payne’s, but that was a fun element to add into the mix. Really enjoyed it as a walking only course and some really cool walks between holes.

2) Top of the Rock - 9 holes. Every single course was kept in such good condition. This was a great way to finish the trip in the late afternoon and have dinner at the top of the course as the sun was setting. This course wasn’t really a “keep your score and compete” type round. More of a “enjoy with your 7 people” and hit multiple shots into these fun layout of holes. I also was expecting to see the incredible range they used to have, but a sinkhole wrecked that plan. I should have done more research on that, as it happened a couple years ago I believe.

TLDR: it’s worth it. Yeah it’s a little expensive, but it’s worth it. Awesome experience.

 

 

 

[Pre round routines]

I always warm up on the range if I can. The key for me is to get loose stretching and hitting some wedge shots to get a feel for my swing. After that, I only swing a couple lower lofted irons and driver swings. I have to see one decent one from the driver before I leave. After that, I usually go putt and chip (if I have time). 

I’ve found that no warmup on the range costs me in the first 4-5 holes every single time.

[Hybrids or Irons? Asking for a "Friend"]

I currently game my Cobra Radspeed 4 hybrid. I 100% can hit this longer, more accurate, and have less mishits than I was having with my 4 iron. Swing your swing though. I too only go up to a 5 iron before going 4 hybrid, 5 wood, 3 wood. 

[05/05/22: Stock Up/Stock Down: Golf World]

Great read. Enjoyed the content!

[How'd you play?]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Great stuff Matt!! Congrats open the virtual Bar

Opened up a bottle of Eagle Rare tonight. Felt it was appropriate…

[How'd you play?]

After my trip with @Ben_Howell34 to Big Cedar Lodge (I’ll update on his post about how that trip was….it was incredible) I got to play with a buddy at my local club today. 

I shot a 75 today (my best this year and one off my personal best ever)

I had a chip in birdie and then….. a hole in one! Can’t even describe the feeling of seeing the ball drop into the hole off the tee. 149 yd shot, downwind. Pin is on the front. I played a full PW with the slightest fade. Hit 5 ft to the left of the flag, checked up on the side hill and started falling to the right towards the hole. The anticipation was real as I didn’t know if it was tracking or not. I saw it roll into the flag stick, catch the lip of the cup, do a 180 around the flag before falling in.

Beautiful weather, incredible day. I’ve had many lows while playing, but this is why I love going out again and again. The chase for perfection and today was pretty dang perfect.

[What/How Did You Practice Today?]

Beautiful day here in Alabama. Had to get out to the range to enjoy some sunshine. Working through trying to shallow out my swing at the moment. Decent range session led me to want to hit a couple more shots when I got home. Well, I guess I really just need to leave the woods upstairs...

 

 

[MyGolfSpy Masters Pool Contest]

Love these. Will skip a ball across the water in honor of hole 16…..even if I don’t do it on purpose…

[Regional Mid Atlantic Outing-Open To Everyone Regardless of Location.]

Ah man, just seeing this. Baby due first week of August or I’d make the trip up. Hopefully y’all get a good number to show up! Love we are trying to get a bigger group together.

[King Forged Tec (copper)]

On 3/7/2022 at 12:04 PM, vandyland said:

Also, just be aware that the copper will wear over time (especially on the sole). These will not look mint in 6 months if you are cool with that. The copper will show wear much more than chrome (but also these are tools not jewels in my mind).

I am currently gaming the King Tour MIMs in the copper finish. Like @vandyland said, the copper does wear out. I’ve only had my PW and 9 iron start showing wear. It’s mainly on the bottom of the club and the lower grooves. I honestly don’t mind the look at all. Yeah it was sexy looking when I first got them paired with the black KBS $ shafts, but it’s been holding up decently well. I didn’t hold back either. We have sandy ranges in Alabama, and those will take off the paint of anything.

Back to the original question, I can’t speak for the Forged Tecs, but the MIMs have been great with forgiveness if you’re willing to look into those. I also have a 4hybrid in the Radspeed from Cobra. This might be one of my favorite clubs to hit. I could never hit my 4 iron in my old set, so when I got my new set, I went PW-5 with a 4 hybrid. Don’t regret it at all.

[Sweetens Cove]

I am headed back to Sweetens Cove on March 19th. @TBS will be joining me. I originally got 8 passes, but only need 4.

I thought I’d mention it here first, I have 4 available passes to play from sun up to sun down. Pay once you get there. $100ish to walk, $150ish to ride. Let me know if interested! Would be cool to meet some of the MGS family.

[2022 MGS Forum Changes]

I’m really excited about the course reviews. I hope this gets used a lot. Would love to pull it up and check if I’m visiting a place I’m not familiar with and  trying to sneak in a round.

[How'd you play?]

78 39/39

1 birdie. 11 GIRs. 3 3 putts.

Played Bent Brook golf course with @Ben_Howell34. Beautiful day for early March. Had to take advantage and get out to the course.

First time in at least 3-4 months that I got back into the 70s. I finally got my off the tee game working how I’d like. Hopefully that will continue as we get into the spring and summer. Not playing for a couple weeks did hurt my short game a little bit, but nothing a few sessions on the putting green can’t fix.

Shot of the day was my driver on a shorter hole that was about 330 to the green. First 2/3rds of the hole was up hill, but then crests and goes back downhill to the hill. I hit my driver well, but didn’t know I hit it that well. Probably aided by some roll, my ball was sitting in the fairway a couple feet from the green. A chip and a putt later and walking to the next with a birdie!

[ATT Pebble Beach - 2022]

Got off to a hot start last week. Let’s keep it going.
 

Bold prediction. getting his first win. 

[The Farmers Insurance Open - 2022]

Pretty awesome seeing Luke win as a 37 year old for the first time. Gotta have a true love for the sport to keep on pursuing that first win.
 

In one of his interviews he said he completely revamped his putting this last year with his coach. While it didn’t look like it when he missed 2 4 footers and 1 10 footer down the stretch, Luke was +0.40 SG in putting in the tournament compared to his season avg of -0.46 SG in putting.