The Golf Channel Amateur Tour

[jsgolfer]

I have a new baby at home so I'm not planning on playing many tournaments this year - but I'm still a "member" of the tour and still plan on playing a couple of tournaments later this year, hopefully.

So what are your thoughts on the tour for overall experience?

[Golfingdad]

So what are your thoughts on the tour for overall experience?

Oh I love it.  As somebody without quite a good enough game (yet - fingers crossed) to play in any "real" tournaments, and somebody who has virtually no desire to waste his time competing in net tournaments, it's a nice place to learn how to compete.

My ultimate goal is still to get good enough to compete in regular amateur tournaments (like the SCGA amateur or Mid-Amateur, and similar City championship events), but until I can get AT LEAST another 2 or 3 strokes lopped off the handicap, then the GC Am tour is a good place to practice and learn how to compete.

[jsgolfer]

Oh I love it.  As somebody without quite a good enough game (yet - fingers crossed) to play in any "real" tournaments, and somebody who has virtually no desire to waste his time competing in net tournaments, it's a nice place to learn how to compete.

My ultimate goal is still to get good enough to compete in regular amateur tournaments (like the SCGA amateur or Mid-Amateur, and similar City championship events), but until I can get AT LEAST another 2 or 3 strokes lopped off the handicap, then the GC Am tour is a good place to practice and learn how to compete.

Cool, thanks

[GHIN0011458]

This tour IMO is a money grab and you can find better tourneys that are local and a lot less expensive.

[Golfingdad]

This tour IMO is a money grab and you can find better tourneys that are local and a lot less expensive.

I've mentioned this before, so I know I'm repeating myself, but this is true in some areas, but less true in others.  Here in Socal, for example, there are SEVERAL nice courses that host tournaments where you are not paying much extra than you already would.  The next two, as a matter of fact.  Next weeks entry fee is $140, and this is the course: http://www.tijerascreek.com/-rates.  It's only $20 above what a regular Sunday morning round would cost you.

The following week is even better: http://www.oakcreekgolfclub.com/The-Course/Guest-Fees.aspx $145 for the tournament, which is $35 LESS than you'd pay to play a regular morning round on a Sunday.

And also recognize, @GHIN0011458 , that it is really the only show in town for a lot of us who want to compete in the same type of tournaments as those of you scratch and better golfers.  It allows mid-cappers to compete in a gross format against others of the same ability.  When (alright fine, if ;)) I ever get to your level, then I'm with you.  I'm going to stick to all of the City amateurs and state amateurs that can be entered for half the price of the GC tournaments.  Until then, though, this is all I got. ;)

[jsgolfer]

I've played in the State Am tournaments in the past, but they don't have that many and most of the one-day tournaments are on weekdays which sucks.

So I might join just to be able to play a couple of the courses which are typically more expensive then the entry fee and a couple you couldn't play without a member, as well as get the competitive juices flowing again.

[ev780]

I also think they are great.  I like that they are flighted rather than straight net.  Sandbagging won't last long because you will quickly get found out and moved up a flight.

The Colorado Golf Association runs a lot of tournaments but nothing where mid to high handicappers can play towards some sort of goal or season ending championship.  The Southern Nevada Golf Association does a little better but nothing really compares to the Golf Channel or Golf Week series.

There are some downsides.  Kinda pricey and  a bit slow.  But I still enjoy the competition.

[GHIN0011458]

There is a better one! Check out the GolfWeek Amateur Tour before looking into the golfchannel's.

[Golfingdad]

There is a better one! Check out the GolfWeek Amateur Tour before looking into the golfchannel's.

I'd be willing to give it a shot, however, they are not out here in California yet.

[jsgolfer]

There is a better one! Check out the GolfWeek Amateur Tour before looking into the golfchannel's.

Why do you think this one is better?  Golfweek AM Tour is a little cheaper my area, but not much.

I'd be willing to give it a shot, however, they are not out here in California yet.

I'm still on the fence, as to whether it's worth the extra money (as I'm already a Member at a Country Club) and I have a couple of friends who play on the Golf Channel Am Tour. Hmm.

[jsgolfer]

I'd be willing to give it a shot, however, they are not out here in California yet.

I noticed they have a Senior side as well, do you decide before you play if you will play under 50 or over 50?  I just turned 50 last September.

[GHIN0011458]

Why do you think this one is better?  Golfweek AM Tour is a little cheaper my area, but not much.

I'm still on the fence, as to whether it's worth the extra money (as I'm already a Member at a Country Club) and I have a couple of friends who play on the Golf Channel Am Tour. Hmm.

Because they are cheaper lol and they still give out prizes and what not.

[Golfingdad]

I noticed they have a Senior side as well, do you decide before you play if you will play under 50 or over 50?  I just turned 50 last September.

You would probably decide when you join, and then if its anything like the Golf Channel tour, just contact the local director about moving if you change your mind.

Also, on the Golf Channel tour, several of the flights end up being combined anyway when there aren't enough people signed up.  If there are 6 or 8 guys signed up in each group, it makes sense (to me, at least) to lump them.  After all, you are the same handicaps so what's even the point of having a senior flight?  I never understood that one.

The majors always have enough though, so they keep them separate.

[DrvFrShow]

I plan to play in our state womens senior am tournament next year if I can get my handicap down and stay healthy.

[David in FL]

You would probably decide when you join, and then if its anything like the Golf Channel tour, just contact the local director about moving if you change your mind. Also, on the Golf Channel tour, several of the flights end up being combined anyway when there aren't enough people signed up.  If there are 6 or 8 guys signed up in each group, it makes sense (to me, at least) to lump them.  After all, you are the same handicaps so what's even the point of having a senior flight?  I never understood that one. The majors always have enough though, so they keep them separate.

Yeah, I never played in any senior flights, even though I could have. Usually, there just weren't enough seniors, even in a pretty well attended tournament to make it worthwhile.

[Lihu]

http://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel15/event/thegolfchannel15380/contest/37/leaderboard.htm

There are even scores in the 100s.

[Roll Tide]

I play the Golfweek Am Tour out of Charlotte NC. This tour has been functioning for 25 years. There are approximately 43 areas / cities throughout the country that have affiliates of this tour. The tournaments are run very professionally and ruled by USGA rules. It is a flighted tour and once you begin playing you will be flighted by your index from tour events played only. If I travel to say Utah and they have an event I can play that event and carry some points back to my home tour. Prizes are generally given in the form of a gift card. The great thing is that the competition is great and we play a lot of private courses that you normally can never play unless you join that course. If you want a tour that is established and competitive look at amateurgolftour.net or type a search for the golfweek am tour.

[Golfingdad]

http://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel15/event/thegolfchannel15380/contest/37/leaderboard.htm

There are even scores in the 100s.

Yeah, every week.  There are flights all the up to handicap of 20+.

The tournaments are run very professionally and ruled by USGA rules. It is a flighted tour and once you begin playing you will be flighted by your index from tour events played only. If I travel to say Utah and they have an event I can play that event and carry some points back to my home tour. Prizes are generally given in the form of a gift card. The great thing is that the competition is great and we play a lot of private courses that you normally can never play unless you join that course.

This would perfectly describe the Golf Channel Am Tour here in Socal as well.