Getting ridiculous

[Rob Person]

48 minutes ago, Wheelieb said:

There is really two holes I would want to play there, number 7 and number 18. Outside of those two holes, I would say yes. 

Maybe they will start charging a fee just for individual holes next?

[Guest-0]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Is pebble overrated?

There is only one golf course in the world I would pay 1000 dollars to play and it's not Pebble!!!! My summer place is two miles from Arcadia Bluffs and a few from Crystal Downs. A prime time round at Arcadia is $300 and they do not make you hire a caddy although they are available and I advise taking one your first trip around that joint!!! Pebble is classic California eliteism and that doesn't work for me or impress me!! Put that price tag on Augusta and I will fight anyone in my way

[Guest-0]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Maybe they will start charging a fee just for individual holes next?

Ala Carte golf??? Could be on to something!!! 

[Guest-0]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... As long as Phoenix provides warm temps and sun in the middle of winter, folks will flock here and pay whatever the going rate is. We had a rainy week but that is very rare. Florida can rain out any day but Phoenix is almost always sunny and warm. Prices have risen almost exponentially since the Covid outbreak. Thankfully locals have at least some options and my home course is an excellent track and with a Sr City Card we pay $36 to walk at twilite.

... Without a city card a visitor will only $88 but almost impossible to get a time. The City Card lets you book 9 days in advance, a day before tee times open to the public. They start at midnight and if you don't book by 12:05 chances are you won't find a tee time. We take turns booking the first twilite time at exactly midnight and even then we may miss 1:04 and get the 1:12 or 1:20 time. 

... If you are in cold weather climate with no golf for months on end and can get away for a long weekend or maybe a week or two, these temperatures are hard to beat in the middle of winter. The chance of rain usually disappears from the forecast as we get near the date but if it does rain it is usually very isolated. But it will cost you $$$ and many are willing to pay:



 

It baffles me to hear about not being able to get a tee time and some of the prices around the country as iam sheltered I guess as iam a member at the only club in the Florida Keys and can always play but spend the rest of the year in the hidden and undiscovered golf Mecca that is Northern Lower Michigan!!! If any of you is thinking on a golf vacation between May and Oct I cannot say enough about the Traverse City Michigan area. Within 50 miles there are 22 absolute gems and countless other courses that would be gems elsewhere. A premier course there will set you back 120 bucks while many stunners are around 80. If anyone is considering exploring world class golf, restaurants, fishing and shopping/sightseeing this is the place and I would be happy to point any member in the right direction oh and I forgot casinos!! 

[ILMgolfnut]

Haven't played golf in Traverse but I ran the Bayshore Marathon there and the scenery is outstanding!

[Pyecraft]

On 2/7/2024 at 7:34 PM, rhaze91 said:

 

.... elitist stigma ....   maybe I'm turning into old man yelling at clouds .....

Sorry for the rant but damn .....

Keep 'em coming rhaze91, loved it.

Golf for the 'elite' had been long entrenched by the time I took up golf back in early UK's early '70s.  Local golf was held virtually exclusive to businessmen's class aspirations, and exorbitant fees were one sure way of maintaining status quo.  Membership applications were voted upon by existing members: if you didn't know one, your form became toilet paper.  Annual fee deposit was cash only with application, and a portion retained in case of future application.  Members were always allowed to play thru of course, no matter their own speed, and were obliged to report the most trivial dress or equipment infraction which they gleefully chose to do, and often.  No access to the bar either for us riff-raff. 

Ballesteros' cavalier brilliance thankfully destroyed that smug attitude almost overnight, providing folk from ordinary backgrounds a hero they became determined to emulate.  A market was suddenly realized and new courses, including affordable Municipal ones sprang up everywhere.  Consequently, the R&A were forced into going 'Euro' with their stuffy, sorry-arsed excuses of permanently losing Ryder Cup selections past, just to have Sevvy in their team.  He deserves a Sainthood "... steady on old chap, a bloody 'forrinner'?"

Nowadays, retired on Vancouver Island, I can still whiff that old money entitlement stench from time to time.  It gets up your nose when entering our local, 'wholesaler' Golf Town.  Its akin to visiting a car dealership, with club-set finance plans adorning every wall, and staff ambush around each corner.  New clubs are indeed beautifully built, wonderful to hold, and my kudos go to those that have the $3/4,000 to own them. 

Yet, my golf game is horrific: always has been, won't ever not be, said a Pro once after relieving me of some hard-earned cash for my single 'lesson'.  Free from any expectation, surely then a gram of correct weighting on a $1000.00 new driver, won't add an ounce more fun to my game, or anyone sharing it for that matter.  Were it possible to enjoy golf any more than I have, I'd likely spontaneously combust on the spot. 

Incidentally, thrift stores are not immune to a dose of price gouging either. The items are donated and staff is volunteer, and yet somehow, Covid has affected their profit margins.  I've just dropped 30-odd clubs and stand bag their way, almost hospitalizing the staffer as he carried them away.  Two Callaway drivers in decent shape had been donated just before I arrived.  It was seniors day: $15 for both.  Without golf's industrious march to profit from our collective obsession, those clubs might still be the owners bag, and I might not be able to golf-dress accordingly.  Odd that dress-code learned from the '70's wont allow me even today, to hit the driving range 'out of uniform'.  Funny old game, this golf business.   

With apologies for my first post being a rant also, thank you for allowing me join this group:  I have more questions than answers, I shall strive to keep them relative.

[Wheelieb]

3 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... As long as Phoenix provides warm temps and sun in the middle of winter, folks will flock here and pay whatever the going rate is. We had a rainy week but that is very rare. Florida can rain out any day but Phoenix is almost always sunny and warm. Prices have risen almost exponentially since the Covid outbreak. Thankfully locals have at least some options and my home course is an excellent track and with a Sr City Card we pay $36 to walk at twilite.

... Without a city card a visitor will only $88 but almost impossible to get a time. The City Card lets you book 9 days in advance, a day before tee times open to the public. They start at midnight and if you don't book by 12:05 chances are you won't find a tee time. We take turns booking the first twilite time at exactly midnight and even then we may miss 1:04 and get the 1:12 or 1:20 time. 

... If you are in cold weather climate with no golf for months on end and can get away for a long weekend or maybe a week or two, these temperatures are hard to beat in the middle of winter. The chance of rain usually disappears from the forecast as we get near the date but if it does rain it is usually very isolated. But it will cost you $$$ and many are willing to pay:



 

The wife and I have kicked around going and visiting my brother out in Phoenix. I think he said he is in southern Phoenix, and even if he did say that, I’m not sure what decently priced courses are out there to play. 

[Guest-0]

3 hours ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Haven't played golf in Traverse but I ran the Bayshore Marathon there and the scenery is outstanding!

You!!! Now we have someone to directly blame for the traffic snarl caused by the Bayshore kidding of course and after 10 years in the Army I will suffice to say I will never run anywhere again unless someone is shooting at me but that has to be one of the better courses for a marathon I would think??? You really should come to play sometime and places with top tier tracks like Shanty Creek Resort (4 18 hole tracks)  A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort (2 Championship tracks and an executive 18) Grand Traverse Resort and Casino ( The Bear by Jack Nickalaus) (Wolverine by Gary Player) and the Resort Exective Spruce Run. Crystal Mountain Lodge (The Mountain Course) ( Betsie Valley) all offer very affordable stay and play packages prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day and become more expensive during prime time oh and this little place called Arcadia Bluffs as well

[Guest-0]

3 hours ago, Pyecraft said:

Keep 'em coming rhaze91, loved it.

Golf for the 'elite' had been long entrenched by the time I took up golf back in early UK's early '70s.  Local golf was held virtually exclusive to businessmen's class aspirations, and exorbitant fees were one sure way of maintaining status quo.  Membership applications were voted upon by existing members: if you didn't know one, your form became toilet paper.  Annual fee deposit was cash only with application, and a portion retained in case of future application.  Members were always allowed to play thru of course, no matter their own speed, and were obliged to report the most trivial dress or equipment infraction which they gleefully chose to do, and often.  No access to the bar either for us riff-raff. 

Ballesteros' cavalier brilliance thankfully destroyed that smug attitude almost overnight, providing folk from ordinary backgrounds a hero they became determined to emulate.  A market was suddenly realized and new courses, including affordable Municipal ones sprang up everywhere.  Consequently, the R&A were forced into going 'Euro' with their stuffy, sorry-arsed excuses of permanently losing Ryder Cup selections past, just to have Sevvy in their team.  He deserves a Sainthood "... steady on old chap, a bloody 'forrinner'?"

Nowadays, retired on Vancouver Island, I can still whiff that old money entitlement stench from time to time.  It gets up your nose when entering our local, 'wholesaler' Golf Town.  Its akin to visiting a car dealership, with club-set finance plans adorning every wall, and staff ambush around each corner.  New clubs are indeed beautifully built, wonderful to hold, and my kudos go to those that have the $3/4,000 to own them. 

Yet, my golf game is horrific: always has been, won't ever not be, said a Pro once after relieving me of some hard-earned cash for my single 'lesson'.  Free from any expectation, surely then a gram of correct weighting on a $1000.00 new driver, won't add an ounce more fun to my game, or anyone sharing it for that matter.  Were it possible to enjoy golf any more than I have, I'd likely spontaneously combust on the spot. 

Incidentally, thrift stores are not immune to a dose of price gouging either. The items are donated and staff is volunteer, and yet somehow, Covid has affected their profit margins.  I've just dropped 30-odd clubs and stand bag their way, almost hospitalizing the staffer as he carried them away.  Two Callaway drivers in decent shape had been donated just before I arrived.  It was seniors day: $15 for both.  Without golf's industrious march to profit from our collective obsession, those clubs might still be the owners bag, and I might not be able to golf-dress accordingly.  Odd that dress-code learned from the '70's wont allow me even today, to hit the driving range 'out of uniform'.  Funny old game, this golf business.   

With apologies for my first post being a rant also, thank you for allowing me join this group:  I have more questions than answers, I shall strive to keep them relative.

Rant??? If that was a rant it surely was the most well written piece I've ever been lucky enough to read? A rant which left me wanting to read more!! You sir should write a book as surely you have a gift!! Excellent Rant my friend!!!

[Jim Shaw]

3 hours ago, Pyecraft said:

Keep 'em coming rhaze91, loved it.

Golf for the 'elite' had been long entrenched by the time I took up golf back in early UK's early '70s.  Local golf was held virtually exclusive to businessmen's class aspirations, and exorbitant fees were one sure way of maintaining status quo.  Membership applications were voted upon by existing members: if you didn't know one, your form became toilet paper.  Annual fee deposit was cash only with application, and a portion retained in case of future application.  Members were always allowed to play thru of course, no matter their own speed, and were obliged to report the most trivial dress or equipment infraction which they gleefully chose to do, and often.  No access to the bar either for us riff-raff. 

Ballesteros' cavalier brilliance thankfully destroyed that smug attitude almost overnight, providing folk from ordinary backgrounds a hero they became determined to emulate.  A market was suddenly realized and new courses, including affordable Municipal ones sprang up everywhere.  Consequently, the R&A were forced into going 'Euro' with their stuffy, sorry-arsed excuses of permanently losing Ryder Cup selections past, just to have Sevvy in their team.  He deserves a Sainthood "... steady on old chap, a bloody 'forrinner'?"

Nowadays, retired on Vancouver Island, I can still whiff that old money entitlement stench from time to time.  It gets up your nose when entering our local, 'wholesaler' Golf Town.  Its akin to visiting a car dealership, with club-set finance plans adorning every wall, and staff ambush around each corner.  New clubs are indeed beautifully built, wonderful to hold, and my kudos go to those that have the $3/4,000 to own them. 

Yet, my golf game is horrific: always has been, won't ever not be, said a Pro once after relieving me of some hard-earned cash for my single 'lesson'.  Free from any expectation, surely then a gram of correct weighting on a $1000.00 new driver, won't add an ounce more fun to my game, or anyone sharing it for that matter.  Were it possible to enjoy golf any more than I have, I'd likely spontaneously combust on the spot. 

Incidentally, thrift stores are not immune to a dose of price gouging either. The items are donated and staff is volunteer, and yet somehow, Covid has affected their profit margins.  I've just dropped 30-odd clubs and stand bag their way, almost hospitalizing the staffer as he carried them away.  Two Callaway drivers in decent shape had been donated just before I arrived.  It was seniors day: $15 for both.  Without golf's industrious march to profit from our collective obsession, those clubs might still be the owners bag, and I might not be able to golf-dress accordingly.  Odd that dress-code learned from the '70's wont allow me even today, to hit the driving range 'out of uniform'.  Funny old game, this golf business.   

With apologies for my first post being a rant also, thank you for allowing me join this group:  I have more questions than answers, I shall strive to keep them relative.

a lot of "stuff" in this post, my only immediate comment is this.

My cousin who played for Canada in the 1968 Pan Am games for soccer used to say, "well, I guess I will go and get my golf costume on." and off we would go to the golf course....

[Rob Person]

3 hours ago, Pyecraft said:

Keep 'em coming rhaze91, loved it.

Golf for the 'elite' had been long entrenched by the time I took up golf back in early UK's early '70s.  Local golf was held virtually exclusive to businessmen's class aspirations, and exorbitant fees were one sure way of maintaining status quo.  Membership applications were voted upon by existing members: if you didn't know one, your form became toilet paper.  Annual fee deposit was cash only with application, and a portion retained in case of future application.  Members were always allowed to play thru of course, no matter their own speed, and were obliged to report the most trivial dress or equipment infraction which they gleefully chose to do, and often.  No access to the bar either for us riff-raff. 

Ballesteros' cavalier brilliance thankfully destroyed that smug attitude almost overnight, providing folk from ordinary backgrounds a hero they became determined to emulate.  A market was suddenly realized and new courses, including affordable Municipal ones sprang up everywhere.  Consequently, the R&A were forced into going 'Euro' with their stuffy, sorry-arsed excuses of permanently losing Ryder Cup selections past, just to have Sevvy in their team.  He deserves a Sainthood "... steady on old chap, a bloody 'forrinner'?"

Nowadays, retired on Vancouver Island, I can still whiff that old money entitlement stench from time to time.  It gets up your nose when entering our local, 'wholesaler' Golf Town.  Its akin to visiting a car dealership, with club-set finance plans adorning every wall, and staff ambush around each corner.  New clubs are indeed beautifully built, wonderful to hold, and my kudos go to those that have the $3/4,000 to own them. 

Yet, my golf game is horrific: always has been, won't ever not be, said a Pro once after relieving me of some hard-earned cash for my single 'lesson'.  Free from any expectation, surely then a gram of correct weighting on a $1000.00 new driver, won't add an ounce more fun to my game, or anyone sharing it for that matter.  Were it possible to enjoy golf any more than I have, I'd likely spontaneously combust on the spot. 

Incidentally, thrift stores are not immune to a dose of price gouging either. The items are donated and staff is volunteer, and yet somehow, Covid has affected their profit margins.  I've just dropped 30-odd clubs and stand bag their way, almost hospitalizing the staffer as he carried them away.  Two Callaway drivers in decent shape had been donated just before I arrived.  It was seniors day: $15 for both.  Without golf's industrious march to profit from our collective obsession, those clubs might still be the owners bag, and I might not be able to golf-dress accordingly.  Odd that dress-code learned from the '70's wont allow me even today, to hit the driving range 'out of uniform'.  Funny old game, this golf business.   

With apologies for my first post being a rant also, thank you for allowing me join this group:  I have more questions than answers, I shall strive to keep them relative.

 

Brilliant first post,  and welcome to the site.  Most of your words emulate my train of thought.

Welcome to the MGS family

[chisag]

4 hours ago, Wheelieb said:

The wife and I have kicked around going and visiting my brother out in Phoenix. I think he said he is in southern Phoenix, and even if he did say that, I’m not sure what decently priced courses are out there to play. 

 

... Just take a look on GolfNow and it will give you good idea of where you can play and how much it will cost. That said, if it is between Dec 1st and April 1st expect it to be over $200 for an average course, and more than a few below average. 

[Wheelieb]

10 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Just take a look on GolfNow and it will give you good idea of where you can play and how much it will cost. That said, if it is between Dec 1st and April 1st expect it to be over $200 for an average course, and more than a few below average. 

Knowing my luck she would tell me we will go in the summer. I mean, I don’t mind playing in 95+ degree weather. But I don’t know Arizona heat. 

[chisag]

44 minutes ago, Wheelieb said:

Knowing my luck she would tell me we will go in the summer. I mean, I don’t mind playing in 95+ degree weather. But I don’t know Arizona heat. 

 

... Courses are exponentially less expensive in summer, and I find 110* with low humidity more comfortable than 90* with high humidity. It doesn't get really oppressive til around 115*.  It was stoopid hot the day I took this picture: 

[HikingMike]

I am one of those that golfs on the cheap end. If I had more money, I'm sure it would be different because I do like golf. Throughout my golf life I basically never thought about new clubs, barely about new shirts and clothes, that kind of thing. I would never go to destination course, probably even if I had more money to burn. I highly value my vacations and trips and golf is not up there on the list (yet?). I would rather play more than play less but more expensive places. Time and money.

I recently got some Amazon golf shirts. Maybe I'll make a post in the Deals area with a mini review. 

As was mentioned by someone else, the one place where cost bothers me are the $600 drivers because I'm looking to change my driver now. I have no qualms buying used, but now after reading up a lot I want to get a fitting before I do. Problem is you can't get fitted for clubs that the store doesn't have. I'm going to try to make this work though so we'll see how I do. Places should have some 1-2 year old clubs to hit, and I have scouted used stores online, so I think it's doable.

On 2/8/2024 at 10:18 AM, Kenny B said:

I was shocked when I started trying to book tee times last week for our yearly trip to a warmer place in the winter.  We are headed to Palm Springs next week, and Yes I know that is a pricey are to play golf.  I've been there every other year for the past 8 years.  There are courses that are easily over $250 a pop... for my wife and I that's $500.  We typically have looked for courses and deals that were around $80-120.  

This year there is virtually nothing in that range unless you booked weeks in advance.  Courses I played two years ago are now $150+ and two weeks out, they are booked until twilight and then it's still $100 with no guarantee of finishing before dark.  Many of the top end courses are in the $400+ range.  Many years ago I played PGA West Nicklaus Tournament course for $100.  Today the rate at 12:50pm is $445 and the next tee time is 1:20pm for $120.

I have to seriously think about future travel plans based on cost of golf.

Palm Springs, terrible golf destination apparently 

On 2/9/2024 at 1:10 PM, Marlin Dave said:

It baffles me to hear about not being able to get a tee time and some of the prices around the country as iam sheltered I guess as iam a member at the only club in the Florida Keys and can always play but spend the rest of the year in the hidden and undiscovered golf Mecca that is Northern Lower Michigan!!! If any of you is thinking on a golf vacation between May and Oct I cannot say enough about the Traverse City Michigan area. Within 50 miles there are 22 absolute gems and countless other courses that would be gems elsewhere. A premier course there will set you back 120 bucks while many stunners are around 80. If anyone is considering exploring world class golf, restaurants, fishing and shopping/sightseeing this is the place and I would be happy to point any member in the right direction oh and I forgot casinos!! 

Michigan is beautiful. I did a road trip vacation up the west coast from Illinois and all the way up to Traverse City, UP, and Mackinac, great trip. 
 

On 2/9/2024 at 7:29 PM, chisag said:

... Just take a look on GolfNow and it will give you good idea of where you can play and how much it will cost. That said, if it is between Dec 1st and April 1st expect it to be over $200 for an average course, and more than a few below average. 

Good thing I don't live in Phoenix. I would have probably given up golf. I wonder if people "reverse snowbird" to play cheap golf in Phoenix in summer, and cheap elsewhere in winter. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Meant to add come to Switzerland and then you can see what golf prices are really like

[chisag]

29 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Good thing I don't live in Phoenix. I would have probably given up golf. I wonder if people "reverse snowbird" to play cheap golf in Phoenix in summer, and cheap elsewhere in winter. 

 

... Phoenix is certainly a tourist trap. Locals have places to play that are more than reasonable. My home course is packed everyday because it is probably in the top 20% for quality but with a Phoenix Sr City Card I pay $37 walking rate at twilite. There are other courses I could play but my home course is so good I usually don't. In summer, I join a nicer semi private course that is completely tree lined and the shade is needed, as well as playing the really nice courses for around $50 with a cart, that cost $300-400 in season.

... I can't imagine a reverse summer snowbird because of the heat. Last July it was 110* or higher 29 out of 30 days.  

[CB Lobo 4 Life]

4 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Phoenix is certainly a tourist trap. Locals have places to play that are more than reasonable. My home course is packed everyday because it is probably in the top 20% for quality but with a Phoenix Sr City Card I pay $37 walking rate at twilite. There are other courses I could play but my home course is so good I usually don't. In summer, I join a nicer semi private course that is completely tree lined and the shade is needed, as well as playing the really nice courses for around $50 with a cart, that cost $300-400 in season.

... I can't imagine a reverse summer snowbird because of the heat. Last July it was 110* or higher 29 out of 30 days.  

You could always come to play the courses up here in the White Mountains. The weather is starting to get good and the courses are fairly reasonable when it comes to the price to play!

*Just check the weather forecast before coming up haha

[HikingMike]

8 minutes ago, chisag said:

... Phoenix is certainly a tourist trap. Locals have places to play that are more than reasonable. My home course is packed everyday because it is probably in the top 20% for quality but with a Phoenix Sr City Card I pay $37 walking rate at twilite. There are other courses I could play but my home course is so good I usually don't. In summer, I join a nicer semi private course that is completely tree lined and the shade is needed, as well as playing the really nice courses for around $50 with a cart, that cost $300-400 in season.

... I can't imagine a reverse summer snowbird because of the heat. Last July it was 110* or higher 29 out of 30 days.  

Ok that's good to know you have something, maybe tougher to get on, but it's there.

Yeah that's true haha. Nobody would want to travel for those golf conditions even with the cheaper price. I was thinking more Phoenix was where their original home was, but still, no. I would say we have that July temp matched here if we include humidity, except we definitely don't have stretches that long. Normal high in July is 90. I'll drink a 32oz Nalgene in under 9 holes and be soaking wet. 

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Ok that's good to know you have something, maybe tougher to get on, but it's there.

 

... With the city card we get one day in advance of the general public and with 4-6 of us rotating staying up at midnight to book as soon as times are available, we usually get the 1st or 2nd twilite time. Several of us play Mon-Fri everyday or take one day off so we always have a tee time. 

[HikingMike]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Meant to add come to Switzerland and then you can see what golf prices are really like

Alright, well I was curious already but now have to ask what are you doing there? You probably mentioned it before, apologies. What do we call you, Canadian Swiss?   Now that's like a bucket list place for hiking! Do you rent out your Swiss Alps cabin to afford more golf? Pro European hockey league by winter, golf by summer? Banking? LOL

Back on topic, do you have a private golf membership? 

Wow, as I type this, a Canada Goose ad pops up on the sidebar.  Rest assured, I do not browse their $10,000 coats online. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

7 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Alright, well I was curious already but now have to ask what are you doing there? You probably mentioned it before, apologies. What do we call you, Canadian Swiss?   Now that's like a bucket list place for hiking! Do you rent out your Swiss Alps cabin to afford more golf? Pro European hockey league by winter, golf by summer? Banking? LOL

Back on topic, do you have a private golf membership? 

Wow, as I type this, a Canada Goose ad pops up on the sidebar.  Rest assured, I do not browse their $10,000 coats online. 

I make ice for Curling Halls and events. While I have taken a step back for family I used to make ice for world championships and such. There are only 10 of us in the world qualified for that, so essentially I'm just a specialist in making ice. 

As for why I'm here. It's an incredible country and the pay is 3 times that what I would make in Canada. 

Plus someone on the MGS forum staff needs to be in Europe to look out for those international testing opportunities!

[HikingMike]

5 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I make ice for Curling Halls and events. While I have taken a step back for family I used to make ice for world championships and such. There are only 10 of us in the world qualified for that, so essentially I'm just a specialist in making ice. 

As for why I'm here. It's an incredible country and the pay is 3 times that what I would make in Canada. 

Plus someone on the MGS forum staff needs to be in Europe to look out for those international testing opportunities!

Awesome, Curling! That is nuts about only 10 qualified in the world for that! Wow. Yeah, for sure no other reason is needed than going and living in an awesome place, and Switzerland has always seemed amazing to me. It's really cool to have such a key MGS guy there. I like the mountains in the background of your profile icon. I don't live by mountains, but I really like to get some mountain time in each year if I can. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, HikingMike said:

Awesome, Curling! That is nuts about only 10 qualified in the world for that! Wow. Yeah, for sure no other reason is needed than going and living in an awesome place, and Switzerland has always seemed amazing to me. It's really cool to have such a key MGS guy there. I like the mountains in the background of your profile icon. I don't live by mountains, but I really like to get some mountain time in each year if I can. 

I have a full article on the main site coming out soon about golfing here. 

Stay tuned!

As a quick note the average round at any normal course is $100 usd or more. Hard to find any cheaper.

[GolfSpy SAM]

30 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Alright, well I was curious already but now have to ask what are you doing there? You probably mentioned it before, apologies. What do we call you, Canadian Swiss?   Now that's like a bucket list place for hiking! Do you rent out your Swiss Alps cabin to afford more golf? Pro European hockey league by winter, golf by summer? Banking? LOL

Back on topic, do you have a private golf membership? 

Wow, as I type this, a Canada Goose ad pops up on the sidebar.  Rest assured, I do not browse their $10,000 coats online. 

I know he (@GolfSpy_APH)  already answered, but as I was reading your post, I came up with my own reasons Jamie lives in Switzerland. 

Ahem.

Born to a zamboni driver (Bruce) and a Mountie (Charlotte), Jamie grew up on a mountain in the remote area of Toronto (pronounced Too-Rooon-Too).  Home schooled in the ways of his parents, he found a natural affinity for both ice making and Polo.  When his grade-school crush moved to Switzerland (to be the braid-stylist of the hot chocolate girl), Jamie had no choice but to ride his faithful steed (Oatmeal) over the ice and frozen tundra (he took no boats - "boats are for the elderly. and kids I guess" he proudly (and inaccurately) said).  Unfortunately, Oatmeal succumbed to the weather, and Jamie was forced to cut her open and ride out the storm inside (and he thought she smelled bad on the OUTSIDE).

He's been in Switzerland, horseless, ever since. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 minutes ago, GolfSpy SAM said:

I know he (@GolfSpy_APH)  already answered, but as I was reading your post, I came up with my own reasons Jamie lives in Switzerland. 

Ahem.

Born to a zamboni driver (Bruce) and a Mountie (Charlotte), Jamie grew up on a mountain in the remote area of Toronto (pronounced Too-Rooon-Too).  Home schooled in the ways of his parents, he found a natural affinity for both ice making and Polo.  When his grade-school crush moved to Switzerland (to be the braid-stylist of the hot chocolate girl), Jamie had no choice but to ride his faithful steed (Oatmeal) over the ice and frozen tundra (he took no boats - "boats are for the elderly. and kids I guess" he proudly (and inaccurately) said).  Unfortunately, Oatmeal succumbed to the weather, and Jamie was forced to cut her open and ride out the storm inside (and he thought she smelled bad on the OUTSIDE).

He's been in Switzerland, horseless, ever since. 

I just read that to my wife and she Fell on the floor laughing... But her main take away is that we now need to buy a horse...

Thanks Matt

[aguybadatgolf]

I’m big on value when making a purchase. With some things it’s worth a splurge if it’ll last forever.

For example I’m a big skier. Go about 40+ times a year, travel all over the country and world to ski. I bought a high end shell about 7 years ago and it’s been the best purchase I’ve made.

Point is I like to look at something and decide how much use will I get and does that justify the price? I’ll never drop 600 on a new driver when I could get last seasons lightly used for 300. Sure a high end course is fun but do I really get 100 dollars more fun than I do at a typical course? Not really so I only do the fancy ones on special occasions. 

Edited February 15 by aguybadatgolf

[StrokerAce]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... Phoenix is certainly a tourist trap. Locals have places to play that are more than reasonable. My home course is packed everyday because it is probably in the top 20% for quality but with a Phoenix Sr City Card I pay $37 walking rate at twilite. There are other courses I could play but my home course is so good I usually don't. In summer, I join a nicer semi private course that is completely tree lined and the shade is needed, as well as playing the really nice courses for around $50 with a cart, that cost $300-400 in season.

... I can't imagine a reverse summer snowbird because of the heat. Last July it was 110* or higher 29 out of 30 days.  

I was in the Tuscon area in May a few years ago and the weather was great and we played some pretty good courses for less than 100...

Look at all of the balls embedded in the cactus on this par 3 !!

[chisag]

Just now, StrokerAce said:

I was in the Tuscon area in May a few years ago and the weather was great and we played some pretty good courses for less than 100...

 

... Sounds and looks like a great trip! I think May is the Phoenix/Tucson sweet spot. Many (not all) start reducing prices pretty dramatically and the temps are around 100*. With low humidity 100* is quite pleasant imo. 

[StrokerAce]

2 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Sounds and looks like a great trip! I think May is the Phoenix/Tucson sweet spot. Many (not all) start reducing prices pretty dramatically and the temps are around 100*. With low humidity 100* is quite pleasant imo. 

Highest we got was in the 90s but the air was so dry I didn't sweat at all. It was actually quite nice. 
One of the courses was the U of A home course - https://arizonawildcats.com/facilities/sewailo-golf-club-golf-/14