The Golf Thread

GoodSpeak · October-3rd-2003, 03:04 PM

I know we have more than a few golfers on this BBS, so I thought it high time we had a thread of our own to discuss handicaps, equipment, the PGA/LPGA, courses we've played, lowest/highest score, stroke saving tips and all the rest.

Most of all, I thought this could be a kind of running discussion about the reasons why we love and play this wonderfully frustrating and exquisit game.

Your thoughts?

TimMc

mke · October-3rd-2003, 05:01 PM

Why is "Never" not a choice?

GoodSpeak · October-3rd-2003, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mke
Why is "Never" not a choice?

Well...I figure non-golfers wouldn't necessarily post here.

I could be wrong.

mke · October-3rd-2003, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GoodSpeak
Well...I figure non-golfers wouldn't necessarily post here.

I could be wrong.

You include the PGA/LPGA in the topics for discussion, so it stands to reason that non-playing golf fans might participate. Plus, I see the poll as somewhat separate from the rest of the discussion.

Chris D · October-3rd-2003, 05:11 PM

Before we had kids, I played pretty regularly. Can't really justify the time or expense now.

At best, I was a just-better-than-bogey golfer, in that mid-80s to 90 range.
Should be better, as I grew up around courses, with an uncle and cousin who were club pros.

My first job was looping, and I cleaned a lot of shoes in the clubhouse.

I'm a lefty, and my uncle tried to turn me around. That left me frustrated and literally in tears (I was 12).
My mom found a set of lefty clubs at a thrift store, and I could finally enjoy the game.

GoodSpeak · October-3rd-2003, 05:15 PM

MKE,

OK.

But did you also notice that equipement, scores, golf courses played, etc are the bulk of the first post?

Seems to me that this would refer more to golfers.The poll reflects that, but it doesn't mean non-golfers can't or won't participate.

Make sense?

mke · October-3rd-2003, 05:19 PM

Yes, it makes sense, but with the option "Never," the poll could be a more accurate reflection of the golfing habits of JC'ers.

In the spirit of this thread, I'll say that I've never played golf, but at a friend's house I had the opportunity to hit a few balls (those empty, shell-like practice balls) and making clean contact with it and watching it fly away felt really good, so I might like to get into the sport at some point.

GoodSpeak · October-3rd-2003, 05:40 PM

Fair enough.

As to the state of my golf game, I generally shoot in the mid-80's to low-90's myself. For whatever reason, I aways manage to hit a big score on one or two holes each side which just blows up my stroke total. I'm self-taught, that is, I've never taken a lesson and have been playing for 22+ years.

The good news is my son has taken an interest in the game and so any lessons are going his way right now. He has developed some pretty good pop on the ball and at 13, seems to be going in the right direction. If nothing else, he should make the HS golf team next year and I'll have a golfing partner for life ;-)

Jazzooo · October-3rd-2003, 08:45 PM

Don't mind if I do.

I really enjoy golf, although after about 20 years of playing 6 times a year, I'm just starting to get a little more serious. It helps that our new house is minutes away from two courses--a full length one, and then the most beautiful executive course I've ever played. It's a brand new muni and it's very well-maintained. Narrow fairways. Glenda and I are playing about every other week, but that wasn't an option on the poll so I voted "once a month."

AS a result, my short game is improving pretty rapidly. I'd bet that the greens on this executive course are extremely challenging for most golfers--lots of undulation but not to a ridiculous degree.

I don't score well--mostly bogies and doubles, a par or a birdie here and there, but then always a couple of holes where I completely blow up. I've only broken 100 three times in my life, but that's about to change.

The best part of my game, without a doubt, is putting. If you're on my team in a best ball scramble, put your putters away. I sink 'em from 10-15 feet out about 90% of the time. No brag, just fact.

That, combined with only breaking 100 three times, should give you an idea of how inconsistent the rest of my game is!

Dr Dave · October-3rd-2003, 10:45 PM

Fuck golf.

Jazzooo · October-4th-2003, 03:53 AM

"Fuck golf."

I know someone who blew up on the back nine.

Ron Thorne · October-4th-2003, 04:10 AM

I'm with MKE. You should have included a choice of "never" and/or "seldom".

Yes, I've played golf. I'm not a golfer, though my Father was an outstanding golfer. In fact, he was a Florida state amateur champion, and I met tons of professional golfers as a result of his interest in golf. I met Ben Hogan, Sam Sneed (personal friend of Dad), Dr. Cary Middlecoff, Byron Nelson, and many others as a direct result of my Dad's love of the game.

Oh yes, I also was privileged to watch Gene Sarazen and tempestuous Tommy Bolt, too.

mawu · October-4th-2003, 07:10 AM

Hi,

actually I don't know how many golf courses are there in Alaska, so it's probably hard to get some training. I was living in the outskirts of Munich since about one year ago. I had about 20 minutes to the golf course where my family and me are members, but only played two or three times a year and about 2 weeks in Horseshoe Bay/TX (perhaps anybody knows?), where my family likes to spend their vacations. When I moved to the city centre of Munich, the course was even further to drive but there is a city range about 10 minutes away and I suddenly got "new spirit" to try harder. But the summer was extremely hot here and I didn't go too much on the course - we don't have air conditions and nice electrical golf carts here...

Martin

jesus marion joseph · October-4th-2003, 08:24 AM

I suck at it, but I play anyway, mostly because I'm pretty good at hitting from the tee, so I just go out there and crush 'em.

Uli · October-4th-2003, 10:26 AM

Where & when I grew up, Golf was considered a game for the rich. If time is money, I think it still is.

Jazzooo · October-4th-2003, 03:30 PM

"Where & when I grew up, Golf was considered a game for the rich. If time is money, I think it still is."

But time isn't money, Uli, unless that's how someone chooses to organize his life. For me, time is a form of wealth, but that's not the same thing as it being money. I worked hard for a long time in order to have more time now to do whatever I please.

Anyway, to quote a man I respected a lot, I think it's better to be rich and healthy than sick and poor.

Golf is one of those things--like most hobbies--where you can get away with spending a little or a lot. You really don't have to be rich to play it, although many who play it do seem to be well off. The fancier the courses and the better the equipment, the more expensive it is. Same with stereo gear, bikes, concert tickets, etc. Golf does gets insanely expensive in resort areas like Hawaii and Baja, but there are usually cheap alternatives.

Well, I must say that I'm surprised there aren't more people posting about their golf habits here. Then again, I think I saw a statistic once that less than 3% of USA residents play golf or something like that. Funny how most of them usualy want to tee off at the same time I do.

We had a great moment the other day. Glenda has been less focused on her game than even I have, even though she has some natural ability. Since we've moved near these courses, she's gotten interested so I bought her a set of Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear clubs at Costco--a very good value, by the way. She's been doing a lot better since. But this story is only about two specific holes.

There was a long putt, about 22'. There was a little uphill and a break to one side. I had her really take her time and read the green and tell me exactly where it was going to go--and she sunk it for her first ever birdie. Pretty great, but there's more--

The very next hole, she was facing a 45' putt. This time it was a dramatic uphill angle, with a level area in front of the pin and then a big swell behind the pin. Glenda walked right up to her ball, read the green, and smacked it about 4' past the pin...where it slowly turned around and rolled right into the cup!

Tanager · October-4th-2003, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mawu
But the summer was extremely hot here and I didn't go too much on the course - we don't have air conditions and nice electrical golf carts here...

Martin

Martin, if you think it's hot in Munich, you should come visit the legendary Pinehurst (NC) courses one Summer... :-)

I don't play at all anymore, but I got to attend the Masters last year (2002), and Duke and Wake are both college golf powers, so you can go see some pretty outstanding collegiate play from time to time.

GoodSpeak · October-6th-2003, 05:59 PM

I love this game, but like most who have already posted, staying away from that big score is the toughest thing for me to do.

I seem to lose my focus or concetration at some point in the game. They say that golf is 90% mental. Do you guys agree with that?

Grip and rip it!

jesus marion joseph · October-6th-2003, 06:39 PM

I get "mental" sometimes when I'm playing golf.

GoodSpeak · October-6th-2003, 06:40 PM

Touche'.

GoodSpeak · October-8th-2003, 09:22 PM

Another question for you all:

Does top-of-the-line equipment improve your game or is it just a load of cra-, er, publicity?

My experience?

I bought a Callaway White Hot putter for $100 bucks and I STILL can't make it go in.

MRS · April-6th-2006, 11:38 AM

Duval +10 thru 12

MRS · April-6th-2006, 11:43 AM

dub dub, +12 thru 13

MRS · April-6th-2006, 12:06 PM

+13 thru 14 IGNORE THE VOICES!!!

Okay. . .

DNF: 12-1 and moving

Noj · April-6th-2006, 12:36 PM

I enjoy golf, but it is impossible to be consistent without playing all the time. I like how golf fans cheer for everyone against the course.

MRS · April-6th-2006, 02:37 PM

How about Gentle Ben? 54 or 55 years old, can't hit it out of his shadow, 7400+ yards, -1. Bravo!

Scott Dolan · April-6th-2006, 02:41 PM

Would love to learn to play golf. Just never have.

I grew up working my summers at Cypress Creek in Orlando. From about 8 years old till my early teens.

Golf courses are nice relaxing places.

claude · April-6th-2006, 04:26 PM

I usually play a couple of times a year. Golf just isn't a game that should be played that way, but I am just not willing to give up other things to make the time to play more golf. I actually had a pretty good round last summer (my only golf of the year). In nine holes I had one birdie several pars a couple of bogeys and one double bogey, for me that's damn good (I also finished with the same ball that I started with and didn't take any drops, which is amazing for me). Just enough fun to maybe suck me into playing more this year.

GoodSpeak · April-6th-2006, 04:41 PM

This year I was asked to be the JV Golf coach on my son's HS team....and my game has greatly improved as a result since I'm out there thre to four days a week after school.

I am playing in a golf tournament this weekend, so we will see if my score will reflect the practice time.

MRS · April-7th-2006, 11:59 AM

Duval SEVEN OVER THRU 2 today

SEVEN OVER THRU 2