KMP

From my point of view the only depressing thing about winter in the PNW is the reduction in roll to zero or near zero. I am originally from Michigan and enjoyed snow; especially since it caused mass exodus of tourists in Traverse City. On the other hand I don't miss clearing ice and snow daily or driving on slick roads. In western WA I can play golf year-round and take a short drive to see snow or ski. However, if and when covid finally settles and I am comfortable playing hockey again that may cause more emotional conflict.

Good point. I chose the latter BECAUSE I miss a lot of greens. In a perfect (or future?) world it would be putting.

But most trades do not require a college degree. That goes back to the bifurcation between college prep and trade skill training.

Depending on course length...driver, 5, 7, pw and putter. I am just more comfortable hitting these clubs in a variety of ball flights and distances.

IMO easily the second option...strokes gained around the green.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2017-09-20/see-20-years-of-tuition-growth-at-national-universities One study of 391 "ranked" public and private "national universities" from 2001-2021. I will look for data for the 40 year period. Fast Facts: Tuition costs of colleges and universities (76) The NCES Fast Facts Tool provides quick answers to many education questions (National Center for Education Statistics). Get answers on Early Childhood Education, Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher... The second link takes a bit of interpretation but covers 1985-2019. And another unvalidated bit of data. Average Cost of College Over Time: Yearly Tuition Since 1970 The average cost of college by year, expressed in current dollars and adjusted for inflation, itemized and broken down by institution type.

“I got hit pretty hard,” DeChambeau told the Post. “That’s why I kind of walked away, because people were damaging [my] character. It was all the stuff that was going on in social media. I was like, I really don’t need this. I can walk away and be totally fine the rest of my life, be happy and go and hit the long ball and call it a day.” Easy solution....STFU or leave. No need to talk endlessly about his "problems". I am sure many people would like to "walk away and be totally fine the rest of my life".

At the three universities that I earned degrees the cost of in-state tuition has risen 10X over 25-40 years. Out of state tuition costs 2.75 to 3.3X in-state at the same institutions plus the main branch of our local U. Over the same period the purchasing power of a dollar has increase about 3X, so higher education cost has increased disproportionally. Room and board can easily add another $15-$20k depending on location. In my opinion, the cost of higher education should be reined in; and there are many ways universities could reduce operating costs. The value proposition of attending college is highly dependent on the university, the degree program, and the individual. The idea of borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain employment in a field in which earnings max out at US median income is a recipe for endless debt. Personally I am opposed to massive bailouts in most cases, and a believer in taking responsibility. On the other hand the debt from the bailout is not going to be come due in my lifetime. Maybe there will be a short term benefit to the economy before payment from all the bailouts comes due as this generation ages.

Great post here even if it is from 2015! So I guess I would revise my consistency goal to something like "improve my poor shots and reduce the dispersion in shot results, in both distance and direction".

+2 on a quick 9 today. Pretty easy course although no roll in the PNW off season. Used only 4 clubs for a fast getaway from the house and a bit of a challenge. Rangefinder would have been useful.

As the calendar year draws to a close thank you all for putting up with me, and allowing me into your insights. The golf posting season is now ended but play continues on for my second winter (it is awesome!). This year has been good for me although I still have things I would like to correct. I am in awe of all of you that work diligently on your swings. If I ever find an instructor like my first, and find enough time to add practice I will join you in that quest. For now I love to play too much. Advance Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

After watching Tin Cup again and learning that Freddie Fender was part of the "super group" that is the Texas Tornados. Only heard of Freddie though, is that super?

I would explain the Nelly invite and catch a rain check with Tiger. We would rather watch a team we actually cared about anyway 🙂

Close to $5k for my wife and I if you include dinner and drinks after, and all the gear associated with playing year round in Washington. The kids are only $5 a round with Youth on Course. If we decide to join a club it could rise or drop depending on where we might join.

And an automatic ball washer before the back nine? Seriously the restrooms in Japan were sometimes unnerving when the spray was at high pressure.

Make a frequency plot and the peak is your typical shot. Average isn't necessary a mathematical calculation in golf. Be aware if you play in differing course conditions (dry rolls more than wet for example) your data may be a composite of two or more "typical shots".

They are both getting tiresome. Reminds me of WWF where the whole thing is staged.

76 from forward tees since it is wet. Could have been a lot better as the greens are still recovering from aeration. Five days past posting season so don't give me any grief for that one not on my record!

Looks like OP's course is in an area with water table near surface. You can also see this occur when there is a permeability barrier at a fairly shallow depth that does not allow water to infiltrate to an aquifer. This "bubbling" or "boggy" turf is seen every wet season at The Home Course in Dupont, WA. The course is located on the site of a reclaimed dynamite plant and has a clay seal on top of the affected sand and gravel below. Either way it challenges the greenkeepers for sure!

Kiawah Island is only an hour away.

I have not purchased golf balls in a long time. My personal ranking with best first is Snell, Vice and Kirkland. Never found a Cut or Piper. I will play a Snell or Vice as they seem ok, but feel different than a ProVi, especially on poorer shots. I find plenty of ProVs so the Snell or Vice usually goes to my wife, and Kirklands go straight to the kids.

True, but where I am there are distinct wet and dry seasons where turf conditions are quite different. Firm and fast where I play in the summer; and slow and sloppy in the winter 🙂

Thank you Chris. Those were two I was considering.

But isn't this the essence of golf or the "zen of golf" to be able to inhibit that "FEEL"? To be able to accept and forget the past, and evaluate the current shot to determine the highest probability of success is a key to my improvement.

I think instead of Turning Stone that may refer to Timberstone in Iron Mountain. Anyone that gets a chance NEEDS to play Greywalls. Timberstone is another great mountainside course.