The Golf Thread [contains spoilers]

[haigha]

I thought it would be a nice to have a thread for MD, me and any other crazies that chase the little white ball around the field. This way we can have an official thread to discuss our golf games, tour events and other things golf related without needing a separate forum (which isn't justified).

Anybody else in?

What do you think MD?

Here's my first post:

This weekend I shot 77 (+6) from the blues Saturday: 37 on the front and then lost my swing on the back and shot 41. Today, I played my regular Sunday match from golds the with my buddy Don. Started out slow, losing #1 and #3 with bogey and doubled #4. Then played even par through #13 where I won the match 6 and 5. I ended up with 77 again. #15 continues to be my nemesis. My friend Steve, who was playing with us, shot 72 (+1) with a birdie on #18 after a bogey on #17.

It's strange how inconsistent someone like Tiger can be over four days. He shot poorly on Thursday, ten under on Friday and didn't light it up again until the back nine today. Saw Annika lose her ball on #18 today. She has lost her 'A' game of late. It's amazing to see someone as small as Jang hit the ball so well and dominate the field. Wie played well but didn't putt well enough to win. Roberts and Stadler didn't get anything done today and Doyle came out of nowhere from nine shots behind to win the U.S. Senior Open.

I was happy to see Zach Johnson do well. I met him at the Byron Nelson this year. Great guy with a lot of game. It's unusual that his "go to" shots are a cut with the driver and a draw with his irons.

[SANguru]

haha.. I'm so jealous..98 degrees today.. played a quick 18 at Poppy Ridge and shot a 86... Driver was completely out of control went from a slight draw 2 weeks ago to a crazy snap hook... good news was I had 31 putts... in other words.. consistently inconsistent - as usual

Originally Posted by haigha

I thought it would be a nice to have a thread for MD, me and any other crazies that chase the little white ball around the field. This way we can have an official thread to discuss our golf games, tour events and other things golf related without needing a separate forum (which isn't justified).

Anybody else in?

What do you think MD?

Here's my first post:

This weekend I shot 77 (+6) from the blues Saturday: 37 on the front and then lost my swing on the back and shot 41. Today, I played my regular Sunday match from golds the with my buddy Don. Started out slow, losing #1 and #3 with bogey and doubled #4. Then played even par through #13 where I won the match 6 and 5. I ended up with 77 again. #15 continues to be my nemesis. My friend Steve, who was playing with us, shot 72 (+1) with a birdie on #18 after a bogey on #17.

It's strange how inconsistent someone like Tiger can be over four days. He shot poorly on Thursday, ten under on Friday and didn't light it up again until the back nine today. Saw Annika lose her ball on #18 today. She has lost her 'A' game of late. It's amazing to see someone as small as Jang hit the ball so well and dominate the field. Wie played well but didn't putt well enough to win. Roberts and Stadler didn't get anything done today and Doyle came out of nowhere from nine shots behind to win the U.S. Senior Open.

I was happy to see Zach Johnson do well. I met him at the Byron Nelson this year. Great guy with a lot of game. It's unusual that his "go to" shots are a cut with the driver and a draw with his irons.

[RealShakaZulu]

Man I stunk it up on Saturday... shot a 89 at Greenhorn Creek Resort GC. If I don't hit some range balls before a round I can not get the driver going.

Tiger is easily the best player in the world, but sometimes I don't know what he is doing out there. I was one of the people who begged him to go graphite and big head with the driver and now I think that we created a monster. Tiger is drunk on distance and creates problems on a golf course. If I had his or Mickelson's short game I would lay up to 135 yards on every par 4, get up and down 60% of the time and pocket my 6-7 birdies a round. NOTE: these comments are based on my Tiger expectations not for the average Tour player or a hacker like me... I would take TW's worst game/round anytime.

Regarding Annika, something is wrong. She is not herself and it shows. I hope that whatever is going sideways is her personal life resolves itself so I can stop hearing how great Wie, Creamer and the rest of the crop are. Annika's "A" game has no equal on the LPGA.

Lastly, can't wait till the AMEX at Harding. I will be there all 5 days.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by SANguru

haha.. I'm so jealous..98 degrees today.. played a quick 18 at Poppy Ridge and shot a 86... Driver was completely out of control went from a slight draw 2 weeks ago to a crazy snap hook... good news was I had 31 putts... in other words.. consistently inconsistent - as usual

Nice putting Josh.

I haven't played Poppy Ridge but I did play Poppy Hills a bunch when I was consulting in the Bay Area a few years ago. Which do you prefer?

My home course is relatively wide open park style course so you don't get in too much trouble of the tee. When I was up in Canada in early July, I had some trouble adjusting to tighter courses.

[SANguru]

Poppy Hills is just too far especially for a weekend round so I've ony played their twice on both on a weekdays with Clients. The course is really made for long hitters of which I'm not. I definitely prefer Poppy Hill which IMO is one of the best maintained and most challenging courses outside of Bridges and Dublin Ranch GC in my area and you can't beat the NCGA price!! The 3 different 9's your can play all throw different challenges at you.. I've been meaning to head out with Paul K (another X5 oldtimer) to play Blackhawk country club but haven't really had a chance to sync up with him. Also went out to North Bay to play Roddy Ranch a couple times about 2 months .. I definitely prefer the well manicured courses with low slope ratings.. but u know how that goes...

Originally Posted by haigha

Nice putting Josh.

I haven't played Poppy Ridge but I did play Poppy Hills a bunch when I was consulting in the Bay Area a few years ago. Which do you prefer?

My home course is relatively wide open park style course so you don't get in too much trouble of the tee. When I was up in Canada in early July, I had some trouble adjusting to tighter courses.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by RealShakaZulu

Man I stunk it up on Saturday... shot a 89 at Greenhorn Creek Resort GC. If I don't hit some range balls before a round I can not get the driver going.

Tiger is easily the best player in the world, but sometimes I don't know what he is doing out there. I was one of the people who begged him to go graphite and big head with the driver and now I think that we created a monster. Tiger is drunk on distance and creates problems on a golf course. If I had his or Mickelson's short game I would lay up to 135 yards on every par 4, get up and down 60% of the time and pocket my 6-7 birdies a round. NOTE: these comments are based on my Tiger expectations not for the average Tour player or a hacker like me... I would take TW's worst game/round anytime.

Regarding Annika, something is wrong. She is not herself and it shows. I hope that whatever is going sideways is her personal life resolves itself so I can stop hearing how great Wie, Creamer and the rest of the crop are. Annika's "A" game has no equal on the LPGA.

Lastly, can't wait till the AMEX at Harding. I will be there all 5 days.

I've got a net set up in the backyard so I can hit a few before I head out to the course. I recently got some 3.25" tees so I can hit driver into the net. The mat is only 4'x4' and it's too small to hit drive off (my feet go off the edge).

I agree on Tiger. He is so talented. His swing is so fast that if he's just a little off things go haywire. If he slowed it down 10% except when he really needs to blast it, I think he would play more consistently.

I think Annika's divorce must be a huge drain on her.

Enjoy the AMEX. I don't think I played Harding. It's not the one Palmer redesigned is it?

[RealShakaZulu]

Originally Posted by SANguru

Poppy Hills is just too far especially for a weekend round so I've ony played their twice on both on a weekdays with Clients. The course is really made for long hitters of which I'm not. I definitely prefer Poppy Hill which IMO is one of the best maintained and most challenging courses outside of Bridges and Dublin Ranch GC in my area and you can't beat the NCGA price!! The 3 different 9's your can play all throw different challenges at you.. I've been meaning to head out with Paul K (another X5 oldtimer) to play Blackhawk country club but haven't really had a chance to sync up with him. Also went out to North Bay to play Roddy Ranch a couple times about 2 months .. I definitely prefer the well manicured courses with low slope ratings.. but u know how that goes...

We are playing Roddy Tuesday morning. Regarding the Poppy course though, I am not a fan of Hills. I like my course long and fast, Hills greens drove me insane... they were just too slow. IMO, Poppy Ridge and Spyglass are the two toughest test in the bay... but as they say different courses for different horses.

[RealShakaZulu]

Originally Posted by haigha

I've got a net set up in the backyard so I can hit a few before I head out to the course. I recently got some 3.25" tees so I can hit driver into the net. The mat is only 4'x4' and it's too small to hit drive off (my feet go off the edge).

I agree on Tiger. He is so talented. His swing is so fast that if he's just a little off things go haywire. If he slowed it down 10% except when he really needs to blast it, I think he would play more consistently.

I think Annika's divorce must be a huge drain on her.

Enjoy the AMEX. I don't think I played Harding. It's not the one Palmer redesigned is it?

That's a good idea! I am not sure regarding Harding Park. Willie Watson was the original designer.... checking their website.... "Improvements to Harding’s layout were performed by PGA Tour Design Services in consultation with former USGA President Sandy Tatum". Anyway, I played Palmer's Hiddenbrooke... GORGEOUS! Playing from the tips is a real challenge, but they have no yardage books, the cart GPS system is out of service and the only fairway markings are 100, 150 and 200. This seems to be a growing trend in the bay at the munis.

[SANguru]

Haha.. you better stay away from The Bridges then.. winds = outta control... Land it in the fairway and it will roll off... 1 & 2 Cut are deeeeepppp.. I'm happy to shoot in the high 80's there.. target golf at it finest but definitely one of the most beautiful courses in the trivalley.. BTW, playing Jeremy Brigham's fund raiser soon at Ruby Hills... a little pricey but for a damn good cause...

Originally Posted by RealShakaZulu

We are playing Roddy Tuesday morning. Regarding the Poppy course though, I am not a fan of Hills. I like my course long and fast, Hills greens drove me insane... they were just too slow. IMO, Poppy Ridge and Spyglass are the two toughest test in the bay... but as they say different courses for different horses.

[motordavid]

Well, Haigha, good idea, though I am not in the same zip code, skill-wise, as you,Josh,Shaka et al, are; I'm in my 4th year of trying to learn to play. I jes'never played as a young or middle man, so taking up the game when we moved here from NY, at 54, is a tough deal. But, I am obessesed by this insidious game, and the entire ambiance is the deal: meeting great people, outside, the internal/mental struggles, etc., are the salient points for me.

I'm sorta stuck at mid 13s HDCP/Home 15, though I have improved considerably from 36+ the first year, 20s the 2nd, 16ish last yr, etc. But, a tough, tight, very hilly course that allows for no spraying and sloped at 128 whites/std tees, with lightning fast, rolley-polley bent greens, does not make for a comforting track to "learn on", Lol!

I have love/hate relationship w/the Game, but enjoy reading the golf posts and will put up a good story when I have one. We did have our Senior (55+) Club Champ Tourn. this past weekend, but I participate in those kind of things simply for the "experience".
And, I have been the Mens'Club Treasurer for these past 3 seasons:
get to know everyone, work you azz off, keep track of stuff, and the "pay" is zero...sorta like volunteer work, lol!
BR,md