Midwest: MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, OH, WV

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

On 5/27/2022 at 8:49 AM, MacTourney said:

Hello from SE Michigan.  I'm retired and getting back into more regular play after a long absence and for a brief period I used to chase the ball around in scratch numbers.  

I love to walk and carry my older equipment but father time is suggesting I look into a little help from an equipment upgrade and MGS has a reputation of having great equipment reviews.  So I'll be poking around several forums for reviews and playing insights.    Nice to be here. 

Welcome to MGS from your SE Michigan neighbor! (Southgate)

[Abrooks269609]

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

      I have been playing golf for roughly 10 years. Until I actually got lessons last year I was always in the high 90’s or higher. Last year I actually started tracking my handicap and took it from30+ to a 19.  

2. What do you love about golf?

       Literally everything. The social aspect on a casual round. The constant challenge the game provides. The fact that the game is always challenging and every course provides a different challenge and opportunity to work on different aspects of my game. Another thing I love about the game is how you can play all your life. From early in life until you are no longer able to swing a golf club, anyone can play this game. 

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

      I happened to find MGS when I was doing research on a new set of clubs and instantly fell in love! The detail put into reviews and extensive and thorough research is just what I needed. I do not know any other Spies, but am looking forward to meeting them!

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

      Akron, OH | No home course, but I am fortunate to play a lot of different courses that are really nice!

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

      Ohio is a great spot for golf! We have so many courses that provide so many different challenges for all kinds of players. It is actually very underrated as a golf state. The worst part about our region is how short our golf season is. The weather is so terrible in March & April that we don’t get to play much until May or sometimes even June. 

6. What do you do for a living?

      I officiate women’s college basketball in the winters and am a caddy in the summers.

7. How’d you pick your user name?

      No real rhyme or reason.

[tony@CIC]

21 minutes ago, Abrooks269609 said:

 

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

      I have been playing golf for roughly 10 years. Until I actually got lessons last year I was always in the high 90’s or higher. Last year I actually started tracking my handicap and took it from30+ to a 19.  

2. What do you love about golf?

       Literally everything. The social aspect on a casual round. The constant challenge the game provides. The fact that the game is always challenging and every course provides a different challenge and opportunity to work on different aspects of my game. Another thing I love about the game is how you can play all your life. From early in life until you are no longer able to swing a golf club, anyone can play this game. 

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

      I happened to find MGS when I was doing research on a new set of clubs and instantly fell in love! The detail put into reviews and extensive and thorough research is just what I needed. I do not know any other Spies, but am looking forward to meeting them!

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

      Akron, OH | No home course, but I am fortunate to play a lot of different courses that are really nice!

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

      Ohio is a great spot for golf! We have so many courses that provide so many different challenges for all kinds of players. It is actually very underrated as a golf state. The worst part about our region is how short our golf season is. The weather is so terrible in March & April that we don’t get to play much until May or sometimes even June. 

6. What do you do for a living?

      I officiate women’s college basketball in the winters and am a caddy in the summers.

7. How’d you pick your user name?

      No real rhyme or reason.

Here ya go @MattFanother one for your outings in NE Ohio. 

[brogies]

Hey all, newish here.

1. I’m 36. Been playing since I was young, but not seriously until this year. I grew up playing baseball and basketball and so there wasn’t much time to do anything else. My handicap is a 9.9 right now after playing a lot the last few weeks.

2. I love that I can still be competitive with myself and others but in a sport that doesn’t require me to be in top shape. And I appreciate the difficulty of it. It keeps me engaged and wanting to continue to improve.

3. I love the scientific approach to testing of equipment, especially balls. Fed up with the Golf Digest Hot List that’s literally just a list of the same manufacturer’s new clubs and balls each year without any scientific data to back up the ratings.

4. I live in Cincinnati. No home course. Just play the public courses in the area.

5. Best is there are a decent amount of public courses. Worst is obviously the weather, so you’re limited with how long you can play each season.

6. I work for a digital analytics consultancy leading learning and development programs, and am also an adjunct professor at the local state college.

7. Just being a dufus trying to think of something and didn’t spend much time on it.

 

[tmerick]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?
   Been playing since about 4-5 years old, however took about 5-6 years hiatus. Now getting back into the swing of things.

2. What do you love about golf?
   I'm a big individual sport advocate and have always enjoyed competing against myself. Golf is also a way for me to enjoy summers in MN. Also a way for me to connect with myself and relax.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?
   Just a simple search. Looking to become more involved locally.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?
   MN, recently been playing Lakeville Heritage Links as I just moved nearby recently.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?
   Best: the views, amount of courses
   Worst: course maintenance, tee times, water, winter

6. What do you do for a living?
   Digital Marketing

7. Currently Playing?
   Taylormade Stealth Irons
   Taylormade Hydro Blast DuPage Putter
   looking to upgrade wedges, driver, hybrids

Edited July 20, 2022 by tmerick

[AndyK]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I was introduced to golf by my dad 51 years ago. I've played on-and-off over the years due to various circumstances but have also worked at 5 golf courses in California and Minnesota. My handicap used to be a 6 but now (at 62) having not played in 17 years, I imagine I couldn't break 100! 

2. What do you love about golf? I love the smells, the sounds, the thoughts (while walking to my shot)... and the challenge of the next shot.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I've been visiting the reviews for a while now and wanted to partake and I do not know any "spies"! 

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? I was born in Detroit, MI but have lived in Argentina, Arizona, California, Oregon, and now Minnesota. My home course is also my employer: Riverwood National GC in Otsego, MN.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The golf season in Minnesota is stunning (compared to burned out public golf courses of CA/AZ) but the downside are the brutally long winters. 

6. What do you do for a living? Composer for film and television and golf course employee.

7. How’d you pick your user name? I was born with it...

[MsWalkrOfSky]

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

I've been playing golf for 25 years. My grandfather started me early. I didn't focus on it until the past 6 months though, and only went out at max a few times a year. Now I'm playing at least weekly and going out a lot to practice. I'm at about 42 hdc right now, with my best round at a full length 18 hole course being 107. 

 

What do you love about golf?

I love walking out in the morning with dew on my feet, the sun rising, and slicing straight into the trees on my first shot. It's fantastic.

 

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

I've been looking for other conversations about golf and hope to find a place I'm comfortable to lurk and post and maybe meet new friends.

 

Where are you from? What is your home course?

I'd say my home course at the moment is Idle Creek in Terre Haute, IN. I play a lot of courses, but we're leaning towards a membership there next year, which would ramp my golf play up drastically.

 

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

The best thing is the quality and depth of courses in the area. There's different levels of challenge available with different focuses. There's some gorgeous Midwest views on the courses as well.

The worst thing is the lack of available clinics for adults to improve or get started. Private lessons are of course available, but it's hard to meet other newbies and have regular practice affordably. 

 

What do you do for a living?

I'm a business systems analyst. I work with a lot of different sets of data, tie them together, design and run audits, etc.

 

How’d you pick your user name?

My username has followed me for years since my Xbox days as a teen. I loved Star wars expanded universe, and it's an obscure reference to a single novel where the natives of the planet refered to Luke as Master Walker of Sky.

 

[mynerds]

Welcome @WalkrOfSky! I’ve driven through Terre Haute a few times on road trips to southern Indiana and a friend of mine lived there for a few years while working at Indiana State.

For what it’s worth, I was turned off by the cost and availability of golf-for-the-absolute-beginner. I’ve had good luck with the digital lessons from Me And My Golf. A yearly membership ended up being cheaper than a lesson from my local pro, so I gave them a shot and have been happy with the results so far.

May the force be with you!

[Bruce_B]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I've been playing golf since I got out of college in the late 80's. I typically shoot in the low 80's. My handicap varies between 7.5 and 8.5 depending...

2. What do you love about golf? I love the challenge and the amazing feeling of hitting a beautiful golf shot. I tend to play better when something is on the line.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I like reading unbiased information on golf equipment, accessories and the like. I don't believe I know any other spies.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? I live in the southeast corner of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. I play typically on the east side - mostly at Hastings Golf Club, the former Hastings Country Club.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The best thing is a good number of very nice courses in different regions of Minnesota - I go for quality over quantity and this state represents well in that area.  The worst thing is simply the short season. Many courses open before they should in the spring to start bringing in revenue but that can result in challenging conditions well into the summer.

6. What do you do for a living? I am a Chief Financial Officer for a mid-size employee-owned company.

7. How’d you pick your user name? My name - nothing special.

Edited August 8, 2022 by Bruce_B

[mbell42]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?  I've been playing golf again for the past couple of years following a 20 year hiatus for no good reason.  I have a handicap of 25.5 but that is slowly going down.

2. What do you love about golf?  The brief moments of relaxation before my next poorly hit shot.  Also being able to spend an afternoon with friends outside in potentially lovely scenery.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?  The No Putts Given podcast and the chance to test equipment.  I do not know of other Spies.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?  Ypsilanti, Michigan.  My home course is Brookside in Saline, MI.  It's where I first started to play.  I'm happy to play anywhere, though.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?  The worst part is the winter lull, best part is the variety of courses and course types.  Michigan is spoiled for choice when it comes to golf.

6. What do you do for a living?  Network and systems administration

7. How’d you pick your user name?  First initial and last name followed by the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I've been playing golf sporadically for 10 years now. Picked it up when I could no longer play college baseball due to injuries. I've never had an official handicap, but a typical 18 hole score is low 100s. My goal is to get into the 80s.

2. What do you love about golf? Golf is the most challenging sport I've ever played. Most sports have always come pretty natural for me, so golf is that fascinating, frustrating game that I will always be chasing better results with. I am finally playing consistently (weekly) this summer, and I am hoping it will pay off with my scores in the long run.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I first saw MGS equipment and ball reviews on YouTube, and then got into a deep dive on the forums here. I really enjoy the content and the willingness of other users to comment on topics and provide insight from angles I might not see. I currently do not know any other spies (that I am aware of).

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? I am from Reedsburg, WI. Home course is the Reedsburg Country Club. If you've never played it but live in Southwest Wisconsin, it is a fantastic public course!

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Worst thing is easily winters. Best things I would say about being in Southwestern Wisconsin's driftless region is that you have some absolutely stunning course layouts. I've played courses where you get back into the heart of the track, and it's like you've disappeared into the middle of nowhere. You cannot beat an early morning tee time with dew on the grass and a cool breeze, where it feels like you're the only person on the planet.

6. What do you do for a living? I am the Health & Fitness Coordinator at our local community hospital.

7. How’d you pick your user name? It's the first digit of my first name, last name and year I was born. Pretty creative, I know! haha!

[Sherlock]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I learned when I was a pre-teen. My handicap is 10.

2. What do you love about golf? Trying to achieve perfection!!

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I am a product junkie!! I love the reviews and opinions of MyGolfSpy. I have bought many clubs and items off of MyGolfSpy.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? Chicago, Illinois. Harborside!!!

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best is that there are so many courses to play!! I hate playing the same course twice! The weather limits how long the golf season is.

6. What do you do for a living? I work in healthcare.

7. How’d you pick your user name? Nickname

[mynerds]

First off, it's nice to have more people posting in the midwest thread! It was getting pretty lonley there the past few months compared to the other regions. Welcome @Bruce_B, @mbell42, @Jnoble89, and @Sherlock!

An extra hello to my fellow healthcare Chicagoan @Sherlock and go Cubs go . It's been a hot minute since I've been on the southside - maybe 2013ish for Flutag? After that, the furthest south I ever found myself beyond driving through to the south suburbs or out to Indiana was museum campus. At least according to the community map, you'll find at least a few forum spies towards the west burbs.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

9 minutes ago, mynerds said:

First off, it's nice to have more people posting in the midwest thread! It was getting pretty lonley there the past few months compared to the other regions. Welcome @Bruce_B, @mbell42, @Jnoble89, and @Sherlock!

An extra hello to my fellow healthcare Chicagoan @Sherlock and go Cubs go . It's been a hot minute since I've been on the southside - maybe 2013ish for Flutag? After that, the furthest south I ever found myself beyond driving through to the south suburbs or out to Indiana was museum campus. At least according to the community map, you'll find at least a few forum spies towards the west burbs.

Thanks for the welcome! Midwest golf is tough to beat (yes, I am biased, no, I am not ashamed)!!!

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

9 hours ago, mynerds said:

First off, it's nice to have more people posting in the midwest thread! It was getting pretty lonley there the past few months compared to the other regions. Welcome @Bruce_B, @mbell42, @Jnoble89, and @Sherlock!

An extra hello to my fellow healthcare Chicagoan @Sherlock and go Cubs go . It's been a hot minute since I've been on the southside - maybe 2013ish for Flutag? After that, the furthest south I ever found myself beyond driving through to the south suburbs or out to Indiana was museum campus. At least according to the community map, you'll find at least a few forum spies towards the west burbs.

Maybe we should look into a midwest meetup lol 

[Birdie King]

It looks like this forum might be on life support, but I'll give it a shot anyway, just in case...

I'll try to keep this short... I took a few years off due to burnout, and this is my first season back.  Well, it turns out all my old golf buddies have completely "rearranged" while I was away from the game and they either joined a private club, no longer play, or have their own neatly arranged thing going on.

I have an after work league, during the week, so I'm good there, but I'm often looking to get out on Friday afternoons (I get a good amount of PTO) and on the weekends for 18 and I'm looking for a regular playing partner / group.  I've been using Golf Now this season, and filling a lot of gaps, and as I'm sure you all know very well, that can be hit or miss with what you draw for a partner.  Needless to say, most of the people I've been paired up with were a terrible fit for a middle aged guy who likes to drink a few beers and have a good time, but also likes to take it a little seriously and shoot as well as I can that day.  That said, I'm not a great golfer.  I was a ~8 index when I stopped playing in 2015 and this year I've been happy to  break 90.  ...it almost feels like starting over.

Anyway, I'm in NE Ohio and play everything from Hemlock Springs in the east to Sleepy hollow in the west to Boulder Creek in the south.  I'd say my "home course" right now is probably Manakiki or Shawnee.  If anyone is in the area and a similar boat; looking for someone to get out with, shoot me a DM and we can trade contact info.  Thanks!

[Tyler86]

Anyone here in Twin Cities, MN wanna play golf tomorrow at 4 brooklyn park/maple grove area? Message me if your interested.

[Sparkey67]

Hey everyone,  posting from the golf capital of Wisconsin. ( Kohler Country )  Haha, not really, but there are some great courses around here.

Didn't even realize this sub-forum existed.  

[NRJyzr]

On 8/8/2022 at 8:01 AM, mbell42 said:

the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

But do we know the Question? 

 

[MattF]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

But do we know the Question? 

 

That was the question.

 

BTW, the answer is 42, in case you didn't know. 

[chisag]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

But do we know the Question? 

 

 

... Sure we do. Forged MB or cast CB? 

[NRJyzr]

11 minutes ago, MattF said:

That was the question.

 

BTW, the answer is 42, in case you didn't know. 

42 is the answer, but Earth was created to learn the question 

"This Answer was first calculated by the supercomputer Deep Thought after seven and a half million years of thought. This shocking answer resulted in the construction of an even larger supercomputer, named Earth, which was tasked with determining what the question was in the first place."

[MattF]

2 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

42 is the answer, but Earth was created to learn the question 

"This Answer was first calculated by the supercomputer Deep Thought after seven and a half million years of thought. This shocking answer resulted in the construction of an even larger supercomputer, named Earth, which was tasked with determining what the question was in the first place."

But was destroyed just before it could give that answer...

[NRJyzr]

5 hours ago, MattF said:

But was destroyed just before it could give that answer...

Stupid Vogons

At least they didn't read us any poetry

[MattF]

10 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

Stupid Vogons

At least they didn't read us any poetry

A highway of all things!

[trucklover86]

Hey everyone I'm a scratch golfer and I live stream my golf rounds on twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/trucklover86 feel free to stop by and enjoy gonna stream 9 holes today around 5:45-6 est!

[LickyNatch]

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

   • I've been swinging clubs for over 20 years, but playing for about 18. This year is the first year I've put time into my game and taken improvement seriously

2. What do you love about golf?

   • I love being able to escape the real world for a few hours. I also love golf because it gives me something improve at constantly.

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

   • I'm a research nut in anything I do, and golf is no exception. I love learning about new equipment and the data behind it all. I don't know any other Spies.

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

   • I currently live in the South Metro of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I would consider Emerald Greens my home course. I was raised in Chetek, WI and grew up playing at Sioux Creek Golf Course.

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

   • The best thing about golf near me is the shear number of courses within an hour of me. It's insane. The worst thing is the short playing season (Minnesota winters are something else).

6. What do you do for a living?

   • I am a Product Support Manager for a Kenworth dealership group. I've worked in trucking my whole life, primarily as a technician. 

7. How’d you pick your user name?

   • I honestly have no clue, I just typed it in and went with it! 

[GolfSpy TCB]

On 9/16/2022 at 12:10 PM, LickyNatch said:

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

   • I've been swinging clubs for over 20 years, but playing for about 18. This year is the first year I've put time into my game and taken improvement seriously

2. What do you love about golf?

   • I love being able to escape the real world for a few hours. I also love golf because it gives me something improve at constantly.

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

   • I'm a research nut in anything I do, and golf is no exception. I love learning about new equipment and the data behind it all. I don't know any other Spies.

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

   • I currently live in the South Metro of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I would consider Emerald Greens my home course. I was raised in Chetek, WI and grew up playing at Sioux Creek Golf Course.

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

   • The best thing about golf near me is the shear number of courses within an hour of me. It's insane. The worst thing is the short playing season (Minnesota winters are something else).

6. What do you do for a living?

   • I am a Product Support Manager for a Kenworth dealership group. I've worked in trucking my whole life, primarily as a technician. 

7. How’d you pick your user name?

   • I honestly have no clue, I just typed it in and went with it! 

Welcome to the Forum LN!

[CudaKota66]

Hi! Have been a supporter (yes, as in donor) of MGS since the beginning but not a huge social media person. Took 2 years off due to shoulder injury & I just got tired of the game...certain men's clubs requiring all to play back tees made for posting 100s & stole the joy of playing for me. Played 2 fall rounds from 'proper tees' (6000-6200, for me) rekindled the fun & passion of playing. My partner/nemesis - Dad - is done due to spinal fusion, so I need to find some new friends/foils.

I've been playing for 30 years. Started late in life (despite living on a golf course as a kid). Currently a 15, but ended the year with an 82 on my home course

Golf is a chance to be free away from everything. In Indiana, we have seasons - Spring brings warming temps & a chance to get outside again. Summer brings light until 10pm for squeezing in some practice or a tidy round after work. Fall brings beautiful colors in the trees, cooler (yet comfortable) temps, and less waiting. Winter brings time to workout indoors & new hopes for the next season

As I stated, I have followed Adam, Tony, & the rest since the start. I have made a couple of post over the years, but not much. I donate anomalously....but would like to know how to earn badges. I have had some interaction with other Spies. MGS is what lead me to support ShotScope & PrecisionPro...both quality products with wonderful customer service

Plainfield, Indiana is Home - a clean quiet community close to Indy, but not too close. Twin Bridges GC & Heartland Crossing GC are both 'home courses' (but HC may be sold & bulldozed for housing. At Twin Bridges, you forget you're in central Indiana & they are improving their bunkers

For employment, I am a Failure Analysis Specialist (engineer) for Whirlpool. In English, I am an appliance CSI - it's my role to determine why a product failed & how to make it better.

My user name? Ha! Cuda is a shortened form 'barracuda' & my nickname as a kid. I had a baseball coach that always pronounced my name incorrectly. I've always been slender, quick, and docile...unless I'm really provoked. I have a tattoo of a barracuda on my shoulder. Kota is half of my last name that coach would mispronounce. Thus CudaKota

 

[DodgerBlue]

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

20 years now. started at 13, but from 13 to 30 only played maybe 5 to 10 times a year while also playing baseball. Only Golf now and grinding for scratch. handicap currently 4 normal scores are around 75ish .

What do you love about golf?

I love that practice for golf doesn't feel like practice and that there is always something to improve and work on.

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

Just trying to talk more about golf and equipment. 

Where are you from? What is your home course?

From Cincinnati home course is Bel-wood CC

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

Love my area spring and summer are perfect. The downfall is fall and winter suck for golf. Luckily my dad just put in a simulator so this will be my first winter playing all the time

What do you do for a living?

Account Manager for a small software company

How’d you pick your user name?

My first Love was baseball (wish it would have been golf) And my love for the dodgers will never die.