Hardspoon

After thinking about it for a few years, I've finally joined a local golf club. My goal is to par every hole this year; I'll be tracking it in the spreadsheet. I think it's definitely more interesting as a single course rather than a composite, so this should be fun!

Nearly two years later...I haven't practiced once. I've been playing a lot, and enjoying it, but just haven't really thought about working on my swing to actually get better until the past couple weeks. Honestly, it's been inspired a little by "teaching" a couple brand-new golfers to play, and seeing (and helping) them try to get better. I've scheduled a lesson with @iacas in Erie...I'm planning on actually getting back in the habit of improvement. We'll see how it goes.

I know this thread isn’t based on statistics, but this kind of logic doesn’t work when applied to a single specific case. First of all, these aren’t independent events, like a coin flip. You can’t just multiply the odds. Second, we are only discussing this case BECAUSE it’s unusual. If something (“Team X wins 21 times in a row”) has a one-in-a-million shot at happening, but there are many similar events, it’s much more likely to happen at any ONE of them. To be clear, I don’t have an opinion either way about this specific Club, but the statistical arguments based on random independent events don’t have any relevance.

@StuM - Middle both days

Really looking forward to this! Three more days... @StuM I sent you a DM with my GHIN #. Let me know if you need anything else.

I don’t love the wording of these answers, but clearly it’s about scoring - “more room for error”, “substantially tougher” are both about the effect of strategy on the resultant score. I don’t think the second one is really true either, since I don’t think the author is taking a position on which is better overall. But I guess it’s less wrong.

I'm closing on a house around then, and will be trying to manage the move, and January is always difficult for work... ...so, yes. I'm in. Haha.

Ugh - I need to drop out. Sorry, all, for late notice. Attending the Event: @saevel25 @iacas @vasaribm @brockman21 @ChetlovesMer @Slim_Pivot @Greenshirt100 @StuM @RJohn23 @BradSomrak @bjfox10

Yup. I've been wanting to post more on our trip overall (which also included Mid-Pines, Southern Pines, Talamore, and Mid-South)...but regarding specifically Tobacco Road, I'd describe it as extremely interesting visually but not interesting in terms of golf-related decision making. I think of it like this: there are golf holes, and courses, where making the correct decision on club selection and where to aim is a tricky exercise. You're balancing risk-reward, and while there is probably an objectively correct answer (using strokes-gained calcs and all that), it's not easily determined. At Tobacco Road, the answer is usually pretty easy. Should I challenge that 30-foot deep sand pit from hell on my second shot? No, you shouldn't. Hit your 6-iron to a 70-yard wide fairway instead. But...that doesn't mean it's not fun to try...or EXTREMELY fun when you pull it off. (Hell, it was fun when you DIDN'T pull it off...one of my best shots all weekend was a full flop lob wedge up and out of that 30-yard deep pit). That summarized the course for me - a very obviously correct decision which leads to two boring shots (a 6-iron to a 70-yard target, followed by a wedge from 100 yards) or a really fun shot (a hybrid over a 30-foot sand pit) that is objectively going to lead to a worse score. Of course, that kind of golf is always going to be more fun for worse players, because the "easier" shots are still rewarding to execute well.

The greens were very slow when we played, so it was not an issue.

I had the chance to play Southern Pines this weekend...it's REALLY good. A solid 8/10.

Playing Tobacco Road with @iacas, I ended up in one of the “death pits” short of the 11th green, about 30’ down and with no view of anything other than a wall of sand. I hit it up to about 12’.

I was a little surprised when Brooks went, since he seems to thrive on the competition more than anything, but at this point there's enough competition over there that he'll probably be satisfied...I guess? I'm not optimistic how this is all going to turn out. It would be shame if the PGA Tour turned into just an audition, where you go to get famous before joining LIV.

Interested List: @saevel25 @iacas @RFKFREAK @Carl3 @klineka @Hardspoon (a little bit of a tricky weekend for me, but more likely if it's closer to Pittsburgh)

First post here in a year - eww. Had an awesome session with @iacas on GEARS a couple weeks ago. The good news is that I've finally gotten to a point where I don't need to worry about my shoulder/hip turn - was definitely doing that enough. Current priorities: Grip (again, as always and forever) Getting my hips shifted "back and back" in my backswing (90% of my full swing practice focuses on this) Next step will be to shallow the swing by throwing my hands out, "towards the plant", in my downswing (10%). I'm still messing around with the GEARS data...it's frigging awesome...but wanted to post this as my internal monologue and practice.

I used to be a yellow ball person...I liked that I could easily identify my ball in a group. However, I definitely started to notice what @iacas mentions in his post - I think yellow was harder to find in the rough or in leaves. I switched to white last fall and haven't gone back.

On our day, there are 40 total. I guess you’re right, it won’t have that “empty course” feeling…but last time this group went they played 45 holes and didn’t wait on a single shot. Which sounds nice after the rounds I’ve had the past couple weekends! I do wish they opened earlier than 8am.

I'm resurrecting a 2+ year old thread...but it's still relevant! I'll be making the trip down to Sweeten's in about two weeks. I have no idea what to expect, but I'm pretty excited - if nothing else, the idea of "free-form" golf and 45 holes in a single day on a near-empty course is going to be something very different. I plan on posting my thoughts/reaction here. Sweetens Cove Golf Club Sweetens Cove Golf Club is an award-winning public golf course near Chattanooga and Nashville. Consistently ranked one of the best Tennessee golf courses and a top 100 Golf Course in the World.

Very cool...and will be fun to "watch". I did a quick Google search, but couldn't really find more detailed information I'd love to see the actual Master Plan document they reference. I'll also look forward to playing it again afterward.

1.) This is ridiculous. He wouldn't break 100. 2.) That throw...in the video...was actually REALLY impressive.

I’m on my way now. ETA 11am.

Booked - we have a total of three time times at Gleneagles Golf Course: 12:00pm, 12:09pm, and 12:18pm on Sunday, May 1st. Can accommodate up to 12 people. Gleneagles Golf Club & Events | Golf Course & Banquet Facility Located in Twinsburg, Ohio

I will - once again - do the away course composite. I don't play more than (5) rounds on a single course in any given year, so it's a much more realistic option. I've only played one round all year and already have 2 birdies, so I'm off to a good start!

I'm in. Interested List: @iacas @billchao @boogielicious @saevel25 @ChetlovesMer @RFKFREAK @Carl3 @Hardspoon

Damn, this would be awesome, but that date doesn’t work for me.