stealthduffer

Golf is experiencing a number of phenomenon right now - maybe even a "perfect storm". First is the economy - it's down right now and that reduces disposable income. Golf has to be one of the first things to go when expenses need to be cut. It is expensive and wholly elective (as much as we'd like to think otherwise). Second - demographics have changed. Where my father played golf a significant portion of my youth (introducing me to the game as well - Thanks Dad!) I essentially gave up the game when my children were young. I coached soccer for numbers of years as a way of spending time with my daughters. We tried the golf thing but it just didn't stick. I think you find more fathers (and mothers) who work hard and want to spend weekends with the family. Now that my girls are grown I can get back into the game (and other things too). Third is that a lot of locales over built golf courses when demand was high. Now that demand has dropped courses struggle to fill the available slots. So, instead of changing the rules, adding a 10" hole (WTF?) or offering 3, 6 or 12 hole rounds lets look at some solutions that address the root problems. 1) Expenses - too many courses require (by design) a cart - often doubling the cost of a round. How about creating opportunities for walking? I didn't ride in a golf cart until I was 18 and love to walk when I can. Twilight rates, special rates for juniors, package deals all help to make the cost more bearable. 2) Demographics - How about family day/times? Junior clinics where parents can mentor and help the kids learn? Parent/child leagues. 3) Overbuilding - That's a tough one. A course requires a minimum amount of revenue just to pay the bills - which are significant to be open at all. But the courses that get innovative with their marketing will be the ones that survive and thrive.

Lots of good advice here - forget about it. Would have shown class for him to buy you a drink but he obviously didn't have any. We have a saying "There are too many a**holes in the world to worry about that one in particular." If you are that much good luck come golf with me. If I get an ace I'll buy you a whole case of soda!

I do like In 'N Out but only get it when I go to California for business. Five Guys is good - but pretty low on the healthy list. When I can find one (none very close to me) I like Steak 'n Shake. El Pollo Loco is another good CA favorite of mine.

I agree. Love the classic style but what's wrong with Red, White and Blue - at least to some degree.

That's the whole beauty of a true playoff. Play well and you advance. Mess up and you go home. Tiger didn't make the cut and his year ended early. To suggest that the rules be changed to allow him into the playoff is beyond foolishness and undermines the playoff process. Personally I found the championship exciting and compelling - not knowing until the final hole who would win the tournament and the big bonus. And as others have suggested - golf's demographics aren't geared toward a casual viewer. So no, I don't think the PGA has screwed themselves at all.

As long as it is in the rules then need to abide by it. I'll draw an analogy with another sport that I coached (soccer). I related a story of another coach violating a rule and some other coaches said it wasn't a big deal. I said to tell me which rules are ok to break so we are all on equal footing.

I like to dress "nice" most of the time. At work I wear wool trousers and nice shirts (golf type in the summer, button downs in the cooler months). I have a number of pairs of nice micro-fiber shorts and slacks and polyester/technical fabric golf shirts. Shirt always tucked in, ankle socks with shorts and shoes cleaned (if not polished). Show respect for the game and my fellow golfers I guess. Have a very nice pair of brown/dark brown wingtips - but reserve those for wearing with long pants. I do like the more athletic/european style shoes for wearing with shorts.

Way too funny. Before it broke (NOT my fault) I loved to pull out my Wal Mart 4H and outdrive a lot of folks who were hitting driver - then mutter "not bad for 30 bucks". I've since upgraded but still use my 25+ year old Inertial E-Max irons. Was getting ready to play with a very senior (but incredibly nice) executive from our company. He took one look at my clubs and said "no one with clubs like that gets strokes". Sometimes true and sometimes not - but never judge a book by its cover!

Several "golf meccas" for this type of trip. Myrtle Beach is an obvious one as is the RTJ Golf Trail (though, as pointed out driving is required). Another that I've enjoyed is the Pinehurst, Southern Pines area of NC. Several very nice courses in the area, driving is not too bad and pricing can be quite good.

To the OP. Go to somewhere with some decent sales and get some new shirts. You don't need many - a few solid colors will go a long way. Try them on at the store and be aware that poly shirts won't shrink to an appreciable degree. Put the others aside - they will probably fit fine in a few years and decent polo shirts won't go out of style. Or, wear them for "social" occasions where the fashion standards allow a different style. Speaking as an old f*rt I think you are right to be concerned about your appearance. You have an opportunity start off meeting people and making a good impression. That guy you play golf with may be the guy who offers you a summer job next year if you look neat and are well mannered on the course.

What's amazing is that no one noticed earlier. Does the city not issue a financial report each year? Is it not audited by an outside firm? Aren't city official salaries published by the papers (they are for key positions where I live)? Is this really corruption or is it the by product of an indifferent citizenry?

I used to got to Ocala a lot but only played golf a couple of times. Played Silver Springs Country Club (I think that was it - it's been a while) and it was nice. Also played Golden Ocala which was unique because it had several (8-9?) holes that were replicas of famous golf holes (18 at St. Andrews, Amen Corner etc). Might be worth driving out to see if it is in good shape.

Just saw in the paper yesterday that Wintergreen (20 minutes from C'ville) is having some summer specials. Check out http://www.wintergreenresort.com/golf/ for more info. Haven't played there myself but have heard it is nice. As I mentioned earlier Old Trail in Crozet is also a nice layout.

Funniest I ever witnessed - joined a group of guys on a local course for a quick 9. One was a "thrower" and, on the 7th hole tossed his club up in disgust because he missed the green. When it landed the shaft snapped right above the hosel. Funny thing was is that NO ONE hits that green (unless they are very lucky) - it is just too darn narrow. Easy putt from the fringe though. Anyway - we get to the 8th tee - a short par 3. Of course he wants to BORROW someone else's 8 iron (the club he broke). No one offered of course. Funniest I heard about (from the guy's ex-wife so it must be true!)? Anyway this fellow was playing in the finals match of the club match play championship. He's up like 4 with 5 to go but snap hooks his drive on 14 OB. Tees up and does it again. Except this time he tosses his driver in the air and starts to walk down the fairway. Thinking better of it he turns around and the club lands right on top of his head. Now he is bleeding so bad that he can't finish the match and has to concede. Of course the one time that I play with him he tosses a club in the air but manages not to hit himself. Funniest that the "offender" ever told me personally? My father said that he got tired of his driver after a particularly bad shot. Not that he was angry (or so he claims) just that the club had outlived its useful life. So he broke it over his knee (OK not technically a throw but fits the same pattern). Life lesson - don't break a graphite shaft over your leg while wearing shorts! Apparently it takes a looooong time to get all the splinters out!

Is this a case of letting a friend try a club or a case of a friend wanting her child to try the club? I let friends try my clubs all the time (though few want to try mine) and have friends offer to let me try their clubs. Not a problem - general expectation is that if you break it you buy it. Though since golf clubs are not typically fragile the chances of something happening are generally remote. Did have one experience where I was paired with a threesome. One was a pretty decent golfer and had good clubs but did have a bit of a temper. He threw his club on one hole and broke the shaft. Needed the same club on the next hole to tee off - no one volunteered to lend him theirs! If you have a habit of throwing clubs then no way do you get to use mine!

I've got a set of Inertial E-max irons that I've been using for 20-25 years now. In all that time I've only run across 1 other person with a set of irons like this (at a driving range somewhere a long time ago). Anyone else out there still use these irons or am I the only one? BTW - I love them but am thinking of re-shafting them this winter. I also use a Golfsmith copper-beryllium (sp?) 3 wood that I built around 1987 or so. Still use it off the tee. The head is about the size of my fist (and I don't have big hands). Lots of fun to compare it to today's drivers - a good conversation topic.

My wife has taught me to keep it simple and basic - solid color shirts and shorts for the most part. I've strayed into a few pairs of plaid shorts and striped shirts - but know enough not to wear those together. I do have a pair of tartan slacks that I like to wear for golf but wholly expect them to "disappear" from my closet at some point in the near future - they are a touch on the worn side I suppose. Shoot, I've only had them 18 years!

I hate to say it but I'm on your side. While Tiger is certainly one of (if not the singular) greats I really do find it annoying the way that TV golf obsesses with him. Even to the point that when he isn't IN a tournament they talk about him all the time. Let's give some credit to the guys who are there and are teeing it up. I don't place any of this on Tiger - he definitely seems like a gentleman and a class act. But, of course, the media are as predictable as Pavlov's dogs and will hound (pun intended) it to death.

Have played a lot of nice courses - in no particular order 1) Edinburg USA - Minneapolis 2) Royal Woodbine - Toronto 3) Legends - Myrtle Beach, SC 4) Dunes - Myrtle Beach 5) Old Head - Ireland 6) Mid Pines - Southern Pines, NC (not in great shape when I played it but a sucker for Donald Ross designs). 7) Woodside Plantation - Aiken, SC 8) Boyne Highlands - MI 9) Hardscrabble CC - Fort Smith, AR 10) Kingsmill River Course - Williamsburg, VA (not a great time of year but a fine course nonetheless) But the one that definitely stands out was the Old Course at Ballybunion. Truly a great test of golf.

A long time ago (20+ years) I had a set of my Dad's Titleist (DX?) irons re-done. They came back looking absolutely new - and beautiful. Wish I had the shafts replaced at the same time (but I was poor). I think it was Golfsmith who did them.

My daughter will be a 3rd year this year at UVa - we live just the other side of the mountain in Waynesboro. My dad was visiting a few years ago and called to find out about playing. Believe that if you have a connection with UVa you can get a tee time (a child in Law School would certainly qualify). I'd give them a call and see if that is still their policy. I have never played there - unfortunately I don't get to play as much as I'd like - but have heard it is a nice layout. You can see part of it from Hwy 250 which I drive often and it looks nice. Another course that I have played and would recommend is Old Trail - it is just down the road in Crozet.