Southwest: CA, NV, UT, AZ, HI

[Cory O]

Just realized I skipped over this rite of passage, so here's my intro!

1. Started golfing when I was 17 and spent about 4 years obsessed (including starting in a PGM program to become a teaching pro, but didn't finish), then a good 4 years off, and then the next ten years varied (living in Japan for a year and then South Korea for 6 years was the main culprit of the inconsistency, although I did get really into Screen Golf in Korea). Have really jumped in with both feet the past six months and got my handicap back down to 5.4, will shoot between mid 70's to low 80's depending on the course.

2. I've reached a happy medium with golf where I can take it seriously, keep score, and try to improve without stressing myself out about it. In this state, golf is simply perfect. Walking outside, getting exercise, with a specific (but always changing) goal. The game is all your own, but you can still be social with it and everywhere you go is different. No other sport has that.

3. I'm at MyGolfSpy because I don't really have any golf buddies and it's good to be part of a shared community. I also like the purpose of the site and the style it presents information.

4. I've been living in Los Angeles (La Crescenta) and play the LA city courses most often, Hansen Dam most likely counting as my home course just for distance. Yes, they are munis, but they're good munis and very playable.

5. Best thing here is obviously the year-round golf. I suppose the courses get a bit packed, but playing as a single with a players card for advance reservations and tending towards the twilight times means I never have a problem getting out. Honestly no negatives out here for me.

6. I work in Learning & Organizational Development for a technology firm focused on the construction industry. I'm also looking at starting up some content creation (YouTube etc) focusing on the mental side of golf and mindfulness in the game.

7. Just my name, nothing more creative than that. 

[QuestforScratch]

1. Been playing since I was 4-5 years old (see prof pic) about 24 years. Current HDCP is a 4.6

2. Love everything about the game, being outside, competing against yourself, practicing integrity and honesty.

3. Came to MGS because I play all the time and am an equipment junkie. Trying to get into product testing.

4. From LA but living in the Bay Area currently. Current home course is Corica Park South in Alameda.

5. Best thing about Bay Area golf is the variety and volume of good courses. Worst thing is tracking the weather in each individual microclimate.

6. Sales

7. K.I.S.S.

[Cory O]

3 hours ago, QuestforScratch said:

1. Been playing since I was 4-5 years old (see prof pic) about 24 years. Current HDCP is a 4.6

2. Love everything about the game, being outside, competing against yourself, practicing integrity and honesty.

3. Came to MGS because I play all the time and am an equipment junkie. Trying to get into product testing.

4. From LA but living in the Bay Area currently. Current home course is Corica Park South in Alameda.

5. Best thing about Bay Area golf is the variety and volume of good courses. Worst thing is tracking the weather in each individual microclimate.

6. Sales

7. K.I.S.S.

Welcome! I just read an article today about Corica Park South and all the remodeling they did (and are doing for the North). Would love to make it up there sometime (I'm in LA).

[J@xwell]

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

   • Since I was 8, so 25 years or so. I haven't really been keeping score over the last 18 months due to limited practice and only playing 9 holes when I get out. Probably in the 10-15 range at the moment.

2. What do you love about golf?

   • I love the challenge and variety. There is nothing better than a beautiful early morning out on the course.

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

   • I read all the articles and reviews. I do not know any Spies.

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

   • Lived and played all over the country. Settled down in LA now. 
     I live close to Penmar and play there most weekends.

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

   • LA city golf can get pretty dang slow. I love seeing the variety of people out playing, but when playing 18, it can be a whole day event.

6. What do you do for a living?

   • Healthcare administration and Sales

7. How’d you pick your user name?

   • My son

[Cory O]

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

   • Since I was 8, so 25 years or so. I haven't really been keeping score over the last 18 months due to limited practice and only playing 9 holes when I get out. Probably in the 10-15 range at the moment.

2. What do you love about golf?

   • I love the challenge and variety. There is nothing better than a beautiful early morning out on the course.

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

   • I read all the articles and reviews. I do not know any Spies.

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

   • Lived and played all over the country. Settled down in LA now. 
     I live close to Penmar and play there most weekends.

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

   • LA city golf can get pretty dang slow. I love seeing the variety of people out playing, but when playing 18, it can be a whole day event.

6. What do you do for a living?

   • Healthcare administration and Sales

7. How’d you pick your user name?

   • My son

Hey fellow Angelino! I also tend to play the LA city courses, but haven’t been to Penmar yet as I’m more northeast. If you’re ever looking to play the Sepulveda or Griffith Park courses, let me know!

[Ken_805]

Hello SouthWest-erners 

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score?
   I’m a beginner/recreational golfer (mid/high 90's score).  Been playing for several years, but that typically has meant 3 or 4 rounds a year having a few beers with friends.  Recently, prior to quarantine, I started to take a real interest in golf and wanted to actually improve my game.  I’m also work an irregular schedule and limited funds to invest towards green time

2. What do you love about golf?
   The Pros make it look so easy but it is anything but.  Every shot is a new challenge and even on a bad day, it's nice to get out and enjoy the scenery and weather.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies?
   Originally it was the good product analysis but all around great site.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course?
   Las Vegas, NV.  No home course, mostly west or Summerlin.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?
   Hot as hell in the summer

6. What do you do for a living?
   I drink and I know things

7. How’d you pick your user name?
   It has my name in it.

[golfer847]

1. I have been playing since I was 8 years old, so a little over 22 years! My handicap is a 6.8 right now, but we have a baby due in 2 months so I don't know if I'll be able to maintain that, haha

2. I love that you can play it very seriously or you can have just as much fun playing with some friends and cracking open a few brews.

3. I wanted to try to find more people of similar skill level to play with in the area, as well as potentially get into product testing.

4. I grew up in NW Suburbs of Chicago, but moved to Los Angeles back in 2011.  My home course would probably be Skylinks in Long Beach, CA.

5. Best thing is that you can play all year round, worst thing is that pace of play in Southern California can be atrocious.  Some courses are even known to commonly send of fivesomes...

6. I am a security engineer at a EdTech startup.

7. golfer847=golfer (probably doesn't need an explanation, haha) + 847 (this is the area code of the city I grew up in)

Edited September 23, 2020 by golfer847

[Buffly]

@golfer847 welcome to MGS forums. I have played Skylinks a few times and that is a nice course of all Bermuda grass. 

Pace of play can get long. I just go with it and do what I can to enjoy it. Time of day and day of the week are hit and miss. 

[Southpaw415]

 

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? 5 years, last 18 months off

2. What do you love about golf? i dont get hurt playing it

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? no, just been a very long time reader for gear. Im a leftie so i have to do more research...A LOT more research

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? San Francisco, Harding Park is down the block from me

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? best: play year round. worse: the horrid upkeep of any muni not named Harding Park

6. What do you do for a living? Electrician

7. How’d you pick your user name? I'm left handed

[guy566]

Hi, my name is Adrian. I am from Colusa County and I golf many of the courses in my area. I am always looking to go play a round of 18 as well as finding a good deal/discount for a round. I am always looking for others to golf with as well. Here are the answers to the introduction questions:

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? : I have been golfing since I was about 12. Played a lot in high school on the school's team. I am not a great golfer but I am not bad. I do not know my handicap as I haven't ever kept track of it. As far as my score, I usually shot around 95-100 on 18 holes.

2. What do you love about golf? : I love everything about it. Being outdoors, playing a sport that I love. The excitement of playing a new course for the first time is always fun. I love the etiquette of the sport and how golfers can be total strangers, yet enjoy a nice round on the course together. The challenge that the sport provides is something I always enjoy.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? : I found MGS from a google search for golfing forums. I do not know any other's on here.

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? : I am from Colusa County in Northern California and my "home" course I consider to be Wild Wings Golf Club in Woodland, CA as that is the course I frequent the most and enjoy.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? : Best would have to be the number of courses in my area. Even though I live in a rural county, I still have a couple dozen great courses within an hour drive from me. These courses are pretty different as some are on flat grounds, others in the hills, which provides a great variety. As for the worst, prices in this area are a bit high and that is why I am always looking for deals when I go play.

6. What do you do for a living? : I am a restaurant server and eBay sales person.

7. How’d you pick your user name? : It was the ID I used since Jr. High and pretty much just kept it. It has no meaning.

[brendalonian]

How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? I started playing golf when I was 10 or 11, so about 22 or 23 years. My dad introduced me to the game. The frustration and the addictive qualities of golf hit me almost immediately. During one of my first ever 9-hole rounds I missed a close putt and drove my putter head straight into the green. I handed my dad a great opportunity to teach me about golf etiquette and how to calmly deal with the fact that golf is a game of failure. Between high school and the age of 30 I only played a few times a year and would consistently shoot in the low to mid 90s. It wasn't until 2020 that I decided to turn up the intensity by playing and practicing more frequently. I have started to shoot mostly in the upper 80's with a low score a month ago of 84 at my home course. My GHIN Index is currently 15.9.

What do you love about golf? I love golf because of the promise of what is to come. Whenever I am not golfing, I am thinking about my next round. I am visualizing shots on specific holes. I am considering different strategies to work around weaknesses. I am imagining the feeling of striping drives and flushing irons. I am telling myself that the next round will be the one where everything coalesces. That despite a most recent round score of 96, breaking 80 is just around the corner. I love golf because of the ability to romanticize it. I love golf because it never quite works out the way you pictured it in your head. I especially love golf when it plays out exactly how you imagined it. 

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? As I mentioned in my introductory paragraph, between high school and the age of 30 I only played a few times per year. I didn't take the game seriously at all and my equipment reflected that. Until the Spring of 2020 I was gaming the same equipment for the previous 18 years. A couple of years ago I took my early 2000's era driver in for re-shafting and the fitter laughed at me. So instead of having it re-shafted I played without a driver in the bag. When I started playing more consistently I determined that it was time to start upgrading my equipment. As such, I began researching clubs and MyGolfSpy was impossible to overlook. To be honest, at first I was a little put off by the name, "MyGolfSpy." I didn't understand what the site was supposed to be, because I would only end up on it by clicking through to specific articles from Google searches. Over time, the writing hooked me and got me to proactively visit the site. I was reading so many product reviews and product announcements and would be so pleased when I'd open up an article and see @GolfSpy Barbajo's name in the byline. I also think that consumers are savvier than ever and realize that OEM's & golf media companies are in bed together. It is hard to give credence to product reviews that you believe have been paid for by the brand being reviewed. The MGS mission of being an independent, unbiased and data-driven review platform is a breath of fresh air. 

I have started interacting with other Spies through the forum but do not really know any yet.

Where are you from? What is your home course? I am from inland Orange County in SoCal but Long Beach is my adopted home since 2007. My home course is Skylinks but also frequently play Recreation Park 18 & 9.

What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? The best thing about golf in my area is the number of quality public courses. Long Beach alone has five municipal courses. The worst thing about golf in my region is the slow pace of play.

What do you do for a living? I am an Analyst on a Logistics team for a home design & renovation company. Among other things, we sell home furnishings, decor & fixtures through our site and app.

How’d you pick your user name? I chose this user name because it is the same as my IG handle. 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

On 10/4/2020 at 11:45 AM, brendalonian said:

What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? As I mentioned in my introductory paragraph, between high school and the age of 30 I only played a few times per year. I didn't take the game seriously at all and my equipment reflected that. Until the Spring of 2020 I was gaming the same equipment for the previous 18 years. A couple of years ago I took my early 2000's era driver in for re-shafting and the fitter laughed at me. So instead of having it re-shafted I played without a driver in the bag. When I started playing more consistently I determined that it was time to start upgrading my equipment. As such, I began researching clubs and MyGolfSpy was impossible to overlook. To be honest, at first I was a little put off by the name, "MyGolfSpy." I didn't understand what the site was supposed to be, because I would only end up on it by clicking through to specific articles from Google searches. Over time, the writing hooked me and got me to proactively visit the site. I was reading so many product reviews and product announcements and would be so pleased when I'd open up an article and see @GolfSpy Barbajo's name in the byline. I also think that consumers are savvier than ever and realize that OEM's & golf media companies are in bed together. It is hard to give credence to product reviews that you believe have been paid for by the brand being reviewed. The MGS mission of being an independent, unbiased and data-driven review platform is a breath of fresh air. 

I have started interacting with other Spies through the forum but do really know any yet.

 

Thank you for the shout-out @brendalonian - you can be my agent any time!!

[BrownBearGolf]

This course has become one of my favorite courses!!Tour/Review of Verrado Golf course in Buckeye, AZ with Brown Bear Golf. This course is much like Troon North but less expensive!  It climbs into surrounding mountians. It has forced carries over desert rock, gigantic views of untouched desert mountains!  Multiple holes could be signsture holes. Elevated tees to well kept greens! Rolling fsirways that can enhance your drive all while fairly challenging your game while taking you to another place and making you forget your worries. Coyotes hang out and relax on the 18th hole. Find out why this has become one of Brown Bear’s all time favorites!

[Abower]

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? Been playing for about 3 years. High 90-105

2. What do you love about golf? Being outside, enjoying the golf course. How the smallest change can effect a shot so much.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? Trying to learn more about golf

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? California. Play greenhorn creek in angles camp the most.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Golf season is long. Walking some of the foothill courses is brutal.

6. What do you do for a living? Fireman

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

[Abower]

On 9/16/2020 at 5:01 PM, Cory O said:

Welcome! I just read an article today about Corica Park South and all the remodeling they did (and are doing for the North). Would love to make it up there sometime (I'm in LA).

Just played corica south last tuesday. Man those greens are fast. Love how the wind dictates what shot and club to use. And by shot i mean flush or chunk.

[BC_SLC]

I've been hanging out in the background for a long time. It's about time I introduce myself.

1. How long? Early 40's now, started when I was 15. So glad I did. Got my brothers and dad into it. Now my kids love it too. Handicap? 18 and currently improving. 

2. Love about golf? The personal challenge. I don't care how others are golfing, I want to do my best each time. Love the competition with myself for improvement. My daughter recently started playing and it's totally changed how I approach the game. She's getting better every day, I'm golfing more and improving. My son is doing the same. Love the family time together. 

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? I've been reading/following MyGolfSpy for years. Like everyone else, I get sick of all the ridiculous claims and product ratings. Love the data only approach. 

4. Where are you from? Living in UT now. So many nice courses close by. I play River Oaks the most. 

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best: So many good courses near by at reasonable (or low depending on where were comparing to) rates. Worst: Winter.

6. What do you do for a living? Supply Chain Mgmt and Sourcing

7. How’d you pick your user name? Simple. Initials and I'm in the SLC area. 

[THEZIPR23]

On 10/8/2020 at 10:38 PM, Abower said:

1. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? Been playing for about 3 years. High 90-105

2. What do you love about golf? Being outside, enjoying the golf course. How the smallest change can effect a shot so much.

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? Trying to learn more about golf

4. Where are you from? What is your home course? California. Play greenhorn creek in angles camp the most.

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Golf season is long. Walking some of the foothill courses is brutal.

6. What do you do for a living? Fireman

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

Not sure how you play that course often, I am not a fan. When I started working in the golf business I started at Phoenix Lake in Sonora. Don't think it is there anymore though. 

[DMAnunciado]

1. How long have you been playing golf?
   Been playing on and off for almost 30 years.  I’d guess I’ve been playing for a total time of about 16 years! 
   What’s your handicap or normal score? My handicap would be around 6-7 depending on the course; this year I’ve shot as low as 75 to mid 80’s (Torrey Pines South Course)

2. What do you love about golf? Golf is my release these days...sort of meditation , if you can call it that.  Was diagnosed with cancer early last year and was able to pick up the sticks again come mid November 2019.   Golf has also been my physical therapy...I get fresh air, more than enough sun, all body strengthening including cardio   Love the camaraderie and spending time with my best friends.  Used to love my 1 beer per side but have to watch my nutrition these days! 

3. What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Was turned onto your platform about a couple of years back and basically your reviews and non biased opinions on anything golf is my go-to reference when thinking about purchasing another “toy”.  Do you already know any other Spies?  Just a couple and they’re friends of mine  

4. Where are you from? Born anc raised in San Diego, Ca.  What is your home course?  Enagic Eastlake GC

5. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region?  Best aspect of being in San Diego is that we have the best year round weather for golf!  Worst thing is that our courses get pretty worked by the sheer volume of golfers (due to population density and too many tee times per day)  Throw in the dry, summer heat and you have a recipe for ugly baked out greens and fairways! 

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

7. How’d you pick your user name? Pretty basic...my initials and last name

[Onestoptech]

I started playing golf at the age of 8 and played all the way through D1 college playing it. Was a scratch golfer during college. Was forced to take a break for about 8 years shortly before graduation and picked it back up in 2010 5 handicap

2016 was in auto accident that keep me away from playing untill recently. Just got cleared to start playing again.

I love the culture and the community of it. Even if I'm show up to the course by myself I can get added to a group and enjoy the round still.

I got a notice on my phone about a titleist driver test and set up account since I'm Looking to get playing again so figured I could find some advice and share my knowledge of the game along with photos of my dogs.

I'm from Las Vegas my highschool teams home course was the DI course before it became the wynn course.

I love we can golf almost every day and the twilight green fees are cheap and can usually get a full 18 in during the summer. Also we have a 24hour par 3 course along with a few 24/7 driving ranges.

Semi retired IT security guy. Who now trains dogs.

Name comes from my old company. 

[golfish!]

Not a new member but I realized we now have regional member intros. Hello all from sunny SoCal! Hope to meet you all if we get a regional MGS meet going. Feel like this is the beginning of a new tour! The MGS Tour...like the sound of that!