Update: pics of goat track course VS. nicer course

[Jackal 147]

2 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Bethpage has five 18 hole courses. All were kept in good condition except for the black back in the day.  The yellow course was always a little iffy because it was the easiest. It received a lot of beginner play. It was difficult to get on most of the courses due to the volume of players. Nobody wanted to play the black. Difficult course, hilly, and you had to walk it. So usually it was easier to get on.  I liked the red course the best. It was similar to the black. 

Thanks for that info. I never knew that.

[BIG STU 7,436]

17 hours ago, toehold57 said:

If you can play there, you can play anywhere...

It’s a place to have fun, not get serious on.  Play winter rules, give yourself a good lie and swing away!  Laugh, have some fun!

 

Remember golf started in fields, not manicured lawns

Actually started in Sheep pastures and the bunkers were actually dug by Sheep for shelter from the wind. Yep look on TV at some of the UK courses they are not manicured perfectly and you have to invent shots. For me the way Golf was meant to be played. I look at pics that some of our brothers from across the big pond post on other sites and PGS. Man I would love to be over there playing. In the past when my health would let me I would play in the wind and rain with the old stuff. Loved hitting a 1 iron under the wind and rain. Not to be misconstrued we have many nice courses here and I can have fun playing golf anywhere but I do love the goat tracks

[Shapotomous 1,625]

4 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Actually started in Sheep pastures and the bunkers were actually dug by Sheep for shelter from the wind. Yep look on TV at some of the UK courses they are not manicured perfectly and you have to invent shots. For me the way Golf was meant to be played. I look at pics that some of our brothers from across the big pond post on other sites and PGS. Man I would love to be over there playing. In the past when my health would let me I would play in the wind and rain with the old stuff. Loved hitting a 1 iron under the wind and rain. Not to be misconstrued we have many nice courses here and I can have fun playing golf anywhere but I do love the goat tracks

As long as the goat tracks and cow pastures charge according to their condition then I have no problem playing/practicing on them. 

I have very low standards for what tees and fairways and rough need to look like. 

But I do like to have puttable greens and enough grass around the greens so I am not chipping with a lie up between two crabgrass clumps.  

A different topic but I have often wondered if any course has tried a synthetic green instead of real grass to compare install/maintenance costs versus playability.  I have a synthetic green in the backyard and I know they can be made soft enough to hold shots.  

[Jackal 147]

3 hours ago, Shapotomous said:

As long as the goat tracks and cow pastures charge according to their condition then I have no problem playing/practicing on them. 

I have very low standards for what tees and fairways and rough need to look like. 

But I do like to have puttable greens and enough grass around the greens so I am not chipping with a lie up between two crabgrass clumps.  

A different topic but I have often wondered if any course has tried a synthetic green instead of real grass to compare install/maintenance costs versus playability.  I have a synthetic green in the backyard and I know they can be made soft enough to hold shots.  

Some would do better.

Even a pitch and putt par 3 course.

All greens. 

Lower maintenance, depending in intitial cost.

[BIG STU 7,436]

9 hours ago, Shapotomous said:

As long as the goat tracks and cow pastures charge according to their condition then I have no problem playing/practicing on them. 

I have very low standards for what tees and fairways and rough need to look like. 

But I do like to have puttable greens and enough grass around the greens so I am not chipping with a lie up between two crabgrass clumps.  

A different topic but I have often wondered if any course has tried a synthetic green instead of real grass to compare install/maintenance costs versus playability.  I have a synthetic green in the backyard and I know they can be made soft enough to hold shots.  

I am right there with you on price versus conditions

[Jackal 147]

Today we played the back 9 at Goat Track country club.

I shot a 41, with a lot of strange bounces and lip-outs.

On this par 3, my tee shot went to the left of the green, and bounced about 30 feet straight up.

We thought it would go into water, but it came down close.

Those dark spots to the left of the green are hard\ grey dirt. ( almost crusher dust).

Not what you would expect next to a green.

It was still a lot of fun.

Edited October 19, 2020 by Jackal

[golfish! 757]

We all have to start somewhere! Definitely agree with what people are saying that this is a walkable driving range!

[Buffly 556]

24 minutes ago, Jackal said:

It was still a lot of fun

Isn't that all that really matters?!?

[Jackal 147]

9 hours ago, Buffly said:

Isn't that all that really matters?!?

Absolutely!!

The start of this topic was a while back.

Someone at the course said a pro would score super low.

We said what about hidded obstacles?

Then, a couple of locals said they score better at better maintained ( nicer courses).

 I always treat it as a walking driving range.

Practice trouble shots, etc.

If you don't take it too serious, it's great.

[BIG STU 7,436]

12 hours ago, Jackal said:

Today we played the back 9 at Goat Track country club.

I shot a 41, with a lot of strange bounces and lip-outs.

On this par 3, my tee shot went to the left of the green, and bounced about 30 feet straight up.

We thought it would go into water, but it came down close.

Those dark spots to the left of the green are hard\ grey dirt. ( almost crusher dust).

Not what you would expect next to a green.

It was still a lot of fun.

I know the funky bounces you get from time to time are funny or at least to me especially playing vintage and not keeping score

[Jackal 147]

46 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

I know the funky bounces you get from time to time are funny or at least to me especially playing vintage and not keeping score

We both looked like "What the heck?"

Got up there, and no sprinkler head, etc.

Extra challenges!