After much deliberation, debate, procrastination and “maybe” one or two glasses of Glenlivet (my current tipple of choice), I went to Golf Galaxy over the weekend and got fitted for a new set of irons (which I highly recommend). After much debate I went with a set of Titleist 714 AP1 irons.
A review of my experience is forthcoming, but now, enjoy the majesty of them.
Based on the last update from the MSGA, I started the year at a 10.2 index, and with a few very strong rounds at the end of the year, I finished at an 8.6 index. I should resolve to practice more, but frankly with time an issue, weekends are, for me, when I tee it up.
I’ve largely resigned myself to the point that I’ll always be in that 7-12 index. It’s who I am, and being of a certain age, it’s probably where I’ll always be. I could practice more, but that just cuts in on my drinking, and life without scotch isn’t worth living.
So on that note, a mission statement/rant of sorts-
I started this blog a year ago with no real idea of where it would go- I suppose I wanted to blog about golf in the mid-Atlantic, and I still do. I’ll continue to do so, and write honest course reviews geared toward average golfers (one issue I’ve had in the past with other blogs and course reviews is that they tend to write toward golfers in the top echelon of earnings who lean toward belonging to a private club). I’m not a member of a country club (insert the quote about not wanting to be a member of any club who’d have me as one)- I pay my own way and play public courses (so if you’re waiting on that review of your uber-private tracks you won’t find it here). If you change your shoes in the parking lot, have heard one too many bad golf jokes, or own at least one instructional video and/or tool you saw on a Golf Channel introvert, then you’re in the right place.
If you have a lucky golf shirt/hat/glove that works (or you’re convinced it has worked/will work), then keep on reading.
If you’ve ever found yourself making air swings while waiting somewhere…we’re kindred spirits.
If you’ve ever taken bets on who’d win a Johnny Miller/Nick Faldo cage match…you’re out there a bit but it’s all good.
If you have ever sounded like Judge Smails in talking to your private club’s dressing room attendant then this may not be the blog for you (but please read about us commoners).
If you have wondered about and/or have searched for a Peter Kessler sex tape involving The Perfect Club…then please seek professional help immediately. Please. Let us never speak of this again.
If none of this makes sense, have I mentioned my theory about scotch being one of the four food groups?
In other news, at some point in early 2014 I’ll be getting rid of the WordPress account and switching to a vanity URL.
Yes, it’s that time of year again…looks outside. Actually it isn’t. It’s 68 degrees. ON THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER. SERIOUSLY WTF IS GOING ON? Where the f*** was this weather in April when I was freezing my raisins off being an idiot in shorts? While I thought long and hard about teeing it up this morning, I compromised and went to the driving range to bid adieu to the 2013 golf year (unless it warms up again next weekend in which case I’ll be there again).
While the weather would not indicate such, it will be Christmas on Wednesday. Supposedly. I think. In the spirit of Christmas, I went shopping for my golf-related friends. Since some of these folks won’t open their gifts (and look at me being all generous), I’m going to spoil the surprise and tell you what I got them.
Columbia Association run-courses…now you haven’t always been that good this year (in fact you’ve been a bit naughty at times and that new clubhouse is all good and well but a well-maintained golf course would be nice to see), but I got you a new, online tee time system! No more having to go through the hell of having pick up the phone and try to call in to make a tee time, talk to five different people (none of whom can actually help you), and lose 25 minutes of your life you’ll never get back. Now, people can book online, and you’ll make more money! How great is that?
Timbers at Troy and Waverly Woods…you’re trying to be good so we’re going to give you improved drainage and larger, fully stocked pro shops. You’re also getting indoor simulators, so people have reasons to come visit you all year! How awesome is that? Now don’t go leaving cookies and milk for Santa…just leave a sleeve of ProV1X’s and three fingers of Glenlivet 18-year.
Northwest Park Golf Course…you’ve been really good this year to Santa. Really, really good. So Santa is going to give you a new all grass practice area on top of your existing range with mats. Just make sure that Santa keeps holing those 8-foot putts.
Redgate Golf Course…you get a lease extension to continue to operate as a course. And, since you asked and were nice to Santa (that 75 Santa shot there was very, very nice of you), Santa’s going to have them go in and give you a new 11th green. And Santa’s going to put up a net along the 14th hole to avoid left-fading drives to go onto the street.
University of Maryland golf course…you’re getting a lease extension as well to continue to operate. The University golf teams, students, and the golfing public all need you, and your funky yet challenging layout should continue to give area golfers a true hidden treat. You weren’t that nice to Santa when he played there, but that’s okay, because you’re a great course.
Golf Channel’s Michael Breed…it’s called decaf. Santa’s hooking you up. Take the hint. You’re a smart guy…but seriously…decaf.
Glen Nager of the USGA. You’re a naughty, naughty boy. You thought you could just take over the USGA and run it like your own little kingdom. Didn’t work out. You don’t really understand or get public golfers. So Santa is giving you the proverbial lump of coal, and a case of the yips, AND every time you turn a TV on you’re going to see Glenn Kessler naked while talking about The Perfect Club while Gary McCord dances around only wearing a cowboy hat and chaps. You’re welcome.
Tim Finchem of the PGA Tour. Santa already gave you your present. It’s a new format for the FedEx Cup Playoffs! It’s on this blog! Don’t make me go Full Kessler on you.
Phil Mickelson…you’ve been a good lad all year. So Santa is going to get you that one thing he knows you really, really want. You can pick it up in June at Pinehurst. But I won’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret.
Tiger Woods…you’re a bit tough to buy for. I mean, you’ve got more money than anyone can count. But, Santa is getting you your own USGA rules seminar. I could make Brandel Chamblee your instructor, but that seems petty. We’ll do it somewhere local so you don’t have to spend time away from your new girlfriend and your kids. But let’s take notes- there will be a test.
Ian Poulter…your comments on Twitter are, if nothing else, entertaining. And judging by your tweets, you seem to have quite a bit of very nice things. But you finally called out the rubes that scream random crap at tournaments during the USPGA Championship. Which was good. So you’re going to get a Ryder Cup spot on the team (the event is better when you’re in it), and maybe, just maybe, a major championship. But let’s take it down half a notch on the “look at my toys” tweets. Nobody is asking you to give up your well-earned trappings. Half a notch.
To anyone who yells “mashed potatoes” or anything similar at a tournament…you’re getting a couple thousand fire ants in your undershorts. Just stop it. It stopped being funny a long time ago. Just stop. Please.
Sergio Garcia…where do I even start? Here’s a pair of shoes that Santa has grilled for you. Insert in mouth.
Miguel-Angel Jiminez…Santa would send you a case of rioja and cigars but it seems you’re all set. So Santa is going to give you another win, and some starts in the US. Because watching you play…makes Santa very happy and hopeful.
The LPGA Tour…Santa is going to give you perfect weather for all your events next year. It seems the least Santa can do. You deserve it after two years of rain, hail, lightning and seemingly plagues of locusts. Maybe then people will tune in and realize just how good you all are, and that you all have some serious game.
Christina Kim…a year ago you missed out at the LPGA Tour Q-School and were battling the kinds of demons that no one would ever wish on their worst enemy. And yet, you went out there and did what touring professionals do- you got into tournaments
and gave it everything you could. So Santa is giving you at least one win this upcoming season.
Nick Faldo…you’re getting a time machine where you go back to 2004! Back when you were really point-on with your analysis and weren’t spewing empty superlatives. You’re not dumb. In fact, you’re pretty sharp and you know what you’re talking about. No histrionics, but you’re a former pro who’s won several majors. Put us in the head of players. Tell me something I don’t know.
David Feherty…you’re hilarious, insightful, and possibly a savant. You’ve been good and you’re a dog person. So Santa will give you exactly what you want. You deserve it.
And on that note, I hope you get what you’re looking for this season.
This past Saturday November 30th was “Small Business Saturday” which encourages folks to shop at local stores. It’s a great idea after the orgy of stupidity and mayhem that often accompanies the so-called “Black” Friday after Thanksgiving. Since golf stuffs are always in good taste and honestly- why not buy for yourself (my arguement is that I know I’ll like it, and I’ll be happy to have it…and other than maybe a bottle of good scotch there’s not much else I’d want)?
So armed with money and my sanity, I set out to find out how I could do that.
The trouble started when I did some online searching- Howard County is a lot of things, but clearly, we’re not larded up with golf retailers. And by “not larded up” I mean “none exist”…which is okay, I thought- I can go to courses and they’ll have stuff- surely they’ll want to get in on the fun, right?
Not so much. The Columbia Association courses were shuttered. Empty parking lots and dark pro shops mean no revenue (and if we’re being honest, the pro shops at Hobbit’s Glen and Fairway Hills are, at best, poorly stocked afterthoughts). Calls to Waverly Woods and Timbers at Troy found no success either. Yes- we had a horrible cold snap and we had heavy rain in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and I’m sure that this impacted things. Nonetheless, it’s frustrating when, as a consumer, you have money to spend and a desire to spend it, and you have zero luck trying to support a local business.
Having lived here, I supported the now-defunct Mammoth Golf from its infancy to its death (I was deeply saddened to see it close up) and still try, whenever possible, to support local businesses. With that being said, as a golf consumer, I had two options in Howard County- go to the dueling big-box retailers on Rt. 175 (that would be Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy). Of the two I’ve always preferred Golf Galaxy even though they’re the same parent company- the people at Golf Galaxy are more in the know about golf.
Never mind that they don’t sell big and tall sized golf apparel (nor do they even offer it online- for golf apparel I have to shop online (I’ve had my best success buying shoes through TGW and buying apparel through Cutter and Buck’s online store)- even shoes (I have a wide foot and wear a wide width) has become an online-only episode (although at Golf Galaxy they did have a few wide sizes in a few models) as well.
I don’t want to be made to feel as though my only option for buying clothes and shoes is online. While it’s convenient, I like to try before I buy.
As much as it pains me to point this out, the Montgomery County courses had specials and did a much better job marketing Small Business Saturday (they sent out emails with specials and have indoor simulator packages).
Hopefully next year we’ll see a Small Business Saturday that golfers can participate in. I hope.
Open ended question for DC area golfers- at what point do you put the clubs away for the season? First freeze? First day below 50 degrees? First measurable snowfall? When frostbite causes you to lose a digit?
I ask because with the hard freeze of the last two days followed by what should be torrential rain/messy mix the next couple days, not sure how many courses will be open on Thanksgiving Day (expected to be around 40 at best but clear…this following a boatload of rain).
I’ve always gone back and forth on this. I used to live in California where you can play year round (unless it’s an El Nino winter and then it’s raining every day and the courses all close) and enjoyed those winter-season rounds when everyone else was in the throes of real winter. On the other hand by summer I would feel golfed out almost…ready for something new. But having re-introduced myself to an actual winter, I find myself chomping at the bit by mid-March (the PGA Tour West Coast swing always making me nostalgic for living on the West Coast and the early Florida swing a big hint of what’s to come). Funny- I played in shorts in early April in 38 degree weather but somehow doing so in November seems not nearly as fun.
I took an early start to the Labor Day weekend with a trek down to Upper Marlboro and a round at Lake Presidential Golf Club, which is part of a larger residential development. I had played a charity event at Lake Presidential back in 2009 so I was interested to see how the course had matured since then.
Lake Presidential is located off US 301; south of the Bowie/Crofton area. Because of this, your traffic time to get there can vary. If you take the Capital Beltway it’s north of Rt. 4 but south of Rt. 214. Playing early, I made easy time to get down there. I was greeted by a friendly pro shop and a cart attendant got my bag on a cart for me (they are going for the “member for a day” type of club). One nice thing is that they include range balls on their practice facility and have grass tees in season (they may use mats during the winter). Carts have GPS and the course has several sets of tees; the black tees are just over 6800 yards and have a 137 slope. The blue tees (which I played) were just under 6400 yards with a 129 slope (this I found to be a good fit). They have a championship set of tees that they normally don’t use; at over 7200 yards and a 141 slope…probably for the best. They have a grill inside and had a tented half-way hut (the grilled hot dogs were smelling pretty good), and their pro shop was very well stocked.
The course was a bit worse for wear the day I played it; several greens had dead spots and the fairways were similar. I don’t think (based on my observations) that this is down to a lack of maintenance (I saw several folks out working on the course) but rather a function of some awful weather patterns.
Lake Presidential doesn’t start off easily- the first hole is a tough, tree-lined par 4 that bends to the left and will punish any wayward drives. The first par 5 is on #3 and is no slouch (in fact, all of their par 5’s are stout and have numerous challenges).
The signature hole is #8, a tight and long par 5 with a peninsula green and several danger areas. I was lucky to get off of the green with a 6. The front 9 finishes with a longish par 3 that’s all carry over water to a 2-tiered green (I had a bit of good luck to use the slope to my advantage and ended up with a 2).
The back 9 starts tough and stays tough. The 12th is a tough downhill par 3 that looks easy but can wreck your card. The 13th was unlucky for me (it’s a beauty of a hole- a par 5 with an elevated tee to a picturesque tree-lined fairway (I’m sure it was pretty- I spent the hole hacking out of trees). From there, holes 15-18 give you a chance to recover and end positively. 16 is a downhill par 3 to a large green, 17 is a short par 4 that the big hitters could go for (or you could go into the trees on the right)…which leads to 18. 18 is a par 5 that requires a longish carry over a lake to a fairly generous fairway and ends with a very tricky green (for me at least- I three-jacked it to end with a dissatisfactory bogey after 2 great shots had me thinking birdie).
Because of its proximity and relationship with the Gaylord Resort at National Harbor, they get their fair share of outings (which if we’re being honest can’t help with conditions).
All in all, it’s a tough but fun track. Would I go back? Yes assuming I could keep the ball in the fairway.
I spent most of the last 10 days out in Palm Springs (official motto “sure it’s hot but at least it’s not humid!”) and had the opportunity to play a lot of golf and enjoy all that is the Palm Springs Area.
While the area’s “peak” season for golf is the November-April period I found playing golf in the end of May to be largely comfortable (no humidity was a welcome respite from our summertime heat and humidity).
We stayed at the La Quinta Resort, which has been around since the 1920’s and is now under the Waldorf-Astoria collection of Hilton. The resort has 5 golf courses, over 40 pools and plenty of restaurants and other trappings (including over a dozen tennis courts) for those so inclined.
While Palm Springs has an airport, we flew into Long Beach Airport on Jet Blue. It’s roughly a 2-hour drive (depending on traffic) to Palm Springs from there (or any of the Southern California airports). I’ve flown them several times with golf clubs and touch wood, have always found my clubs waiting for me sans any issues or damage.
My golf experience started on the La Quinta Resort Mountain Course (of the 5 golf courses, 2 are at the resort and the other 3 are approximately 5 miles away in the PGA West development); the Dunes Course is the other on-resort course and the easier of the two. Since my better half was doing a day-spa in Desert Hot Springs that day, I was left to surrender the car to her and take a shuttle over to the course. The pro shop at the resort was well-stocked and they were able to sell cold drinks before the restaurant/snack bar opened (important if, like me, you play early). I found my cart and went to the range to warm up (range balls and use of the practice facility is included…for $100 per round it’s the least they can do but nonetheless, it’s a nice touch). The starter at the Mountain Course is an example of the kind of person the golf industry needs more of. Funny, affable, and warned me about fire ants in the tall grass area (thanks for the heads-up). For a Pete Dye course, the Mountain Course was tough but fair and had numerous vistas. The course was in fantastic shape (my putting was horrible but that’s solely on me- the greens were in great shape and rolled true); a back-nine ride on the bogey train kept breaking 80 from happening but a solid par at 18 was a nice way to finish.
A couple suggestions for the resort- their website content about golf is very lacking. All carts have GPS (something that is good to know and they should publicize); they should also have scorecard pdf’s on the site as well. My only other beef is that it’s frustrating to walk into the pro shop with cash in hand and them not stock shirts in my size (as I’m not anorexic…I won’t even get into the folly of trying to wear the new “slim fit” shirts). I can’t be alone in this.
The next day left me with my big challenge of the trip- a visit to the TPC Stadium course at PGA West. I was going off first so I hoped to set a good pace…and then the trouble started. A young couple rolled up and I found out I’d be playing with them…right as I heard the phrase you never want to hear…the “we’re not any good and we don’t play much” comment.
Not only were they bad golfers, but they didn’t have a clue about pace of play nor did they understand how to use a golf cart (at one point, the cart was parked behind the both of them as they wondered about looking for their balls). I’m torn on this one- on the one hand, the game needs to welcome new golfers and not scare them away…on the other hand I’m not sure what playing what is one of the toughest courses in the world does to serve enjoyment of the game. They were perfectly happy to be oblivious of anything going on around them…as if there weren’t 2 groups waiting on us by the time we teed off on the 2nd hole (a mortal sin if you ask me). I hated to do this, but I had to bail on them and play as a single. At one point I asked them why they wanted to play such a hard course and they both looked at me like I was crazy…these were your bucket list types; never mind that they couldn’t have broken 150 in a best-ball and that they had no clue what they were doing…by all means be able to tell your friends that you played the Stadium Course (and had at least a dozen groups play through you). Again…I understand the “I paid my money just like you did” arguement…but you can’t have people out there who are holding everyone up and causing pace of play to grind to a halt (if I had seen a ranger/marshall I’d have said something but didn’t see one).
The course itself was pure Pete Dye; uneven lies abound and tough shots to tough greens. A decent run mid-round meant I came home with a serviceable 85 that could have easily been worse. The “signature hole” is 17, called Alcatraz and similar to 17 at Sawgrass (island green…this time with rocks surrounding the green and no alligators). Missed shots will find one of many large mounds and humps- assuring one of a an awkward stance for a second shot. The fifth hole is very similar to 16 at Sawgrass with water along the right side. If you go, bring your patience and your accuracy.
My third round was at the Nicklaus Tournament course…if you’re a fan of Nicklaus’ design work you’ll love it- generous fairways, elevated tees and greens and large greens with undulation are in abundance along with false fronts. Not my favorite of the bunch but in immaculate condition. However, there was a decent variety of length (I’m not a big fan playing what appears to be the same hole on four or five occasions in a round). If ever a course “looked” like Nicklaus work, this would be it. To be fair I wasn’t feeling at my best the day I played it, so perhaps a second round might lead one to think otherwise. Again…I cannot speak enough to how good the conditions were; among the best I’ve ever seen.
I didn’t get a chance to play the Norman Course; a repeat visit would find this at the top of my wish list.
Close by and en route from La Quinta to PGA West is Silver Rock resort; a couple locals I ran into spoke well of it; consider it added to my list for next time.
Finishing up my most recent round (a rather desultory affair) quicker than normal (always a good thing), I decided to stop by the practice green before heading home (putting has always been a challenge for me, and I have the 3-putts to prove it). Which got me thinking.
I grew up watching hockey and this time of year is easily my favourite- the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing, the PGA Tour is going, and the weather is great. It was thinking about hockey (and the thought of being able to play golf this morning and watch a playoff game tonight featuring my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs). I have friends who have kids who play hockey (the cost makes golf seem cheap) and at one point I coached youth hockey in the area (at a program geared toward beginners). The league (and all youth hockey) requires that players wear full face cages and doesn’t allow fighting (and the league I coached didn’t allow body checking). Which led me back to golf, and the current furor over anchoring putters.
Every pro hockey league except the NHL requires players to wear visors, and the NCAA requires full facial protection. Even Canadian major-junior hockey requires visors (they also require the certified visors which are affixed differently than the visors you see in the NHL) and they also require kevlar neck guards and the helmets to have ear flaps. In short, different rules at different playing levels.
But what about football? Different rules. Receivers only have to have one foot in-bounds for a catch, and there’s the whole college football overtime thing. Kickoffs are different as well.
But what about basketball? Games are of different length, players have different numbers of fouls before disqualification, and the number of time-outs per game is different.
Baseball? College baseball uses aluminum/titanium/stealth bomber material bats, and yet, the pros only use wood bats. So different rules for different levels.
And yet golf, which by every account would like to see the game grow, has its governing bodies trying to force amateurs and casual players to play under the same rules as professionals. Most of the casual golfers I know are honorable people who play by the rules, but like everyone we have our “circle of trust/friendship” for conceded putts and during early season rounds we’ll play “winter rules” or roll it over in the fairway if it’s in a divot.
I don’t use a long putter (tried one once and hated it)…I’m fully capable of missing putts with my conventional 35-inch model…but if you (or anyone else) wants to use a long putter…have at it.
The dichotomy goes further in golf…the PGA of America has correctly pushed a “tee it forward” in order to have faster rounds. If we followed the consistency based on the governing bodies we’d all play from the same set of tees. I’ve had the pleasure of teeing it up at two courses used by the PGA Tour. I’ve seen the tee boxes they use, and no thank you. A 502 yard hole is a par 5 for me. If Messrs Mickelson, Watson, Woods, etc. play that as a par 4 then good on them.
So yes, any events conducted by the R&A or USGA ban anchoring. The PGA Tour should probably go that route as well along with the European Tour and LPGA Tour. Casual golfers could then decide for themselves. There are enough serious golfers who’d want to play using a conventional putter as they have designs on amateur championships. But for a bunch of my fellow 10-handicappers…let them choose for themselves. The game is hard enough as it is. In the end, we play because we enjoy it. It’s not our job (it’s what I do to escape from the stresses of my job).
Played an early morning round at Fairway Hills…took a chance on walking on, and lucked out. It was only chilly this morning and not the “holy crap why did I wear shorts” cold I’ve managed so far this year. Played with a threesome that were nice enough but unforunately, the concept of “ready golf” hasn’t yet hit them. One of the big problems of being a SGIC is when you get stuck with the folks that, while nice enough, give you the stink eye as you head off with them.
Fairway Hills (and it’s tougher sister course Hobbits Glen) went to bermuda grass for the tees and fairways several years ago; while it means they do great in our inevitable hot summers, bermuda is brown when it’s dormant (and it stays dormant until it warms up). You can play off it fine, but it’s brown. A week of nice weather this week means it’s slowly starting to go green but for now, it still has that redolent look of being brown.
I tried to explain this to the guys I was playing with but they were seemingly content believing the course was shoddy (it’s not). Greens were in decent shape; I’d put this down to everyone in the region still recovering from their post-winter aeration/punching.
Fairway Hills is a very odd course; there are some short holes where you can make pars and birdies and a few holes that you could blow up (#5 and #16 for starters). Overall, a nice day out (it was warming up nicely as I putted out on 18 while the threesome I played were arguing over something from 17).
Fairway Hills will never be my favourite course…it’s not walkable (too far between holes) and there are some holes that are backups waiting to happen (#5 being a prime example- a forced carry over a native wetlands followed by a layup to a tiny landing area and a third to an elevated green with trouble all around it). But, they work with the First Tee and have a good set of forward tees for golfers new to the game.
Note to my fellow golfers: if you have a single assigned to your group, there’s a better than good chance that we’re not a homicidal murderer or some form of similar lowlife. Just throwing that out there.
Played at Redgate in Rockville yesterday…despite a cold wind it was a nice day. Course was, for the most part, in good shape (the cold March and some pretty bad t-storms on Friday evening aren’t anyone’s fault). The old SGWC played with a rare friend who doesn’t give me the stink-eye (in fact I think I contributed to him getting the golf bug as bad as he did…you’re welcome).
A full review to follow, but a few mentions about Redgate Golf Course:
-Folks in the pro shop were very polite and friendly and not the “whaddya want” attitude I’ve experienced a few years ago. The gentleman who was working was apologetic about it being “cart path only” (given we had strong t-storms on Friday night, it’s understandable- several bunkers had standing water and there were at least half a dozen not small puddles in fairway and greenside areas).
-The starter was a nice guy as well. Look- we’re playing golf! It’s supposed to be fun so starters that see themselves as some kind of “Checkpoint Charlie” types…ugh.
-Played (as is my want) as part of the dawn patrol. I play fast (our twosome wasn’t trying to set a speed record, but by playing ready golf and having a reasonable “circle of friendship” on conceded putts) and we got around in 3 1/2 hours; saw the group in front of us a couple times and only saw the group in back of us a couple times.
-Billy Casper Golf is managing it; I won’t pretend to know or care about the politics of the course (at one point the city of Rockville ran it). If the course continues to be viable (and honestly it’s a great traditional course) then that helps everyone.
-I played average. Did something to my middle finger (those that know me would say it’s from overuse) so the back nine wasn’t exactly great. Unlike last year I didn’t have a chance to do a lot of gym work early so I feel like I’m behind the 8-ball a bit. Played really good on the front nine but missed more than a few makeable putts. Maybe not having feeling in my hands didn’t help (and having people and animals look at me weird for choosing to wear shorts).
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