Tuffy22

There are a ton of great courses to choose from. Two courses I'd recommend are the Wigwam (3 really great courses, but the Gold Course is definitely my favorite) and the Arizona Biltmore (I prefer the Adobe over Links).

This is one of many great views at the Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, AZ. Another one at the Wigwam. Great view at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix.

I can understand why some people think the 60* wedge can be difficult to master. I'm a 10 handicapper, so I have my flaws...but I rely heavily on my lob wedge (even more than I should). I spend quite a bit of time in my backyard with it...and I've developed a great feel and comfort for it. It's one of those clubs that when you do get comfortable with it, it comes in very handy on the course...being able to drop the ball where you want it rather than relying on the roll.

82. First round of the year. I hit the ball well, and putted okay...but my chipping was horrendous. I didn't leave myself very many make-able 1-putts. At the very least, it felt good to knock the rust off.

I had my first (and only) last year on vacation w/ my wife. She drank on my tab the rest of the day (does that count?). I didn't go in and formally announce it to the clubhouse, and didn't feel compelled to buy drinks for a bunch of strangers. If it would have happened on my home course, I might have had a different perspective.

That's great! I agree with the comment above that once you do it once, you can do it again. Sounds like you took a great approach to it.

71 (-1). I've had several 9-hole rounds under par, but this was my one and only that I kept it under par for all 18.

I had a 5-birdie, 1 eagle round. It was one of those days that I didn't want to end.

If you're an elite golfer, then yes, distance is going to be a major factor. Without it, eagles become pretty unrealistic. However, for the average to good golfer, distance is overrated. I'd argue that it's the least important factor of the golf game. In the past, I hung my hat on being a big hitter. It was an ego thing. But all it took was two bad drives a round, and it ruined my round. Today, I sacrifice distance for accuracy. I tee off with my 3 iron on the majority of par 4s. Unless the green is driveable, I typically tee it up with a 3-iron, and leave myself a short, manageable wedge to the green. I spend quite a bit of time on the range working on my 50 to 130 yard game. If you can place your approach shots well from that distance, it makes the distance lost on drives a moot point. I enjoy not taking the OB penalty, or having to punch it out from the trees. Sacrifice a bit of distance, play from the fairway, master your approach shots...and have fun.

When the guy I'm golfing with yells "Booya!" after every drive. That, and taking 40 practice swings before each shot.

I work for a web design / video production company....but I'm a professional golfer at heart. :)