Played Bay Hill (up and down experience)...

(long rant, sorry)...

So, my wonderful wife surprised me with a 7-day East Caribbean cruise and then a couple of days in Orlando for our 2nd anniversary. The added surprise was a round at Arnold's course, Bay Hill Club & Lodge. We stayed 2 nights and I golfed there on Sunday morning (11/14/10). Here's a tip...don't go in mid-November...more on that later.

Here's the bummer...my wife didn't tell me I was golfing and didn't ship my clubs. She shipped a pair of my golf shoes, but they were actually the worst shoes I own and I was going to throw them out. I love my wife dearly, but she really isn't a golfer, so she really doesn't understand people who are really obsessed with golf. The rental set was $50 or I could've checked my clubs on the plane for $25 each way...seems like an easy choice to me! I think she thought I would have to take them on the cruise...but, I could've stored them at Bay Hill, since I was staying and playing later.

As some of you may know, I've worked and gotten my handicap down into the single digits this year and just shot my lowest round ever (73) about 5 weeks ago. Well, with the really crappy rental clubs (Diablo Edge), I couldn't get my iron distances right at all. Short then long, long gets plugged in the back bunker on the downslope, couldn't get anything going. I drove the ball pretty straight, but couldn't seem to hit the rental driver (Diable Edge 9.5* stiff) more than 230yds (average 260yds w/ my Ping G10 9*). First hole (400yds), hit a good drive, still have 207yds to the green. WTF...I only hit a 193yd drive...I usually hit my 4I 200 yds! Ended up shooting 92, the worst round I've played in about 2 years.

I hit the range the afternoon before play, but that didn't help. The rental set (only option in stiff) was 'top heavy'...D, 3W, 5W, 3H, 4H, 5-P and 56*. I was constantly in between yardages at 110-95 yds. I don't understand this setup...the PW is 44*, so that leaves a 12* gap between scoring clubs. I usually play a PW, GW, 54* and 60* setup, which gives me plenty of options for 130-80yds. The PW went 'about' 120yds (couldn't get anything consistent out of them) and the 56* was good for about 90yds-ish. To top it off, the damn forecaddie (required, I find out after the round and he wants money ) kept giving layup yardages and landing zones for '100yds', didn't have that club! Oh...and he couldn't read a green for sh!t, putts would break opposite of what he told me, I stopped listening to him after the front 9. He's supposedly Arnold's caddie and caddied for him at the Masters the last few times he played.

Oh...and then the capper was that they had just over-seeded and sanded the greens, plus they were watering 3 of the greens as we were hitting into them. Every green was running a different speed due to sand and/or water...it was pitiful.

I really wanted to enjoy the experience of playing Bay Hill and hitting shots to a course you see on TV and may only get to play once in a lifetime, but why couldn't she just tell me about the golf part, so I could prepare and really enjoy the experience! If I would've known about the golf, I could've played Bay Hill on the Wii a bunch and known the distances & layout. I also would've been hitting the range quite a bit for the time leading up to the trip, I had been trailing off as our weather was getting a bit worse and I was trying to focus on work.

OK...so there were a few good things about the trip...The good part of the trip was that the staff of the hotel was very nice and the food was excellent (although expensive). I had the most incredible dinner, a grilled Veal Chop w/ a balsamic mushroom reduction, risotto, and grilled asparagus. They even made us a special dessert for our anniversary.
Arnold got back into town on Sunday night from pheasant hunting, but we didn't see him (although I did spy his bag on the back of a cart, up by a back entrance to his office on Monday as we were leaving). The staff clued us in that you could leave a few things and he would sign them and they would mail them to you at no charge (I'm still waiting to see if that part is true ). We left a couple of pictures and also few a his magazines that they have around the lodge for guests.

Oh well...guess I'll just have to plan another trip in a few years and play it in the early spring when I'm sure the course will be in better shape. Oh...and I'll bring my clubs!

yeah...just wondered if they moved it to mats after the overseed / sanding. Don't know why I wanted to know, just to see if there was something else I could be unhappy about for the round? I need to learn to lighten up a bit.

Here's a good thing about the trip. Your wife suprised you with a 7 day cruise

I was thinking the same thing? Regardless of clubs and old shoes, I would've been so appreciative that my wife was so incredibly thoughful!! So much so that how I played wouldn't of mattered much.

I think I understand what the OP meant but sheesh, complaining about a "damn" caddie, club set up, and something about not practicing on the Wii. Seriously... come on man!!!

Yes, I know, I don't sound very appreciative. That's what I meant in the followup post where I said, "I need to learn to lighten up a bit". I was all set to just let things go and enjoy the round, then the bogeys (and a few doubles) started piling up. I was so frustrated with the irons and lack of distance with the driver that I totally lost focus.

Wow, if she's doing this on your 2nd anniversary you should be very happy! I do understand your side of the frustration. If I were going to play a great course like that I would want my own clubs and hope to shoot well.

Good man. I apologize for not noticing your follow up.

This sounds so familiar it's scary.

This does go to show that the squeaky threads get the grease. I posted a thread re: Bay Hill with a picture and got no responses. Maybe I should've griped

That was a very cool photo.

Dude your a freaking pro!

I liked your picture!