2014 Official Golf Thread

Can I come along?  I just got back to Milwaukee area after a 5 day trip to Palm Springs, CA.  My wife and I logged 72 holes of golf in absolutely perfect conditions (80's), but unfortunately I am now back in the heart of the Polar vortex.  Seriously though, that will be a great trip for you in March.  The only course I have played on the list is Falcon's Fire and it was certainly a good one in country club shape and a nice, challenging course.

Oh, and speaking of all things golf, I can honestly say I am looking more forward to watching the Waste Management Open this weekend than the Superbowl!

Looking forward to this year.  Spent a lot of time and money last year.  Got my old Ping ISI-K irons reshafted THEN saw a deal of G20's when the G25's came out SO got a complete set!    Took a half dozen lessons and hit the range a lot.

Now I just need to play better and get on the course more!

I'll get to play 3 or 4 times (hopefully) when I'm home for the summer.  I didn't even bring my clubs to Beijing because I knew I wouldn't have much time (or money) to play... and the clubs would just be taking up space in the apartment.

A round of golf goes for about $200 here.  I have a hard time shelling out that kind of cash for a round.  The public course that I learned on sold annual memberships for $300!!  You could golf all day, every day for $300 a year.  15 years ago I was playing 7 days a week.  I would walk 9 or 18 before work and then maybe hit up the course in the afternoon with my dad when he got off work.  Every Saturday morning we teed off at dawn. That was when Indiana was NOT on DST, so the sun came up at 5:30... tee times didn't start until 7:00 so there were only 3 or 4 groups of us on the course and we'd be done by 9:30 EASY. 

I never got "good" but scores were consistently in the lower 90's.  Dipped into the 80's on occasion. 

Dangit, now you got me thinking about golf.

Two totally amazing and unique courses with hills near O-Town.

Bella Collina http://www.bellacollina.com/

Streamsong http://www.streamsongresort.com/

Check out the pictures on the website.

Bella is public.  It was SUPPOSED to be private.

AAAAAAAAAAHHH....only two weeks and two Texas tournaments away from the Big Show.  I love this time of year for so many reasons and the Masters is a big part of it!  Unfortunately at the rate we are going this spring, those of us in Wisconsin won't be on the golf course (or cycling) until about July

Got out on Sunday for 18 and found a good deal on a Leupold Rangefinder.  Gift to me for 2014!  Eyeing a new putter, but don't need it.  I'm pretty good with the one I have but it's a belly putter (I was copying Keegan and Adam and love it).  BUT, with the rule change I feel like I would need a non anchored putter, right?  Can't argue against adjusting for a rule change!  Taylormade Daddy Long Legs felt nice.

Since I have been working on my game, I really don't keep score much.  I'll keep track of how many birdies/pars/bogies I got, but after that?  Don't keep count.  I'll have a couple blowup holes that once I get on the green, pick it up.  I don't need to putt out.

As for the rangefinder?  I haven't needed it in the 18 years I have been playing off and on.  And I'm sure I'm not consistent enough for it to be THAT helpful.  But I also wouldn't need an IPhone app either.  For almost 20 years, I have paced off of sprinkler heads or the 100/150/200 marker and used the pin sheet.  Add or subtract 10 yards for a front or rear pin placement and club up or down for every 10 yards of vertical change.  I kept track of all my shots with a pencil on my scorecard (fairways hit, GIRs, etc).  Any analysis was done in a spreadsheet at home.  Even wrote my own handicapping spreadsheet using the USGA rules.

I guess I don't see the big deal.  If the technology is there, like a smartphone, apps, gps, or lasers, what's the harm of using it if it's not slowing you down?  I surely could run without my HRM or GPS as well.  But I love my gadgets!

Sounds like your friend isn't very up to date on course etiquette either.  I don't think it's a technology issue, but a manners issue.

Well, Tiger is not in the Masters next weekend.  I'm not sure about Phil.  Kind of disappointing but there are PLENTY of great players left.  I'm an Adam Scott fan mostly, but very close behind by Kutcher, Rory, Hunter, Speith, and countless others that are enjoyable to watch.

Back to Tiger.  We all thought he would destroy Jack's major count, but now that he's still 4 back, been pedestrian for the last 7-8 years?  (well, he was the best player of the year last year AND the competition is just getting better too).  But with age, and now back surgery?  I wonder if 18 to tie and 19 to take the lead is possible now with all the great competition?