How'd you play?

[fozcycle]

On 12/31/2022 at 7:35 AM, MattF said:

Why is that Foz? Cost, conditions, amenities?

Wanted to just play without “running” the game….after 22 years it is time to let someone else handle all the headaches. In order to stop, I needed a change of venue so as to not get dragged back in. I gave them 4 weeks to find a replacement that I could train properly. Also, my dues increased $110/month in October.  Heritage Isles has a weekday membership that is about $2k cheaper. I will be playing Mon/Wed/Fri and not on Saturday.

[fozcycle]

Last round as a member at Plantation Palms, I shot a 45/45:90 with 10/14 for 71% FIR; 5/28 GIR for 28%; and 35 putts. I had one birdie and 3 penalties.

[Bang60]

2 hours ago, fozcycle said:

Wanted to just play without “running” the game….after 22 years it is time to let someone else handle all the headaches. In order to stop, I needed a change of venue so as to not get dragged back in. I gave them 4 weeks to find a replacement that I could train properly. Also, my dues increased $110/month in October.  Heritage Isles has a weekday membership that is about $2k cheaper. I will be playing Mon/Wed/Fri and not on Saturday.

Think I'm going down the same road, fees too expensive for what golf I play. Miss weeks with body issues and the rain etc etc, I could join a club on the other side of town for a 1/4 of the cost plus I volunteered a year ago to help out and decided I'm not doing it again....

[JerryB]

Warmed up enough so Owen and I decided to head over to River Heights today .  Got there just after 11am during the tail end of the dense fog warning .  Little tough to track drives at first but it cleared up by the eighth hole.  Never warmed up past 41° but we were layered up and it was surprisingly pleasant.

First couple drives were awful pop-ups but we're soon under control.  Rest of the game wasn't that bad although a little chunkier than usual.  Course was soggy but otherwise in good shape.  I, on the other hand, wasn't in the best shape.  Was sick earlier this week and I still don't quite have my wind back.  Owen and I both really faded on the last five or so holes but we were thrilled to be out there.

Didn't keep score but we both managed a couple pars.  Only lost two balls and they were both on the same hole.  Forecast looks similar for tomorrow so we might try to get out there again.  

[Bang60]

22 minutes ago, JerryB said:

Warmed up enough so Owen and I decided to head over to River Heights today .  Got there just after 11am during the tail end of the dense fog warning .  Little tough to track drives at first but it cleared up by the eighth hole.  Never warmed up past 41° but we were layered up and it was surprisingly pleasant.

First couple drives were awful pop-ups but we're soon under control.  Rest of the game wasn't that bad although a little chunkier than usual.  Course was soggy but otherwise in good shape.  I, on the other hand, wasn't in the best shape.  Was sick earlier this week and I still don't quite have my wind back.  Owen and I both really faded on the last five or so holes but we were thrilled to be out there.

Didn't keep score but we both managed a couple pars.  Only lost two balls and they were both on the same hole.  Forecast looks similar for tomorrow so we might try to get out there again.  

Gotta enjoy the golf anytime we play, I played 9 late this arvo just ave with 2 balls. Didn't set the world on fire but some good shots but couldn't putt, annoying when the ball fell off the tee and I had to reset but did a lousy job of it and cut across the ball ballooned went nowhere. Oh well was tired from New year's eve so all good, have to quit eating and drinking wine but soon ok...

[DMcA]

Was able to secure a 1/1 @ 1100 tee time yesterday. Played fairly well, shot 87. Haven't played Summerfield Crossings in many years. Downfall was the putting. Course was in good shape. 

[Rickp]

9 hole Exec with 2 Par 4’s.  60’’s @ tee time with minimal wind but some fog.  Bogied 1st hole then started to hit the ball.  PXG driver still gaining my trust and Mizuno JPX 923 irons are getting to also be my friend.  Shot a +3.   
The bad was greens were very bumpy matron recent frost and MISSED 3 birds!!  Should have made them….but didn’t.   
Weather is still great!!!

[JerryB]

18 hours ago, JerryB said:

Warmed up enough so Owen and I decided to head over to River Heights today .  Got there just after 11am during the tail end of the dense fog warning .  Little tough to track drives at first but it cleared up by the eighth hole.  Never warmed up past 41° but we were layered up and it was surprisingly pleasant.

First couple drives were awful pop-ups but we're soon under control.  Rest of the game wasn't that bad although a little chunkier than usual.  Course was soggy but otherwise in good shape.  I, on the other hand, wasn't in the best shape.  Was sick earlier this week and I still don't quite have my wind back.  Owen and I both really faded on the last five or so holes but we were thrilled to be out there.

Didn't keep score but we both managed a couple pars.  Only lost two balls and they were both on the same hole.  Forecast looks similar for tomorrow so we might try to get out there again.  

Owen and I decided to try our luck again and this time things weren't as fun.  Temperature was a few degrees higher but it felt colder.  Chunk city for both of us but Owen was especially out of sorts.  Even his driver was chunky today. 

Made the decision on two to just play nine and after chunking our way down the long par five third we actually contemplated turning around.

To shorten it a little more, we teed off from the back tees on four and hit to the green on five, roughly 190 or so yards away.  That's where I hit my shot of the day, dropping a 7 wood about a foot from the cup.  Shot was from the little blue spot to the green on the bottom right of the picture.

Rest of the round went about the same way.  I've never seen Owen more frustrated.  I wasn't a whole lot better, but I think I got my driver figured out a bit.  Having the swing thought to lock my lead arm straight really lead to some solid drives.  Time will tell if it works longer term.

We realized after the round that once was enough to scratch the winter itch for a while.

Edited January 2, 2023 by JerryB

[Mike412]

I have felt like I was on the verge of really good golf (for me) all year. I felt like my iron and wedge play was really good and putting was decent. However, the driver has been absolutely atrocious, and I don’t mean errant, I mean topping it with the ball bouncing 2” in front of my tee and having to take my second shot from behind the the forward tees and that if I was lucky enough to not have water or extreme rough directly in front of the tee box. It has been absolutely miserable. Tried a lesson, and informed him of my on course struggles but he insisted we work on irons because “whatever is happening in your driver swing comes from the iron swing”. While I don’t disagree that wasn’t what was adding 10 strokes per round. But he did improve my iron play and I learned some things but nothing that fixed the driver.

I was still playing TM r7 irons that I bought knew and was planning to get fit for irons in the fall which I did. I told him I was playing at a 20+ handicap but that if I could drive the ball I feel like I would be around a 12. So he started the fitting and a few shots in he told me the way I strike the I should be in the single digits which confirmed my thoughts. He told me I was very steep and tried to help to no avail. With this new knowledge I went and started swinging without a ball with my eyes closed and in a mirror to try to feel what was happening. A lightbulb went off. I identified two big moves that was really bad for driving the ball. Went to the range and the improvement was almost immediate.

Played 18 on New Year’s Day, driving was amazing with the exception of 1 OB, but with that instead of my typical low 90’s I shot an 83 and that’s with my chipping costing me 3 or 4 strokes that it typically doesn’t. I am pumped for the possibilities in 2023!

TL;DR: Struggled bad with driving all year, finally had an epiphany and dropped 10 strokes seemingly overnight.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Mike412

[Bang60]

37 minutes ago, Mike412 said:

I have felt like I was on the verge of really good golf (for me) all year. I felt like my iron and wedge play was really good and putting was decent. However, the driver has been absolutely atrocious, and I don’t mean errant, I mean topping it with the ball bouncing 2” in front of my tee and having to take my second shot from behind the the forward tees and that if I was lucky enough to not have water or extreme rough directly in front of the tee box. It has been absolutely miserable. Tried a lesson, and informed him of my on course struggles but he insisted we work on irons because “whatever is happening in your driver swing comes from the iron swing”. While I don’t disagree that wasn’t what was adding 10 strokes per round. But he did improve my iron play and I learned some things but nothing that fixed the driver.

I was still playing TM r7 irons that I bought knew and was planning to get fit for irons in the fall which I did. I told him I was playing at a 20+ handicap but that if I could drive the ball I feel like I would be around a 12. So he started the fitting and a few shots in he told me the way I strike the I should be in the single digits which confirmed my thoughts. He told me I was very steep and tried to help to no avail. With this new knowledge I went and started swinging without a ball with my eyes closed and in a mirror to try to feel what was happening. A lightbulb went off. I identified two big moves that was really bad for driving the ball. Went to the range and the improvement was almost immediate.

Played 18 on New Year’s Day, driving was amazing with the exception of 1 OB, but with that instead of my typical low 90’s I shot an 83 and that’s with my chipping costing me 3 or 4 strokes that it typically doesn’t. I am pumped for the possibilities in 2023!

TL;DR: Struggled bad with driving all year, finally had an epiphany and dropped 10 strokes seemingly overnight.

How I wish I could emulate what you've done, a few hours ago I advised my eye doctor to get a launch monitor that gives you instant video replay of you hitting the ball what you think you look like is not actually how you hit the ball. Mirror works a little but video allows you swing normal and watch the replay...

Rapsodo launch monitor is what I use.....

Edited January 3, 2023 by Bang60
Missed info

[Mike412]

25 minutes ago, Bang60 said:

How I wish I could emulate what you've done, a few hours ago I advised my eye doctor to get a launch monitor that gives you instant video replay of you hitting the ball what you think you look like is not actually how you hit the ball. Mirror works a little but video allows you swing normal and watch the replay...

Rapsodo launch monitor is what I use.....

It wasn’t the mirror that helped as much as “feeling” of my swing. I would go through my swing and stop in the downswing at club parallel to ground. Seeing the position of the club head, shoulders, and hips in the mirror allowed me to close my eyes and swing and “feel” how I was getting into those bad positions.

For me my shoulders were sliding towards the target as they rotated which was causing an extreme out to in over the top swing which apparently I was doing an astounding job of recovering from at contact lol. That move was also causing my hips slide away from the target. I was also getting lazy with my wrists and allowing the club head kind of follow the grip instead of consciously making it catch my hands at or just after contact.

I have focused on making a mental note of my back should at the top of my back swing and then trying to replace it with my front should on the follow through with a tight rotation around my spine. Couple that with being more aware of club head lag and it has been night and day difference.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Mike412

[Rickp]

Played early again this morning 65*, 12 mph breeze and partly sunny.  The PXG driver is making me a believer.  Definitely worth every bit of $200.  Mizuno irons are also getting better every time out.  Now if I could putt……+3 for the 9 holes.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

If I were to tell myself I could play a round of golf in January in Massachusetts (outside of cape cod) I would have called Myself a dang liar!

Well did just that today. 50* and pretty foggy but was a very mild day and course was in decent shape.

Pretty accurate round (pulled 1 out of a waterlogged sand trap and rolled a few out of puddles in the fairway) but besides that was a really smooth round and so much better than my previous few outdoors. Thank goodness

81 with 10 Bogeys, 7 pars and a birdie! Take that all day and twice on Sunday in January!

[Placasse61]

Bonus fun day with Lacassem and brother-in-laws at Blissful Meadows in Uxbridge, MA. Solid round for me 96. 50/46  2 doubles and 2 triples on the front but 4 pars on the back and 3 in a row. But the quad and triple hury the final result. Happy with my play overall 

[GolfSpy BOS]

6 minutes ago, Placasse61 said:

Bonus fun day with Lacassem and brother-in-laws at Blissful Meadows in Uxbridge, MA. Solid round for me 96. 50/46  2 doubles and 2 triples on the front but 4 pars on the back and 3 in a row. But the quad and triple hury the final result. Happy with my play overall 

Not bad for January golf in Mass! 

[Rickp]

15 hours ago, Lacassem said:

If I were to tell myself I could play a round of golf in January in Massachusetts (outside of cape cod) I would have called Myself a dang liar!

Well did just that today. 50* and pretty foggy but was a very mild day and course was in decent shape.

Pretty accurate round (pulled 1 out of a waterlogged sand trap and rolled a few out of puddles in the fairway) but besides that was a really smooth round and so much better than my previous few outdoors. Thank goodness

81 with 10 Bogeys, 7 pars and a birdie! Take that all day and twice on Sunday in January!

Not that far from one of my favorite courses, Franklin CC in Franklin of course.  The pics look similar to Franklin. Nice to get out in NE in January!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

13 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Not that far from one of my favorite courses, Franklin CC in Franklin of course.  The pics look similar to Franklin. Nice to get out in NE in January!

Uncle is actually a member there, that's where I played back in October and was atrocious for me, Would have walked off if it wasn't a once a year round thing for me! Hopefully I can redeem myself there next year...well this year now I suppose!

[Rickp]

4 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Uncle is actually a member there, that's where I played back in October and was atrocious for me, Would have walked off if it wasn't a once a year round thing for me! Hopefully I can redeem myself there next year...well this year now I suppose!

Used to always walk Franklin except for member/guest when carts mandatory.

My NE Sales Mgr long time member there and we always snuck in at least a 9 on sales visits.

[CarlH]

First round of 2023 today with a 39/38 (77) ... I'm thrilled as I haven't been playing all that well in the last couple of months.  Carded my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd birdies for the year in the round.    

[chisag]

... Been so cold here lately. You know, upper 50's with little sunshine. Brrrrrrrr!   It has also rained a ton. My first winter in Phoenix it didn't rain from November through the beginning of June, but it has probably rained 10 days the last 2 months. That is so rare in a desert but no complaints as virtually everything can always use the water. Greenest I have seen Phoenix in 4 years and plants/trees are thriving. But fairways and greens have been soft and slow with plenty of mud balls.

... So I put the 22 Forged Tecs back in the bag today and as always, after sitting in the closet for a month they were eager to please. 18 straight pars. Missed a couple makable birdie putts as the greens are getting a little squirrely and the ball is starting to wander instead of rolling straight but I also had a few up and downs from spots that had bogie written all over them so it kinda evened out. I will keep the FT's in the bag for awhile and see if they continue to perform well. I imagine if we get back to hard and fast desert conditions the lack of spin compared to my MIM's might become a problem. But for now the aded length and higher trajectory is a nice bonus. 

... Sunset was spectacular!

[CarlH]

After a double bogey free round Friday, I start on #18 Saturday and open the round with a double.  Go figure!  Ball striking was okay for the most part, but none of my putts wanted to find the cup.  They weren't bad putts, they just didn't go in the hole.  Couple of birdie opportunities, but none fell.  Burned the edges on several par putts, as well.  My handicap has crept up from a 7 to a 10 in the last few months (I don't play mud well!) Ended up shooting an 84.  The course is wet, cart path only, and the day was overcast.  Nobody in our 5 groups played stellar and many played well over their handicaps, so I don't guess I'll beat myself up too badly.  

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Settled into the new home. Joined a Country Club last week and managed to get out and play 9 today. Having not played in six weeks showed. Also playing an unknown course by myself wasn't smart either. Definitely a very different type of course than what I'm used to playing.  I was warned that the greens were small and not to be long into any green by the Pro. Thank goodness it was colder (48 and overcast) The jacket took off a few yards, so I wasn't long. But I checked out every green and looked over the back side. He was right, tough shots trying to comeback. Greens were slower but with small greens and the amount of undulations they had was probably a good thing. But I left all my chips and putts short. I"m just not used to the green speed yet. I'll get it though.  

I played bogey golf which was ok considering. But it was good to get out. I can't wait to start testing the Cobalt laser range finder. This will absolutely come in handy on this course. 

I did have a few guys stop and ask about the Motocaddy. One or two said they never saw such a thing before. One said he saw one on The Price is Right tv show recently.

[GolfSpy AFG]

10 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Settled into the new home. Joined a Country Club last week and managed to get out and play 9 today. Having not played in six weeks showed. Also playing an unknown course by myself wasn't smart either. Definitely a very different type of course than what I'm used to playing.  I was warned that the greens were small and not to be long into any green by the Pro. Thank goodness it was colder (48 and overcast) The jacket took off a few yards, so I wasn't long. But I checked out every green and looked over the back side. He was right, tough shots trying to comeback. Greens were slower but with small greens and the amount of undulations they had was probably a good thing. But I left all my chips and putts short. I"m just not used to the green speed yet. I'll get it though.  

I played bogey golf which was ok considering. But it was good to get out. I can't wait to start testing the Cobalt laser range finder. This will absolutely come in handy on this course. 

I did have a few guys stop and ask about the Motocaddy. One or two said they never saw such a thing before. One said he saw one on The Price is Right tv show recently.

Overall do you like the course; are you liking the club?  

Someday when I'm done moving all over the place I plan to join one, until then I can only live vicariously through the exploits of folks like yourself...

[chisag]

54 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Someday when I'm done moving all over the place I plan to join one, until then I can only live vicariously through the exploits of folks like yourself...

 

... Right there with you. Moving to Phoenix I figured I would join a CC but so far any experience has been ether they are riddled with Judge Smails on one end or Al Czervik on the other. Plus there are so many different courses to enjoy ... 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

2 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Overall do you like the course; are you liking the club?  

Someday when I'm done moving all over the place I plan to join one, until then I can only live vicariously through the exploits of folks like yourself...

My wife worked at our last Country Club and at her level it came with free membership. I will say the course conditions at my last club and the overall Country Club feel were superior. Not a high end club but a middle of the road level. It was a Robert Trent Jones design. It had a pool, tennis courts a grill, and formal dining once or twice a week. They had a ball room for events and such.

My new club is more of a golf course with a snack bar and pool down the street. There is a little bit of food. Your typical hot dogs and sandwiches type stuff. They have a seperate building for events. This is where they hold big functions a few times a year. The course is a Donald Ross design. Very unique design. The driver is not the best choice off the tee on many holes. It is definitely a strategy course. The Pro suggested I play the back tees so you can use the driver more. I did, but on the par 3's I moved up to the white tees (normal men's). Senior tees here are much shorter than my last club. But it will be fun to try them. 

The course is in dormant stage so hopefully when everything turns green it will be ok. The rough is all pine straw. Thats not fun to hit out of. There is a lot more trouble on this course. Not that my last one was a piece of cake. But there were always bail out areas. Not so much on this one. When they tell you don't be right, left or long on hole 2 you know the rest of the course is tricky. It was, but that was only the front 9. I didn't get to the back 9 yet. 

Cost wise it can't be beat. First year its $110 a month for full family. If you decide to stay it goes up to $150 a month years 2 and on. That's golf and pool included. $7 bucks for range balls and $20 for a cart for 18 holes. Walking free. I will say the range balls are in dire need of replacement. Greens were in nice condition, just slower, smaller and had more undulations. Thirty minutes up the road is Pinehurst and you can be paying $390 a round. Three rounds equal almost a years worth of dues. With playing my normal twice a week your around 12 bucks a round if you walk. Thats a deal and a half. I'm looking forward to the back 9 and hoping to see springs green grass.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

9 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Right there with you. Moving to Phoenix I figured I would join a CC but so far any experience has been ether they are riddled with Judge Smails on one end or Al Czervik on the other. Plus there are so many different courses to enjoy ... 

Variety is the spice of life

[fixyurdivot]

Plus one over my quota for a pretty average 83.  But, one of the guys in my group shot his age with a 75.  He had everything working and target line and distance on approaches was stellar.  Even landed balls on the favorable sides getting roll-outs towards the hole.  4 birdies and 3 legit looks at others.  It was fun seeing that and rooting him along... while also trying not to jinx things .

[Kenny B]

I played my first 18 hole round yesterday and it wasn't pretty.  Front nine... 3 doubles and a bogey for a 44.  Back nine... 2 doubles and 2 bogeys for a 41.  Smooth 85.  It was 39º slight breeze and... oh yeah... rain.  Not sure why I even went to the course.

8 days until Phoenix!!!  

[Rickp]

2 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Plus one over my quota for a pretty average 83.  But, one of the guys in my group shot his age with a 75.  He had everything working and target line and distance on approaches was stellar.  Even landed balls on the favorable sides getting roll-outs towards the hole.  4 birdies and 3 legit looks at others.  It was fun seeing that and rooting him along... while also trying not to jinx things .

Love hearing about age breakers!!  Sure would like to do it sometime.

[Bang60]

Played 9 and some nice shots and some I'd like to forget, hit my longest driver today about 255ish metres into a green side bunker. Needed 2 to get out and crossed the green into long grass finished with a 7, why the golfing God's put a hex on me buggered if I know, yeah probably because I was dancing and carrying on like a pork chop lol .... but been a looooooonnngggg long time I hit a Driver so BLOODY good, plus I was trialling a different set of irons and yeah those are definitely out the door quick smart...

Anyway I hit a nice Driver and a dead straight 5 wood gotta love that...