ukalum

I've played some really nice courses, but these take the cake! Ranked in order of the golf, not the amenities. 1. Whistling Straits, Kohler Wi 2. Timberstone GC, Iron Mtn, MI 3. Minocqua CC, WI 4. Ventana Canyon - Mtn, Tuscon, AZ 5. Gold Canyon - Dinosaur, AZ 6. Irish Course, Kohler, WI 7. University Ridge, Madison WI 8. Troon North - Monument, AZ 9. Grayhawk - Raptor, Scottsdale, AZ 10. Northern Bay Resort, Arkdale WI 27. The River Course, Kohler 77. Meadows Course, Kohler.

Had a chance to get back to Kohler again this fall. Here are a few of my thoughts... - Played the combo of the River/Meadows course setup with 9 holes of each. First 9 were the meadows, which in my opinion is only an average course compared with others in Wisconsin. I can name 25 other Wisconsin courses I'd rather play. Very average layout. - River course was very challenging. Greens were unbelievable fast. Can't imagine much faster reens. - Just don't like the River course much. Very Scenic, but seems every hole is tricked out. I love challenging courses, but you can't miss out there. - Greens are unreal. Usually about 4-6 mounds on any green which causes a double breaking putt on most. Can't imagine how the pros break par our there. - Blackwolf is a very, very cool place. You pay for the atmosphere, not necessarily the golf. Whistling Straits. - Unbelievable cool place. You feel like you are at St Andrews. Clubhouse is very quaint, but it feels like it is 100+ years old. - Irish and Straits course much more playable than Blackwolf Run. - Both courses are very similar, but the Straits is along the lake. Very Scenic. - Greens are fast, but manageable. - Best to walk the Irish course. Cart paths are more of a hassle when walking 100 yards to your ball over the mounts. $60 cart fee is outrageous, but then again everything else is. A very special place. The Straits is worth the $400 it will set you back. Q: Would I fly across the country to play it? A: Probably not Blackwolf Run, but definitely the Straits course. Erin Hills and The Bull may be better local choices to Blackwolf.

You can buy FJ Dryjoys on ebay for less than $75. What would you need with $400 shoes?

But, the SG3 and SG4 are the exact same units, except for the battery.

First off let me say I love my Sky Caddie and trust it 98% of the time. I can stand on yardage markers and be withing a yard of the marked distance most times. Playing alongside another member who had the exact same model, SG3, our yardages we identical. But, when I played a course about 50 miles away with a buddy, there was about 8 yards difference between his SG5 and my SG3 on certain holes. Has anyone else experience this? I know when you travel more than 1k miles you should reset the GPS, but I wouldn't think 50 miles would make a difference. Any ideas?

CG10 Wedges at Golf Galaxy 2 for $100. Picked up some Tiger Woods polos for 60% off. Nike Tour balls 2/$60.

I had this exact problem and would shank 9/10 chips. The fix for me was to bring the club more upright on the back swing. My takeaway was too flat. Cured me 100%. Good Luck

Saw the infomercial for the Dr Feelgood putter this morning on Golf Channel. These sure look like a rerun from the 80's, but I'm guessing they aren't. It seems gimmicky to me and they definitely over promise results. Even if I was the world's wort putter I'm not buying it.

Wow, I'm excited. After having the shanks for a few years now on my pitches, I have found the Holy Grail. I was searching for some instructional videos to help me and came across the one below. I watched it and immediately went int he back yard to practice and my shanks were cured. I've hit a few hundred practice shots and it worked. The key for me was to have the club on plane by aligning the butt end of the club inside the ball on the takeaway. Watch the video and you'll understand what I'm saying. I'm not sure how to post the link, but search Youtube for video WGA9HofE1Ek Good luck, I hope it works for you as well.

Whomever thought of the name Srixon should be fired immediately. These could be the best balls known to man, but the name screams Hyundai or Kia. 90% of the marketing budget must be spent to overcome the name. BTW - at a local tournament I receive a sleeve of Srixon balls in the green sleeve. I quickly skimmed the box to determine if this was a high spin ball or low spin, but the box only had inconclusive information. I tossed it in my bag and probably will never think of buying a sleeve on my own. As a marketing professional IMHO their marketing is horrible from tee to green

Jack Links beef jerky - very addictive!

I have a comp 3 wood and must say it is a bit difficult to get up in the air. I haven't hit the '09 3 woods yet but there doesn't appear to be much difference. I've been looking for something else, but haven't decided on a replacement yet. Probably not the '09 Cleveland though.

I'm not brand dedicated, but am loyal to brands that make what I like. For example, I like Cleveland wedges, and when I add a new wedge I want it to be the same as the others. The same with my hybrids. I have a 2 hybrid and wanted a 3 - so I purchased the same exact club. I only play Nike One balls, buy FJ gloves & shoes because I have found they fit me well. I have been unloyal to brands as well. I used to only play Taylor Made drivers until I purchased a burner bubble that turned out to be a horrible club. As a result, I didn't purchase a TM club for 15 years. I bought a tour burner this week and am not yet sold on it. For $130 I can't complain, but it hasn't been too impressive yet. Time will tell. I also do not like several brands - Callaway seems to make cloddy equipment for high handicaper (IMHO), Nike is too gimicky with their technology, Cobra just doesn't impress me.

I tested both at Golf Galaxy today. The results seemed to be similar. The '09 Burner shaft is a bit longer and lighter than the '08, which I considered a negative. I also like the smaller '08 head better, and the cheaper price. I bought the '08. For $130 I can easily get rid of it if I don't like it.

Great deals on golf equipment should be shared with your friends! Here's a thread to alert other Sandtrap member of great deals you find. Of course, they should be available in national stores or on the web, so we can all take advantage of them. I'll start by sharing a few of my recent finds. I picked up the following this week: '08 Taylor Made Tour Burners for $129 at Golf Galaxy and Dick Sports. Great deal. FootJoy Dry Joys for $73 from FRGusa.com 3 Foot Joy Gloves for $22 from FRGusa.com $29 for Nike One Balls at Golf Galaxy. Have you found any really good deals out there?

I bought the groove tool of eBay and really like it. It not only cleans the grooves but will actually cut them deeper if you apply pressure. I could imagine that someone could cut them significantly deeper if they worked at it. But, I don't anticipate anyone checking groove depth at any tourneys I play in, so I'm not concerned. The sharpener is slightly narrower than the groove so I don't believe that you can actually make the groove wider. Also, worn grooves are actually chipped on the edges. I'm not sure this tool actually sharpens those edges. You may beet to be careful not to dull the groove by using the tool as well.

I saw at Golf Galaxy that they are blowing out the 08 Tour Burner drivers for $129. I was at a Taylor made demo day and hit the 09 burner and thought is was very long and str8. Here's a few questions for those who have burners out there: Shaft: The 09 comes with a 49 gram shaft, the 08 with a 60 gram. Seems like TM is really trying to lighten this club, but 49 grams seems too light. How do these shafts play? As they weak, or acceptable for this club. Should I look at shaft upgrades. My SS is about 105mph. Face: The face of the Burner is about 2* closed. I currently play with a Cleveland Comp which has a neutral face angle. How has the closed face affected your shots. I don't want to hit power draws.

I tried the 09 models at the demo days yesterday and wasn't too impressed. I was hoping I would be pleasantly surprised by Cobra, but unfortunately not. I also found their model naming confusing.

Yes, they are important. Even wearing golf shoes, when your foot slips it usually doesn't end up with a good result. Get a cheap pair.

Just got back this Spring from Scottsdale. I would reco in order: 1. Gold Canyon - Dinosaur Course. Spectacular views through the foothills. 2. Greyhawk - Raptor. Flat course. Huge bunkers, huge greens. Great condition. 3. Troon North - Monument. Spectacular views, but crowded by homes on both sides of fairway which makes it uncomfortable to play. 4. Phoenician - Very scenic. 5. Sun ridge canyon.

I currently have this problem and it is extremely frustrating. No matter the distance away from me I put the ball I will shank it on my pitches and chips. I cannot figure it out. I've tried nearly everything, but there is some fundamental flaw I cannot solve. If you figure it out let me know the magical cure.

That's the standard upsell....tees to 3 wood!

I played the course several years ago when it was the Wilderness golf course. At that time they were beginning to tear up part of the course for new development and to add new holes for the Wild Rock transformation. I really enjoyed the course and am sure it has only gotten better. I don't remember many forced carries but there were areas that were a bit tight through the woods.

Good choices. The Irish course is very much like the Straits, except the Straits is along the water. You will love it. It is very playable, with lots of room to hit the ball around. The $350 it will cost you is worth every penny for the memories. The River course is a nice course that is difficult if you don't hit the ball straight. It's one of those courses that you dream of playing with a pro's ability. Overpriced IMHO if, but worth it once for the experience. The American club has awesome food. Enjoy. UKALUM