fishgolf

Well, we hit the weather break just right. It's been a wet spring here in southwest MT and, up until midday on Tuesday, we weren't certain we'd be playing - but play we did. Old Works is a really cool setting whose design uses leftover topography from the Anaconda Mining Co. copper days. Much of the hillsides still have remnant mining equipment and remaining portions of structures used during that time. A unique feature are the jet black sand traps which are generously used throughout the course. It's darn easy to see your ball made the trap from a distance - they stick out like a lightbulb. Instead of ruff along a few holes, long length traps skirt portions of the fairway. A creek is used as the primary water hazard; running along lengths of a few holes and guarding couple of approach shots. There is also a small lake that brings water into play for a few holes. All in all, it wasn't as difficult a layout as I had thought. We really liked it and have scheduled a round for next week. Now for the results. 95 for me and 105 for my buddy, playing from the copper tees. Neither of us were playing very consistent and now that we've seen where the problem areas are and have a feel for greens, I hope we can give the place a better run for its money next time.

Absolutely. Most of even the most challenging course offer varying tee's to adjust hole length according to handicaps. I just played Old Works yesterday and, using the copper tee's, it was manageable. It was actually a little less difficult than I had expected. And the jet black color sand traps... oh man, these are really cool looking. The reason I don't play such course that often is price. Even if I was a single digit handicapper, my "value metric" simply does not feel right about dropping $100+ for a round of golf.

Good points. They bitched about Chambers Bay and the greens as well. It seems any course conditions that challenge their ability beyond their standards draws ire - particularly from those who aren't at the top of the leaderboard.

Remember to fix your divots.

"Quiet Please" paddles are hoisted by marshals at every hole and green; likely even some fairway shots at major events. As I mentioned earlier, over the near 10 year period of attending/marshaling at The Boeing Classic, those signs became less effective. This new fad of yelling out after each shot has escalated. Worse, it's becoming a contest itself with the participants trying to ensure their voice is heard over the others on social media. PGA event tickets already have that warning info on them. Perhaps more signage would help, but seeing folks escorted off the premises does get unruly groups attention - mostly because it's one of their own. Good example of the change in fan performance/etiquette and the race to the bottom. This trend will have PGA events sounding like a UFC fight in no time.

In light of the Phil Mickelson "event" at the U.S Open, should the rules be changed resulting in a disqualification? It's clear from the thread/discussion on the "Tour" forum that many feel only getting a two stroke penalty is unjust and unfair to other players. It's very clear that Phil set the ball in motion and also hit the ball in motion. It's also clear that it was done to prevent the ball from travelling to its likely point of rest. We're not talking about a ball moving from an earthquake, blade of grass flexing below it, wind, etc. - but rather deliberate action on the part of the player.

And that's my point, they should. His action violated rules. That results in interpretation and application of the rules. How is that not germane to the topic? How is it any less relevant than bring up his integrity?

Oh come on now @iacasyour post #204 certainly suggested that. And since this thread is all about rules, it's kind of hard to stay clear of that. I'm trying to discuss how a change to the rules would be more fair and less subjective should this ever happen again. Do you want to discuss that or just continue to express your opinion of Phil's integrity, whether he deflected or stroked the ball, is on your player shit list, etc.?

Umm, yeah, ok. So do the proposed 2019 rules result in a DQ for taking a stroke, deflecting, or otherwise a ball which the player put in motion to begin with? I'm not seeing it.

I did. http://www.usga.org/rules-hub/rules-modernization/text/major-proposed-changes.html Perhaps I'm missing it but none of these address "the event" and that act resulting in a DQ as I described in my earlier post.

It looked to me like Phil stroked it with the intent of putting it in the hole - not stop or deflect it. This is why the rule needs to be changed IMO.

Golf should be sipped and savored like a fine wine, not chugged like cheap, warm beer.

Looking at it another way, for the price of admission to Augusta, I'd feel better with it being an 8 hour round.

Missed those posts about Daly and Triplett, thanks. So no, no one as blatant as this. That does say a lot about the action when you consider the long history of the game and number of events. As to not knowing the rule, yeah, not likely.

Can anyone ever recall another PGA golfer purposely doing what Phil did? In a way, if he figured doing this (taking a 2 shot penalty) was his best odds at finishing the hole with the lowest score, perhaps it's pure genius. Without a rule change, this might catch on - I could probably shave off a couple strokes per round if I was fast enough.

Not me either. Callaway Razr driver, PE2 irons, Ping putter (won in tournament about 25 years ago), Warbird 3 wood, Golden Bear SW (was my Dad's), and Sun Mountain bag and cart. All except the PE2's purchased used. I also use a big mix of balls, but favor Titleist and Bridgestone. The same goes for my fly rods and fishing equipment; and I am a scratch fly fisherman.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! I've also heard it said that a fade and draw are intended flight paths and the slice and hook are not.

Before updating from my Callaway GBB to my current Razr driver, I would have answered driving the ball; not so much distance but rather not being in the fairway or first cut. Way too much scrambling. Since changing and getting time with the new technology, it's lowered my scoring by about 5 strokes. I've probably picked up about 20-30 yards in distance but more importantly no longer trying to get out of jail. I'd say my biggest challenge now is short distance chipping 20 yards and closer. Some years back I started using my 7 iron for bump and run to the flag and got pretty good at it, more reliable than lob wedge, but more recently it's been inconsistent. I do practice this shot but find that it's much easier to repeat and group a bunch of balls on the practice chipping greens than replicate on the course. But that seems true about practice hitting in general - much easier to find a groove from one location than it is out on the course. All that said, my "biggest challenge" seems to change with lunar positions; lights out with approaches one week, can't putt to save my life the next. Game Out Laugh Frequently.

Ok, I think this answers the OP's original question. They are no longer a standout amongst the rest of the rack. I suggest they raise their prices, develop a catchy slogan, hire a few glam saleswomen, and give PXG a run for their money.

It has definitely gotten worse. I have attended about 30+ PGA and LPGA events dating back to the early 70's and the level of chatter during player swings and boisterous idiotic yelling has escalated quite a bit. I'll use Boeing's Champion Tour stop (Boeing Classic) as an example. I attended all but one of these from 2005-2015 and marshalled at about half of those. Each successive year, more emphasis had to be directed at trying to handle crowd disturbances and more folks were being shown the front gate. They had to re-locate the grandstand at the hole #14 because of the yelling with each tee shot. It became more of a yelling contest (hope I can hear myself on replay) than watching the friggin event. The one European Tour event I attended in Hamburg about 5 years ago was a stark contrast and nice to see. I hate seeing what's happening to U.S. golf venues from a spectators perspective.

For the most part I would expect that to be the case. Certainly some courses fit some players better than others and that would shift things a little. I need to go on record now and say that I kind of miss seeing more red numbers - it's so much easier to focus in on the leaders .

Well, that was discussed and decided on. Even Phil asked if that should be the case. Now regarding the rules involved with this, I think they need to be changed. Consider for a moment that Phil was a couple strokes within the cut line on Friday and he does this. Of course no one can know whether not doing this results in say a subsequent 3 putt - moving him below the cut. I think any deliberate act to hit a moving ball should result in a DQ. I suspect it will get changed and be known as "The Phil Rule". Having that moniker attached to his career would be worse punishment.

Just watched the post tournament interview with Tommy Fleetwood. What a great kid and attitude...becoming a fan.

Same sediment here. This situation pales to what Phil has brought to the game of golf. I would disagree that he does not care about what people think - he does IMO. But I think he does only to the extent that someone believes he either lied about his intention or that he was given leeway others would not have received. Those that are not his fans anyway, and who want to spin this up into something its not, is who he is telling to "toughen up". As a fan am I embarrassed about the action, yes, but it's not a capital offense.

That was a gutty performance and a really great U.S. Open.