The Good Morning Thread

[J7Hawkins]

Morning all! Busy morning working and taking care of our son while his mom is in the office. Exciting mail day, though not for golf purposes haha. I have a few bottles of bourbon I ordered a while back finally coming in! It’s like Christmas Day for me haha. Also, preferred new irons this week (will post in the CHA when they arrive) so I’m pretty stoked! League play tonight and a 4th flag tournament tomorrow morning!

[ILMgolfnut]

3 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

Fingers crossed you manage to avoid the typical Scottish weather of wind and rain

Forecast actually doesn't look bad. Met Office says dry on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Which leaves me getting wet at Royal Dornoch on Saturday with a 15 mph wind, but as they say, nae rain, nae wind, nae golf. Weather.com is not quite as optimistic as the Met Office but I choose to believe the locals. And if not, I was over there for 16 days last year and I think it rained on 13 of them, so I can deal with it. And it was a lot colder then. The worst weather day was the one I played Fortrose and Rosemarkie, but it didn't stop me from joining their club.

[Northern Monkey]

3 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Forecast actually doesn't look bad. Met Office says dry on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Which leaves me getting wet at Royal Dornoch on Saturday with a 15 mph wind, but as they say, nae rain, nae wind, nae golf. Weather.com is not quite as optimistic as the Met Office but I choose to believe the locals. And if not, I was over there for 16 days last year and I think it rained on 13 of them, so I can deal with it. And it was a lot colder then. The worst weather day was the one I played Fortrose and Rosemarkie, but it didn't stop me from joining their club.

That’s a pretty good forecast for up there. My daughter lives in Inverness and reckons it’s virtually always raining

[brodonnell17]

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a great week. I have two rounds set this weekend and really excited to see how they go. My driver has been amazing as of late, but my irons not so much. Anyways, I have a gameplan for these rounds and look forward to see how my game/score reflects it.

Cheers!

[ILMgolfnut]

Just now, Northern Monkey said:

That’s a pretty good forecast for up there. My daughter lives in Inverness and reckons it’s virtually always raining

Sounds about right.

Further complication. I just got an email that the main road to the golf club will be closed next week to allow crews to put in broadband cables (I saw broadband crews a LOT in October, certainly more than I've ever seen in the States). But there is an alternate route which I will have to figure out. From what I can tell, the alternate route will be okay for me because my cottage is to the north, as is the route.

[Northern Monkey]

1 minute ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Sounds about right.

Further complication. I just got an email that the main road to the golf club will be closed next week to allow crews to put in broadband cables (I saw broadband crews a LOT in October, certainly more than I've ever seen in the States). But there is an alternate route which I will have to figure out. From what I can tell, the alternate route will be okay for me because my cottage is to the north, as is the route.

Let’s hope it doesn’t cause you to many complications

[ILMgolfnut]

8 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

Let’s hope it doesn’t cause you to many complications

I emailed the club secretary to see if I'm reading the map correctly for the alternate route. Basically about 300 yards of the main road, if I'm reading it right, is closed west of the course entrance, but that same road is open north of the course and I can get there that way.

He confirmed that I'm reading the map correctly and I can get to the course from the north.

 

Edited Wednesday at 03:01 PM by ILMgolfnut

[PrismFlopper]

Good midweek everyone. Holiday coming up and you know what that means?! Job security! Working the ambulance today into tomorrow night and we like to play an interesting game of where’s my finger…. Yeah flashlights are charged and ready for use cause i know we will be playing that game with some patient tonight or tomorrow. But anyway, got out for what I intended to be a quick 9 this morning at 745 had to be to work at 10 and let’s just say I was still in golf clothes as I can running into base to clock in. Club was 10 min from my work and somehow was almost late by about 30ish seconds. Oh well keeps me on m6 toes for the insanity that this shift will be but always fun. I’ll post my scores and info in the how’d you play thread. Everyone be safe or you might be getting a ride from one of your local underpaid, overworked EMS crews!

[ILMgolfnut]

38 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

Stay clear of the gorse, those spikes hurt if you put your hand in there!!!!

Yep, I have been forewarned about that. Managed to stay out of that stuff in October, but we'll see if I can manage that this time. Particularly in my tournament rounds. Don't want to be playing a bunch of provisional balls. Regular round, I'll just treat it as lateral hazard.

[William P]

Good Wednesday morning Spies!

Enjoying a lazy morning with a fully operational AC unit today...  SWMBO has a couple of emergency tasks for me today but nothing to major so won't be to terrible.

No golf today or tomorrow but round scheduled for Friday during the cold front (mid 90's). There is even a chance of rain after a three-week dry spell. Keeping our fingers crossed for that.

Happy birthday @ParFore74x, @TK_, and @JohnSmalls! Hope you all have a great day!

Everyone have a great day and enjoy your chosen activities.

[tdroma98]

3 hours ago, ILMgolfnut said:

And this is what awaits me: Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

@ILMgolfnut what a great video and such a cool Links Layout.  Thanks for sharing the flyover! Impressive, I love the layout! Enjoy & Safe Travels!! 

[Jim Shaw]

ok, good morning spy’s…

after much thought and help from my coach, and @Ricky Bobbyand @cnosil I have come to the conclusion that I have always had a “one piece” takeaway” that is the way I was taught in the 60’s and it has worked pretty well so far, after seeing the video and  understanding what the “coach” was asking me i think I need to put more “hinge” in my takeaway. I was too focused on my right hand looking quite violent but watching a tiger swing this morning, his hand releases “after impact” like mine does. Sooooo it is not the right hand I need to focus on but the takeaway.

always a work in progress!!

have a great day everyone 

[Wheelieb]

Morning All,

Did our command PT this morning out on the beach. We played volleyball and the amount of people we had we split up into 4 teams. My team beat the first team and then we had to call it in the championship game due to time. So we wound up tying that game with a hope we can get back to it in two weeks. Next week I have my T.A.P.S. class which I'm a little indifferent about. On one hand I'm ready to retire, but on the other I am a little nervous about getting out and starting a whole new career. Anyway, I'm hoping to be out at a decent time so I can get to the range. Hope everyone has a great day.

[William P]

Just read your article posted/published for the TPT Shaft review. Great job @GolfSpy_KFT! Well written and enjoyable read, although the fact that I was fortunate enough to be a participant might make me little biased... 

Edited Wednesday at 04:38 PM by William P

[ILMgolfnut]

50 minutes ago, tdroma98 said:

@ILMgolfnut what a great video and such a cool Links Layout.  Thanks for sharing the flyover! Impressive, I love the layout! Enjoy & Safe Travels!! 

It's par 71/70 (#6 is a par 5 from the tips, par 4 from the yellow tees), 5893/5594 yards. I'm not sure which tees I'll be playing from in next Wednesday's Stableford tournament, but at that yardage doesn't matter much. I think it will be the yellow.

Also to be noted is that there are frequently dolphins to be seen cavorting in the water on both sides of that peninsula. They sell dolphin headcovers in the pro shop for that reason. Might have to get one. Might also have to get one depicting the Loch Ness Monster. Or both. There are dolphin cruises nearby to go out among the Flippers.

Why am I playing there? Loved the course when I played it. And discovered that I could join as an overseas member for $450. At summer green fees, four rounds will pay for the membership, plus I get a discount at the clubhouse restaurant as a member.

Edited Wednesday at 04:47 PM by ILMgolfnut

[GolfSpy_KFT]

59 minutes ago, William P said:

Just read your article posted/published for the TPT Shaft review. Great job @GolfSpy_KFT! Well written and enjoyable read, although the fact that I was fortunate enough to be a participant might make me little biased... 

Thanks, Bill! Glad you enjoyed it!

[Kenny B]

17 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Kenny, hire a landscaper for crying out loud. 

The rock was $275 delivered.  I moved it in two hours.  A landscaper might have moved it in an hour, but it would have cost another $200 and I would have had to supervise to make sure they didn’t damage the gas and electrical  lines and A/C unit.  Besides, now I have that $200 to buy a new {insert club here}.  

[ILMgolfnut]

Checked in for my flight. Seat assignment subject to change, but for right now I have a window seat from Boston to Heathrow tomorrow night. That will work. Not only for the view, but I can recline against the cabin wall to sleep on the flight.

[JFish350]

On 7/2/2024 at 6:23 AM, fixyurdivot said:

Top of the pot spies .  I just got back yesterday from the fishing trip to Manitoba; where the fishing was great but the travel to/from not so much.  Delayed out of PHX and also from Calgary heading to Winnipeg, our heads did not hit the pillows until 0130... offering a short sleep before the 0800 charter flight to God's Lake.

Then, Friday, arriving back on the charter flight to Winnipeg, we get notification from WestJet that our flight on Saturday has been cancelled due to the mechanics strike... rescheduled for Monday 7/1... WHAAATTT? Having no confidence in the labor dispute getting resolved and their schedules holding up even if it is, we ditched WJ (requesting the offered refund) and found flights on Delta. 

WestJet has lost at least 3 customers.  Their attitude and handling of this was terrible.  The airport check-in folks acting like stone-faced robots and simply telling folks to contact WJ for support.  They made no mention of the labor strike. Naturally, both the phone and chat were so overwhelmed, a simple "we cannot process your request at this time" response was provided.  First time, last time WestJet for me.

But, at least the fishing was good (weather not so much) as was the lodge/accommodations. We caught lots of Northern Pike and a few Walleye on fly rods.  I managed two over 41" which met the Manitoba Master Angler criteria.

So now it's back to golf starting with men's league 2-man best ball tomorrow.  Have a great day everyone!

Those are AWESOME fish. Did you find the trick to filleting the Northerns? There is a way to do it with minimal waste and bones. Last time I was in Canada fishing we hit the mayfly hatch. We still were able to catch fish, but nothing like what you have there. 

 

Good luck on the links. 

[Kenny B]

Good Morning everyone!!  Still morning here, but it’s already up to 90º; the worst is yet to come this weekend!!  Back is still sore, so instead of heading to the course I walked to the grocery store… about 1.5 miles.  It was a nice walk until I bought some foods I wasn’t planning on that need to be kept cool; fast paced my way home!!

My wife went early to play in the Wednesday Ladies League.  Those of you at Kingsmill last month know that Martha hits the ball fairly straight.  She has had an ace on #12 before, and has nearly made an ace on all of our par 3’s.  An hour ago she sent me this… again from the #12 hole.  The shot glass next to the ball means she made the birdie.  

 

[Kenny B]

6 hours ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Good morning Spies! The good news is T-minus 29 hours before I leave for Scotland. The bad news is I got back my test score and it... didn't go well. I get one more chance in early October, but at least now I can be more focused in my studying. My work travel schedule is about to decrease which will help. There were too many days where I worked/drove 3-4 hours and was just too damn tired to study afterward.

Formulating a plan to combat jet lag for the trip. I woke up today around 5 a.m., which is better (10 a.m. UK time). I'll go to bed early tonight, get up at 3:30 or something tomorrow, and make sure I sleep on the plane tomorrow night. GF is going out of town with friends for the Fourth since I was leaving anyway, so I have to make sure the furbabies are fed before the Uber arrives at 11:10 tomorrow morning.

And this is what awaits me: Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club

I'll do some kind of workout today and then finish packing. It's 95% done anyway, just need to get all the golf stuff in the travel case.

@GolfSpy SAM I agree with you about 32 Degrees. Their shirts are okay, their shorts are better. Wearing a pair right now in fact.

Looks like a lot of fun!!  Enjoy!  Is there a hotel in town or are you staying at a B&B?

[ILMgolfnut]

6 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

Is there a hotel in town or are you staying at a B&B?

Neither. I rented a little cottage about 2 miles from the course, what the Brits call a self-catering (meaning you cook for yourself or go out). I'll probably do something simple for myself for breakfast and then eat other meals at the club. Or clubs, considering I'm playing four tournaments at courses other than F&R. I've already identified a grocery store I can use on the way from the airport to the cottage, to stock up on a few basics. 

Edited Wednesday at 06:38 PM by ILMgolfnut

[Kenny B]

4 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

I'm ecstatic after my round where I shot my best score in a year (102) on a difficult course and being able to successfully navigate several sand shots around the green. If my driver would have been halfway decent, I could have broken 100.

Congratulations Jason!!  So the Kingsmill trip was well worth it… and not to just meet everyone!!

Edited Wednesday at 06:41 PM by Kenny B

[JFish350]

4 hours ago, EnderinAZ said:

Good morning spies! No golf for the next 5 days as we are up at the trailer in the White Mountains of Arizona. It was 30, yes thirty, degrees cooler up here yesterday than at the house in Mesa. I have some puttering around to do, a little construction work, 4th of July celebrating, and kayaking on our plate. @cksurfdude You know, old retired guy stuff. Including sitting in a lawn chair, in the shade, with a book in my hands and letting the afternoon roll by. 

I will miss golfing though. With 4 sub 80 rounds out of my last 6 played I feel like my game is definitely coming into its own. But, that also means my handicap has dropped to a 9.9 (course handicap is a 5). It will make it more difficult to win some of my money back. I can live with that. Playing golf well is loads of fun!

Such a wonderful area up there. Show Low/ Pinetop and surrounding area. I have cousins that live up there. Used to go to Sunrise ski area. You wouldn't think AZ would have good skiing, but Sunrise is pretty darn good., Better than anything we have in Oregon. 

 

Enjoy the cool weather.  

[JFish350]

Good Morning, (11:53am) .

 

Bit of set back on recovery, but I guess its normal to get the old feeling of pinching nerves. Ice and a couple extra meds I was hoping to be completely off of by now. That's ok, I'm not supposed to be doing anything anyway. Just sit and continue down the Otto Phlex rabbit hole. I've also got myself into looking at "spot on Golf". I am just tired of work and would love to find something I actually like doing. That way it isn't work, it's just living. 

 

Have a great day all. Be safe if you are traveling during the start of 4th of July celebrations. 

[Kenny B]

3 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

Good Morning, (11:53am) .

 

Bit of set back on recovery, but I guess its normal to get the old feeling of pinching nerves. Ice and a couple extra meds I was hoping to be completely off of by now. That's ok, I'm not supposed to be doing anything anyway. Just sit and continue down the Otto Phlex rabbit hole. I've also got myself into looking at "spot on Golf". I am just tired of work and would love to find something I actually like doing. That way it isn't work, it's just living. 

 

Have a great day all. Be safe if you are traveling during the start of 4th of July celebrations. 

Don't rush it!  Get healed!   When you get fully recovered, I’ll see if I can make a trip to Portland to play.  I will be at Eagle Crest for 4 nights in the middle of September.  If not then, I’ll be making a trip next spring.

[tdc1]

Good afternoon, everyone!

Managed a quick (no, really, under 3 hours quick) 18 holes this morning with one of my regular partners.  I think we got lucky and started out ahead of Wednesday morning league.  Never felt rushed at all!  Played the same ball for all 18 as well.

My quest to avoid double bogies was not totally successful -- 3 of them today.  One I would classify as silly for trying to hit I shot I know I didn't need to; one was a serious fried egg in a wet bunker; and one was a late round left yank into a neighboring fairway that gave me no chance of getting near the green in regulation (nor regulation +1).  Even so, I finished at 84 -- the closest I've come to 80 this year.  And, I won the match 10-4. 

On the ball front, I remembered to grab the right Titleist balls today.  Opted for the Pro V1x.  As I hit my tee shot on #10 and older gent in the twosome behind us asked what ball I had hit.  When I told him, his response was , "I'm not good enough to use those."  I've been thinking the same for a long time even though the Titleist on-line ball selector keeps trying to put me into that ball.  Maybe I've just finally decided that my 85 mph driver SS can find some benefit in "tour balls."  I know I like the extra spin at greenside and spin didn't seem to be an issue off the tee.  Where the spin really came in handy was on a chip in birdie from so far below the hole I could only see the top couple feet of flag stick.  I only knew it went in when my partner's putter went soaring through the air toward the cart.  He did, however describe the checking power of the ball with some very colorful language.

For all my fellow Americans on the forum, have a happy and safe 4th of July.  And, remember, not all Veterans, children and animals appreciate things tht go boom in the night (or day).  Enjoy your day responsibly and respectfully.

[ILMgolfnut]

8 minutes ago, JFish350 said:

Good Morning, (11:53am) .

 

Bit of set back on recovery, but I guess its normal to get the old feeling of pinching nerves. Ice and a couple extra meds I was hoping to be completely off of by now. That's ok, I'm not supposed to be doing anything anyway. Just sit and continue down the Otto Phlex rabbit hole. I've also got myself into looking at "spot on Golf". I am just tired of work and would love to find something I actually like doing. That way it isn't work, it's just living. 

 

Have a great day all. Be safe if you are traveling during the start of 4th of July celebrations. 

That is unfortunately not uncommon; the nerve was pinched for quite a while and it doesn't return to normal immediately. Could actually be months before you feel totally normal -- if you do return to normal. (I worked in spine surgery for 9 years and saw a bunch of this.)

[ILMgolfnut]

4 hours ago, PrismFlopper said:

Everyone be safe or you might be getting a ride from one of your local underpaid, overworked EMS crews!

I have recently noticed that the ambulances around the Casa are now painted purple. The explanation is that the county hospital runs the ambulance service and the corporate color of the company that now owns/manages the hospital is purple. But it took some getting used to, seeing a purple meat wagon screaming down the street.

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, JFish350 said:

Those are AWESOME fish. Did you find the trick to filleting the Northerns? There is a way to do it with minimal waste and bones. Last time I was in Canada fishing we hit the mayfly hatch. We still were able to catch fish, but nothing like what you have there. 

 

Good luck on the links. 

The Indian guides did all the fillet prep and cooking... and they made it look easy.  I found the taste of Walleye and Northern to be pretty similar.  Of course, that may just be due to the low cholesterol manner in which they cook it .