jwrussell

If that was directed at me, check my reviews and posts. I'm not on here to advertise. GoflDigest put a one page review of the course in their September issue. I saw it, I live an hour from the site, I went looking for threads on it.

I've been using GolfShot since late 2009, early 2010, something like that. I've also tried GolfLogix multiple times, whenever enough time has gone by that there are new features and I can get a couple of free tests of the full version. There are things to like about both platforms. For me, the deciding factor was the $30 one-time price tag for GolfShot. At the time, GoflShot did not track club distances which I was disappointed in, but they updated a while back and now they do so I'm a happy camper. In the end, I would say that other than the price differential it all comes down to which interface you are more comfortable with. I've been using GolfShot so long that the interface for GolfLogix just looks wrong to me. Some thoughts on GolfLogix from the last time I used it. I actually prefer the color "drawings" of the holes to the satellite pictures. Like the concept of tracking each of my shots visually as GL allows you to do, but in practice found it difficult to do correctly and felt it had me spending too much time fiddling with the phone rather than golfing. Still, love the concept. I don't think you can go wrong with either (hence the 50/50 response on the poll), but I still prefer GolfShot at this time.

I just saw this course in GolfDigest and being about an hour from there in Tampa I can't friggin' WAIT to get out and play both courses. The pictures look amazing. Trying to hook up with their sales team to find out about stay and play packages, etc. Will post up here when I hear more.

Industry only. Attendance RESTRICTED to the PGA Professionals and affiliates of the Golf Industry (buyers & sellers of golf related products and services ONLY ). Admission to the show requires government issued photo identification plus documentation demonstrating trade affiliation.

I'm originally from NJ (south), and I've always told everyone from the North, it's not that it's hotter or more humid here than there, it's that it lasts much longer.

On the plus side: Much lower greens fees everywhere. Far fewer people playing.

I would say only 2 strokes as per 20-5 (a). I'm no rules official, but your player in question is no longer "starting a hole" as referenced in 11-4 (b). Interesting that, assuming I have it correct, starting a hole off outside of the teeing ground has a stiffer penalty (two strokes + replaying the ball+disqualification if the error is not corrected) than the circumstances in your example.

How did they get your phone number? Had you registered already before deciding not to buy?

Love the picture though. LOL.

Just a couple of quick notes on the compass discussion. Any GPS can be used as a general compass so long as you are moving. Older GPS systems (if anyone hunts, think of the older Garmin Rino GPS/Radios) calculate the output for a digital compass in this way, which is why you have to be moving for them to give you an accurate reading. I used one this past November during a hunting trip and have to say it was kind of a PITA to deal with. However, newer systems (and this includes the iPhones 3GS and later) have chips in them that enable them to output compass information while standing still. I don't know the specifics of how they work, but I believe it has something to do with measuring RF signal strength when compared to information from the accelerometers within the phone that help it determine where it is on the X and Y axis. Here's a link to some of the more technical stuff: http://www.quora.com/iPhone/How-does-the-compass-on-the-iPhone-work

I follow your reasoning on most of this, and while we don't agree, I can see where you are coming from. But the above, I have to say I think you have completely wrong. Yes, the compass on the iPhone makes it illegal because it is an APP that cannot be removed. However, assuming it COULD be, and that no other app on the phone could access the information, stating that the phone had the ability, given the correct app, to measure such information makes it illegal is not backed up by the current rules. [quote]A multi-functional device, such as a smartphone or PDA, may be used as a distance measuring device provided it contains a distance measuring application that meets all of the above limitations (i.e., it must measure distance only). 
In addition, when the distance measuring application is being used, there must be no other features or applications installed on the device that, if used , would be in breach of the Rules, whether or not they are actually used .[/quote] You are, I assuming, trying to point to the bolded part above and saying that the phone's innate ability to measure direction based on GPS and Accellerometer and whatnot make it illegal even if there is no app to access the data. I would point to the second bolded part of the statement and argue that "that, if used" takes into consideration the ABILITY TO USE said app or feature. The fact that an app exists to measure wind speed and direction via the iPhone's microphone does not enter into the conversation if I don't have the app installed, just as the fact that the iPhone has an app that can display a compass if said app is not installed. Again, moot point as the app can't be uninstalled, but we are arguing some serious nits here anyway. :)

Was wondering when that would be brought up. The wording could certainly be construed to mean that so long as the device doesn't MEASURE anything, that it is legal. And no current weather app (yes, I realize there are other apps that do this, but they are not weather apps) measure a dang thing. They report.

Check out the Ogio Chamber (it is a cart bag, not sure if that matters).

Which of course makes the ruling all the more silly.

Love it. All of which, makes ZERO sense as turtleback notes. I can SMS/Text to my hearts content and they will trust that I'm not asking someone what the weather conditions are, what club I should use, how a particular hole plays, etc...not to mention that they trust me to do all this even though there are non-conforming apps on my phone. But the minute I start using an app for distance measurements, all that goes out the window. Now I can't be trusted to only use that app and nothing else that might help me. I just don't see how someone can logically argue that any of that makes sense.

Hah! I was thinking the exact same thing.

Yesterday at the Eagles in Tampa. Worst round in two years, haha. Nice new carts and a bunch of newly paved cart paths though. The new owners seem to be doing a good job sprucing things up.

Zeq, my comment about "sad misconceptions" was aimed at those who seem to think that the smart phones provide much more information than they actually do. I get your point and understand it. We just disagree on whether or not it should matter. And not to nit-pick, but $60 would be one heck of a cheap GPS device. Not that they don't exist, but we are typically talking in the range of $100-300. Also, and I'm prepared to be proved wrong here, but I believe your statement that "Smart phone GPSes have *never* been legal" is inaccurate. It is my understanding that the USGA and R&A; had specifically put out rulings stating they WERE legal under certain circumstances. You are correct that there are some rules that violate the "honor system" concept I mentioned, but I think we can both agree that the VAST MAJORITY of them do not. As to your last statement, we agree.

A point I addressed with the rest of my post. Regardless of the fact that my main point is that I should be able to be trusted to NOT access the internet, it doesn't change the fact that the internet can't give me accurate and detailed information about the wind at the specific location I happen to be at on the course. The only thing that can do that is an anemometer, or POSSIBLY to some extent an app designed to measure wind using the speaker of the phone. Of course those apps can only be so accurate and you have to figure out direction yourself (besides the point, but interesting information).

If you are willing to pay $19.99/year for it. Unless they've added that feature to the free version... I use Golfshot. As mentioned above, it works great for all the features noted, including the measuring of shots. As a plus, and Golflogix (at least the paid membership version the last time I checked) does this as well, it allows you to log those shots by club with yardage and accuracy information so that you have a history and an average for each club.

I'm sorry, but there are some truly sad misconceptions in this thread when it comes to the whole "weather app" concept. Speaking on the iPhone: The weather app that comes pre-loaded and cannot be deleted is plain USELESS to a golfer when it comes to any kind of competitive advantage. The app itself does NOT provide wind speed or direction or any of the other information being argued about. It tells you the date, the high and low temp and through pictures what type of GENERAL weather you can expect (Sunny, cloudy, stormy). You have to click through to the web and more than one page to get wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, etc, and ALL OF IT is far too generalized to be of any use to a golfer. My phone tells me right now that wind speed is 3 mph. Great. 3mph in what direction? Gotta rely on feel and typical golf tricks for that info. And 3mph, where? Well, in TAMPA of course. Great. What part of Tampa. Oh, I get it, wind never varies from spot to spot within a city right? Seriously. Get a grip folks. How about my Weather Channel app? Yep, that one's much more specific. So, it's 3mph and SSE. Great. Oh. Wait. Look at that. It's telling me the weather for a different zip code than where I'm currently at. Let's fix that. OK, now it's SE at 4mph. Of course, I know this zip code pretty darn well. I live about 2 miles as the crow flies from where I'm currently sitting. No chance the wind is different over there, right? This weather app even gives me the ability to check weather hourly with ind speed and direction. The next hour it will be 3mph S, the hour after that 3mph SSW. I could easily check this information before going on the course and be just as (un)informed as if I had done so on the course. Weather apps don't provide you with wind speed and direction where you are standing. They give you very generic information that's about as useful as watching the weather forecast before leaving for the course. If I can be counted on to count my own strokes, to not improve my lie and to call penalties on myself, I can sure as hell be counted on to ONLY use my phone as a GPS device when on the course. [quote]Use your smartphone and enjoy your round of golf. If you want to be a pro or play in a tournament just remember the foot wedges, and Smartphones aren't allowed.[/quote] This I almost 100% agree with. That being said, I do have an issue if a dedicated GPS device is allowed. Not that I play tournament golf at this point, but I have my GPS app on my phone specifically so I wouldn't have to shell out the cash for a dedicated GPS device. It still goes back to what I said above to me. Golf is a game that even when played competitively is played, for most the most part, on our honor. This particular ruling goes against that concept.

Florida's a big state. Plenty of great courses, but would need to know where in the state. Also would help to know what your price point is...

World Woods is a great course, but if I'm reading the OP's post correctly, I'm guessing they are looking for something on the way to Naples heading from Tampa? Also, be aware that World Woods' (along with most courses probably) rates go up starting the 1st of January. If not there's lots of great courses between an hour and an hour and a half from Tampa (Orange County National near Orlando for one). If you are looking for something on your way to Naples, check out Waterlefe Golf and River Club in Bradenton. Rates are reasonable in the off season, but I think they are jumping 1/1 as well. Beautiful course. I'm afraid that's about the extent of my knowledge of the courses between here and there. If money's no object, you might look into Tiburon in Naples. Never played, but seems to always be on the "best public courses" list that GolfWeek puts out for Florida.

I love this section, just wish it was a bit more used. I try to add and review any new course I play. Unfortunately I just haven't played any new-to-me courses lately.