Mid-Atlantic: NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA

[richk9holes]

I would go back, but not twilight, pace is slow for a sunset booking. I'll go walk it with my father when he is home from FL likely.

#7 is the one you mean. Playing about 220 from the whites today, 245 from blue. I left a 3H short and hit my 52° over the back. Was happy to escape with double. I will hit driver next time.

One of the 5 playing partners by the end was cranking his driver. #17 was playing about 290 and we watched his drive hit before the green, roll through and off the back. I say again, those greens are quick.

[Swood1994]

Hey Everyone! This is long over due as I've been following MyGolfSpy for years without being very active as I never had the time. As you'll see below my job really relates to the core of what MGS does and data drives my world. Looking forward to becoming more of an active member in the forums and hoping (fingers crossed) I can land being a tester this year to help out with my strong analysis skills.

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I started playing golf a few years after I started playing hockey so roughly since I was 5 or 6. I play highschool golf but found the competitive golf scene wasn't for me. I really enjoy having fun and trying shots I know I likely don't have a chance of making. I am however very competitive (with myself) and love that aspect of playing the game. Me vs the course. I will play for money against buddies every now and again. I am currently a 5.7 handicap and usually shoot 76-79 at my home courses.

What do you love about golf?

I love being outdoors in the summer and I love the challenge golf has. You have so many different options for each shot and how you want to play it and there isn't one way to do things. 

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I am a data driven person so since MGS started I've been an avid follower (regrettable not involved in the community but reading a lot of the tests and reviews) loving that they used data and analysis to drive their equipment recommendations broken down into different categories.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

Syracuse, NY (The Golden Snow globe winner for snowiest city in America) I play a lot of courses in and around CNY I do play Green Lakes State Park course quite a bit.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Winter is very long here. instead of 4 seasons we have 10 as we have fools spring 2nd winter, etc. spring and fall golf are very wet and cold. Summer is great though for 3-4 months out of the year!

What do you do for a living?

I am a Sales Operations Analyst. Data and Excel is my life.

How’d you pick your user name?

not super interesting name and birth year (yes I am youngin' even though I feel old)

Thought I'd add another topic quick even though I sure there is a dedicated forum but goals for 2023:

Break 70: I came so close this past year and shot Even 71 with 4 birdies and an Eagle throughout the round. This was after a bad snowmobile accident in January of '22 which tore my MCL. 

Putting: currently i'm losing 4.2 Strokes on my putting. I really want to focus on becoming a better putter inside 10ft.

Make more family time: I recently became a father at the start of this year to a beautiful baby girl and I want to make sure i be the best dad I can while still getting out to play in the short season we have. I can wait to Introduce her to the game and am trying to land an allocation to buy 2023 My Girl Scotty Cameron Limited Release to hopefully gift to her one day (that's like finding a needle in a haystack though).

 

Looking forward to following more topics and posts this season and becoming a more active member of the MGS Community! 

[Nate Wagner]

Hey Everyone in the Mid-Atlantic! I'm Nate Wagner, new to the forum, and excited to share and learn from other golf enthusiasts!

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?
I've been playing golf since 2020 (like many others!) My handicap is 14, I usually shoot mid to high 80s. 

What do you love about golf?
I love being outside and flushing an iron. The sounds are also some of the best of any sport I've played. 

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?
I watch the YouTube videos and have recently wanted to get deeper into the golfing community and like the feel of MGS. Hoping to get to know some people and maybe play some rounds with people on here. 

Where are you from? What is your home course?
I'm from Denver, CO originally, now living in Northern Virginia. The course I play the most often is Langston Golf Course and East Potomac in DC. 

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?
Best things about golf here is that many winters allow you to play throughout the year (like this winter). Worst thing is the price and crowds. 

What do you do for a living?
I'm a Pastor at a small church. 

How’d you pick your user name?
It's just my name!
 

[MadHatter]

Hey everybody! My name is Curtis. I enjoy getting out to golf as much as possible. Most of the time, that means swinging by my home course right after work and walking 9. I'm not a great golfer, but I enjoy being out there and hitting some good shots when they happen. Been working on getting better, trying different techniques out to see how it affects my golf game.

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I played every so often back in my 20's, not very consistently. Got some clubs and would go out maybe 4 or 5 times a year. Really started going out more frequently in the past 10 years though. Lately I average ~100 on a normal day, ~105 on a bad day, and ~95 on a good day. Best was carding a 94 with a 10 on a hole, haha.

What do you love about golf?

I just enjoy being outside, getting exercise (when I walk the course), and that it's really a game against yourself. The only person to blame is yourself for bad shots, and all the credit for great shots too!

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

Got an email and checked out to site. I don't already know any other Spies but I figure that'll change soon enough.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I'm from Quinton, VA. My home course is Brookwoods Golf Course.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best things:

Lots of variety. Close nearby are beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes, all with golf courses that play to the environment. 

Worst things: 

Pollen in the spring. Just plain awful.

What do you do for a living?

I work in IT for a healthcare company that focuses on Medicare Advantage programs. 

How’d you pick your user name?

Had this user name for a long time. Half because you'll always find me wearing a hat if I can, half because I thoroughly enjoy Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, and half because we're all a little mad here.

[Playoffs]

Greetings from Somerset County NJ

1. Started playing in my mid-forties and played maybe a dozen rounds per year until retiring. No handicap officially established but Arccos estimates it to be 22+. Normally shoot in the low 90s 

2. Mind-body kinda zen aspect. Yeah, I know it’s a little frufru, but I take my transcendental experience where I can get it

3. Found out about MGS years ago and appreciate the unbiased information. Don’t know if I know any other spies 

4. Somerset County NJ. Play the county courses. No home course 

5. The weather qualifies for both answers 

6. Retired 

7. From Jim Mora

[null]

1 hour ago, Playoffs said:

Greetings from Somerset County NJ

1. Started playing in my mid-forties and played maybe a dozen rounds per year until retiring. No handicap officially established but Arccos estimates it to be 22+. Normally shoot in the low 90s 

2. Mind-body kinda zen aspect. Yeah, I know it’s a little frufru, but I take my transcendental experience where I can get it

3. Found out about MGS years ago and appreciate the unbiased information. Don’t know if I know any other spies 

4. Somerset County NJ. Play the county courses. No home course 

5. The weather qualifies for both answers 

6. Retired 

7. From Jim Mora

Grew up playing the Somerset County courses. Worked at Mattawang many years ago when I was in high school. 

Haven't played spooky or quail in awhile. Gotta get on those courses this season for pure nostalgic purposes

[Playoffs]

Golfspy_Lukes -
Love the county courses here. I usually play either Spooky or Quail because I can get a reasonable tee time a couple of days ahead. Hope to see you out there 

[richk9holes]

4 hours ago, Golfspy_Lukes said:

Grew up playing the Somerset County courses. Worked at Mattawang many years ago when I was in high school. 

Haven't played spooky or quail in awhile. Gotta get on those courses this season for pure nostalgic purposes

 

4 hours ago, Playoffs said:

Golfspy_Lukes -
Love the county courses here. I usually play either Spooky or Quail because I can get a reasonable tee time a couple of days ahead. Hope to see you out there 

 Those are both on my list, haven't gotten that far yet. It'd be 1hr + to Mattawang I think I looked up

[elight]

Hi everyone! I've been playing golf for a little over a year, and have gone down the rabbit hole (black hole?) of YouTube and web forums. I've gained so much knowledge over the years being an active participant in other forums in areas of interest (baseball, poker and growing tomatoes come to mind). I'm really looking forward to learning from one another as I hopefully take a big step in improving my game this year.

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I played briefly about 20 years ago, was terrible, and didn't play again for 18 years. I picked up the sticks again about 18 months ago. Last year, I got serious and worked myself down from shooting 120+ to shooting right around 100 as a 25 handicap.

What do you love about golf?

Being outside, being physically active, disconnecting from my phone (even though I use it to keep score and such, I never feel the need to check messages or do anything else), teaching my young children and sharing the experience with them, the thrill that comes from making a good shot.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I love data and analytics. It's my approach to almost everything I've ever done. I want to understand how and why things work. I'm not aware that I know anyone else who knows of this site.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I live in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I mostly split my time last year between the Allentown muni and Twin Lakes (formerly Iron Lakes). I really like the Allentown muni for a variety of reasons (very close to my house, relatively easy, they let you walk any time), but the slow pace of play especially on the weekends kept me away.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

The best things are the abundance of courses on every level (really dumpy 9-hole courses, pretty decent municipal courses, very nice public courses, and country/golf clubs) within 20 minutes of my house, and the fact that you can really always find a tee time somewhere. It's also super affordable compared to other areas. I honestly can't think of a negative - this is a great place to live for golf!

What do you do for a living?

I'm the director of a nonprofit community center.

How’d you pick your user name?

This was the nickname I was given when I started my career and was the director of a teen youth group program.

[jonescuatro]

Hello everybody! The name is George and I love playing a game called find your ball on a golf course. 

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I've been playing for about 20 years. I was a baseball player so I naturally enjoyed swinging a golf club.  About 10 years ago, the itch to get better started and I've been playing regularly since.  Handicap is 18.0. I shoot around a 90, lowest score was an 83 but I have regressed with my accuracy/consistency off the tee box the last few years.  I've Been working hard on the driver this offseason so hopefully I can push the scores back down. 

What do you love about golf?

Besides enjoying being outdoors on a beautiful day with a well manicured course, I enjoy the mental challenge that this incredibly difficult game brings.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

Been lurking and finally decided to join up,  I do not know anyone on here though.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I live in Ramsey, NJ, originally from the Bay area of California.  I would say my home course is Darlington although 5 years ago it would have been Valley Brook. Both are Bergen County Courses.  Growing up I played a lot at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best: The volume of golf courses in northern jersey and around the tri state 

Worst: cost

What do you do for a living?

I am a locomotive engineer 

 

Edited March 27 by jonescuatro

[richk9holes]

1 minute ago, jonescuatro said:

Hello everybody! The name is George and I love playing a game called find your ball on a golf course. 

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I've been playing for about 20 years. I was a baseball player so I naturally enjoyed swinging a golf club.  About 10 years ago, the itch to get better started and I've been playing regularly since.  

What do you love about golf?

Besides enjoying being outdoors on a beautiful day with a well manicured course, I enjoy the mental challenge that this incredibly difficult game brings.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

Been lurking for years and finally decided to join up,  I do not know anyone on here though.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I live in Ramsey, NJ, originally from the Bay area of California.  I would say my home course is Darlington although 5 years ago it would have been Valley Brook. Both are Bergen County Courses.  Growing up I played a lot at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best: The volume of golf courses in northern jersey and around the tri state 

Worst: cost

What do you do for a living?

I am a locomotive engineer for NJT

 

Yay for more NJ people

[Kinkel]

Hello,

My name is Peter. I have been playing golf for most of my life, and have been running a 9 hole golf league in western NJ for about 15 years now.  I also play golf at my local course as often as possible.

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I started playing when I was a teenager, but only a few times at a local course that my parents joined to play with their friends.  Probably only played about 5-6 times until I finished college and started working.  I played about 1-2 times per month with some friends from work until I had a young family and also started commuting to NYC for work.  That killed my golf opportunities.  I started playing more often about 20 years ago, and have been playing a lot now that I am retired.  My handicap fluctuates in the mid-single digits.  I currently hold a 7.5 index.

What do you love about golf?

The big attraction for me is that golf always challenges me to do better.  As soon as I seem to be playing very well, it decides to show me who is really the boss, and I hit it fat, thin, or other worse shot!
I also have met many great people and have made close friends while golfing.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I have been following MyGolfSpy for many years now, and use the information here to get insight into equipment and read what other golfers like me are experiencing.  I think this is one of the best sources of golf information.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I live int the Clinton NJ area. My home course is High Bridge Hills Golf Course.  I also run a 9 hole weekly golf league at The Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg NJ.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best things:  Plenty of Golf Courses to play. 

Worst things:   Winter can limit the golf opportunities, but there are courses that remain open and playable as long as Ice and Snow aren't covering the course.

What do you do for a living?

I am recently retired.  I was an IT developer/architect.

[null]

12 minutes ago, Kinkel said:

Hello,

My name is Peter. I have been playing golf for most of my life, and have been running a 9 hole golf league in western NJ for about 15 years now.  I also play golf at my local course as often as possible.

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I started playing when I was a teenager, but only a few times at a local course that my parents joined to play with their friends.  Probably only played about 5-6 times until I finished college and started working.  I played about 1-2 times per month with some friends from work until I had a young family and also started commuting to NYC for work.  That killed my golf opportunities.  I started playing more often about 20 years ago, and have been playing a lot now that I am retired.  My handicap fluctuates in the mid-single digits.  I currently hold a 7.5 index.

What do you love about golf?

The big attraction for me is that golf always challenges me to do better.  As soon as I seem to be playing very well, it decides to show me who is really the boss, and I hit it fat, thin, or other worse shot!
I also have met many great people and have made close friends while golfing.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I have been following MyGolfSpy for many years now, and use the information here to get insight into equipment and read what other golfers like me are experiencing.  I think this is one of the best sources of golf information.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I live int the Clinton NJ area. My home course is High Bridge Hills Golf Course.  I also run a 9 hole weekly golf league at The Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg NJ.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best things:  Plenty of Golf Courses to play. 

Worst things:   Winter can limit the golf opportunities, but there are courses that remain open and playable as long as Ice and Snow aren't covering the course.

What do you do for a living?

I am recently retired.  I was an IT developer/architect.

Played High Bridge Hills a little over three weeks ago.  Really fun course

[Kinkel]

Play it again later in the season, when the fescue is not cut down.  That, and when the wind blows, is when this course has some challenge.

[null]

1 minute ago, Kinkel said:

Play it again later in the season, when the fescue is not cut down.  That, and when the wind blows, is when this course has some challenge.

Yup, have played it with the fescue up.  On the day we played it was 20MPH winds with 35MPH gusts.  It was BRUTAL haha

[golfinnut]

Anyone playing this weekend in NVA area??   I'm looking to play either day.  Looking on GolfNow right now 

[Reed all about it]

Good Morrow,

My name is Micah. I have been lurking in the shadows for a few years at MGS. I only recently discovered the forum side and immediately knew i needed to dive into this community. Very excited to make everyone's virtual acquaintances. Easy going golfer. I try to take my game seriously, and that's about it. I respect the etiquettes but love the general direction golf is going trying to be more relaxed and fun. 

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

I have been on the course for 14 years now. I started playing my senior year in high school cus my best friend suggested it (I also suggest it. Free golf and lessons at least 5 days a week). Grabbed a box set of Maxflis at the local Dicks Sporting goods and never looked back. Played those Maxfli Blacks into the ground. Swapped the irons for tour edge 5 years ago, then moved to PXG sticks in 2020. Upgraded the maxfli driver to a used taylormade r5 from play it again sports in 2016 or so. Then to a tour edge exotic in 2019, finally to the PXG gen5 in 2022. Cleveland wedges replaced my OGs in 2017. The maxfli mallet putter was the last piece to be replaced. 2022 with a PXG gunboat. Only one i keep in the garage for sentimental reasons. We missed a lot of putts together. Made a few too. I made 1 start that season (senior night) but it was some of the most fun I had in all my years of organized sports. I hacked my way around local courses for the next 9-10 years. Mostly keeping score by +- golf balls and how many beers i could pack into 18 holes. At some point i decided i wanted to try and get better. Started tracking my handicap in 2020 when i was a 26. I am now down to 21.4. Broke 100 for the first time in 2022 and have been knocking on 90s door so far this season. 

What do you love about golf?

• There are not a lot of feelings better than a pure strike that sends that little white ball off like a rocket soaring right at your target line. That feeling is a high i am constantly chasing on the course.
• I also love that golf is constantly challenging you. My wife often asks how i don't get bored playing the same course over and over. Well its never ever the same. It is a new chess match each and every time.
• Enjoying a gorgeous day with a group of friends and some beers.
• Scrambles. In my opinion is the best way to play golf. A competitive scramble is the most fun i have on the course. 

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

I honestly cant remember what first brought me. Probably just an article i saw online and enjoyed. I am not aware of any other spies. 

Where are you from? What is your home course?

Originally from Fredericksburg, VA. High School course was Lee's Hill. Spent a lot of time at Meadows Farms too. If its public near Fredericksburg, i have probably played it. Now I am in Charlottesville, VA and play out of Spring Creek Golf Club. 

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

Best: Early Fall golf. September is my perfect golf month. The courses are still green and lush from the summer. The weather is perfect. You start to see the colors in the trees. The days are still long enough for 18 after work. 

Worst: Cold weather golf. Am i still gonna be out there? Of course. Am i gonna enjoy it? As much as i can. Nothing worse than thinning a long iron with cold hands. 

What do you do for a living?

I explore and try new things with my wife. Places, food, breweries, experiences, courses (that ones for me), etc. Enjoy time with our 2 dogs (Kuzy and Porter. both German Shepherds). I try to play as many sports as i can. Golf, Soccer, and Volleyball currently dominate my time. Rabble rouse, and make merry with friends. Recently started brewing beer. 

As for what i do for money to maintain my living - GIS Analyst for the government. 

 

 

 

[EvanBlair]

On 2/11/2019 at 5:20 PM, GolfSpy MPR said:

MGS New Member Introduction: Mid-Atlantic Region

New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia

Welcome to the MyGolfSpy forums! We’re always glad to have new members contributing to the best golf discussions on the internet.  If you’ve already created an introduction thread, feel free to re-introduce yourself here!

If you haven’t yet done so, take a moment to check out the Moral Codes that shape how we treat each other here.

You’ll find that this community is very welcoming to newcomers so come on in, take off your shoes, and get comfortable. Tell us all about yourself. To help us get to know you, here are some questions you might answer in your new member post. Feel free to share some fun pictures of your golfing ventures as well!

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

2. What do you love about golf?

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

6. What do you do for a living?

7. How’d you pick your user name?

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post on the forums - but I look to become more active after lurking for a while.

1. I've been playing since I was maybe 9 or 10. I started playing with my Dad on vacation, then started playing with him and his work buddies as I began to put things together. However, I was a competitive swimmer and didn't have time to dedicated to competitive golf in middle school / HighSchool and certainly not in college. I only picked it back up around 2008 when I found a set of Tommy Armour irons out front of a row home in Baltimore being given away for free (full disclosure, I was walking back from the liquor store with a 30 pack of bud light for a party when I snagged my first "adult" set of clubs). I got back into it and after a few years bought a set of Titleist 714 AP1s. Fast forward to 2022 and I upgraded to a fitted set of T100s irons, a TM SIM 2 driver and 3 wood, 2 new TM wedges (60 and 50) and a Vokey 56. I've been working down from a handicap of 18, now I'm solidly at 11.5. I'm happy in the low / mid 80s, but have broken 70 once (well twice if you consider a simulator as a real round). 

2. Everything. Honestly though, I love the personal improvement aspect of it. I'm fighting myself, no one else. Sure, I could lose to a better player, but if I execute to the best of my ability, I'm happy. I like working on the technical details, seeing improvment with small changes... and seeing regression when I change something the wrong way! I'm not a tinkerer with my swing by rather focused on improving everything around it - aiming, control, etc. 

3. I've hung around for a while, but finally want to get more involved in sharing / engaging! Might also like to be chosen as a tester some day too

4. I'm from the NYC metro area, but now live in the Annapolis, MD area. The closest course would be The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Club in Annapolis, which I play a lot, but i play league at Compass Pointe in Pasadena so that's probably my home course.

5. It gets VERY hot and humid here... We have a lot of good courses, but none THAT close to me... too many private clubs and well, I'm not rich! However, there is a great golf culture here and decent courses available, so I can't really complain. 

6. I run a cyber security business - if anyone is looking for Dark Web Threat Intelligence, let me know! haha

7. Well... it's my name so.... ha

 

I have 2 kids and my 8 year old daughter is showing real interest (and skills) in the game... if there are any others that want to play a father / daughter round and round out a 4 some, let me know! Also would love to find a way to do business networking with other golfers - I don't know where I went wrong, but I've never found my customers or partners want to play golf! So if you are a professional in the cyber world, let me know - maybe we can go play 18!

[Esco118]

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? Started golfing about 4 years ago. Haven't really worked on setting up my handicap, which is something I may start to do this year. 

What do you love about golf? Just being able to play outdoors and how any golfer of any skill level can play competitively due to the handicap system.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I love reading the tester threads and getting the perspective of fellow non pro golfers. I also like browsing the more in depth professional reviews.

Where are you from? What is your home course? Reside in NYC. Don't really have a home course but I guess I would call Oyster Bay golf course my home course.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The amount of golf courses in the are is amazing but the pace of play on some giver a lot to be desired.

What do you do for a living? Railroad Conductor

How’d you pick your user name? Nickname from my teenage years. 

[Bogey_Maika]

Hey Everyone! 

New to the forum so first post and back into golf after a several year hiatus (so basically new again). Looking forward to chatting, joking, and playing golf!

On to the questions:

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?

• I've been playing again for about a year. I took several before that off (Military, Kids, Covid). I am looking to get a handicap established in the coming weeks. I typically shoot low 90's. Hopefully cracking that 90 mark soon.

What do you love about golf?

• The challenge, being active outdoors, and openly acceptingness of beer at 8am.

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?

• I don't know any other spies.. yet! I was looking for reviews for new equipment and stumbled onto this group.

Where are you from? What is your home course?

• I'm in Annapolis, MD and would call Bowie golf club home. 

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?

• Best thing is the amount of courses within a reasonable drive. Worst thing would be pace of play at the local tracks

How’d you pick your user name?

• Lack of creativity and a common golf score.