Pete F

Sometimes I'm convinced that when architects get together they brag about designs they got some fool or fools to build. Case in point Frank Gehry. Remember the fable of the Emperor's Clothes. Houses and University structures are what we have today. Ask an Architect how much time they spent learning about construction costs and how to determine them as part of their education.

Sure you can put restrictions on who can golf. Lets see if that makes the next ten years even less successful than the last ten for the growth of golf. The reason I suggested "free lessons" is not to get anybody something for free. The free lesson is pretty self serving for the golf business. All you learn is some basic etiquette rules that added to what you learned in kindergarten make you a well behaved golfer, How to hold the club, swing the club and move things along, What to expect. A couple of videos you can watch on your phone. You can even suggest that they go to the range first and then play twiilight some day.The opportunity is there to upsell people to paid lessons and owning golf clubs, you have now met them and as long as they have a decent experience hopefully will want to do it again. They are on the road to being successful golfers. Of course you can just let them try and play golf, probably as successful as just tossing people into the water to teach them to swim. You'll get their money once.

Actually I think every proshop should have a sign that says free golf lessons. l started this year and I would have asked about them. It can be a group lesson. Does not have to be right that minute. At the very least it starts a conversation, that can be: saturday am is not a good time for beginners, yada, yada, yada Free lessons for beginners would help both the course and the sport. Nothing too complicated and it could even be on a Saturday am or some evening. Pretty basic instruction, you guys could volunteer! I also think free club rental for beginners would be workable. 3 wood, hybrid, 5i, 7i, 9i, sand wedge and putter in a sunday bag will get people started without tons of confusion.

Buy a set of clubs on Craigs list Take out everything but the 3wood, hybrid, 5, 7 and 9 irons, sand wedge and putter. Buy a bunch of used balls, you won't know the difference. Buy a bag shag Take a lesson Buy one how to video by Butch Harmon Don't watch a ton of videos on youtube Read about efficient practice and do it Have fun Play, walking is good for you, you are not in a hurry, twilight is a good time for beginners Have fun Practice Have fun Remember you are a grown person, hitting a ball, going to it, hitting it again, until you get it close to a hole, then after you get it in the hole, you take it out and hit it again. Have fun, it is only as hard as you want it to be and only takes as much time as you want to commit.

Interesting, I have a number of putters. From Pings to Odesseys all blades. The one I like best is a Spalding TP Mills 5 with a single dot.

Yesterday in upstate NY, my son and I were finishing our chilly round and it started snowing. Squall started when we teed off on the 18th. By the time we hit our second shot it was sticking to our push cart tires. Makes putting interesting. Then the sun came out and we played a couple more holes. I just had jeans, a sweatshirt and a windbreaker on. Walking is warm.

When I check Taylormade R9 iron sets as sold items on ebay, it looks like you can pretty easily buy a set for under $200 easily. Not exactly a good item for a counterfeiter to make a fortune on. A little patience on ebay will get you what you want for the right price.

When I smoked cigars it was Muniemakers. Made in Connecticut. Natural wrapper cigar. I chewed them as much as smoked them. Have not smoked in years and will not start again.

Some tee boxes are very hard. I take a second and find a soft spot, sometimes poke a couple of extra holes. Rarely break a tee. I walk so when I push my cart off the front of the tee box, I usually find a couple of unbroken ones. My tee collection is growing. I'm also the guy who picks up a few broken tees every time.

The ProV zone starts at 200 yards

As a chronic slicer, does that mean I should just yell fore before I hit unless I'm the only one on the course?

Water Mens night scramble is 2)PBR, really living it up

If someone drives up on you just put their ball in the hole, works as long as the club has a bar. Just kidding

Sounds like a footwedge to me. Usually presented to the member of your foursome who typically improves his lie by kicking the ball.

That's why I have a 4 wood

The purpose of life is to get it in the hole What hole? Ah Grasshopper, you have much to learn!

Push, since I play mostly twilight it is hot enough already without a bag on my back. If I was carrying I'd probably use a 7 iron and a few balls in my pocket. Maybe 3w, 4i, 6i, 8i, sw and putter.

I found a beer in the middle of the fairway last week. Was cold. I looked for the owner. Was not open, so I assumed it was not in play. Was gone shortly. Not sure if this is covered in the Rules of Golf. Did not want to be guilty of alcohol abuse, leaving a beer unattended.

I'm pretty sure the building code requires drinking fountains in public buildings. The two courses I play most both have water on the course. Probably three or four spots on each course. Pretty typical water cooler in a locked wooden box, cheap paper cups. Maybe I am spoiled.

Now if you found it in a bucket of Range balls would you take it?

I like this sign better

It is a fairly inexpensive advertising putter given out by a bank from Oklahoma. Maybe a Wilson? I'd give it to my kids, some may assign some greater value to it.

Actually i think beginners are faster without gas karts. If you skull it 50 yards down the fairway and pull your bag cart there it is way faster than walking back to the cart, putting your club away, driving 50 yds, getting out, getting your club, whack it again and on and on. We were all there once. A low handicapper drives it 250-300, hops in and goes to the ball, second shot, to the green, grab the wedge and putter, get the work done and on to the next tee. Someday I'll be there

I don't understand 12 hole courses. Why not 9 hole? Is a dozen somehow a better number?