AmenCorner

There is more than 1 publication that ranks courses you know. Golfweek, Golf Digest, etc....

I can't speak largely about these closures but I can tell you what happened in my town, Ft. Lauderdale. American Golfers Club (public) shut down about 5 years ago. It was a great place right in the middle of town where I learned to play golf at 9 years old. Driving range, 9 hole pitch and putt, 18 hole executive course. Generally in good condition. It was owned and maintained by the Coral Ridge Country Club next door. Robert Trent Jones and his family owned Coral Ridge/American until his death. The place was sold to local businessmen/developers who planned on developing American into Single Family homes and using the proceeds to redo Coral Ridge. The nearby homeowners rejected the plan and the local housing market fall apart. American now sits as vacant and dilapidated and our town is worse off as a result. There are no driving ranges in the East Fort Lauderdale area. Very sad.

Kapalua is on there. I thought the site was awesome. Obviously a limited number of reviews but you can't beat all the pictures!

Spot on. LeBron knew that no elite Free Agent would ever go to Cleveland. Ever. In fact, no elite Free Agents go to Cleveland in any sport. LeBron gave it 7 years and it didn't work out. Time to move on.

I played OCN back in September. Went with a group and stayed 2 nights and played both courses twice. I much preferred Panther Lake over Crooked Cat but highly enjoyed both. One thing I will say is that the Panther greens were in better shape at the time. CC greens were sandy but these things happen from time to time in Florida as part of normal maint. Headed back in October to play Celebration, Grand Cypress (New, North/South), and Waldorf. Other than N/S I haven't played any of the courses so very excited.

Augusta National-Hands down. I'm sure you could make an argument that there are better courses. But the history of the course coupled with the allure of the tournament that I love so much, it's a no brainer. #2 would probably be Pine Valley #3 would be one of the traditional Golden Era courses like Oakmont, Merion, etc... part of my criteria includes the exclusivity of the course. All of us to some degree want things we can't have. Incidentally, I got an e-mail from American Express the other day to play Merion as part of a special event they are hosting. Of course the $800 cost (not including airfare) put it slightly out of my budget.

World Woods is supposed to be great. There are too many good courses to name. Sawgrass is the most famous public course...of course. Seminole is #1 private and very tough to get on. Naples is a great haven for golf, as is the Orlando area. Orlando courses are more accessible in my opinion because of the resort aspect. Naples has a ton of courses but most are private. In Orlando I've played Orange County National and Grand Cypress, both are outstanding.

When I saw the thread title, I was hoping to come in here and literally see a video of Butch Harmon being bitch slapped. Call me sadistic, but that sounded like a really good thread.

I have a Taylor Made Diablo 13 degree. It's a love/hate relationship. I've hit some really nice shots with it. But it's not so good off the tee, and many of my fairway shots won't get off the ground. That being said, if I hit it low, I still get an acceptable result. 220 yards or so. But when it's good, it's 250 ish. I'm happy with that.

I stayed just down the street on the island 2 years ago, really cool spot. My cousins go back every year and love it. I'm guessing you will be in good hands. The beaches around there are outstanding.

Spent a weekend at Orange County in Orlando. What a great spot. The courses were a bunch of fun to play, and the staff could not have been nicer and more attentive. The consensus in our group is that we much preferred Panther Lake, and that it was the harder course as well. Greens on Crooked Cat were a little rough on Friday with sand, but Saturday afternoon were much better. The scenery was gorgeous there. And by that I mean Birds, Oak Trees, and cart girls. Man I love golf.

For me it depends on the group and situation. Regardless, it's always on silent. Also, I play on Friday mornings with my buddies, all of whom are working folk that need to answer calls from time to time. So we are all on the same page. If I'm playing with my dad and his friends (retired), I leave it off.

By the way, the guy in question sounds like a major jerk! Who does that!?

I think you misunderstood. The guy was talking about sand baggers, using the example that a 20 handicap shoots 81 or something to that effect.

It looks sweet!

I haven't heard of World Woods either.

Best I'll probably never play: Augusta Best I'll definately play: Bandon Dunes Best I've played: Spyglass Best I've played a lot: Diamond Creek in Banner Elk, NC or Floridian in Palm City, FL

I think it is fair that they tell you, but still you are over reacting a bit. And why not post towards your handicap? Are you one of those vanity guys? I remember playing Meadowbrook Farms in Houston a few years back. I was really looking forward to playing b/c I had read a bunch about it, greg norman course. Anyways, we're out there playing on the 8th hole when this onslaught of carts starts coming from the clubhouse. They were having a big scramble. We sat on the 8th tee for 25 minutes and they were still on the hole. We went back to the pro shop and got a 9 hole refund. I told the guy how I felt but no more than that. Probably just a mistake they didn't say something.

Funny post. I can't remember the last time I bought a putter and I'm not sure why. Anyways, I'm a BIG believer in look/feel of a club over anything else, especially other people's reviews. If you stand over it and you're confident that ball is going in the hole, I don't believe there is anything better. As far as technology goes, I'm pretty convinced all the major companies are on the ball there, so you really won't get an advantage there. Just my opinion. Again, great post.

That entire post was funny. Thank you.

I forgot, Orangebrook in Hollywood, FL. The whole place is St. Augustine grass just matted down. At least that's how I remembered it when I was a kid. What a dump.

What's the course in Arizona (I think) the Mickelson joined? I thought the slope was a little higher than that. I've played Kiawah on Tiger Woods Golf. Does that count?

I think you are right but did see YE say "thank you" while they were shaking hands. That's probably the extent of his English but the point was, that's how I remember them shaking hands. And it sure seemed like Tiger was doing his best to be a good sport which I have no doubt he is.

I would like to add that while many players seem to fold around Tiger, some haven't. We seem to forget the ones who have not. Many years ago, Bob May was unknown but played his butt off and never folded. Rocco was absolutely incredible last year at Torrey for 91 holes! Not everyone folds, and some of them are just slightly outplayed. Just the same way that Tiger didn't fold Sunday. He swung the club very nicely, just couldn't get the putts to fall. If that was how YE Yang played, we'd be calling him a choke.

Wow...Well said, sir.