Love Golf?

[Wolfbayte]

Silly game ...

A ton of parallels between golf and homebrewing:

Both have unlimited equipment upgrade options, theories, points of view, and misinformation in print and on the internet.

Both have us striving to have a repeatable process in order to obtain predicable results in particular situations.

Both have us chasing dragons (par, efficiency numbers, holes in one, that one brew, etc.).

Both take about 4 hours give or take, involve beer, and record keeping.

But at least homebrewing does not require sunscreen.

 

[smurfjuice]

And you don't have to wait for the beer cart ...

 

[brewbama]

I used to play 2 to 3 times a week. Picked it up in my 30(s). Got to a 15 handicap. Went to the Sony Open while in Hawaii on a business trip and saw the women play in Nashville at Vince Gill’s tournament. Even met Vince. Then, the wife had a severe medical issue that took me out of the game. Haven’t played in three years. Now hobbies are closer to home by necessity. Sure do miss it.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Best round ever today. 94!!! Should have been even lower but had a couple 3 putts. Dang happy with the direction i’m headed.

 

[BruceH]

Best round ever today. 94!!! Should have been even lower but had a couple 3 putts. Dang happy with the direction i’m headed.

Congrats!

I read that 90% of golfers never break 100. I also read that Jack Nicklaus was 12 when he broke 80. Tiger Woods was 7 when he broke 80.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Thanks. I’ve read the same. 5 of my last 10 rounds have been under 100 so im definitely getting better. Broke 100 for the first time last June. So yeah, real happy!

 

[BruceH]

Made it to the course today. Driving range was ok and gave me some confidence. Managed to be 3 over after the first three holes but stopped keeping score after the 6th. A 4 putt followed by a 5 putt followed by two lost balls will do that.

I hit the drive into the woods on 7. Hit a provisional that was just about perfect. Then hit that ball into the woods and couldn't find it. That's when I decided it was a practice round.

I was tired, huffing and puffing on the very hilly back 9.

My goal for this year will be to regularly break 100. The only way to meet that goal is to hit the driving range at least 2 times a week, practice chipping in the back yard, and make it to the course at least once a week. If I can't get it going in a month it's time for a tune up lesson or 3.

 

[mongoose33]

Congrats!

I read that 90% of golfers never break 100. I also read that Jack Nicklaus was 12 when he broke 80. Tiger Woods was 7 when he broke 80.

I break 80 all the time. Then I play the last four holes.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

At the airport now. Heading out to see @Whut in Phoenix. Gonna catch a few spring training games and play a round. Can't decide if I'm more excited about seeing spring ball or playing golf!

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Round yesterday was a blast! Shot like i expected too. 111. But got 2 pars and a birdie. Course was beautiful!

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

It was actually a nice day hitting the range as flurries were coming down

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

 

[applescrap]

I am an avid golfer as many of you know. Going out this morning in south Florida actually. Will send some pictures. I was just about to start a golf thread so I am glad to find this one started by pp none the less. I shoot in the 70s and it would be stupid embarrassing to tell how. I am better than that some days and should be in the 60s but being really great at this game i fear isnt in my cards. In fact even though i have shot even par to many times to recall i wonder who will show up today, the guy who shoots 74 or the guy who shoots 84. Self taught, i have flaws and compensations, but also muscle memory. I try to rely on that. I hurt my back chasing my dreams and wish I wouldnt have. Mongoose has offered a lot of awesome info here. I have to run now but was hoping to offer some help to anyones swing.

Wildginger it sounds like breaking 100 has become a thing, much like breaking 70 to me. Careful to not set to big a goal like that as it can make the game difficult as you get close. More on that later

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

So how many times a week do you play 'scrap? Golf is interesting. The better you get, the more you find out how much you s*ck. I like it for the mental challenge and detaching from the outside world for a couple hours with a good view. For me I'm usually in the low 80's and venture into the 70's every so often. I almost broke 70 once. Had a chance with a par-5 #18 that I usually birdie or eagle. Crushed a good drive and landed in a bad lie. Went for broke with a 3d because I'd never be there again and wound up with a bogie 71.

 

[applescrap]

71 is still damn good. I used to play every day after work and i went one stretch where i was hitting 3 to 5 hundred balls a day. Really all i was doing was solidifing bad habits and hurting my back. Jealous really of some of you just starting out, you can learn the right way and save your back. I said it would be embarrassing to explain some of the dues i have paid to this game and some of that is above. Now I just hope to have fun.

Doesn't matter how many balls you hit , because how you hit them on the course is really all that matters. And that has a lot to do with being in a good mental state. Also putting is just huge. A lot of the players that I see that have way more Talent than me seem to lose Strokes because of Direction. It's better to top the ball straight then it is to hit it good way offline. Second place is in the short game. I putt from everywhere and dont mind when people make comments about how they hit wedges or i should. My worst putt is usually better than an ok wedge.

Shot 77 today on the saints course in port st lucie. I putted really well. Had a few three putts but cant complain because i sank so many prayers. It was pretty much my best game today. I get really mad when I miss hit a driver. But I'm learning that I should actually be mad when I miss a 3-foot putt. It seems like I'm happy to hit a good drive and a good shot on the Green but need to be more upset about putting. I hope i can help someone, anyone if wanted and look forward to more golf chat.

 

[passedpawn]

^^ Looks like they need to water that grass! Hope you get some good weather down there, scrappy. Been really nice here in Clearwater lately. One of the nicest courses I ever played on is on that coast, north of Daytona called Hammock Dunes. Family and I stayed in the resort, really nice place. Too nice for my level of play

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

71 is still damn good. I used to play every day after work and i went one stretch where i was hitting 3 to 5 hundred balls a day. Really all i was doing was solidifing bad habits and hurting my back. Jealous really of some of you just starting out, you can learn the right way and save your back. I said it would be embarrassing to explain some of the dues i have paid to this game and some of that is above. Now I just hope to have fun.

Doesn't matter how many balls you hit , because how you hit them on the course is really all that matters. And that has a lot to do with being in a good mental state. Also putting is just huge. A lot of the players that I see that have way more Talent than me seem to lose Strokes because of Direction. It's better to top the ball straight then it is to hit it good way offline. Second place is in the short game. I putt from everywhere and dont mind when people make comments about how they hit wedges or i should. My worst putt is usually better than an ok wedge.

Shot 77 today on the saints course in port st lucie. I putted really well. Had a few three putts but cant complain because i sank so many prayers. It was pretty much my best game today. I get really mad when I miss hit a driver. But I'm learning that I should actually be mad when I miss a 3-foot putt. It seems like I'm happy to hit a good drive and a good shot on the Green but need to be more upset about putting. I hope i can help someone, anyone if wanted and look forward to more golf chat. View attachment 563771View attachment 563772View attachment 563773View attachment 563774

I see why you're missing putts. The greens are upside down!

I've about decided that I'm not good enough to get mad. Some days I putt like great and others it is just horrible. Putting a full round together is the hardest thing but I really love playing. My biggest fear is that I will eventually quit getting better and no longer enjoy it. I'm hoping to play long into retirement and that's still 15 years away.

 

[dawn_kiebawls]

I'm getting myself ready to go to the Masters for my second year in a row (as a spectator..you would be amazed at how many people ask if I played in it when I wear my Masters hat...). I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the Thursday round this year! That place is truly magical.

TL;DR

I have plenty of time to play but I have been fighting chronic back spasms for the last 6 or 7 years so I'm lucky to play a round in a summer. I used to date a girl who's stepdad was a semi-pro golfer. The only lesson he ever gave me that stuck was when he said 'the money is won within 100 yards', so thats what I practiced and developed a lethal short game! My claim to fame was back in 2013, I was working at Omaha Country Club (host of the Senior PGA Tour championship that year) and as an employee I got a free round every Monday. With the course cut to full tournament specs, I shot an even par on the back 9 and was rightfully upset about it. My dad was with me this day and couldn't help but laugh as I left 8 birdie putts an inch short and triple putted an eagle attempt! It was an unforgettable 9 holes and I still wish even one of them dropped for a birdie lol.

One of the notoriously uptight members watched me play 2 holes at tour level and was so impressed he bought me a beer in the locker room the following day while I was on the clock. My co-workers, manager included, stood with their jaws on the floor and watched as he had a full conversation with me, something he hasn't done with ANY employee and select few members in the 10 years he was at the club. He gave me sh*t about my hand-me-down cheap, circa 1970's clubs (I legitimately had wooden woods and those cheap irons with the green handles lol), I shook it off and said something along the lines of 'they're pieces of crap, but they're MY pieces of crap.' He smirked, said 'not anymore', and GAVE me his 'old' clubs since he was upgrading..I about fainted. I'll never forget that day. Ever. I learned two very valuable things that summer: never judge a book by its cover, sometimes just because a person is quiet does not mean they're unfriendly and that the money is in fact won within 100 yards.

Sorry for my rant, I still enjoy thinking of that day and sharing the story for some reason. Cheers!

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

I'm getting myself ready to go to the Masters for my second year in a row (as a spectator..you would be amazed at how many people ask if I played in it when I wear my Masters hat...). I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the Thursday round this year! That place is truly magical.

TL;DR

I have plenty of time to play but I have been fighting chronic back spasms for the last 6 or 7 years so I'm lucky to play a round in a summer. I used to date a girl who's stepdad was a semi-pro golfer. The only lesson he ever gave me that stuck was when he said 'the money is won within 100 yards', so thats what I practiced and developed a lethal short game! My claim to fame was back in 2013, I was working at Omaha Country Club (host of the Senior PGA Tour championship that year) and as an employee I got a free round every Monday. With the course cut to full tournament specs, I shot an even par on the back 9 and was rightfully upset about it. My dad was with me this day and couldn't help but laugh as I left 8 birdie putts an inch short and triple putted an eagle attempt! It was an unforgettable 9 holes and I still wish even one of them dropped for a birdie lol.

One of the notoriously uptight members watched me play 2 holes at tour level and was so impressed he bought me a beer in the locker room the following day while I was on the clock. My co-workers, manager included, stood with their jaws on the floor and watched as he had a full conversation with me, something he hasn't done with ANY employee and select few members in the 10 years he was at the club. He gave me sh*t about my hand-me-down cheap, circa 1970's clubs (I legitimately had wooden woods and those cheap irons with the green handles lol), I shook it off and said something along the lines of 'they're pieces of crap, but they're MY pieces of crap.' He smirked, said 'not anymore', and GAVE me his 'old' clubs since he was upgrading..I about fainted. I'll never forget that day. Ever. I learned two very valuable things that summer: never judge a book by its cover, sometimes just because a person is quiet does not mean they're unfriendly and that the money is in fact won within 100 yards.

Sorry for my rant, I still enjoy thinking of that day and sharing the story for some reason. Cheers!

Cool story!

 

[applescrap]

I see why you're missing putts. The greens are upside down!

I've about decided that I'm not good enough to get mad. Some days I putt like great and others it is just horrible. Putting a full round together is the hardest thing but I really love playing. My biggest fear is that I will eventually quit getting better and no longer enjoy it. I'm hoping to play long into retirement and that's still 15 years away.

Sorry about the pics. I have to take them sideways or they post upside down with new app. This is the answer to anyones anger and the game in general. You play it your whole life, its not about the next shot, the next round, or next year.

 

[applescrap]

^^ Looks like they need to water that grass! Hope you get some good weather down there, scrappy. Been really nice here in Clearwater lately. One of the nicest courses I ever played on is on that coast, north of Daytona called Hammock Dunes. Family and I stayed in the resort, really nice place. Too nice for my level of play

Thanks for the good vibes, it has been windy the last few days. We need that Clearwater sunshine and those luscious white beaches. Reminds me to go look for some sunshine city ipa. Need to get up there to hammock dunes some day, sounds awesome. We are playing hammock creek as a coincidence. I agree about the water, some of the courses are pretty rough and they arent cheap either. Great excuse for the foot wedge from bad lies[emoji85] [emoji86] [emoji87] [emoji41]

 

[brewtime]

I belong to a golf course with 36 holes I play to a 9.4 constantly shoot 80-84 been playing golf for 42 years started when I was 10 played HS golf no college and got married and and had kids so I would only go out 10-12 rounds per year. now that the kids are grown i play 1-2 times a week. more during the season. I love the game.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Played today. Not a good round. Too many things on my mind that got in the way. Still, better than doing most other things so it wasnt a complete waste.

 

[passedpawn]

It's like Christmas Eve....

 

[passedpawn]

I'm watching some of the players warming up. Interesting to note that until the 70's, the Masters required that golfers were only white men, and the caddies must be black men in white coveralls.

 

[BruceH]

It's like Christmas Eve....

I don't like it when CBS has coverage of any golf tournament. IMO they just don't understand that golfers want to watch it live nor do they realize we don't want to watch a 20 minute discussion about the "tradition" of the masters. At least I don't. I want to see it as it happens and I don't want to watch old, wealthy white men talk about "traditions".

NBC is just a little better except they always insist on showing me a "sports recap" about things I'm not watching. Golf channel should be the only people allowed to carry a tournament IMO.

Done with the rant, will watch on the internet. At least I have that. DTV coverage doesn't start until 12pm Pacific time which is 6 1/2 hours after the tournament started.

 

[Boomer]

I play. Used to play quite a bit; but, then I moved to Alaska and later on Montana so the season is pretty abbreviated and it has taken a toll on my handicap. Lowest round in my books is a 74. Usually shoot high 70's - low 80's.

Towards the end of the season I'm usually back to normal form; but, there's no telling what you'll get on those first few rounds after the snow melts. I also travel fairly regularly with work and have played in Korea, Vietnam, and The Philippines. I really enjoy the course we play in Ho Chi Minh City.

Looking forward to seeing this year's Masters unfold. It always gets me itching to get back on the course.

 

[passedpawn]

I don't like it when CBS has coverage of any golf tournament. IMO they just don't understand that golfers want to watch it live nor do they realize we don't want to watch a 20 minute discussion about the "tradition" of the masters. At least I don't. I want to see it as it happens and I don't want to watch old, wealthy white men talk about "traditions".

NBC is just a little better except they always insist on showing me a "sports recap" about things I'm not watching. Golf channel should be the only people allowed to carry a tournament IMO.

Done with the rant, will watch on the internet. At least I have that. DTV coverage doesn't start until 12pm Pacific time which is 6 1/2 hours after the tournament started.

Yep, internet is the way to go. I have 3 screens on my messy desk here, and two of them are dedicated to the tourney: Live groups on left, leaderboard on right. The leaderboard is neat because you can star players and they stay at the top, and clicking on one of them let's you see their activity on the course so far.

 

[Homercidal]

I haven't played in a long time, but I have been thinking about playign more this summer. But first I'm gonna get a set of better clubs. Gonna find the kind with tiny nubs just so my irons aren't always flying off the back swing

 

[applescrap]

Thanks pp, loved the video. Clever point too. I got this really cool book on the history of the masters for Christmas a while back, really want to read it. I liked watching golf in europe and mexico. I feel the american coverage only shows the top players, playing great. I want to see the guys who shoot 12 over playing. I want to see everyones shots, not just the guys playing the best in their lives.

I did it, i hurt myself. 3 rounds in one week in Florida did me in. Cant play this week and peobably next week to. Right leg is numb, aggravating constant pain. An inability to walk very far without numbness and pain. Pretty sure exact same injury as tiger, nick watney, and every one else. The huge difference is they actually got paid and are rich and i am just hurt. Hit a few 300 yarders down there, i needed to lighten up.