The Golf Thread

I signed up for PGA Tour Live. Wish it would be active for the majors but, man this is a great way to start the day. Love it. 

Thought I’d share a few pics from Medinah yesterday. If you’re into golf history like I am, this place has plenty of it. We played from the white tees at ~6,800 yards. There are 2 tees behind it with the championship tees at ~7,700. Crazy long golf course. Very narrow, tree-lined fairways with no intermediate cut. You’re either in the fairway or thick, deep rough. Bunkers are placed at distances where most tee shots end up, so you either need to be long and try to carry them or thread the needle to the left or right. Tons of sharp doglegs.  The greens are tiny and like pool tables. It’s really a shot-makers golf course that requires strategy and good decision-making. In short...tough! I did have a par, birdie, par run on the back and made par on the signature par 3 17th. Such an awesome experience I’m glad to have had. 

Last one. I’ve seen this on other courses, but the holes don’t have numbers on them anywhere. Just cool “M’s” for the tees. I guess the thought is that the members know where the holes are at. I would have been lost. It’s a massive property. 

To be honest, the locker room was pretty basic from what I saw.  I didn't spend a ton of time in there or do much exploring in it.  It's big for sure as they have ~600 members, but nothing over the top.  I was assigned to a locker that had some member's name on it, so they must open those up to visitors if they're empty and they know the member won't be there that day.  I don't know exactly how they work it, but I was definitely in some guy Tom's locker for the day lol.  The clubhouse itself is pretty special though.  Very grand on every level.  The pro shop was insane.  I could have done some serious damage in there, but luckily I held back. 

I couldn't believe how hard it was to stick those (tiny) greens.  It must have felt like what the pros feel when they complain about greens being too firm and fast at U.S. Opens.  This was nowhere near that level, but same concept for a guy like me who plays much easier courses.  There were a few holes that I hit high, lofted clubs into greens (7 or 8 iron) and landed the ball near the front and it still rolled all the way to the back.  Then my ball would be resting up against the collar which makes a real tough putt.  I"m not a crazy, high spin player or anything, but I can usually stop a 7 or 8 iron fairly close to where it lands.  They were just so much more firm than what I'm used to. 

bootlegger10 said:

One of my struggles right now is getting the ball to stop on fast greens when chipping.   Costs me probably 5 strokes when playing nicer courses.

One of the easiest ways to score better is to work on getting up and down. Hard to do without putting in the hours to practice it, but think of all the strokes that can be saved compared to throwing it on the green then two putting. Most of us are never going to carry it 300 off the tee or hit 200 yard 7/8 irons like the pros, so focusing on getting up and down around the greens is huge. I need major work at it. 

Awesome story at the Women’s Open.  Winner had caddied for someone a month ago.   Only played because of openings due to Covid19 in an earlier tournament.

mca47 said:

One of my 2020 "resolutions" was to play more.
Guess how many times I've played this year?



0!
:fp:

I'm gonna do it.  All the courses are open.  Might just see if they can get me out on my own (Covid) and not paired up with anyone.  I've also considered getting some new sticks.  Mine are like 20 years old.  Figure if I have some new hardware, it would force me to play more.  

No time better than the present!  You might be able to pay extra for your own cart if part of foursome if concerned about Covid.  

Yeah, it's gotta suck to go from dominator to mostly non-competitive.  He's like an avg player now.  Just hoping to get hot once or twice a year and have a chance to steal a win.  It's kinda sad.  He doesn't have the jaunty, "look at me, I'm still relevant" vibe that Phil has had the last several years.  He just seems tired and barely interested in hanging on.

So had some shit going on and haven’t seen anything until now. A US open broke out?