Chambers Bay

[Reefer_Madness]

Anyone play these links yet? I'm trying to decide if it's worth a weekend trip this fall.......I've seen a few pictures etc, and heard it was being compared to Bandon by some, but I've also read a few negative reviews.

Anyone with some experience yet? I think it opened in June.

[niblick]

Anyone play these links yet? I'm trying to decide if it's worth a weekend trip this fall.......I've seen a few pictures etc, and heard it was being compared to Bandon by some, but I've also read a few negative reviews.

I'm going to play there soon. I live nearby, and can't believe I haven't played it yet. I'll give the best report my 20 handicap game can generate. :)

[Guest ShadowXOR]

I'm going to play there soon. I live nearby, and can't believe I haven't played it yet. I'll give the best report my 20 handicap game can generate. :)

I live right near Bothell in Lynnwood. I'm a very new golfer so I'm not very good but I'm glad to see people discussing something local! Once I get decent maybe we could play a few games together.

EDIT: Too bad the course you guys are discussing is a links course. They don't look nearly as cool as normal courses...plus there are no trees to block my wicked slices/hooks!!! Wow, those are some wicked green fees too!!!

[Reefer_Madness]

I live right near Bothell in Lynnwood. I'm a very new golfer so I'm not very good but I'm glad to see people discussing something local! Once I get decent maybe we could play a few games together.

Which links courses are you referring to that don't look as cool as tree lined courses? Just curious........

Looking at the pictures, it looks beautiful and seems to be a true links course. Problem is, I've read some reviews that say it's no links course and that a lot of the design features feel contrived. It's true, it was an old rock quarry, and they "made" all the topography with machines. But it looks to me like they did a pretty remarkable job, at least from the photography. Maybe I'll just need to drive on up and play. Hell, it's not that long of a drive from Portland anyway.

[Reefer_Madness]

Here's a link in case anyone wants to check it out......

http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/layou...=173&page;=3342

[Guest ShadowXOR]

Which links courses are you referring to that don't look as cool as tree lined courses? Just curious........

It really isn't that bad of a drive for Portland. To me it does look like a true links course, but from the pictures I find it very ugly. I just don't like that kind of course. The colors are very brown and dull to me. I prefer trees, greenery, etc. This is what I think a beautiful course looks like:

[Reefer_Madness]

I dig most courses.......but there's something about a true links course that tickles me inside. I hate it when courses try to be too nice and feel contrived.

[niblick]

I'm teeing it up at Chambers Bay today! I'll let everyone know how it is tonight.

[DBake]

From what I have been hearing is mixed results after playing the course. On one hand you cannot beat the views of the Puget Sound. On the other hand the course is still new, and most complaints have been about the greens. I have also heard from others that the course is to tough for the price they are charging.

I have yet to get out there and most likely won’t till next year, even though I am less than 30 minutes away. Although I have become a member at The Home Course in Dupont, Washington the new home to the WSGA and PNGA. If you have yet to get to The Home Course I recommend you do so, it is the unbelievable course for the price.

[niblick]

Wow, what a day.

The course: Bandon Dunes excluded, the greatest piece of architecture I've played. The whole course invites you to be creative, gives you options, and then calmly hands you your ass if you make a mistake. It was a blast. Tons of elevation change, big sweeping doglegs and sloping fairways. If you get a flat lie in the fairway, say a prayer of thanks.

The greens: Slow. The whole course is fescue, and in the case of the greens it's going to be another year before the roots are long enough to allow them to me mowed properly. The greens are very firm and don't hold shots, but are slow once you get it on the surface. Combined with the big mounds that RTJ puts in the greens, this made for a difficult day on the greens, but I found myself not all that bothered by it.

The day was made all the better because my caddie happened to be a pro caddie who was on Rosie Jones' bag for 7 years. He was awesome - I got to find out what it's like for the pros to have someone do everything for them. All I had to do all day was walk, hit shots and take in the beauty of the course. I can't imagine playing that course for the first time without a caddie.

One thing I didn't think about until it was all over: On a course with no trees, there's no shade and lots of exposure to the wind. Makes it tough to stay hydrated, and I got a bit more sun than I usually do.

I shot 49-43 for a 92 that I was thrilled with. Didn't expect to keep it in double digits, so the back nine was a pleasant surprise. Here's a couple of crappy cell phone pics of the view down the hill from the 7th green. Oh Sandpiper: one of my subcontractors was picking up the tab.

In short, yes it's expensive and immature, and I can't wait to go back.