Playing Chambers Bay Tomorrow (hosting 2015 U.S. Open)

Well, I'm excited about tomorrow.  Going to play Chambers Bay in Washington tomorrow.  One of the best new golf courses in the country, and is hosting the 2015 U.S. Open.   $99 green fee due to the winter rates.  I don't mind playing in the rain, but I'm hoping the rain holds off tomorrow (I'm optimistic due to forecast).   I'm a noobie golfer, so I'm very intimidated, but I said, "what the heck?" and am just going to do it.

Should be interesting lol....

So I played Chambers Bay today and had a blast.   If you ever come to the Seattle/Tacoma area, I highly recommend this course as it gives you a unique experience.   It is a Links course, with no tree (or one famous tree).   Today was a nice, albeit overcast day, and while walking the course I felt like I was in Ireland.   Just an amazing course.   Few tidbits:

- It was very busy (first time the sun came out in the area in a week or so).   Typically on a par 4 there was a group on the green, in the middle of the fairway and the tee.  Didn't bother me too much though.

- The people there are very nice.  I was kinda worried, because I'm a new golfer with a high handicap.  It appeared that it was a course for the "good golfers" (older folks, with nice gear and nice tee shots). I asked the marshall if I could play alone (so I don't frustrate a group), but he said it was too busy.  He paired me up with 2 older guys who were nice and supportive.  They shot in the high 80s and 90s, but they looked like PGA veterans compared to me (hit a 60 on the front 9, didn't keep score on second 9 cuz I was sucking so bad - though I managed to bogie three holes in a row -woot!).

- It is VERY dry. I was amazed that, despite the constant rain in the area the past few weeks, the course was super dry.   My partners told me it was the fescue grass and the fact that it was build on a sand mine or something like that.   Because of the fescue, the greens are incredibly fast and hard.   I was used to soppy messes in Seattle, but the greens were dry and quick.   The greens are also very tough, with steep grades.   Whether hitting to the fairway or green, you really need to consider the roll factor.   Balls would roll for it seemed like miles.  If you don't play the quick grass right, you're ball will roll right into a hazard.

- You can't beat the view.   Right on the water and very scenic.

- Driving carts aren't allowed.  I just bought the clicgear, but you can also hire a caddy for $50 bucks or so to carry your bags.

- The front 9 IMHO is easier than the back 9.  Very wide fairways, and of course, no trees.  The fairways got significantly narrower during the back 9.   It seemed like most of the par 3s you were shooting from an elevated position (with a view of the water as a backdrop).  Every driver shot I had was playable.  However, there is sand EVERYWHERE.  This really killed me, as I am such a noob so sand traps are very difficult for me.

- Finally, a little secret.  When you walk in the pro shop to pay for the green fee, they always ask with a smile, "so where you traveling from."  I sheepishly said, "Seattle" and proceeded to pay the non-Pierce County rate ($99).  If you live in Pierce Country (e.g., Tacoma), the rate is $40 or so cheaper.   The guys I played with said that (1) pay in cash (so they don't ask for ID for the credit card), and (2) say you are from Tacoma, and you get the better rate all the time.  Lesson learned.

All in all, a great experience.  I probably won't go there until I shave 10 points off my handicap, but I plan on being a regular there once I get there.

HMMMM.  I have always thought the front 9 was much tougher than the back 9.  Sometimes they play the nines reversed.

Maybe I just thought the back 9 was tougher because my score on the front 9 was better he he.  But it seemed like the fairways were wider on the front 9 (which for my game, is very helpful).

As for the ethics question, I should mention that non-lawyers mentioned the "trick" to me lol.  My mom lives down the street from Chambers Bay (and I grew up there), so I feel like I should get the Pierce County rate, he he.

I have played there twice and both times the course was too green and soft.  The second time was last April so it's good to hear it's playing fast this early in the season.  After watching the US Am last year, it seem like it would be a blast to play when it's firm and fast.

As a side note, nice to hear the course is busy because I read an article a few months ago talking about it was struggling financially.   Locals will have to support the course because Sea-Tac is not the world class golf destination.