BamaWade

I'm spoiled here in Alabama, as we can play virtually year-round (minus the occasional short-lived winter cold-snap). The reason I take on the summer heat is to take advantage of the long daylight hours, as I play mostly on weekday evenings; I walk at least 9 3-4 days a week (as a single), with only these blasted pop-up evening thunderstorms as my enemy. Once late-fall and winter comes around, it's confined to weekends (again...spoiled, I know ). Being new to the CC I joined, I need to get out and make some friends so I can get into weekend groups, as single play isn't an option, then. BamaWade

Initially I thought so on Baltusrol and Olympic. But the more I stare at the first, the more I consider it a paid homage to Mr. Baltus Roll's very nice mustache. Winged Foot...straight-up Icarus on that one. P.S. - I have no idea if Mr. Roll had a mustache. But being the 1830s, perhaps it's a safe bet. BamaWade

Haha! Health scare/emergency, regain ability to stand, putt out and finish the round. That, my friend, is loving the game! Seriously, good to hear you recovered well without an ambulance call and all that jazz. 98F is serious/dangerous heat no matter anyone's fitness level. BamaWade

Ha - I feel ya. Though I try to offset it with being quite active, my evening libation will be pulled from my cold, dead fingers!

Smart, consistent practice. Higher priority focus on the short game. Good course management. That's my plan, at least. BamaWade

I live in Alabama, USA, so summer heat indexes above 100 (high humidity) are common. In fact, we've had that plenty lately. I walk & carry, but I've been limiting myself to evening rounds through this. But it all comes down to conditioning, preparation & mid-round self-maintenance. Sounds like you're taking care of those things, so you've got the intelligence part down. If one's fitness level allows it, then play away! Case in point, we have military service men/women who are in 100F+ degree heat in heavy gear getting it done. Their bodies are in top shape and they are trained for it. So it can certainly be done for golf. Just takes good fitness, prep, and being smart about taking care of yourself. BamaWade

1.) Join a club so I can practice/play more (Done!) 2.) Develop/groove my ball-striking (making good progress so far!) 3.) Primary focus is to develop a highly skilled short game - for it to be my #1 asset. 4.) Enjoy my time on the course more, even when performing poorly. BamaWade

Strangely, I haven't played much in North AL. Only course I've played north of Limestone Springs that I remember is Canebrake in Athens (near Huntsville), and that was ~2003. It was a nice place, then, though it was a February round so most of the grasses were dormant. Was in good winter shape, though, and had some nicely designed holes...a pretty place. No idea on it since then. I think the Farm Links hole with the big climb is #5 (?), a par 3 with a 100'+ drop from the back tee. In fact, we like to play it from the back (even though we play up a box or 2 for the round). Seems like it's around 227 yards, adjusted to ~165 for elevation change. So it's a 6 or a 7 for me depending on pin and wind. Ball stays in the air forever, it feels like. A blast to play and a view that just makes you stand and stare a while. Great place. Biggest cottonmouth I've ever seen up close was on that course. BamaWade

I live in Tuscaloosa (a 40 year AL resident), and have played a good many AL courses. East/Central - Farm Links in Sylacauga is a must play, though a tad expensive. On the RTJ trail, I like both Opelika courses. The Prattville ones are nice, too. West - Ol' Colony in Tuscaloosa is a great design, and reasonably priced, though overcrowded IMO. The Tuscaloosa area needs another nice public course to thin things out. In the Birmingham area, I really like Ballantrae (Pelham), and Timberline (Calera). Bent Brook is a well kept public course, and spacious, allowing you to amp up on the driver in spots. A little NE in Oneonta, Limestone Springs is a nice layout and fun to play, and a good value, too. Ross Bridge (RTJ) is fun to play, but has a gigantic footprint, IMO. Just a huge, huge course. But super-well maintained (the super is my 1st cousin and does a great job there). You can grip and rip most of the course. Favorites of the bunch are Farm Links & Ballantrae. Both are well maintained gems in beautiful, rolling country, and are as playable or challenging as you want them to be via tee selection. I'm probably forgetting/omitting plenty of others I like. BamaWade