billk86

A few years ago I was invited to play Trump International in West Palm Beach (a friend of a friend is a member). The course was beautiful and the facilities were top notch. At the turn we were in the clubhouse fueling up for the back nine when Mr T himself walked into the room. While I wasn't really a fan of his then (or now), I will say that he greeted everyone in the room (members and staff) by their first name as he walked around. When he reached the member I was with, he said hi and then was introduced to me and my friend. He shook our hands and thanked us for visiting. He asked how we liked the course and how we were playing. I thought it was kind of cool at the time...

I think it did depending on which hotel you were staying at. I was at at a private residence and had a car so I didn't need it. Tee off sent the coupon upon signing up. I used two emails so I was able to get a second coupon. You can also do an internet search.

I ended up playing Riviera Cancun twice. I booked thru teeoff dot com. Their discount rate was $90 but I was able to use a 20% off coupon for each round ($70!) which included all you can eat and drink and not just on the course. I went inside for breakfast before the round and then for lunch after. Pretty good deal. The course is great. Challenging but not crazy hard. Good playing conditions except for the wind which made both rounds much more difficult.

Nice.

It is a bit of a trek, but if you can make it out to Mesquite (about 90 Minutes N of Vegas), Wolf Creek is incredible.

$159 @ 12pm.

Good info thanks. I found (what seems like) a pretty good deal on Mayakoba on a site called teebone.com I think I will try for Riviera Cancun as well and maybe Iberostar Paraiso.

Going to be staying in a small town between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Any advice on courses and best place to book would be appreciated. Golf now doesn't seem to have any decent deals and it is hard to figure which courses are the best to play. Any help would be appreciated. thanks!

Thanks.

I am a fan of the Callaway Tour i series. For me, it seems to "pop" off my club (esp the Driver) with a better sound and feel then the Pro V1 Question: Is the Hex going to replace the Tour i?

Just returned from my annual Florida golf trip....the only (golf) shoes I brought were a pair of new (last year's model) True's that I had picked up over the winter. Played five days in a row and loved them. They are great especially if you have a wide foot. One of the courses we played had crazy fast Jack Nicklaus greens (N. Palm Beach CC). It may be in my head, but I actually think it helped me to be able to "feel" the greens with my feet.

I would suggest either Rose City or Eastmoreland for first-timers. There are a few par 3 courses that are supposed to be interesting/fun: Edgefield and Eagle Landing. (Haven't played either)

My nod goes to Heron Lakes. Two very different courses providing two very different experiences. I have never played both in one day, but I bet it would be fun! Good value (especially with the online deals) and both courses are seeing the benefits of what was a wet (even for us) Spring. I played Stone Creek about a month ago and really liked the course. It is a bit south for me to be a regular though. If you do move out here, there are tons of great courses to explore within a couple of hours drive. Of course Bandon looms large on the coast on the southern tip of the state. They are going to add a 5th course there that is going to cater to locals. I have yet to make the trek, but might try to get there during this off-season. Good luck! Let us know when you are coming out and if you need a fourth!

167 yard par 3 with water left, deep bunker long, and a very narrow green. I had never even hit this green before. I am usually short with a seven iron. This past weekend I went with a 6. I angled it toward the edge of the water and brought it back to the middle of the green where it landed and stopped within 5 ft. The foursome ahead of us had stopped at the tee to let me and my buddy play through and they all watched and gave me the fist bump walking off. Very cool... As for the birdie putt....

Terrific post. Congratulations. I decided to take golf more seriously this year and have been working very hard to improve. We have had some similar experiences (lessons, Phil dvd, studying course management etc...) For me the biggest thing has been developing a practice regiment and sticking to it. I took some very productive lessons at the outset of the season which gave me a new grip and a better understanding of my swing and the confidence to improve. Since then I have been practicing a lot, playing a lot, and thinking about the game a lot; and I am starting to see some great results! At the outset of the season, I couldn't break 100 at my go-to course. I was between 105 and 117, but last week I shot 93 and then a few days later 87. Wow what a fantastic feeling! Best of luck the rest of the season!

Welcome aboard! I'll check it out....

Polo Trace in Delray Beach is a very nice and challenging public course. North Palm Beach Country Club is probably 1-1.5 hours to the north of Boca but well worth the drive. It is a public course designed by Nicklaus. Crazy fast greens. Also Abacoa is an option but it is also north of Palm Beach a may be a bit of a drive. It is also public. In terms of private courses: Trump International in West Palm (near the airport) is one of the nicest and coolest courses I have ever played. It is members only; I was a guest once. Not sure if there is a reciprocal program. Also PGA National has several courses in Palm Beach that are also Members only.... Have fun!

I am always amazed when I go to a course's site to find that they have very few, or in many cases, no pictures of the course. I recently tried a new course that was about an hour drive for me and the only reason I went is because their site had some great pics. Why don't more courses do more to promote themselves? This one seems like a no-brainer.

I like the Callaway Tour series. It seems I play my best with them which I know has become partly psychological. But I think it is important to find a ball and stick with it. As far as pricing, I have bought them new, but recently found a good site that sells them refurbished and/or recycled. (Do a search of SandTrap.com)

101 on Sunday at the Heron Lakes on the Greenback. Getting better!

Some interesting points. I think the throwing it out of the bunker idea is a bit extreme. But I like the idea of making courses more accessible to the mid-higher capper. I hate when guys play from the blues but clearly shouldn't. Has it become a macho thing?

Great post by johnclayton1982. Very helpful. Can you elaborate more on Number 2? Is this the same as a Smash Bag?

Good luck getting to where you want to be. My goal is to get under 90 consistently and eventually under 85. I know I have the ability and know-how it is just a matter of making it happen on the course. I have been practising more than I ever have before at golf and have already seen great results....

For me it is all about the hips. When I get my hips "through" the drive, I hit it long and straight, but when I don't get my hips all the way through I slice it.