RandomGolfer

Just awesome. Check out this bomb Paula Creamer dropped to win in a playoff this morning. http://www.golfchannel.com/media/creamer-wins-10th-lpga-title-dramatic-fashion/

Would be nice to have these kinds of options. First he builds an unbelievable course in Scotland but gets mad at the government because they are building wind farms in his view. A heated legal battle ensues that he actually loses. Oh well, "I will just buy this great course in Ireland." Nice to be Donald...from a money perspective.

Jason, how do you imbed a video?

I'd have to say having a day job. Being a scratch golfer takes a lot of time and dedication.

Sorry if you have seen this. Still funny to me. Love how Sergio just hurls his club into the water with a straight face...

Got these shoes last year. They are the lightest and most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I've been buying golf shoes for 2 decades. Have you tried these? Having comfortable golf shoes is important if you plan on playing a lot of golf. I’ve tried a number of different brands over the years and have had mixed results. You can’t go too wrong with FootJoys. They are the IBM of golf shoes. No one will fire you for hiring IBM. But, you can go very wrong with some of the upstart, new brands that have cropped up over the last decade. For example, I tried Nike and Puma shoes when they first came out and it did not go well. Blisters, poor quality, and just plain uncomfortable. Like any new product, it takes time to get it right. Adidas was one of those new brand in the last decade. My first pair a few years ago left a little to be desired. But, last year, I really liked the look of the new Adizeros and decided to give them another shot. I am glad I did. BY FAR, the best golf shoes I have ever had. Seriously. Best ever. Here is why: They look cool They are ridiculously comfortable. Roomy AND athletic feeling. Nice big soft spikes. You never slip with these on. They collect a lot of debris but that is a small price to pay. Best of all, they are incredibly light. It barely feel like you are wearing anything on your feet. Seriously, they are amazing. If you want proof, check out all the new “lightweight” golf shoes hitting the market in 2014. Adidas started that trend last year with these shoes. Here is what I am talking about: I have a couple of pairs of shoe each year, but, I liked these so much, I ended up wearing them for every round. They really are the best golf shoes I have ever had. That’s 20 years of shoes so I feel like I know what I am talking about. Just so we are clear, I have no relationship with Adidas. This is a really just my experience in 2013. Now, I hope they are even better in 2014. I will be buying these in 2014 and I have high hopes: Can’t wait to have these on my feet. I recommend you do the same. The countdown is on for the 2014 season.

Lets face it, Tiger is going to do well this week. He owns this course. Since we know that, what about predicting his score and place by round?

Less about loosening the swing and more about freeing the brain.

This is funny stuff. They just don't want anything to do with what is going on....

How did he end up with her? Dufner is living a charmed life. When are they going to make a reality show out of these two? AJ

I didn't know that. Pretty cool. Thanks.

Dufner just gets into these situations and looks funny doing it. Check out the reaction of his playing partner.

Saw a picture of Augusta National covered in snow last week. Thought this picture I took today at Baltusrol Golf Clube would be a cool follow-up. it is of the signature par 3 fourth hole. AJ

Two 59s in one round at one event? How amazing is that? Too bad for those guys that lift, clean, and place was in effect. Scores won't be in the record books.

Check out this picture of the 8th hole: I don't like winter. Not that I have any way to play Augusta anytime soon. With my luck, this would have been the day I was supposed to play. AJ

My number used to be 50 degrees. I wouldn't play when the temperature went below that. Now, with a few kids and opportunities to play getting harder to come by, my number is closer to 40. I definitely don't play in the 30s. Just not worth it. But, with the Under Armour-type shirts you can be pretty comfortable in the 40s. I found myself putting through a light layer of snow once and had to call it. That morning started over 50 and the temperature plummeted throughout the round. What's your number?

I go with: PW: 130yds 52: 115yds 60: 90yds The key however, is working on a 3/4 swing with the PW to fill the void. I just don't have room for 4 wedges. Which club are you taking out to accommodate it? I use a driver, 3 wood, and 17 degree hybrid. AJ

Big fan of fast greens. I feel like it is a better test of skill.

Erik, Maybe my description didn't come off as I intended. Make no mistake, holes 1, 17, and 18 were amazing, special, emotional, etc. As I mentioned in my post, I will never forget the experience. But, we had just played Troon and Turnberry in the days before. The Old Course, as a golf course, doesn't compare to those. For tradition, history, and the town? The Old Course wins hands down. I loved the experience and everyone should have it on their list of courses to play in their lifetime. AJ

I left Part I off with our group of 4 walk-ons finally getting a tee time after waiting for about 8 hours, starting at 4am. We made it. We found ourselves standing on the first tee of the Old Course staring at the enormous double fairway of the 1st and 18th holes. I have to admit, it felt good. As cheesey as it sounds, you can feel the tradition and it does feel special. Then, a little pressure sets in. There are a fair amount of people standing around the tee area. Tourists, golfers waiting to play, etc. Plus, it’s the Old Course. Plus, it’s the widest fairway you will ever play. You can’t miss that, can you? Especially not in front of all these people…Sadly, we went 2 for 4. Happy to say, I kept the ball in the fairway, but, my nerves got the best of me and I put a pretty good hook on the ball. Not too many fairways it would have stayed in. Admittedly, I was pretty nervous most of the first hole. It’s a big moment for a golfer. I did manage to scramble for a par. I settled down after the first hole. That is also when the reality of St. Andrews started to set in. Things like: This is very much a public course and has many of the characteristics that define one (starting with waiting in line to play). This isn’t a bad thing, it’s meant to be descriptive. It’s part of a big multi-course operation with holes from different courses side-by-side. Different courses everywhere. It’s not like what you see on TV. You see industrial buildings next to the holes and… There are people EVERYWHERE and so are their golf balls. We managed to find some classic Scottish bunkers, of course (look for the ball). Much of the front 9 just isn’t impressive, especially after playing courses like Troon and Turnberry. You can’t help feeling a little disappointed. People tell you before you leave that the course isn’t as good as others, but, I guess I didn’t want to believe it. Other than the first hole, the rest of the front nine isn’t that memorable. On one par 4, you are asked to wait as another group played a par 3 on the back 9 over your fairway. You do get to experience the shared greens that are simply enormous. Just make sure you aim at the correct flag. They are color coded for the front and back. Yes, I made the mistake of aiming at the wrong flag once on the back 9. I wasn’t the only one. Here is a putt one of our guys had. That’s him in the far distance. He is still on the green. Things get better as you make the turn and start heading home. You get away from seeing people and buildings all over and start to feel like you are back in Scotland. Then, you get to the really good stuff. First, you get to the Hell bunker. It’s bigger than I thought. Luckily, we all stayed out of it. It’s somewhat out of play from the “members” tees. It’s still cool to see though. Then, of course, there is the Road Hole. We got to hit over the corner of the hotel. Good stuff. I hit it into the left rough even taking it over the hotel. We did have one guy put it into the hotel. I bet most groups do. It also turns out that more than one of us took a selfie with the road in the background while on the green. Again, that probably happens a lot. Then, we got to the 18th tee. What an amazing view. You have the Swilcan Bridge, the town of St. Andrews, the Royal & Ancient Club, and one of the most iconic holes in all of golf. This was special. Again, 2 of 4 kept it in the enormous fairway (I was one of them again). We took our mandatory picture on the Swilcan Bridge. Then, we got to stroll the 18th fairway. It’s just a special moment in an golfer’s career, so to speak, to be able to walk this fairway. I will never forget it. I do want to forget my approach shot though. Chunked a lob web from 60 yards and ended up in the Valley of Death. To some degree, it was fun to be in the VOD, but, I didn’t get up and down and ended up with an 80 for the round. Not bad for 25-30 mph winds. Would have been nice to get the 79 though. Overall, much of the course was disappointing. But, the special moments were extra special and will not soon be forgotten. It’s a must play for anyone who loves the game. Cross it off the bucket list.

Obviously, it was an amazing experience. There were some of the biggest highs ever and some disappointments. The entire course isn't that great. Certain hole though, are just plain special. Still, not sure how Tiger says it is his favorite course of all time. AJ

I am planning a trip to Scotland and we really need to play the Old Course. I have been doing some research and it seems very difficult or expensive. Is it as hard as this article says it is? http://wp.me/p45YIF-4Q