campb1pr

Disclaimer - I haven't lived in the area for 20 years, and my father moved away 5 years ago, so haven't played any of these courses since he moved. My knowledge may be out of date... Have you tried the Peter Jans course in Evanston? (growing up, we called it Canal Shores CC) http://www.peterjansgolf.org/ Not the most traditional course around, but they have done some nice renovations in the last 10 years, and seem to be putting money into the right things. Some of the fun is knowing that it used to have greens that looked like my front lawn, and the flag poles were 1x1's with plastic sheeting stapled to the top. They have actually turned it into a golf course. The length is right to start on, and there are some actual challenges, so that helps. The other recommendation for a beginning golfer is Willow Hill golf course - a nine hold par 35. http://www.willowhillgolf.com/ Built on a former landfill, and 100 feet above the rest of the area - nice views, and some serious wind when it gets moving. The last place to look into is the Forest Preserve courses of Cook County - they tend to be a bit easier, and cheaper. http://www.forestpreservegolf.com/

Shot a 92 at the Tradition Club on Pawley's Island, SC on Friday. Had a 43 front, 3 pars, 6 bogeys, including two poorly missed short putts (I think they top dressed recently - they were SLOWWWW! but I didn't adjust well) The heat got me on the back, and I made some horrible decisions, and just bad shots. result - 49!!!! Worst nine I have played in over a year, I think. Had to par the 18th just to keep under 50. Glad to be back home where the heat index will be a measly 95 today.

Posted a 89 at Blackmoor, Myrtle Beach on Monday, 8/6 (avg heat index between 12pm and 4pm, 108°) shot an 88 at Pawley's Plantation, Pawley's Island, 8/8 (heat index.... you get the idea) playing the Tradition Club tomorrow - let's hope the temp is below 80° when we leave the house at 7am! For the first time in my life, I am shooting to beat the temperature.

Sorry - you were talking about MY avatar, and alma mater, right?

I think that you have to categorize a little more clearly for this question - many posts have brought this up, but for example, I don't consider my father in law a "cheater" even though he routinely improves his lie, does not putt out completely, takes mulligans, etc. He is playing only for his enjoyment, and as a matter of fact, doesn't even keep score anymore. However, he is a pleasure to play with, and since he is not keeping score, nor sticking completely by the rules for himself, he plays rather quickly. He is playing as what I would call a "recreational only" golfer. I do play by the letter and spirit of the rules, call all applicable penalties on myself(when I know the rules), etc. I would call myself a "competitive" golfer. By that I do not mean that I play in a bunch of tournaments or try to win money, or whatever, it just means that I keep score, and keep a HCP index, and use it to compare myself against other golfers and the course I am playing. I wouldn't call anyone who falls into my personal classification of "recreation only" golfer a cheater, because they are not technically playing the same game as I am. As long as they follow good etiquette, and can keep pace, do they really bother you? (They may, but that is a matter of personal preference.) The ones that bother me are the "competitive" golfers who cheat to gain a perceived advantage over others. Either sandbaggers, or straight cheaters. Sandbaggers bother me more, as they can be seen on the course following all the rules, and scoring exactly what they get (or even calling "extra" penalties on themselves to boost scores) and then when it comes time for that club tournament, they routinely shoot 5-10 strokes below their handicap. If I could use my designations, I would rather play with a high handicap competitive golfer or a recreational only golfer, as long as they know and follow decent golf etiquette, and can keep a decent pace. I don't mind slowing down for other players too much, though.

Tiger will win plenty more, but in the meantime, I cannot agree more than to say, "What he said!" (and point respectfully at lynchjo)

Spotswood CC in Harrisonburg, VA www.spotswoodcc.com (do not judge by the website - not what they do well )

New Trier High School Class of 1986 Virginia Tech Class of 1991 James Madison University Class of 2004 (master's)

I'm the assistant director of the alumni relations office at my university. I plan all major events on campus, Homecoming, Reunions, etc. which generally "happen" to have golf tournaments. Shame, that...

I'm just in the process of replacing my irons that I have had for 16 years, and the wedges that I have had for 9 years. I'm pretty excited, but I was with ChiChi, for years, I kept realizing that the clubs weren't the problem, it was my play or lack of. Now that tech has changed so much since 1991, it's time to upgrade. I only changed from my TaylorMade original 1 wood (1985?) about 6 or 7 years ago. However, the Titleist 905 driver my wife bought me last fall has made me rethink, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new TaylorMade r7 irons! We'll see if this changes my replacement pattern in the future.