Kevlar10

I’ve told this story a few times but not in relation to the overall time for the round. I was invited to a corporate outing at Emerson Country Club in NJ by a vendor. He said, he had just started playing but was pretty good since he was taking lessons from his uncle who was a Course Pro. I actually started the round out very well and it’s a beautiful course, so I wasn’t really paying attention to the time. After the first four holes, I realized we were out for over an hour already. We were playing singles format and two man team-combined and I checked my “partners” scores to that point and he was already at 32. It only got worse from there. I realized as a twosome we were taking longer than a foursome, and he was taking two shots to everyone I took, sometimes more. It was probably the most painful round I have ever watched. I am not joking when I tell you his score was 176 and he refused to pick up early on any hole. The winning twosome shot a 143 and we actually got a gag gift for the highest average score. I shot a 92, which was probably the result of standing around and waiting 5-10 minutes between each shot. I’m not sure exactly how long it took, but we teed off at 10AM and made it to dinner at 4:30 with just enough time to use the restroom before.

If you believe you’ll never get any better, and you’re fine with it, that’s fine. If you can’t get 10 more yards out of your swing, there’s no reason that you can’t still improve your game. One thing that is true is that if you keep doing the same thing, nothing will change. Going to the driving range or the course and hitting balls without any purpose or intent will certainly not help, no matter what your age. I had a back injury when I was 36. When I was finally able to get back into golf, I wasn’t able to hit my tee shots 200 yards and I struggled to break 100, but I was happy to play again. I had to rebuild my swing and I’ve been steadily improving. I look forward to just hitting the ball and tweaking my swing. I can now hit almost as long and straighter than I used to in my early thirties. I think the most important thing that i have gained as I grow older is the ability to slow my thought process down and analyze what I’m doing. The most important thing is to enjoy golf. If you suck, but enjoy it, it’s better than being a single digit handicapper and don’t have fun.

For me, the only must have is water. I got a nice Yeti thermos last year and it fits right in pocket on my bag. Speaking of cleaning out the bag; last week I found a full bottle of IPA under my rain jacket. It’s been in there since my golf trip last July. Oh, the other thing I always take is my Swiss Army golf tool. It has everything from a ball repair tool to a bottle opener. All essential on the course.

I’m an engineering director in a medium sized medical device company. I used to work for one of the international mega companies, but that interfered with my golf game.

Not my shot but my brother in law’s. We were playing early morning at a local course in NJ and there was a wide open fairway on a short par 4. About 150 yards out was a huge flock of geese. As I was getting ready to hit, my BinL says, shouldn’t we wait until the geese are out of the way. I said, no way, they’re 150, we can clear them easily. I hit my shot well over them. He decides, what the heck and hits one directly into the heart of the group. They all clear out except one who is just spinning around in circles with his head against the fairway. It would have looked comical if it wasn’t so sad looking. My BinL is really freaking out as we drive the cart up to see if the goose is okay. He gets out of the cart and walks slowly up to the goose, and it snaps out of his funk and proceeds to chase my BinL. If I had a camera, it would have been one of the best golf videos ever, my BinL screaming and almost crying as the goose chases him. The goose turned out to be okay, btw. What makes the story even better is that last night, my BinL texted me asking why we don’t play that course, it’s so close and cheap. I said, that’s the course where you hit the goose, remember? He has still yet to reply.

Thanks for the info. Grille 1895 is already planned for a birthday dinner. We were looking for more of relaxed tavern atmosphere as it may be difficult to get them "dressed" for dinner on the other nights. Drum & Quill, Dugans, or Southern Pines Brewing Company may be the answer.

Sounds like Southeen Pines will be a good course between TR and Pinehurst. Sly Fox also sounds like a good reco, but we might play SP in the morning and play #5 or #7 in the afternoon. I got an email for an additional discount to add a course other than #2 or #8, so we may be playing 3 rounds at the resort if we can fit it in. Eliot’s might not be a good fit if you knew the crew that will be going. Are there any more relaxed places in Pinehurst. We’re going to Grille 1895 on Saturday and it will be tough enough to get them in line with that.

Thanks, that was going to be my next question or questions. Sounds like we should check out the Sly Fox. Any other recommendations?

As they say, the best laid plans often go awry. We’re still going but our forth suddenly decided he can’t go. Fortunately, the resort was very accommodating. They’ve moved my reservations to the condos and are giving us the original cost pp, even though we are now 3. We are still playing Tobacco Road and added Southern Pines, instead of Pine Needles. I’ve read good and not so good reviews about SP. what are everybody’s thoughts about Southern Pines? I’m still pumped about the trip and can’t wait but the wagering won’t be as fun now that there’s only 3. Also, does Pinehurst get a lot of singles? I’m hoping that they won’t match us up with singles because we’ll be pretty festive and may get a bit rambunctious on the course.

Too much whining and crying already on the golf course. If we open it to politics there’s no escape.

I play golf because I enjoy the challenge. I pick the courses I play because they are either in my price range or I can get a reasonable price for a course I’d really like to play. My choices have nothing to with the person or company that owns them and even less about their social or political stance. Just like I go to Disney or watch movies for the entertainment value, not because I agree with their political views or immorality. That being said, if I had the opportunity to play a President Trump owned golf course at a price that is reasonable, I would in a heartbeat. Unfortunately like many other courses everywhere, they are too expensive. If you choose your golf course based on politics, you need to ask yourself why you play golf in the first place.

Hi Sandtrappers, I'm pretty new to the forums, so I thought I’d formally introduce myself. I live in Northwest New Jersey, Allamuchy, and I’ve been golfing since college. I’ve been an on and off golfer depending on my current familial circumstances. That is to say, when we have a new addition, I am forced to take a sabbatical for a year or so. I mostly play the the local courses in the area whenever I can find a good deal, and I really like playing new tracks instead of repeating the same ones. I used to be a member of a local club but for me, playing the same course over and over wasn’t doing it for me. I collect a logo ball from every course I’ve played in the past 15 years and I currently have over a hundred in my collection. Ive played some of the country’s best courses but I also enjoy playing the local nines in the area as well. My family has vacationed in Kiawah every year for the past 15 and I’ve probably played every public course within an hour of Charleston and several of the private ones. I’m currently about a 13 handicap but that varies widely from year to year, depending on what’s going on in my life. If anybody is looking to play in NW NJ and needs a partner, I’m always up for a weekend round.

I get the OPs annoyance but being only an occasional golfer, it doesn’t bother me as much as a playing partner that shaves strokes off his score just because he has to be “the man”. A few years ago, I hurt my back and wouldn’t play because I didn’t want to go through the pain. I missed the game so much, I went through PT just to get back on the course. I used to be one of those guys who could hit over 300 but that was maybe 2/10 drives because I was swinging so hard I was either crushing it or hitting it 200 with 150 yards of slice. I’ve learned that 270 off the tee is fine. Now I don’t even focus on my distance off the tee. Although o still do get the occasional 300+. One thing that I’ve noticed though is that overall swing speed isn’t the key. You need to hit your max speed as you contact the ball, not before. If I can hit 110 at that time, my drives are longer. When I reach my max speed during the downswing or decelerate as I’m making contact, I only hit about 240-250. My B in L swings over 120 and I can consistently out drive him.

I was at Kiawah a few years ago at Turtle Point and it was Hades hot. It was 101 when I was getting ready to tee off. Two guys came up to the tee and said they were paired up with me. The two were both bigger than NFL linebackers. I hit my drive about 280, a really good drive for me. The next guy gets up and hits it 300 easy, but he’s about 6’4 and 250. His buddy gets up and hits it a good 40 yards farther. At this point, I wanted to tell them to play ahead, but they said they weren’t in a rush. We continue and they are consistently crushing their tee shots. I wasn’t even paying attention to my total score, just trying to keep up with them. After 9 holes, they said it was too hot and they were heading back to the clubhouse. I kept playing because I was paying for the round and there was no way I was going to quit. I tee off on #12 and as I’m pulling away from the tee, another cart comes up and the guys says, “do you mind if I play along?” I said sure, and he tees off. I put my second shot on the green about 6 ft. from the pin. He put his about 10. He misses his and as I’m looking at the green, he says hit it a little harder than you think you need to because the greens aren’t fast today even though it’s very hot. I did and I birdied the hole. We keep playing and I’m parring most holes, birdied a few and bogeyed a few. I’m not really paying attention because we’re having good conversation all along the way. We get to the last hole and I hit two good shots and I’m on the green, but 40 plus feet away from the hole. The guy gets up to the green and says, “hey, if you par this one, you’re under.” I said what do you mean? He tells me he was watching my scores and said I was 1 under for the back nine. He also tells me that he originally came out after the other two came in, just to make sure I wasn’t out there laying dead on the course. After a good laugh, he says good luck, he had to get back to work. Needless to say I bogeyed the last hole and had to “settle” for par for the back nine. I’m a 13 handicap and I’d never parred even nine holes before. Anyway, I wound up shooting a 77, my best round ever. The story didn’t end there though. They take my bag off the cart and I head into the clubhouse to use the restroom, and when I come out, there’s a note on my bag. It says, “go into the pro shop and tell the guys to make a tee time for you at Oak Point, anytime this week”. I go back in, thinking it’s a joke. Sure enough, they set up a tee time and said I was golfing with the pro from Oak Point and that he had a good time golfing with me and wanted me to have a round of golf on his side for free. Not only did I play the best I’ve ever played but I got to play again for free. My wife still doesn’t believe it was free. She thought I just wanted to sneak in another round while we were on vacation.

Oh boy, one big wrinkle was added. I was on the phone with the booking agent, ready to book and he asked if I had thought about the Manor Inn. He said it will be opening after renovations before our travel dates. Has anybody seen any updates on the renovations? I have read some really bad reviews prior. I guess new would have to mean better. Any thoughts or insights?

Thanks everybody for your feedback. I think I've got the golf and accommodations properly lined up. I found a great deal for two nights at the resort, two rounds (#4 and #9) and the cradle, kicking it off with Tobacco Road after a night there. As we are already playing the Cradle, what are your thoughts about Thistle Dhu for another fun activity?

I'm planning a trip to Pinehurst. After hours of research, I think I've got the golf and accommodations lined up. Now the only thing left is the formats for the rounds, money games, the food, and the extra curriculars.

Hello fellow sandrrappers, I’m planning a 50th birthday/Buddy Trip for August 22-25 2019. We already have accommodations and rounds of golf at Talamore and Tobacco Road, but we’d like to have one or two more rounds on the agenda. I was thinking about 7 Lakes and another easier or cheaper course to start the trip. I had even thought of trying to get on a Pinehurst Resort course as a special surprise. Although #2 and #8 are probably not in the budget. Do you think we will be able to get on #5, #7, or #9 if we wait until 72 hours before? If you can make any suggestions on other good course in the area, that would be appreciated as well.

For one round, renting is the best way to go imo. When we go for a golf trip, we ship UPS, they have a box sized for golf clubs and it’s always been $35 to ship. I’ve never had issues. I’ve actually rented several times at different PGA courses , but since I’ve dropped my handicap below 10, I prefer my own clubs.

Wescott Plantation is a great course and reasonably priced. I love Stono, just join their e-club for better tee times and specials. Charleston National used to be great but when I played there 2 years ago, conditions were a bit rough.