Golf Thread!

[Spanky99]

Tiger WD due to illness, supposedly. No, no, it couldn't be the spasming back.

 

lol

[Spanky99]

I'm only 2 under faaaaack... at least the Nuckleheads did well.

[Spanky99]

5 guys tied for 1st around the turn, should be good.

 

Good to see Hadwin finish strong again.

 

Matsuyama was chucking darts to close the tournament in style.

Edited February 18, 2024 by Spanky99

[Spanky99]

Just finished watching the final of Arnie's tourney at Bayhill, what a display of golf by Big Sheff... 6 under on a Sunday there is incredible. Wow!

[Spanky99]

Seriously man, if he gets the putter figured out, we're talking, Prime Tiger... in his last 30 tournaments he's been in the top 10- 22 times, lol. Dude strikes the ball heads and heels better than anyone in Golf.

[P2F]

Yeah, his ball striking has been historically good over the past year and a half or so. Like, better than Tiger's, even. Luckily he typically can't putt well or golf would be no fun to watch.

[burlingtonbandit]

Yeah, his ball striking has been historically good over the past year and a half or so. Like, better than Tiger's, even. Luckily he typically can't putt well or golf would be no fun to watch.

 

I feel like one guy dominating is pretty exciting, no? Scottie seems like such a laid back chill guy so tough not to root for him. If it was a guy like Patrick Cantlay I'd be like yeah f*** its annoying but Scottie is one of my fav guys on tour.

 

Also doubt you're going to see a guy dominate even close to what Tiger did as there is just so many great golfers now. Especially in the majors as you have the likes of Rahm, Brooks etc...

[burlingtonbandit]

Speaking of golf, I just got back from the Vegas area and what a great golf scene out there. It can be a bit pricey depending on the time of year but I played Paiute twice for under $125 a round and it would be better than any Toronto public course.

 

Drove a couple hours north to St George, Utah and played Sand Hollow and Black Desert and it was absolutely spectacular.

[Brownie19]

Speaking of golf, I just got back from the Vegas area and what a great golf scene out there. It can be a bit pricey depending on the time of year but I played Paiute twice for under $125 a round and it would be better than any Toronto public course.

 

Drove a couple hours north to St George, Utah and played Sand Hollow and Black Desert and it was absolutely spectacular.

 

My golf buddies and I looked into a LV / St. George trip this year, but decided to head to Lake Placid instead. It's definitely on our bucket list. Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Any tips would be appreciated.

[P2F]

I have a group of buddies that started an annual golf trip last year. So far we've only done Medicine Hat (returning this year as well), but the golfing there is pretty good and also inexpensive, so it's a win-win.

 

There have been discussions of going elsewhere in future years. We were going to explore that this year, but things got upended slightly because one of the organizers is having a baby in a couple weeks, so the plan is to go somewhere close to home. Maybe Invermere next year.

[Brownie19]

I have a group of buddies that started an annual golf trip last year. So far we've only done Medicine Hat (returning this year as well), but the golfing there is pretty good and also inexpensive, so it's a win-win.

 

There have been discussions of going elsewhere in future years. We were going to explore that this year, but things got upended slightly because one of the organizers is having a baby in a couple weeks, so the plan is to go somewhere close to home. Maybe Invermere next year.

 

Where you are located?

 

We've done:

 

- Pittsburgh/Cincy/Cleveland (ball game and round in each City)

- Washington/Philly/Baltimore (ball game and round in each City)

- PEI

- Tree Top Resorts (Gaylord Michigan)

- Royal Ashburn (Ontario)

- Various courses in Muskoka (Ontario)

- Seguin Valley G&CC (Ontario)

 

We starting to branch out and want to travel a bit more while we're still young and able. On our list is:

 

- Cabot Cliffs/Trails (Nova Scotia)

- LV / St. George

- Scottsdale (AZ)

- St. Andrews / Carnoustie (Scotland) - thinking of doing this for our 50th birthday (still a few years away!)

 

Love hearing ideas and experiences from others!

[burlingtonbandit]

My golf buddies and I looked into a LV / St. George trip this year, but decided to head to Lake Placid instead. It's definitely on our bucket list. Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Any tips would be appreciated.

 

Nice thing with Vegas is its pretty easy for a direct flight and the cost isn't terrible for how far it is/compared to places like LA, Phoenix etc.. Some of the courses can be pretty expensive but also depends on the season (if you go in summer you can play for little $ but it could be 110 degrees). I found some courses jacked up rates March 1st so late Feb might be the time to do it. I got pretty lucky weather wise as it was between 16 and 22 degrees and pretty sunny. The wind can be an issue depending on the course though and when I drove back from St George to Vegas there were like 45-70 MPH wind gusts across the desert making it a little scary at times lol.

 

As for the courses I played I'd rank as follows:

 

Shadow Creek- Hands down the best golf experience I've had in my life, literally felt like I was playing Augusta. Was literally just me and the caddie on the course so felt like I had the entire course to myself. Conditions were so good it was like the course never had been played. Also was expensive so likely the only time I'll play it but I had a comp offer at the Aria for 4 nights so made it a bit easier lol.

 

Sand Hollow- Holes 11-16 were some of the best I ever played, just spectacular views and really fun golf holes as well. Front 9 was still decent but not quite as great as the collection on back 9. Service/driving range/restaurant were really good as well.

 

Black Desert- Its a brand new course so there is construction all over in terms of a housing community as well as the clubhouse. Pro shop was out of a trailer pretty much. Conditions were some of the best I've played on with a fantastic practice facility. I wouldn't say this is a course for a high handicap though as I play off a 10 and the front 9 was a challenge. You'd have some shots where you though you made an amazing shot only for the ball to roll down a slope and be 12 feet from the pin. Much preferred the back 9 as it was more open/not as many blind shots. The scenery was spectacular, even better than Sand Hollow I'd say. I played for $250 which included food/snacks/non alcoholic drinks and that was great value for the experience. I could see them raising the rates once everything fully opens though.

 

Paiute Wolf and Snow Mountain- There are 3 Pete Dye courses out in the middle of an indian reserve north west of vegas. Great courses, conditions, staff, amenties. Only thing with these courses is it can be super windy. When I played Snow Mountain it was like 20MPH with gusts of 30 which made even putting extremely difficult. value wise these were the best courses as I played for $120 and $100 since it was Feb.

 

Coyote Springs- About an hour drive north of Vegas (on way to St George) This was the toughest course I played and it kicked my ass. The greens were crazy so if you ended up on the wrong side of the hole a bogey would be a victory. If you're a good player I think you would really enjoy the challenge

 

Sienna and Highland Falls- Both were pretty good courses but certainly a tier below the others I would say. Highland Falls had some really nice views on the back 9 looking down into the Valley of Vegas. I played for around $75-95$ on golf now which was pretty good value for the courses but I wouldn't pay the rack rate of $165 which I think it was.

 

All in all there was some great courses. I would put all these courses except Sienna and Highland Falls above any Toronto area public courses and even Clublink Courses. TPC Toronto would probably be better than Coyote Springs IMO but thats about it. St George had a bunch of other golf courses as well but I was only there 3 days one of which rained so I didn't get to play others. They also tend to be a lot cheaper than the Vegas ones although nightlife quite isn't the same there lol.

 

All in all I would rank the area as one of the better golf destinations given the quantity and quality of the courses combined with the weather, nightlife and direct access. Other places we've gone are:

 

Palm Springs- Fantastic golf but not a whole lot otherwise to do.

 

San Diego- Amazing City, weather and a collection of great courses that surprisingly weren't too expensive (Coronado might be the best deal in the world)

 

Tampa/Sarasota- Love the cities but I find Florida golf in general to be a lot of houses, water etc.. and I find bermuda can be a tough adjustment

 

Miami/Fort Lauderdale- Didn't play the best courses here but found the golf to just be more above average than great.

[Spanky99]

How did Clark's putt not drop, lol... Big Sheff is the man!

[Brownie19]

How did Clark's putt not drop, lol... Big Sheff is the man!

 

Oh man - that was insane. What a finish. Sheff is a beast. He's the guy.

[Spanky99]

3 knuckleheads in the top 10, nice to see... Lets Go Hughes!

 

That finish by Mitchell was top shelf golf.

[P2F]

It's Masters week. I can't shake the feeling that it's going to be Xander who finally takes down his first major, so I've bet him and a few others to win.

 

Unfortunately, poor weather lurks on Thursday, so we may see lengthy delays, but the other days look great. I'm pumped!

[P2F]

Who have you guys got putting on the green jacket on Sunday?

[P2F]

Oh, just me? Right on.

[Spanky99]

Oh, just me? Right on.

 

It's Wednesday right? You in Mack's?

 

If not give me names, lol... I keep donating.

[P2F]

It's Wednesday right? You in Mack's?

 

If not give me names, lol... I keep donating.

 

It's Wednesday, yes.

 

Funny you ask! I actually have made my return to the P5 this week. It's been quite a while for me, but I'm off work this week so I've done an utterly insane amount of golf research and it would've seemed silly to waste it on just outright bets.

 

My efforts will undoubtedly prove to be absolutely fruitless when my bunch of jabronis shoot 3-over on Day 1 and two miss the cut, but it's the anticipation of what could be and the unbridled optimism we have before first tee that keep us all coming back and make it all worthwhile.

 

I adore The Masters. Tiger is back and seeking the consecutive made cut record this week.

 

In no particular order, some names I like this week: Xander, Hideki, Scheffler (obviously), Brooks, Finau, Young, Theegala, Moore, Scott, Lowry, Niemann, Conners, and Smith.

[burlingtonbandit]

Who have you guys got putting on the green jacket on Sunday?

 

I really like Rory this week, finally thinks he gets it done.

[P2F]

I really like Rory this week, finally thinks he gets it done.

 

This is a totally fair take, but he's not been good with his long irons and those long-range approach shots will be in high demand here. Now, he's an elite golfer and doesn't necessarily have to flash a thing to suddenly turn it all around, so if this is a gut feel pick, then I'm here for it.

 

This course correlates with past performance (course history) more than any other on Tour, so you're probably on to something with your Rory call. He does tend to play well here - at least for 3 rounds. So if he can avoid the blow-up day, Rahm may be slipping Rory into the green jacket come Sunday.

[Spanky99]

It's Wednesday, yes.

 

Funny you ask! I actually have made my return to the P5 this week. It's been quite a while for me, but I'm off work this week so I've done an utterly insane amount of golf research and it would've seemed silly to waste it on just outright bets.

 

My efforts will undoubtedly prove to be absolutely fruitless when my bunch of jabronis shoot 3-over on Day 1 and two miss the cut, but it's the anticipation of what could be and the unbridled optimism we have before first tee that keep us all coming back and make it all worthwhile.

 

I adore The Masters. Tiger is back and seeking the consecutive made cut record this week.

 

In no particular order, some names I like this week: Xander, Hideki, Scheffler (obviously), Brooks, Finau, Young, Theegala, Moore, Scott, Lowry, Niemann, Conners, and Smith.

 

lol... mint.

[Spanky99]

This is a totally fair take, but he's not been good with his long irons and those long-range approach shots will be in high demand here. Now, he's an elite golfer and doesn't necessarily have to flash a thing to suddenly turn it all around, so if this is a gut feel pick, then I'm here for it.

 

This course correlates with past performance (course history) more than any other on Tour, so you're probably on to something with your Rory call. He does tend to play well here - at least for 3 rounds. So if he can avoid the blow-up day, Rahm may be slipping Rory into the green jacket come Sunday.

 

I usually roll with past performances at most events, it just seems to fit these guys eyes, but talent is hard to ignore, hence my donating.

[P2F]

I usually roll with past performances at most events, it just seems to fit these guys eyes, but talent is hard to ignore, hence my donating.

 

Noice. I'm more of a recent form guy myself, but some courses (like this one), you can just look to the past for your winner. There's so much course knowledge required to play Augusta well enough to win. Love all the nuances of this place.

 

f***, I hope we get the golf in tomorrow.

 

So who do you like to win if you had to choose?

[Spanky99]

Noice. I'm more of a recent form guy myself, but some courses (like this one), you can just look to the past for your winner. There's so much course knowledge required to play Augusta well enough to win. Love all the nuances of this place.

 

f***, I hope we get the golf in tomorrow.

 

So who do you like to win if you had to choose?

 

Big Sheff... if he rolls it.

[Brownie19]

Hard to bet on anyone else but Big Sheff at this point. The guy is locked in.

[P2F]

Hard to bet on anyone else but Big Sheff at this point. The guy is locked in.

 

He's on baby watch, and has already said he will WD if his wife goes into labour. Sam Burns is in the same boat. But if he can finish, yeah, he's dialed.

[Brownie19]

He's on baby watch, and has already said he will WD if his wife goes into labour. Sam Burns is in the same boat. But if he can finish, yeah, he's dialed.

 

What an incredibly tough decision that must be. You're up 3 shots at the turn on Sunday at Augusta - staring a green jacket in the face when the phone rings...what do you do?!

[Brownie19]

I can't watch today, but conditions must be challenging. Very few people are under par so far!