When my Florida doctor asked me about what I did yesterday, I told him about my day:
"Well, yesterday afternoon, I waded across the edge of a lake, escaped from an alligator in the heavy brush, marched up and down a mountain, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and jumped away from an aggressive rattlesnake"
Inspired by my story, the doctor said, "You must be an awesome outdoors man!"
"No," I replied, "I'm just a shitty golfer."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
3 Year old's Prayers
A father put his 3 year old daughter to bed, told her a story and listened
to her prayers which ended by saying, "God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy,
God bless Grandma and good-bye Grandpa."
The father asked, 'Why did you say good-bye Grandpa?'
The little girl said, "I don't know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do."
The next day grandpa died. The father thought it was a strange coincidence.
A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her
Prayers which went like this, "God bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy and
Good-bye Grandma." The next day the grandmother died.
Holy crap" thought the father, "this kid is in contact with the
other side."
Several months later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say,
"God bless Mommy and good-bye Daddy."
He practically went into shock. He couldn't sleep all night and got up at
the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day,
had lunch and watched the clock.
He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay. He felt
safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he
stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every
sound. Finally midnight arrived; he breathed a sigh of relief and went home.
When he got home his wife said, "I've never seen you work so late. What's
the matter?" He said, "I don't want to talk about it, I've just spent the worst day of
my life."
She said, "You think you had a bad day, you'll never believe what happened
to me. This morning my golf pro dropped dead in the middle of my lesson.
to her prayers which ended by saying, "God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy,
God bless Grandma and good-bye Grandpa."
The father asked, 'Why did you say good-bye Grandpa?'
The little girl said, "I don't know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do."
The next day grandpa died. The father thought it was a strange coincidence.
A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her
Prayers which went like this, "God bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy and
Good-bye Grandma." The next day the grandmother died.
Holy crap" thought the father, "this kid is in contact with the
other side."
Several months later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say,
"God bless Mommy and good-bye Daddy."
He practically went into shock. He couldn't sleep all night and got up at
the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day,
had lunch and watched the clock.
He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay. He felt
safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he
stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every
sound. Finally midnight arrived; he breathed a sigh of relief and went home.
When he got home his wife said, "I've never seen you work so late. What's
the matter?" He said, "I don't want to talk about it, I've just spent the worst day of
my life."
She said, "You think you had a bad day, you'll never believe what happened
to me. This morning my golf pro dropped dead in the middle of my lesson.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Golf Poem
In My Hand I Hold A Ball,
White And Dimpled, And Rather Small.
Oh, How Bland It Does Appear,
This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By Its Size I Could Not Guess
The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.
But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell,
I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.
My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same
Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game.
It Rules My Mind For Hours On End;
A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.
It Has Made Me Curse And Made Me Cry,
And Hate Myself And Want To Die.
It Promises Me A Thing Called Par,
If I Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball,
Should Not Be Very Hard At All.
But My Desires The Ball Refuses,
And Does Exactly As It Chooses.
It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies,
And Disappears Before My Eyes.
Often It Will Have A Whim,
To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.
With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land,
It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand.
Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul,
If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup,
And Swear That I Will Give It Up.
And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow,
But The Ball Knows ... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.
White And Dimpled, And Rather Small.
Oh, How Bland It Does Appear,
This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By Its Size I Could Not Guess
The Awesome Strength It Does Possess.
But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell,
I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.
My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same
Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game.
It Rules My Mind For Hours On End;
A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.
It Has Made Me Curse And Made Me Cry,
And Hate Myself And Want To Die.
It Promises Me A Thing Called Par,
If I Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball,
Should Not Be Very Hard At All.
But My Desires The Ball Refuses,
And Does Exactly As It Chooses.
It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies,
And Disappears Before My Eyes.
Often It Will Have A Whim,
To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.
With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land,
It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand.
Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul,
If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup,
And Swear That I Will Give It Up.
And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow,
But The Ball Knows ... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Golf Joke of the Month
TEN BEST CADDIE REPLIES:
# 10 -- Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake."
Caddie: "Think you can keep your head down that long?"
# 9 -- Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."
Caddie: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of the earth."
# 8 -- Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"
Caddie: "Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now."
# 7 -- Golfer: "Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?"
Caddie: "Eventually."
# 6 -- Golfer: "You've got to be the worst caddy in the world."
Caddie: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."
# 5 -- Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all the time. It's too much of a distraction."
Caddie: "It's not a watch - it's a compass."
# 4 -- Golfer: "How do you like my game?"
Caddie: "Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf."
# 3 -- Golfer: "Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?"
Caddie: "The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day."
# 2 -- Golfer: "This is the worst course I've ever played on."
Caddie: "This isn't the golf course. We left that an hour ago."
# 1 -- Best Caddie Comment .... Golfer: "That can't be my ball, it's too old."
Caddie: "It's been a long time since we teed off, sir."
# 10 -- Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake."
Caddie: "Think you can keep your head down that long?"
# 9 -- Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."
Caddie: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of the earth."
# 8 -- Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"
Caddie: "Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now."
# 7 -- Golfer: "Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?"
Caddie: "Eventually."
# 6 -- Golfer: "You've got to be the worst caddy in the world."
Caddie: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."
# 5 -- Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all the time. It's too much of a distraction."
Caddie: "It's not a watch - it's a compass."
# 4 -- Golfer: "How do you like my game?"
Caddie: "Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf."
# 3 -- Golfer: "Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?"
Caddie: "The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day."
# 2 -- Golfer: "This is the worst course I've ever played on."
Caddie: "This isn't the golf course. We left that an hour ago."
# 1 -- Best Caddie Comment .... Golfer: "That can't be my ball, it's too old."
Caddie: "It's been a long time since we teed off, sir."
Monday, June 20, 2011
Future U.S. Open Venues
2012 Olympic Club
2013 Merion
2014 Pinehurst #2
2015 Chambers Bay
2016 Oakmont
2017 Erin Hills
2018 Shinnecock Hills
2019 Pebble Beach
2020 Winged Foot
2021 Torrey Pines
2022 The Country Club
2023 Los Angeles CC
2024 Pinehurst #2
2013 Merion
2014 Pinehurst #2
2015 Chambers Bay
2016 Oakmont
2017 Erin Hills
2018 Shinnecock Hills
2019 Pebble Beach
2020 Winged Foot
2021 Torrey Pines
2022 The Country Club
2023 Los Angeles CC
2024 Pinehurst #2
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Ireland 2011 Trip
Currently, I am in Ireland touring the northern portion, starting in Dublin all the way around to Carne in the West. I will have played 23 rounds by the time I am finished on the 14th of June. Will have around 3000+ pictures to post from the 22 courses courses listed below. I have not found one I didn't enjoy, but I could also say that about the previous 400+ I have played. Stay tuned for the individual slide shows starting the end of June.
Portmarnock
Portmarnock Links
The Island
County Louth
Royal County Down
RCD- Annesley
Ardglass
Royal Belfast
Royal Portrush-Dunluce
Royal Portrush- Valley
Portstewart
Ballyliffin- Glashedy
Ballyliffin- Old
Portsalon
Rosapenna- Sandy Hills
Narin & Portnoo
County Sligo- Bomore (9)
County Sligo
Strandhill
Carne
Enniscrone
Royal Dublin
Portmarnock
Portmarnock Links
The Island
County Louth
Royal County Down
RCD- Annesley
Ardglass
Royal Belfast
Royal Portrush-Dunluce
Royal Portrush- Valley
Portstewart
Ballyliffin- Glashedy
Ballyliffin- Old
Portsalon
Rosapenna- Sandy Hills
Narin & Portnoo
County Sligo- Bomore (9)
County Sligo
Strandhill
Carne
Enniscrone
Royal Dublin
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Masters and Players- my two favorite events
With the conclusion of my two favorite golf events, The Masters and The Players, I have probably seen more exciting golf than I will for the rest of the year. Granted there are still three Majors left to be played this summer, but I know I will not be watching every shot the way I do for these two tournaments every year.
What makes these two events stand out above everything else? First, I believe it is because the venue is the same each year and both have similar designs. Why would you want to change sites every year when you have two of the most thrilling finishing nines in golf to entertain fans? Where else can you see such big swings in the standing than at Augusta and Sawgrass?
This year at The Players, Nick Watney was up by two strokes going into the 14tth hole and by the time he walked off the 16th he was five off the lead. David Toms makes a one bad swing on #16 and loses to Choi in a playoff. G-Mac looks like he has it under control until he takes a double at #18 and quickly drops out of contention. At one time I counted almost a dozen players within striking distance of the championship.
There was also a herd of players all playing great coming down the stretch at The Masters, producing one great shot after another. Charl Schwartzel birdies the last four holes on Sunday to win by two strokes. What drama!! I love to see birdies and eagles over players struggling to hit out of thick rough to make par on every hole. I don't think we will ever again see anyone win more than two majors in a year let alone the Grand Slam, and certainly Tiger now will be a long shot to break Jack's major record. Too many great players worldwide today that excel under different conditions for anyone to ever dominate like players did in the past.
These courses are both set up to produce birdies and eagles on about 6 to 8 holes, especially on their back nines. The reachable par 5's, on both back nines, are high risk reward with water coming into play and can produce big scoring swings with eagles. To quote Bobby Jones, "I think a par five should always be of the kind that can be played as a great par four if the player is man enough to do so." The par 3's are all again played over water hazards and can produce some really big numbers on #12 at Augusta and #17. To quote Jones again, "the difference between a bunker and a water hazard is the difference between a car crash and a plane crash. You can recover from the former but not from the latter." Just think how boring these back nines would be without any water hazards. Both have strong finishing holes and a couple of demanding long par 4's. I don't want to go as far as saying Pete Dye copied Augusta National, but I believe he was strongly influenced by the great layout that Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie created. Even though the terrain is very different you still get the same flow on each back nine. The excitement produced to the viewers, by the players being rewarded for taking risk, is what makes these two events so much fun to watch. I feel that Dye (Modern) and MacKenzie (Classic) are the two greatest architects of their eras.
I was fortunate to be able to attend both of these events this year. For the first time in three years there were no cold, freezing spells in Florida this winter. Finally, The Stadium course was in excellent condition to rival that of Augusta National. Both of these courses are set up with generous landing areas off the tee and minimal rough to allow the players a chance to have a go at most greens. Miss the greens and you will have no easy time of making a par.
Personally, I prefer going to the practice rounds and watching the Championships on HD from my living room. I thought both telecasts did a wonderful job of showing non-stop action with limited commercials, which sets them apart from the other majors. At The Players the golfers are available after every hole to sign and interact with the fans, unlike The Masters practice rounds. Due to most of the Florida snowbirds having gone north, the crowds at The Players are sparse compared to The Masters. Tickets are very reasonable priced at The Players, $20 or less for a practice round pass versus $50 or much more if you have to buy them from a scalper at The Masters. I am already making plans for next years Masters and Players.
What makes these two events stand out above everything else? First, I believe it is because the venue is the same each year and both have similar designs. Why would you want to change sites every year when you have two of the most thrilling finishing nines in golf to entertain fans? Where else can you see such big swings in the standing than at Augusta and Sawgrass?
This year at The Players, Nick Watney was up by two strokes going into the 14tth hole and by the time he walked off the 16th he was five off the lead. David Toms makes a one bad swing on #16 and loses to Choi in a playoff. G-Mac looks like he has it under control until he takes a double at #18 and quickly drops out of contention. At one time I counted almost a dozen players within striking distance of the championship.
There was also a herd of players all playing great coming down the stretch at The Masters, producing one great shot after another. Charl Schwartzel birdies the last four holes on Sunday to win by two strokes. What drama!! I love to see birdies and eagles over players struggling to hit out of thick rough to make par on every hole. I don't think we will ever again see anyone win more than two majors in a year let alone the Grand Slam, and certainly Tiger now will be a long shot to break Jack's major record. Too many great players worldwide today that excel under different conditions for anyone to ever dominate like players did in the past.
These courses are both set up to produce birdies and eagles on about 6 to 8 holes, especially on their back nines. The reachable par 5's, on both back nines, are high risk reward with water coming into play and can produce big scoring swings with eagles. To quote Bobby Jones, "I think a par five should always be of the kind that can be played as a great par four if the player is man enough to do so." The par 3's are all again played over water hazards and can produce some really big numbers on #12 at Augusta and #17. To quote Jones again, "the difference between a bunker and a water hazard is the difference between a car crash and a plane crash. You can recover from the former but not from the latter." Just think how boring these back nines would be without any water hazards. Both have strong finishing holes and a couple of demanding long par 4's. I don't want to go as far as saying Pete Dye copied Augusta National, but I believe he was strongly influenced by the great layout that Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie created. Even though the terrain is very different you still get the same flow on each back nine. The excitement produced to the viewers, by the players being rewarded for taking risk, is what makes these two events so much fun to watch. I feel that Dye (Modern) and MacKenzie (Classic) are the two greatest architects of their eras.
I was fortunate to be able to attend both of these events this year. For the first time in three years there were no cold, freezing spells in Florida this winter. Finally, The Stadium course was in excellent condition to rival that of Augusta National. Both of these courses are set up with generous landing areas off the tee and minimal rough to allow the players a chance to have a go at most greens. Miss the greens and you will have no easy time of making a par.
Personally, I prefer going to the practice rounds and watching the Championships on HD from my living room. I thought both telecasts did a wonderful job of showing non-stop action with limited commercials, which sets them apart from the other majors. At The Players the golfers are available after every hole to sign and interact with the fans, unlike The Masters practice rounds. Due to most of the Florida snowbirds having gone north, the crowds at The Players are sparse compared to The Masters. Tickets are very reasonable priced at The Players, $20 or less for a practice round pass versus $50 or much more if you have to buy them from a scalper at The Masters. I am already making plans for next years Masters and Players.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Golf Joke of the Month
A little old lady was walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her.
One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 fell out onto the sidewalk.
Noticing this, a policeman stopped her, and said, "Ma'am, there are $20 bills falling out of that bag."
"Oh really? Darn it!" said the little old lady. "I'd better go back and see if I can find them.. Thanks for telling me officer."
Well, now, not so fast," said the cop. Where did you get all that money? You didn't steal it, did you?"
"Oh, no, no", said the old lady. "You see, my back yard is right next to the Golf course.
On Golf days, a lot of Golfers come and pee through a knot hole in the fence, right into my flower garden.
It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know. Then I thought, 'why not make the best of it?
So, now, I stand behind the fence by the knot hole, real quiet, with my hedge clippers. Every time some guy sticks his thing through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say, 'O.K., buddy! Give me $20, or off it comes.'
"Well, that seems only fair," said the cop, laughing. "OK. Good luck! Oh, by the way, what's in the other bag?"
"Well, you know", said the little old lady, "not everybody pays."
One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 fell out onto the sidewalk.
Noticing this, a policeman stopped her, and said, "Ma'am, there are $20 bills falling out of that bag."
"Oh really? Darn it!" said the little old lady. "I'd better go back and see if I can find them.. Thanks for telling me officer."
Well, now, not so fast," said the cop. Where did you get all that money? You didn't steal it, did you?"
"Oh, no, no", said the old lady. "You see, my back yard is right next to the Golf course.
On Golf days, a lot of Golfers come and pee through a knot hole in the fence, right into my flower garden.
It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know. Then I thought, 'why not make the best of it?
So, now, I stand behind the fence by the knot hole, real quiet, with my hedge clippers. Every time some guy sticks his thing through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say, 'O.K., buddy! Give me $20, or off it comes.'
"Well, that seems only fair," said the cop, laughing. "OK. Good luck! Oh, by the way, what's in the other bag?"
"Well, you know", said the little old lady, "not everybody pays."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Players- 2011
Photo's from Tuesday's practice round.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/ThePlayers2011?feat=directlink
For more extensive photo's of the Stadium Course, please go to Slideshows and click on TPC Sawgrass.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/ThePlayers2011?feat=directlink
For more extensive photo's of the Stadium Course, please go to Slideshows and click on TPC Sawgrass.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
TPC Sawgrass #11
Opened in 1980, TPC Sawgrass was the first of many PGA Tour courses made for ideal fan viewing. I first played the Stadium Course in 2004 and have played it a half dozen times since. It is one of the most penal courses I have ever experienced for your approach shots. There just aren't too many places that you can miss on these shots that give you an easy up and down. The view off some of the tees are confusing, as are many of Pete Dye's other holes in the world. At Sawgrass, it appears that some tees have been cut out and slide over to one side about 30 yards. It creates angles that make you feel uncomfortable off the tee.
I always play the course as far back as allowed, which is usually only around 6700 yds with a slope of 146. No matter how well I think I am playing when I arrive it seems I always walk off the course with my tail between my legs. I can count on one hand the birdies but must admit I have made at least double bogey or worse on every hole. Total cumulative worst score on each hole = 114!! I once shot 38 on the back with an 83, my best score to date.
In 2007, the old FLW style clubhouse was torn down and replaced with what reminds me of a Middle Eastern palace. Now 77,000 square feet with a roof that costs more than most homes do, it is a very impressive sight. At the same time the course was also renovated bringing it back to the fast and firm conditions it was meant to be played for the 2008 event.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Sawgrass11?feat=directlink
Hole #11 is a split fairway reachable Par 5 for big hitters with numerous options on how to play it. Off the tee, you have a large landing area to the right fairway with the only danger being the waste area on the left. Once you get to your drive, the first decision is to go for it or lay up. Personally, the chances of me being able to hold the green with a 3 wood on these firm greens are pretty low. You have water and a larger bunker that wraps around the right and back of the green. So my best case is ending up in the sand with a long bunker shot left.
If the pin is in the back of the green, I will lay up at around 120 yards out to the right fairway; aim at the big tree on the right side with a draw. This gives you a wedge into the green. When the pin is front, I want to hit my approach to the left fairway which is a more difficult shot than laying up to the right fairway. It allows you to hit straight into the pin and eliminates the swale to the left front side of the green. You would need to hit a very precise shot to stay away from it if you are coming in from the right. Get on the green in regulation and you are probably going to make par or better, but miss and you have one of many difficult up and downs. You will be looking at bogey or worse. I was lucky to make one of my few birdies here. If you like holes with many options and different lines of play, #11 will be a real treat for you.
Other notable short holes: #4, #6, #8, #12, #13.
I always play the course as far back as allowed, which is usually only around 6700 yds with a slope of 146. No matter how well I think I am playing when I arrive it seems I always walk off the course with my tail between my legs. I can count on one hand the birdies but must admit I have made at least double bogey or worse on every hole. Total cumulative worst score on each hole = 114!! I once shot 38 on the back with an 83, my best score to date.
In 2007, the old FLW style clubhouse was torn down and replaced with what reminds me of a Middle Eastern palace. Now 77,000 square feet with a roof that costs more than most homes do, it is a very impressive sight. At the same time the course was also renovated bringing it back to the fast and firm conditions it was meant to be played for the 2008 event.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Sawgrass11?feat=directlink
Hole #11 is a split fairway reachable Par 5 for big hitters with numerous options on how to play it. Off the tee, you have a large landing area to the right fairway with the only danger being the waste area on the left. Once you get to your drive, the first decision is to go for it or lay up. Personally, the chances of me being able to hold the green with a 3 wood on these firm greens are pretty low. You have water and a larger bunker that wraps around the right and back of the green. So my best case is ending up in the sand with a long bunker shot left.
If the pin is in the back of the green, I will lay up at around 120 yards out to the right fairway; aim at the big tree on the right side with a draw. This gives you a wedge into the green. When the pin is front, I want to hit my approach to the left fairway which is a more difficult shot than laying up to the right fairway. It allows you to hit straight into the pin and eliminates the swale to the left front side of the green. You would need to hit a very precise shot to stay away from it if you are coming in from the right. Get on the green in regulation and you are probably going to make par or better, but miss and you have one of many difficult up and downs. You will be looking at bogey or worse. I was lucky to make one of my few birdies here. If you like holes with many options and different lines of play, #11 will be a real treat for you.
Other notable short holes: #4, #6, #8, #12, #13.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
TPC Sawgrass #16-18 - Golf's most exciting finish!
Where else could you shoot anywhere from 8 to over 20 on a three hole finishing stretch? I will never forget the excitement of watching Craig Perks (2002) playing the last three holes eagle, birdie, par with chip ins on #16 and #18 to win. Or seeing the replay of Bob Tway taking a 12 on #17. Whether you are a pro or an average golfer you have a chance at making an eagle on #16 or snowman on any of the final three holes at TPC Sawgrass.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Sawgrass1618?feat=directlink
Hole #16 is a very reachable Par 5, if you can find the fairway with your drive. Ideally, a slight draw will get you within 3 wood range or less. Push it right off the tee and you will have a bad angle or you may find the bunker. Left is more than likely jail, unless you are DL3. If, you don't have the kahunas to go for it or have hit a poor drive, make sure your lay up is at least 100 yards out. If you look at the above pictures you will notice a huge tree guarding the left side and anything from 50 to 80 yards out will need to be hugging the right side of the fairway to have a clear shot into the green. To me this is an easy par, as long as you keep your approach out of the water. The risk of going for the green trying for eagle makes this a very exciting hole. Hit your approach shot short and you will catch the front bunker; long left and you will find yourself in a small pot like bunker. **Make sure to check out the pin position on #17 when you are walking up the 16th fairway.**
The Island green on the 17th has probably been on your mind on and off since you arrived at the course. The range can be a good indicator of what to expect with the wind when you make it to the 17th tee. Once you get on the tee you will not feel the full effect of the wind and it would be wise to have made some mental notes while warming up on the range. The range and the 17th are 180 degrees opposite direction of each other. The last time I played TPC the wind was coming out of the NW at about 30 mph. Usually, I would be playing a 9I into the green which is around 130 yds to the center. This time I thought I needed a 6I and ended up finding the water long and left. My re tee I used a 7I and found the center of the green. The other time I found the water it was to a back middle pin and I thought I had hit the perfect shot, only to see my ball bounce twice and disappear. If I had only checked the pin while on 16 fairway I would have noticed how little room there was between the pin and back edge. My tip for your first try at the 17th is to play to the middle of the green, no matter where the pin is located. If you don't make it on the first try keep on hitting until you put one on. It is better to have taken a big number and made it on then to have to live with not making it on at all. Whatever you do don't go to the drop zone, unless you are wearing a skirt. If you can't hit one on off a tee, you will probably chunk or skull the next one off the turf. Don't feel rushed, the groups waiting for their chance will understand. I once stood and watched a foursome rinse at least three dozen balls before they moved on. You may play other Island holes but none will be more exciting or make you sweat as the 17th at the Stadium course. This the one that all others are compared to.
The 18th hole is the number one handicap hole at the Stadium course, as are 25% of all the 18th holes played on the PGA tour. Nothing is more satisfying than to "earn" a par or birdie to finish off your round. One of the worlds architectural guru's, once said, "A finishing hole should be the climax of the round and pose a strong risk." With water guarding the whole left side of this long dogleg there is plenty of risk. The first time I played this hole I hit what I thought was going to be a nice tee shot. I watched a little draw run out and slowly trickle left until it nearly came to rest on the wood piling and drop into the lake. Since that time I have been playing more right and coming in at a distinctly inferior angle. As all great architects do, they give you the best angle only by luring you into the highest risk shot. I am now left with a long iron or hybrid into a deep tiered green that is protected short right by grass moguls and a bunker; long by a deep bunker and left by water. As most holes are at Sawgrass, there just isn't a great place to miss a shot. Pete Dye has done a wonderful job at the Stadium course of defending par at the green complexes.
Only once have I have shot in the 30's on a nine here, 38. It was only when I was able to par these last three holes and make no double bogeys on all of the others. What a great feeling it was to think that I had finally got the best of this string of finishing holes for once. It is so hard to play nine, let alone a round at TPC Sawgrass, without making a double bogey or worse. Just watch the final day of play at The Players Championship and see how many players fold up like cheap tents on #16-#18.
Other notable long holes: #2, #5, #7, #9, #14.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Sawgrass1618?feat=directlink
Hole #16 is a very reachable Par 5, if you can find the fairway with your drive. Ideally, a slight draw will get you within 3 wood range or less. Push it right off the tee and you will have a bad angle or you may find the bunker. Left is more than likely jail, unless you are DL3. If, you don't have the kahunas to go for it or have hit a poor drive, make sure your lay up is at least 100 yards out. If you look at the above pictures you will notice a huge tree guarding the left side and anything from 50 to 80 yards out will need to be hugging the right side of the fairway to have a clear shot into the green. To me this is an easy par, as long as you keep your approach out of the water. The risk of going for the green trying for eagle makes this a very exciting hole. Hit your approach shot short and you will catch the front bunker; long left and you will find yourself in a small pot like bunker. **Make sure to check out the pin position on #17 when you are walking up the 16th fairway.**
The Island green on the 17th has probably been on your mind on and off since you arrived at the course. The range can be a good indicator of what to expect with the wind when you make it to the 17th tee. Once you get on the tee you will not feel the full effect of the wind and it would be wise to have made some mental notes while warming up on the range. The range and the 17th are 180 degrees opposite direction of each other. The last time I played TPC the wind was coming out of the NW at about 30 mph. Usually, I would be playing a 9I into the green which is around 130 yds to the center. This time I thought I needed a 6I and ended up finding the water long and left. My re tee I used a 7I and found the center of the green. The other time I found the water it was to a back middle pin and I thought I had hit the perfect shot, only to see my ball bounce twice and disappear. If I had only checked the pin while on 16 fairway I would have noticed how little room there was between the pin and back edge. My tip for your first try at the 17th is to play to the middle of the green, no matter where the pin is located. If you don't make it on the first try keep on hitting until you put one on. It is better to have taken a big number and made it on then to have to live with not making it on at all. Whatever you do don't go to the drop zone, unless you are wearing a skirt. If you can't hit one on off a tee, you will probably chunk or skull the next one off the turf. Don't feel rushed, the groups waiting for their chance will understand. I once stood and watched a foursome rinse at least three dozen balls before they moved on. You may play other Island holes but none will be more exciting or make you sweat as the 17th at the Stadium course. This the one that all others are compared to.
The 18th hole is the number one handicap hole at the Stadium course, as are 25% of all the 18th holes played on the PGA tour. Nothing is more satisfying than to "earn" a par or birdie to finish off your round. One of the worlds architectural guru's, once said, "A finishing hole should be the climax of the round and pose a strong risk." With water guarding the whole left side of this long dogleg there is plenty of risk. The first time I played this hole I hit what I thought was going to be a nice tee shot. I watched a little draw run out and slowly trickle left until it nearly came to rest on the wood piling and drop into the lake. Since that time I have been playing more right and coming in at a distinctly inferior angle. As all great architects do, they give you the best angle only by luring you into the highest risk shot. I am now left with a long iron or hybrid into a deep tiered green that is protected short right by grass moguls and a bunker; long by a deep bunker and left by water. As most holes are at Sawgrass, there just isn't a great place to miss a shot. Pete Dye has done a wonderful job at the Stadium course of defending par at the green complexes.
Only once have I have shot in the 30's on a nine here, 38. It was only when I was able to par these last three holes and make no double bogeys on all of the others. What a great feeling it was to think that I had finally got the best of this string of finishing holes for once. It is so hard to play nine, let alone a round at TPC Sawgrass, without making a double bogey or worse. Just watch the final day of play at The Players Championship and see how many players fold up like cheap tents on #16-#18.
Other notable long holes: #2, #5, #7, #9, #14.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Masters 2011 - 75th Edition
It had been four years since my last trip to the Masters and I couldn't wait to visit the hollowed grounds of Augusta National again. We had stayed about 80 miles south of Augusta the night before and had experienced an early morning thunder storm. As we got closer we noticed that the traffic signals were out and there had been several trees blown over. The local AM radio station had alerted us to some 100 year old trees having been lost at the golf course and play would be delayed until further notice. The temperature had dropped from balmy 87 the day before to a cool 54 when we climbed out of our car in the west parking lot.
We headed to the course and immediately noticed the gigantic practice area that had been constructed in the past year. What an improvement from what the pros had to warm up on before. First stop was the merchandise building to kill some time until the course opened. Absolutely, the most dollars spent per second of any commercial operation in the world. One of the employees told me that Monday had been the second highest grossing day in history, I would suspect today was going to be the record.
Next we walked over to the Par 3 course and toured it. I took several pictures of it this visit which you can click on and view under MASTERS 2011. The previous trip I concentrated photographing the 18 hole course and you can view those under MASTERS 2007. Several trees were down between #8 and #9 and the lake was full of debris from the storm. I am sure this was a worst case scenario for the grounds crew but they have hundreds of people and unlimited resources to handle any problem that may arise. By the time we finished our walk around the PAR 3 course, play had resumed.
Starting on hole #10 we made our way around to Amen Corner following Villegas and Caberra before we sat in the bleachers taking in the beauty of #11 and #12. Due to the intense winds it appeared as though many of the flowering azaleas had lost most of their flowers. After a few minutes we moved onto #13 and viewed what Phil was visualizing on his now famous approach shot in 2010. Next rest stop were the bleachers overlooking the 15th and 16th holes. I love to watch the players SKIP IT on the pond. Some of the young first time pros really get into it and will hit several shots. Amazingly, many of their skip shots ended up closer than their traditional shots. Most skip it several times but Ross Fisher , on his final try, hit it hard about 10 feet in front of him and one hoped it on.
One of my favorite hideaways was in the azalea's just off of the 5th green overlooking the 16th. My last visit I got some beautiful pictures from there that you can view on the MASTERS 2007 slide show. This trip I see that they have cleared that whole area out and planted grass so the patrons can now sit and watch. A piece of heaven has been lost. It was getting that time of day when I was craving some of those inexpensive, $1.50 egg salad sandwiches so we headed to the food concession. Due to the loss of electricity they had lost all their eggs, so I had to settle for the $2.50 line of sandwiches which were not nearly as good as the egg salad I had been savoring.
On the front nine we caught up with Ben Crenshaw, his caddie Carl, who was caddying his 50th Masters, and Jhonny Vegas. The long par three #4 had Ben pulling out the driver to make it to the green against a stiff head wind. Ben was showing his Texas Alum all he could about how to putt the tricky Augusta greens. Unfortunately, Ben's lack of length is going to make it tough for him to make this years cut. It appeared most of the players stayed on the range for the day or didn't even show up due to the strong winds that were blowing on Tuesday. Being a Michigan grad, one of the trip highlights was seeing Lion Kim (2010 Publix Champ) finishing up his round with KJ Choi on #9. He had all his U of M attire on with a nice Michigan logo bag. Hopefully, you all caught his maize and blue shoes he was wearing on day one. I hope he makes the cut just so I can see those shoes. If only I had a pair of those magic slippers, my game would improve by at least 5 shots.
Masters Trivia- Did you know that the nines have been flipped at Augusta National? Following the inaugural Masters in 1934, and shortly after Alister Mackenzie's death, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts announced the change. Just think if Gene Sarazen's shot, "Heard around the World" had been made the year before on the 6th hole instead of on the 15th in the 1935 Masters. I bet that double-eagle would not have been nearly as loud. Horton Smith is the only golfer to have won on both layouts. Other world class courses that have flipped their nines are; NGLA ,Shinnecock, Eugene CC, Victoria Hills, Pablo Creek Club.
By now it was late afternoon and we made one last dash through the merchandise building and then dropped by the range to watch a few players working on their games. Heading out of the gate to the car, I told my son that I hoped he would come back with me again for the 100th edition.
We headed to the course and immediately noticed the gigantic practice area that had been constructed in the past year. What an improvement from what the pros had to warm up on before. First stop was the merchandise building to kill some time until the course opened. Absolutely, the most dollars spent per second of any commercial operation in the world. One of the employees told me that Monday had been the second highest grossing day in history, I would suspect today was going to be the record.
Next we walked over to the Par 3 course and toured it. I took several pictures of it this visit which you can click on and view under MASTERS 2011. The previous trip I concentrated photographing the 18 hole course and you can view those under MASTERS 2007. Several trees were down between #8 and #9 and the lake was full of debris from the storm. I am sure this was a worst case scenario for the grounds crew but they have hundreds of people and unlimited resources to handle any problem that may arise. By the time we finished our walk around the PAR 3 course, play had resumed.
Starting on hole #10 we made our way around to Amen Corner following Villegas and Caberra before we sat in the bleachers taking in the beauty of #11 and #12. Due to the intense winds it appeared as though many of the flowering azaleas had lost most of their flowers. After a few minutes we moved onto #13 and viewed what Phil was visualizing on his now famous approach shot in 2010. Next rest stop were the bleachers overlooking the 15th and 16th holes. I love to watch the players SKIP IT on the pond. Some of the young first time pros really get into it and will hit several shots. Amazingly, many of their skip shots ended up closer than their traditional shots. Most skip it several times but Ross Fisher , on his final try, hit it hard about 10 feet in front of him and one hoped it on.
One of my favorite hideaways was in the azalea's just off of the 5th green overlooking the 16th. My last visit I got some beautiful pictures from there that you can view on the MASTERS 2007 slide show. This trip I see that they have cleared that whole area out and planted grass so the patrons can now sit and watch. A piece of heaven has been lost. It was getting that time of day when I was craving some of those inexpensive, $1.50 egg salad sandwiches so we headed to the food concession. Due to the loss of electricity they had lost all their eggs, so I had to settle for the $2.50 line of sandwiches which were not nearly as good as the egg salad I had been savoring.
On the front nine we caught up with Ben Crenshaw, his caddie Carl, who was caddying his 50th Masters, and Jhonny Vegas. The long par three #4 had Ben pulling out the driver to make it to the green against a stiff head wind. Ben was showing his Texas Alum all he could about how to putt the tricky Augusta greens. Unfortunately, Ben's lack of length is going to make it tough for him to make this years cut. It appeared most of the players stayed on the range for the day or didn't even show up due to the strong winds that were blowing on Tuesday. Being a Michigan grad, one of the trip highlights was seeing Lion Kim (2010 Publix Champ) finishing up his round with KJ Choi on #9. He had all his U of M attire on with a nice Michigan logo bag. Hopefully, you all caught his maize and blue shoes he was wearing on day one. I hope he makes the cut just so I can see those shoes. If only I had a pair of those magic slippers, my game would improve by at least 5 shots.
Masters Trivia- Did you know that the nines have been flipped at Augusta National? Following the inaugural Masters in 1934, and shortly after Alister Mackenzie's death, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts announced the change. Just think if Gene Sarazen's shot, "Heard around the World" had been made the year before on the 6th hole instead of on the 15th in the 1935 Masters. I bet that double-eagle would not have been nearly as loud. Horton Smith is the only golfer to have won on both layouts. Other world class courses that have flipped their nines are; NGLA ,Shinnecock, Eugene CC, Victoria Hills, Pablo Creek Club.
By now it was late afternoon and we made one last dash through the merchandise building and then dropped by the range to watch a few players working on their games. Heading out of the gate to the car, I told my son that I hoped he would come back with me again for the 100th edition.
Friday, April 1, 2011
April Fool's Day Golf Facts
-Golfers who claim they never cheat, also lie.
-A two-foot putt counts the same as a two-foot drive.
-Never wash your ball on the tee of a water hole.
-There is no such thing as a friendly wager.
-The stages of golf are: Sudden Collapse, Radical Change, Complete Frustration, Slow Improvement, Brief Mastery, and Sudden Collapse.
-The only sure way to get a par is to leave a four-foot birdie putt two inches short of the hole.
-Don't play with anyone who would question a 7.
-It's as easy to lower your handicap as it is to reduce your hat size.
-If you really want to be better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
-If your driver is hot, your putter will be ice cold. If you can hit your irons, you will top your woods. If you are keeping your right elbow tucked in, your head will come up.
-Progress in golf consists of two steps forward and ten miles backward.
-One good shank deserves another.
-It takes 17 holes to really get warmed up.
-No golfer ever swung too slowly.
-No golfer ever played too fast.
-One birdie is a hot streak.
-No matter how badly you are playing, it's always possible to play worse.
-Whatever you think you're doing wrong is the one thing you're doing right.
-Any change works for three holes.
-The odds of hitting a duffed shot increase by the square of the number of people watching.
-Never take lessons from your father.
-Never teach golf to your wife.
-Never play your son for money.
-Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
-The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
-It's surprisingly easy to hole a 50-foot putt when you lie 10.
-The statute of limitation on forgotten strokes is two holes.
-Bets lengthen putts and shorten drives.
-Confidence evaporates in the presence of fairway water.
-It takes considerable pressure to make a penalty stroke adhere to a scorecard.
-It's not a gimme if you're still away.
-The more your opponent quotes the rules, the greater the certainty that he cheats.
-Always limp with the same leg for the whole round.
-The rake is always in the other trap.
-The wind is in your face on 16 of the 18 holes.
-Nothing straightens out a nasty slice quicker than a sharp dogleg to the right.
-The rough will be mowed tomorrow.
-The ball always lands where the pin was yesterday.
-It always takes at least five holes to notice that a club is missing.
-The nearest sprinkler head will be blank.
-Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
-You can hit a 2-acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
-Out of bounds is always on the right, for right-handed golfers.
-The practice green is either half as fast or twice as fast as all the other greens.
-No one with funny head covers ever broke par (except for Tiger Woods).
-The lowest numbered iron in your bag will always be impossible to hit.
-Your straightest iron shot of the day will be exactly one club short.
-No matter how far its shaft extends, a ball retriever is always a foot too short to reach the ball.
-If you seem to be hitting your shots straight on the driving range, it's probably because you're not aiming at anything.
-A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
-The only thing you can learn from golf books is that you can't learn anything from golf books, but you have to read an awful lot of golf books to learn it.
-A two-foot putt counts the same as a two-foot drive.
-Never wash your ball on the tee of a water hole.
-There is no such thing as a friendly wager.
-The stages of golf are: Sudden Collapse, Radical Change, Complete Frustration, Slow Improvement, Brief Mastery, and Sudden Collapse.
-The only sure way to get a par is to leave a four-foot birdie putt two inches short of the hole.
-Don't play with anyone who would question a 7.
-It's as easy to lower your handicap as it is to reduce your hat size.
-If you really want to be better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
-If your driver is hot, your putter will be ice cold. If you can hit your irons, you will top your woods. If you are keeping your right elbow tucked in, your head will come up.
-Progress in golf consists of two steps forward and ten miles backward.
-One good shank deserves another.
-It takes 17 holes to really get warmed up.
-No golfer ever swung too slowly.
-No golfer ever played too fast.
-One birdie is a hot streak.
-No matter how badly you are playing, it's always possible to play worse.
-Whatever you think you're doing wrong is the one thing you're doing right.
-Any change works for three holes.
-The odds of hitting a duffed shot increase by the square of the number of people watching.
-Never take lessons from your father.
-Never teach golf to your wife.
-Never play your son for money.
-Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
-The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
-It's surprisingly easy to hole a 50-foot putt when you lie 10.
-The statute of limitation on forgotten strokes is two holes.
-Bets lengthen putts and shorten drives.
-Confidence evaporates in the presence of fairway water.
-It takes considerable pressure to make a penalty stroke adhere to a scorecard.
-It's not a gimme if you're still away.
-The more your opponent quotes the rules, the greater the certainty that he cheats.
-Always limp with the same leg for the whole round.
-The rake is always in the other trap.
-The wind is in your face on 16 of the 18 holes.
-Nothing straightens out a nasty slice quicker than a sharp dogleg to the right.
-The rough will be mowed tomorrow.
-The ball always lands where the pin was yesterday.
-It always takes at least five holes to notice that a club is missing.
-The nearest sprinkler head will be blank.
-Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
-You can hit a 2-acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time.
-Out of bounds is always on the right, for right-handed golfers.
-The practice green is either half as fast or twice as fast as all the other greens.
-No one with funny head covers ever broke par (except for Tiger Woods).
-The lowest numbered iron in your bag will always be impossible to hit.
-Your straightest iron shot of the day will be exactly one club short.
-No matter how far its shaft extends, a ball retriever is always a foot too short to reach the ball.
-If you seem to be hitting your shots straight on the driving range, it's probably because you're not aiming at anything.
-A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
-The only thing you can learn from golf books is that you can't learn anything from golf books, but you have to read an awful lot of golf books to learn it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Innisbrook Copperhead Course- The Snake Pit
Innisbrook Resort was developed in 1970 and all four courses were designed by E. Lawrence Packard. It is located on the West coast of Florida in Palm Harbor. Recently, new ownership has freshened it up with a 30 million cash infusion. I played two of the courses in late February just as the PGA was setting the Copperhead up for the Transitions tournament.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Copperhead1618?feat=directlink
The last holes, #16-#18, are called The Snake Pit. They are three of the most difficult finishing holes on the PGA Tour. So, when I arrived on the 16th tee I was ready for a challenge and hoping to play them at even par.
#16 (Moccasin) is a long Par 4, Cape like hole, that plays at 430 yds from the Green Tees. Ideally, you would like to play it to the right side of the FW shortening the hole. My drive found the left side of the generous FW, 177 yards out. The hole played slightly uphill and to a back pin today, so I choose my #4 Hybrid and left myself with about 20 feet to the hole. The greens where firm but they had not been cut down to tour speed yet, my putt was woefully short and left me with a four foot tap in for a par.
#17 (Rattler) is a medium length par 3, which has a narrow neck on the front half protected by bunkers on both sides. Today the pin was located up front at 170 yards. The green is steeply sloped , so you would like to keep your ball below the hole. I hit a 5 iron pin high into the right bunker. Blasted out to within 10 feet and had a side winding putt for par. Missed the putt and took my 4. Easier pin placements are located in the back half of this green, which also allows for a much larger landing area. One over par after two holes of the Snake Pit.
#18 (Copperhead) plays uphill at 420 yards to narrower landing area. Observing the hole from overhead, it does actually look like a Copperhead snake. Needing a birdie, I put a little extra into my swing and predictably blocked it right into the rough. I was left with 160 yards to a green that would accept a nice draw. Coming out of the rough using a 5 iron, my shot hooked into the left front bunker. My last hope was to hole a longish bunker shot but I came up 15 feet short to the sloping green and two putted for bogey. Two over par and I can see why these three holes are rated the third most difficult finishing holes on Tour.
Other notable holes: #1, #4, #9, #12, #14.
https://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/Copperhead1618?feat=directlink
The last holes, #16-#18, are called The Snake Pit. They are three of the most difficult finishing holes on the PGA Tour. So, when I arrived on the 16th tee I was ready for a challenge and hoping to play them at even par.
#16 (Moccasin) is a long Par 4, Cape like hole, that plays at 430 yds from the Green Tees. Ideally, you would like to play it to the right side of the FW shortening the hole. My drive found the left side of the generous FW, 177 yards out. The hole played slightly uphill and to a back pin today, so I choose my #4 Hybrid and left myself with about 20 feet to the hole. The greens where firm but they had not been cut down to tour speed yet, my putt was woefully short and left me with a four foot tap in for a par.
#17 (Rattler) is a medium length par 3, which has a narrow neck on the front half protected by bunkers on both sides. Today the pin was located up front at 170 yards. The green is steeply sloped , so you would like to keep your ball below the hole. I hit a 5 iron pin high into the right bunker. Blasted out to within 10 feet and had a side winding putt for par. Missed the putt and took my 4. Easier pin placements are located in the back half of this green, which also allows for a much larger landing area. One over par after two holes of the Snake Pit.
#18 (Copperhead) plays uphill at 420 yards to narrower landing area. Observing the hole from overhead, it does actually look like a Copperhead snake. Needing a birdie, I put a little extra into my swing and predictably blocked it right into the rough. I was left with 160 yards to a green that would accept a nice draw. Coming out of the rough using a 5 iron, my shot hooked into the left front bunker. My last hope was to hole a longish bunker shot but I came up 15 feet short to the sloping green and two putted for bogey. Two over par and I can see why these three holes are rated the third most difficult finishing holes on Tour.
Other notable holes: #1, #4, #9, #12, #14.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Bandon Dunes 2010 Trip
After months of anticipation the end of July finally arrived. In the past four years I have visited BDGR twice before in 2006 and 2008, around the first of August. The weather and conditions had always been perfect at that time of year, 60-70 degrees, sunny, with winds up to 40 mph. This year we experienced what the caddies called a Marine Layer for about half the trip. That was like the locals in Florida calling cock roaches, palmetto bugs. To me it was FOG. It produced cooler temps, less wind, and photos that looked like there was a forest fire nearby.
The trip began on a beautiful day with an afternoon round at the Portland GC, which hosted the 1947 Ryder Cup. Next day was Eugene CC, home of some of the tallest trees you will ever play next to. There is no chance of trying to go over these monsters. That afternoon we headed south for the airport in North Bend to pick up the two other golfers who would round out our foursome at BDGR. Four wonderful days of 144 holes didn't tire us down a bit. We all wanted more but had to head back to the Midwest. Before the trip there was concern among some that we would not be able to withstand 10 hours a day walking. Amazingly as the week progressed everyone felt better and better. Was it the fresh salt air rejuvenating our systems, the exercise that kicked in the release of endorphins, the great visuals and golf at BDGR? Probably all of the above, but for sure none of us wanted to return to the real world. Two of us had one more course to play on our way back to Portland for our return flight, Witch Hollow at Pumpkin Ridge. The weather again was picture perfect, sunny, and around 80.
After 20 rounds of golf in the summer at BDGR my next trip will be in the off season to experience how the courses play in the winter winds. So what is my favorite course at BDGR? Pacific Dunes is still the champ, but with a few more rounds on Old Macdonald it may be ready for a title shot. Every hole on Pacific Dunes is strong. Bandon Trails has a nice tranquil feel to the course with many fine holes, but it has the absolutely worst designed green complex at #14 which is a round wrecker. Bandon Dunes to me is a distant 4th to the other three courses and I am amazed how it continually is rated above Bandon Trails by the "experts". Must be the ocean views or it is still living off of its laurels when it was the only course at BDGR. Bottom line is that there is no other place I would rather spend playing golf. If you have never been, put it on the top of your Bucket List because you will not find four better courses at one site in the world.
The trip began on a beautiful day with an afternoon round at the Portland GC, which hosted the 1947 Ryder Cup. Next day was Eugene CC, home of some of the tallest trees you will ever play next to. There is no chance of trying to go over these monsters. That afternoon we headed south for the airport in North Bend to pick up the two other golfers who would round out our foursome at BDGR. Four wonderful days of 144 holes didn't tire us down a bit. We all wanted more but had to head back to the Midwest. Before the trip there was concern among some that we would not be able to withstand 10 hours a day walking. Amazingly as the week progressed everyone felt better and better. Was it the fresh salt air rejuvenating our systems, the exercise that kicked in the release of endorphins, the great visuals and golf at BDGR? Probably all of the above, but for sure none of us wanted to return to the real world. Two of us had one more course to play on our way back to Portland for our return flight, Witch Hollow at Pumpkin Ridge. The weather again was picture perfect, sunny, and around 80.
After 20 rounds of golf in the summer at BDGR my next trip will be in the off season to experience how the courses play in the winter winds. So what is my favorite course at BDGR? Pacific Dunes is still the champ, but with a few more rounds on Old Macdonald it may be ready for a title shot. Every hole on Pacific Dunes is strong. Bandon Trails has a nice tranquil feel to the course with many fine holes, but it has the absolutely worst designed green complex at #14 which is a round wrecker. Bandon Dunes to me is a distant 4th to the other three courses and I am amazed how it continually is rated above Bandon Trails by the "experts". Must be the ocean views or it is still living off of its laurels when it was the only course at BDGR. Bottom line is that there is no other place I would rather spend playing golf. If you have never been, put it on the top of your Bucket List because you will not find four better courses at one site in the world.
TRIP TIPS- 1. GOLF-When setting up your courses at BDGR try to schedule the same courses on different days and in the AM and PM. This will give you different pin placements and wind conditions. The wind builds as the day progresses. If you want to take a break from walking one day, head south of town, play Bandon Crossings golf club and take a cart. I have always played 36 holes a day, but you may want to take a half day off just to kick back and explore what all the resort has to offer. Second round of day at BDGR is 1/2 price.
2. LODGING-I would stay off site the night before in Bandon and then spend the the remaining nights at the Resort. I have stayed twice at Lily Pond which are very large rooms with a fireplace and room enough to put a roll away in for a 3rd person which will cut down your lodging costs by a 1/3 at BDGR. This year we stayed at The Inn which overlooks the 18th green, but it is a smaller room which I did not feel was worth the extra expense for a view. The resort has 24 hour shuttle service and I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a ride anywhere.
3.FOOD- Great choices at the resort with huge, affordable, breakfasts to start your day off. Some nice places in Bandon proper if you have a car.
4.FLIGHTS- You can fly into North Bend and you will not need a car, but the connections are not that good from the Midwest and more expensive. Two of us flew into Portland and were able to play a round the day we arrived, played the next morning in Eugene and made it to North Bend to pick up the other two guys at the airport in the PM. It is a beautiful 4 1/2 hour drive down from Portland and if you have never seen Oregon I would suggest that route. After our last round we drove back to Portland and could have flown out the next morning. By spending only one more day than the other guys, we played two extra rounds of golf, got to see some beautiful country, and had a car for about what it cost to fly direct.
5.TIME- 3 days- play 36 a day in this order Pacific,Old Mac, BDunes, Trails, Old Mac, Pacific.
4 days- same order + play Bandon Crossings on day 3 with rest of day to play the short course.
5 days- same as 4 day except on day 4 play Pacific in the AM and BDunes in the PM unless the wind is up then switch to Trails. Trails is the least played and most protected from the wind.
6. Caddies- I suggest taking a caddie for at least the first round on each course. At around $80 per round it can add a few hundred $$ to your expenses if you are playing 36 a day. I have either carried or pulled a cart one round every time I have been there.
7. Cost- Figure almost $700 per day if you are playing 36 with caddies, which also includes room and food at the lodge. It is worth every penny to make this trip at least once in your life. $3500 for 4 days of golf, flight, and souvenirs should be enough.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Top Holes by # at Bandon Dunes Resort.
With the addition of Old Macdonald at BDGR I thought it would be interesting to see how each starting hole on down to the finishing holes compare to one another. What I realized when I sat down and started examining each set of four holes was that this is really subjective to my personal feel for each hole not the overall quality of the hole. Some of the holes I didn't pick #1 you can certainly make a strong case that they are better designed or much tougher to make a par on, but I would rather play my first picks over the others.
I will list the four holes in order from first to last using the following abbreviations: B=Bandon Dunes, T=Bandon Trails, O=Old Macdonald, P=Pacific Dunes and a short comment about my first choice.
#1- T,O,P,B. All four ease you into your round nicely but the first at the Trails with the view off the tee and hitting a hybrid into a big bowl is my choice to start my day off with.
#2-P,O,T,B. The par 4 at Pacific wins out over the par 3's.
#3-O,T,P,B. The blind shot over the Port Orford Cedar wins hands down over three fine par 5's.
#4-P,B,O,T. One of my favorite tee shots down wind is to challenge the right side and see how far you can hit it. Makes me feel like John Daly when it runs out over 300 yds. One of the few great holes at Bandon Dunes takes second.
#5-O,P,T,B. Wow, three of my favorite par threes. Flip a coin here and it comes up SHORT.
#6-O,P,T,B. Great par five beats out a great short par 4.
#7-O,P,T,B. The only hole at Old Mac that finishes on the ocean, what a view.
#8-P,T,O,B. I love the options into this green, it always plays long.
#9-P,T,B,O. Dual greens at #9 with dual tees at #10 makes Pacific a 20 hole experience.
#10-B,T,P,O. This was probably the weakest choice I had to make. Tip-#10 at Old Mac I ended up playing down #6 FW to avoid the bunkers.
#11-P,T,D,O. I love this short par 3 at Pacific. Not quite as dramatic as #17 Sawgrass but close.
#12-B,P,T,O. Tough pick here but the ocean view wins out over the other par 3's and the par 5 at Pacific.
#13-P,T,O,B. Another great hole where challenging the ocean will pay big dividends off the tee.
#14-O,P,B,T. Trails #14 is the only hole that I dislike at BDGR. A 12 will make you feel that way.
I will list the four holes in order from first to last using the following abbreviations: B=Bandon Dunes, T=Bandon Trails, O=Old Macdonald, P=Pacific Dunes and a short comment about my first choice.
#1- T,O,P,B. All four ease you into your round nicely but the first at the Trails with the view off the tee and hitting a hybrid into a big bowl is my choice to start my day off with.
#2-P,O,T,B. The par 4 at Pacific wins out over the par 3's.
#3-O,T,P,B. The blind shot over the Port Orford Cedar wins hands down over three fine par 5's.
#4-P,B,O,T. One of my favorite tee shots down wind is to challenge the right side and see how far you can hit it. Makes me feel like John Daly when it runs out over 300 yds. One of the few great holes at Bandon Dunes takes second.
#5-O,P,T,B. Wow, three of my favorite par threes. Flip a coin here and it comes up SHORT.
#6-O,P,T,B. Great par five beats out a great short par 4.
#7-O,P,T,B. The only hole at Old Mac that finishes on the ocean, what a view.
#8-P,T,O,B. I love the options into this green, it always plays long.
#9-P,T,B,O. Dual greens at #9 with dual tees at #10 makes Pacific a 20 hole experience.
#10-B,T,P,O. This was probably the weakest choice I had to make. Tip-#10 at Old Mac I ended up playing down #6 FW to avoid the bunkers.
#11-P,T,D,O. I love this short par 3 at Pacific. Not quite as dramatic as #17 Sawgrass but close.
#12-B,P,T,O. Tough pick here but the ocean view wins out over the other par 3's and the par 5 at Pacific.
#13-P,T,O,B. Another great hole where challenging the ocean will pay big dividends off the tee.
#14-O,P,B,T. Trails #14 is the only hole that I dislike at BDGR. A 12 will make you feel that way.
#15-T,P,O,B. What a great natural green complex.
#16-O,B,P,T. One of the most difficult holes at BDGR with many options depending on the pin placement.
#17-O,P,T,B. Par five with options off the Tee, beats out two great par 3's.
#18-P,O,T,B. The strongest finishing hole of the bunch.
If I assign four points for first to one point for last this is how it shakes out when comparing holes by their number: Pacific Dunes(9)=57, Old Mac(2)=49, Trails(5)=43, Bandon Dunes(4)=31. Numbers in parenthesis are the # rounds I have played on each course during my three trips.
#17-O,P,T,B. Par five with options off the Tee, beats out two great par 3's.
#18-P,O,T,B. The strongest finishing hole of the bunch.
If I assign four points for first to one point for last this is how it shakes out when comparing holes by their number: Pacific Dunes(9)=57, Old Mac(2)=49, Trails(5)=43, Bandon Dunes(4)=31. Numbers in parenthesis are the # rounds I have played on each course during my three trips.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Bandon Dunes #5 & #16- Where's the Gorse!
If you remember the little old lady in the TV commercial looking at the small hamburger on the big bun and yelling- Where's the Beef- that is what I feel like when I now play these two holes. Every trip back to the Bandon Dunes course I have noticed the removal of gorse throughout and the widening of fairways. These two holes are great examples of what is going on. To me this has always been the easiest course of the original three. My buddies on this trip called Bandon Dunes, Links Light compared to the other courses. Removing the gorse reminds me of a sickly animal losing its fur.
The Bandon Dunes course in 1999 was the first at BDGR, designed by David McClay Kidd from Scotland. I believe this was his first project and would think it was a big risk to have selected him. I was told by the various caddies that it use to play at least 6 stokes harder and take a lot longer to play due to the tightness of the fairways. Obviously, they have decided that this course is going to play easier and faster by the removal of all the gorse and rough. The caddies also said that the vast majority of golfers that come to BDGR can't break 100. I find that the fairways at all the courses are more than generous off the tee. It really is hard to lose a golf ball, if you bring more than two sleeves of balls you have over packed.
The first course I ever played at BDGR was Bandon Dunes, the day after the 2006 Curtis Cup. Conditions for the Curtis Cup had been unusual in that it was very warm with no wind. We got another calm day that morning and I was able to easily break 80. By the end of our first round the wind started to pick up and build for the next three days, until we had sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts of 50. It was not until 2008 that I would break 80 again on any BDGR course.
Hole # 5 at over 400 yards is a brute of a hole when the summer wind is up. It follows one of the best holes at BDGR. I prefer the angle coming in from the left side of the hole, so I aim to the left of the mounds off the tee. I usually have a long iron or hybrid for my approach shot into this narrowing FW, depending on the wind or pin position. This is a 4 club green as it is 48 yards deep. Easy bogey/hard par hole, I have made two of each on this hole in my four rounds.
With plenty of risk/reward, hole #16 is one of the better short par 4's you will play at BDGR. Now that all the gorse has been removed why not go right at the pin off the tee. Playing from the lay up positions usually gives a tougher angle into the pin. You have the Pacific bordering down the right side, which plays as a lateral hazard with cross ridges to deal with when laying up to the left.
I find that the first time I play a risky hole it is usually my best drive because I have no negative thoughts to clutter my mind of the potential danger. In 2006, the wind at my back had picked up by the time I arrived on the tee and my caddie Damon told me to go for it. As the crow flies it is less than 300 yards to the green, so I let it rip. To my surprise I flew the green and was left with a pitch on for a birdie chance, which I missed. The next time I played the hole I went for the lay up to the left and ended up with my only bogey here. If you can hit it 250 yards I would play the aggressive line off the tee.
Other notable holes: #4, #7, #10, #11, #12, #15, #17.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Pebble Beach #14- Unfair??
With the completion of the 2010 U.S.Open, the talk was about the big numbers being taken on hole #14. The pictures below of the 14th green and of the Lone Cypress along 17 mile drive made me think of which would be easier to do, hold your approach shot on #14 during The Open or land it at the base of the Lone Cypress? The effective landing area behind the bunker on 14 isn't much larger than the wall around the cypress. Under Open conditions you odds are about the same.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/PebbleBeach14?feat=directlink
The day I played Pebble in July of 2006, the course and greens were very soft. I hit my drive in the fairway off the tee and then hooked my fairway wood left near the cart path for my second shot. The hole has a left slant to the fairway and is somewhat uphill making it play even longer than 573 yards. From where I was, I still had a mid iron to the pin. I mistakenly thought that I could go for the green and hold it. Dumb luck had me hitting short into the front bunker. I now had a nice bunker shot that I could land soft and have a good chance of holding the small green, which I did. I was left with a 10-15 foot putt which I dropped for my par. In hind sight this was really the only way I could have made par from where my second shot had taken me. Possibly, I could have also hit it long directly behind the green and chipped up and made my 5.
The problem the golfers were confronted with at the Open was the greens were hard and very fast. It would impossible for anyone to ever hold a second shot or long iron to the shelf the pin is located on. The best choice would be to put your long approach shot in the front bunker and try and get up and down for a birdie. For those who don't have the distance to get the bunker in two or three, lay up to your shortest distance you can put maximum spin on the ball. Hope you hit it just over the bunker and in the middle of the smallish green. The big problem here is being short right or left of the green and trying to hold your chip on the slick Open greens. As you saw, you are screwed trying to hit from the front right. A most precise shot is needed to accomplish staying on the green. Left is a bit easier of a shot but still no picnic.
So is it an unfair hole? Yes, under U.S. Open conditions it would be for almost all golfers. But those guys are the best in the world and this is the #1 handicap hole on the toughest course set up they will face all year. I kind of like seeing the pros struggle sometime.
There are some holes that a par feels like a birdie, and in 2006 I walked off the green with a big smile on my face knowing that the golf god's had given me one back.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/PebbleBeach14?feat=directlink
The day I played Pebble in July of 2006, the course and greens were very soft. I hit my drive in the fairway off the tee and then hooked my fairway wood left near the cart path for my second shot. The hole has a left slant to the fairway and is somewhat uphill making it play even longer than 573 yards. From where I was, I still had a mid iron to the pin. I mistakenly thought that I could go for the green and hold it. Dumb luck had me hitting short into the front bunker. I now had a nice bunker shot that I could land soft and have a good chance of holding the small green, which I did. I was left with a 10-15 foot putt which I dropped for my par. In hind sight this was really the only way I could have made par from where my second shot had taken me. Possibly, I could have also hit it long directly behind the green and chipped up and made my 5.
The problem the golfers were confronted with at the Open was the greens were hard and very fast. It would impossible for anyone to ever hold a second shot or long iron to the shelf the pin is located on. The best choice would be to put your long approach shot in the front bunker and try and get up and down for a birdie. For those who don't have the distance to get the bunker in two or three, lay up to your shortest distance you can put maximum spin on the ball. Hope you hit it just over the bunker and in the middle of the smallish green. The big problem here is being short right or left of the green and trying to hold your chip on the slick Open greens. As you saw, you are screwed trying to hit from the front right. A most precise shot is needed to accomplish staying on the green. Left is a bit easier of a shot but still no picnic.
So is it an unfair hole? Yes, under U.S. Open conditions it would be for almost all golfers. But those guys are the best in the world and this is the #1 handicap hole on the toughest course set up they will face all year. I kind of like seeing the pros struggle sometime.
There are some holes that a par feels like a birdie, and in 2006 I walked off the green with a big smile on my face knowing that the golf god's had given me one back.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Migrating North for the Summer
Early this morning I completed my journey from Florida. I left my winter home on the 15th of May and over the next three weeks traveled a circuitous 3000 mile route to Northern Michigan. In between I played 17 courses of which 13 were new. The weather was spotty, as it has been for much of the past year for me when I am on the road playing golf. Seems like I am often just a step ahead of a storm or in one.
I met a lot of new golf friends and was able to spent some time with a few old friends on the way. I stayed in Hendersonville for a couple of nights and got to visit with an old college classmate who I had not seen for over 20 years. Played golf in West Virginia for the first time and enjoyed three courses there while visiting a friend I met in Florida. Next on the tour was Ohio for some rest and relaxation in Cincinnati with my mother and step father. Got to play a round of golf with a buddy there who will be joining us at Bandon Dunes Resort the first of August. I finally hit Michigan on the 25th and played the course I had been looking forward to the whole trip- Oakland Hills CC. It was all I had anticipated and more. The next day I met a high school friend and we returned to a course we had not played since the early 90's. We both agreed it was better than we remembered and wondered why we had waited so long to return. Too many great new courses to discover, not enough time to play all the old favorites. I then headed into the U.P. for the Memorial Day holiday.
This past week I stayed in Boyne City with an old colleague and we golfed our way down to Battle Creek for a three day outing with about 50 other guys in our profession. Unfortunately, the weather was so threatening each day, I didn't even take my camera out to photograph any of these three new courses. I will be posting the photo's of the ten other new courses in the next week or so.
Can you get burnt out on playing too much golf? This morning at one AM, I did not want to see another golf course and thought the answer to that question was YES. 14 hours later after a good nights sleep, I am ready to get back out there and play in my Tuesday summer league tomorrow. Oh, what a great trip back North it was.
The countdown now begins for the 8:00 AM, August tee time at Pacific Dunes. 36 holes a day and walking for four days, I may be asking myself that question again. After a days rest I will probably have the same answer.
I met a lot of new golf friends and was able to spent some time with a few old friends on the way. I stayed in Hendersonville for a couple of nights and got to visit with an old college classmate who I had not seen for over 20 years. Played golf in West Virginia for the first time and enjoyed three courses there while visiting a friend I met in Florida. Next on the tour was Ohio for some rest and relaxation in Cincinnati with my mother and step father. Got to play a round of golf with a buddy there who will be joining us at Bandon Dunes Resort the first of August. I finally hit Michigan on the 25th and played the course I had been looking forward to the whole trip- Oakland Hills CC. It was all I had anticipated and more. The next day I met a high school friend and we returned to a course we had not played since the early 90's. We both agreed it was better than we remembered and wondered why we had waited so long to return. Too many great new courses to discover, not enough time to play all the old favorites. I then headed into the U.P. for the Memorial Day holiday.
This past week I stayed in Boyne City with an old colleague and we golfed our way down to Battle Creek for a three day outing with about 50 other guys in our profession. Unfortunately, the weather was so threatening each day, I didn't even take my camera out to photograph any of these three new courses. I will be posting the photo's of the ten other new courses in the next week or so.
Can you get burnt out on playing too much golf? This morning at one AM, I did not want to see another golf course and thought the answer to that question was YES. 14 hours later after a good nights sleep, I am ready to get back out there and play in my Tuesday summer league tomorrow. Oh, what a great trip back North it was.
The countdown now begins for the 8:00 AM, August tee time at Pacific Dunes. 36 holes a day and walking for four days, I may be asking myself that question again. After a days rest I will probably have the same answer.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Crooked Cat #9- Plenty of Options
Located in Winter Garden, Fl the Crooked Cat Course was a 1997 collaboration of Phil Ritson, Dave Harmon, and Isao Aoki. Along with the Panther Lake Course, a short course, and possibly the worlds largest practice facility this is a great place to sharpen your game. The 2010 PGA Tour School finals will be held here in the Fall.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/CrookedCat9?feat=directlink
The 9th hole plays 375 yards as a dogleg left or about 300 to the front edge of the green if you want to take it over Bend Lake. My game doesn't allow me to consider going for the green so my choice was to take it 250 yards at the bamboo trees hoping to end up either right or left of them. I hit it straight as could be and the last I saw the ball it was flying half way up the middle clump of trees. I hit a provisional, this time to the right and found the far side of the fairway 108 yards from the pin. After searching and not finding my first ball, I suspected it was somewhere in the middle of the bunch of bamboos. A more conservative route would be to play an iron or hybrid towards the largest part of the fairway at the 150 stake. Short of the fairway you will find a long serpentine bunker. Surprisingly there is about a 30 yard wide strip between the lake and front bunker that you could play out of if you fall way short of your target. Bordering the fairway long are about a dozen bunkers that will catch the long drive. Long on your approach you will find another group of bunkers. My approach landed about eight feet past the hole and the missed putt left me with a double. What a great hole this would be in match play. You can play it as aggressive or conservative as you want with the several routes available to the green and either be putting or hitting a seven iron.
Other notable holes: #2, #8, #12, #13, #18.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/CrookedCat9?feat=directlink
The 9th hole plays 375 yards as a dogleg left or about 300 to the front edge of the green if you want to take it over Bend Lake. My game doesn't allow me to consider going for the green so my choice was to take it 250 yards at the bamboo trees hoping to end up either right or left of them. I hit it straight as could be and the last I saw the ball it was flying half way up the middle clump of trees. I hit a provisional, this time to the right and found the far side of the fairway 108 yards from the pin. After searching and not finding my first ball, I suspected it was somewhere in the middle of the bunch of bamboos. A more conservative route would be to play an iron or hybrid towards the largest part of the fairway at the 150 stake. Short of the fairway you will find a long serpentine bunker. Surprisingly there is about a 30 yard wide strip between the lake and front bunker that you could play out of if you fall way short of your target. Bordering the fairway long are about a dozen bunkers that will catch the long drive. Long on your approach you will find another group of bunkers. My approach landed about eight feet past the hole and the missed putt left me with a double. What a great hole this would be in match play. You can play it as aggressive or conservative as you want with the several routes available to the green and either be putting or hitting a seven iron.
Other notable holes: #2, #8, #12, #13, #18.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
In Jail at Venetian Bay #5 & #13
Venetian Bay Golf Club is located in New Smyrna Beach. It was opened just after the peak of the great real estate bubble in 2008 and designed by Lloyd Clifton. Clifton has done several courses in central Florida and is to this region what Jerry Mathews is to Michigan. By his own admission this site was going to be a challenge to create an interesting golf course. Maybe this is why he created holes #5 and #13 with the features he did. I thought the par 3's at this course were its strongest set of holes.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/VenetianBay513?feat=directlink
Hole #5 is a dog leg right that plays at around 500 yards. If you can hit a big fade off the tee it will allow you to get on the right portion of the fairway and have a go at it in two. Otherwise, your best option would be to layup on your approach well left. My drive ended up in the left rough just short of one of the many bunkers. I laid up to the 100 mark but a bit more right than I liked which brought the front right bunker in play. That alone would not be a problem except of what you see in the picture, about ten large palm trees planted in it. I hit a fat shot with my 51 degree wedge and clunked one of the trees and dropped down in the sand. Continuing my chunkyness, my bunker shot barely made it out and left me with a chip over the front ridge onto the green. As luck would have it, once it hit the green it was tracking right for the hole and 25 feet later it dropped in for my par. Feeling like I was in jail in that bunker, I used my first of two get out of jail free cards and made par.
Hole #13 plays slightly uphill at 430 yards. Off the tee you have plenty of room right but again you find a large bunker right front of the green filled with palm trees. Ideally, you would like to kill a drive down the left side and have an open look at the pin which was on the far right portion of the green. Some days you just can't back up want you want to do with your game. My drive was mediocre down the right side leaving me with a three hybrid. Needing to either play it to the left short or play a shot over the trees I went for the pin and again caught the cluster of palm trees. This time I dropped down to where I was blocked out and had to play a long bunker shot to the left side of the green. Now with over 30 feet left pin high, I rolled in a right breaking putt for yet another get out of jail free par.
Usually I only post my favorite holes, these two were not. Both holes without the palms would be good holes. Adding the palms really makes them both way too penal. #5 would still have a good risk/reward option and allow you a better chance of making it in two with just a lake and bunker to deal with. #13 is a brute of a par 4 to begin with and by placing a wall of 15 palm trees in front of the green now turns it into almost a par 5.
As the architect noted he was going to have to work to make it interesting, using the palms didn't add any more interest but a uniqueness to those two holes. I can not remember playing a course that had more than one tree growing in a bunker. The closest I have seen are the several yucca plants growing in the bunkers at Prairie Dunes. Fortunately, this day I had a couple of get out jail cards in my pocket to salvage pars on these two. Luck somedays beats skill.
Other notable holes: #3, #9, & #16.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/VenetianBay513?feat=directlink
Hole #5 is a dog leg right that plays at around 500 yards. If you can hit a big fade off the tee it will allow you to get on the right portion of the fairway and have a go at it in two. Otherwise, your best option would be to layup on your approach well left. My drive ended up in the left rough just short of one of the many bunkers. I laid up to the 100 mark but a bit more right than I liked which brought the front right bunker in play. That alone would not be a problem except of what you see in the picture, about ten large palm trees planted in it. I hit a fat shot with my 51 degree wedge and clunked one of the trees and dropped down in the sand. Continuing my chunkyness, my bunker shot barely made it out and left me with a chip over the front ridge onto the green. As luck would have it, once it hit the green it was tracking right for the hole and 25 feet later it dropped in for my par. Feeling like I was in jail in that bunker, I used my first of two get out of jail free cards and made par.
Hole #13 plays slightly uphill at 430 yards. Off the tee you have plenty of room right but again you find a large bunker right front of the green filled with palm trees. Ideally, you would like to kill a drive down the left side and have an open look at the pin which was on the far right portion of the green. Some days you just can't back up want you want to do with your game. My drive was mediocre down the right side leaving me with a three hybrid. Needing to either play it to the left short or play a shot over the trees I went for the pin and again caught the cluster of palm trees. This time I dropped down to where I was blocked out and had to play a long bunker shot to the left side of the green. Now with over 30 feet left pin high, I rolled in a right breaking putt for yet another get out of jail free par.
Usually I only post my favorite holes, these two were not. Both holes without the palms would be good holes. Adding the palms really makes them both way too penal. #5 would still have a good risk/reward option and allow you a better chance of making it in two with just a lake and bunker to deal with. #13 is a brute of a par 4 to begin with and by placing a wall of 15 palm trees in front of the green now turns it into almost a par 5.
As the architect noted he was going to have to work to make it interesting, using the palms didn't add any more interest but a uniqueness to those two holes. I can not remember playing a course that had more than one tree growing in a bunker. The closest I have seen are the several yucca plants growing in the bunkers at Prairie Dunes. Fortunately, this day I had a couple of get out jail cards in my pocket to salvage pars on these two. Luck somedays beats skill.
Other notable holes: #3, #9, & #16.
Friday, April 23, 2010
LPGA-Champions #18
The Rees Jones designed Champions Course at LPGA opened in 1994. It with the Arthur Hills, Legends Course comprise this 36 hole complex in Daytona Beach. Where the Legends is more tropical vegetation, secluded with moderate bunkering, the Champions is wide open, with some residential development, and lots of sand. Two very different courses indeed. Both courses are always impeccably conditioned due to the diligent work of Director of Maintenance, John Lammrish.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/LPGAChampions18?feat=directlink
Hole #18 is a very challenging, dogleg left, finishing hole that plays around 445 yards. Off the tee you have about 150 yards of carry over a swampy area. Push your drive to far right and you find the long lateral bunker, to far left and you find water. Ideally, a drive with a slight draw will leave you in a position to have a go at the green in two. Again, the hazards of your approach shot are similar to your drive, water on the left and several bunkers protecting the front and right side of the green. I have played this course several times and probably only find the fairway half of the time. The right bunker is my common miss here, but today I flirted with the left side more due to the strong east wind. I ended up 177 yards to a front pin about 5 yards into the left side of the fairway. Couldn't have had a better angle because of the opening on the left third of the green. My five iron found the left fringe pin high. My SW chip hit the pin and left me with two inches for my par.
The front pin position is by far the easiest spot to score on this hole. If you are hitting in from the right side you will have to contend with several bunkers when the pin is back. Most often because you are coming in with a long iron or hybrid you will not hold the green and run off the back. This is not a bad option to error long when the pin is middle to back.
I personally like strong finishing holes that have risk/reward options and a need for length with accuracy to be able to make birdie. I would like to have the 18th hole make a strong impression with which to remember the course. This hole has all of those traits along with the need for some finesse to be able to draw the ball off the tee. No surprise that this is the toughest par 4 at Champions and my favorite. Making a par here is a great end to your days play. Make birdie and you have picked up a couple of strokes on the field.
Other notable holes: #5, #10, #13, #14, #17.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/LPGAChampions18?feat=directlink
Hole #18 is a very challenging, dogleg left, finishing hole that plays around 445 yards. Off the tee you have about 150 yards of carry over a swampy area. Push your drive to far right and you find the long lateral bunker, to far left and you find water. Ideally, a drive with a slight draw will leave you in a position to have a go at the green in two. Again, the hazards of your approach shot are similar to your drive, water on the left and several bunkers protecting the front and right side of the green. I have played this course several times and probably only find the fairway half of the time. The right bunker is my common miss here, but today I flirted with the left side more due to the strong east wind. I ended up 177 yards to a front pin about 5 yards into the left side of the fairway. Couldn't have had a better angle because of the opening on the left third of the green. My five iron found the left fringe pin high. My SW chip hit the pin and left me with two inches for my par.
The front pin position is by far the easiest spot to score on this hole. If you are hitting in from the right side you will have to contend with several bunkers when the pin is back. Most often because you are coming in with a long iron or hybrid you will not hold the green and run off the back. This is not a bad option to error long when the pin is middle to back.
I personally like strong finishing holes that have risk/reward options and a need for length with accuracy to be able to make birdie. I would like to have the 18th hole make a strong impression with which to remember the course. This hole has all of those traits along with the need for some finesse to be able to draw the ball off the tee. No surprise that this is the toughest par 4 at Champions and my favorite. Making a par here is a great end to your days play. Make birdie and you have picked up a couple of strokes on the field.
Other notable holes: #5, #10, #13, #14, #17.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A Course called Ireland
A Long Walk in Search of a Country, A Pint, and the Next Tee by Tom Coyne. I would highly recommend reading this book.
This is about a married man in his early 30's who decides to "walk" around Ireland, playing all the links courses and others on his way. The journey takes him 4 months and almost 1200 miles on foot. It took 4,531 strokes , he was 636 over par, and 129 golf balls to play 56 courses.
The bulk of the book is not about golf but the trials and tribulations of his walk, the history of Ireland, and the time spent with locals in the many Irish Pubs. I especially liked how he interspersed Ireland's centuries of conflicts into the story. It gave me more insight into why the Protestants and Catholics have had issues with each other over time.
I have to admit that this is the first 300 page book I can remember finishing off in less than a week. It not only kept my interest but has gotten me fired up for a future tour of Ireland, hopefully in 2011 or 2012, to follow Coyne's path and experience some of their great Links courses. When I go I will definitely be taking motor transportation and trying to see as much as I can in only three weeks.
Speaking of Links Courses does anyone have a list of Links courses in the World? I would gladly post it here and share it. Doing some research it appears that there is not a consensus as what constitutes a true links golf course. The range is somewhere between 150-250 courses worldwide depending upon who you read. In the USA I am told that the following could qualify: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, Highland Links, and the back nine at Pacific Grove.
Update- In November, 2010, George Pepper and Malcolm Campbell came out with a book, TRUE LINKS. They feel there are 246 links courses in the world, of which five are in North America: Bandon Dunes, Cabot Links, Highland Links, Old Macdonald, and Pacific Dunes. Personally, I think they are on the high end of reality but it sure doesn't hurt book sales to include more courses than less. Interesting book and a great reference for links golf. To date I have played about 70 of the True Links courses.
This is about a married man in his early 30's who decides to "walk" around Ireland, playing all the links courses and others on his way. The journey takes him 4 months and almost 1200 miles on foot. It took 4,531 strokes , he was 636 over par, and 129 golf balls to play 56 courses.
The bulk of the book is not about golf but the trials and tribulations of his walk, the history of Ireland, and the time spent with locals in the many Irish Pubs. I especially liked how he interspersed Ireland's centuries of conflicts into the story. It gave me more insight into why the Protestants and Catholics have had issues with each other over time.
I have to admit that this is the first 300 page book I can remember finishing off in less than a week. It not only kept my interest but has gotten me fired up for a future tour of Ireland, hopefully in 2011 or 2012, to follow Coyne's path and experience some of their great Links courses. When I go I will definitely be taking motor transportation and trying to see as much as I can in only three weeks.
Speaking of Links Courses does anyone have a list of Links courses in the World? I would gladly post it here and share it. Doing some research it appears that there is not a consensus as what constitutes a true links golf course. The range is somewhere between 150-250 courses worldwide depending upon who you read. In the USA I am told that the following could qualify: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, Highland Links, and the back nine at Pacific Grove.
Update- In November, 2010, George Pepper and Malcolm Campbell came out with a book, TRUE LINKS. They feel there are 246 links courses in the world, of which five are in North America: Bandon Dunes, Cabot Links, Highland Links, Old Macdonald, and Pacific Dunes. Personally, I think they are on the high end of reality but it sure doesn't hurt book sales to include more courses than less. Interesting book and a great reference for links golf. To date I have played about 70 of the True Links courses.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Southern Dunes #11 & #16
Southern Dunes Golf and CC is a Steve Smyers design located in Haines City, Florida. Opened in 1993, the dominant feature are the 189 bunkers. Having previously played Wolf Run, I was not surprised by the wonderful work that Smyers does on bunker design. Granted the majority of the bunkers are just eye candy and would normally not come into play for the average golfer, they surely do add to the aesthetics of the course. The day before I played Southern Dunes they had a real downpour of rain and for the most part the course drained very well with the exception of a few bunkers. The problem I saw with so many bunkers was the man hours of labor it was going to take to get them all back in shape after the storm. My guess was it would take the rest of the week. The course is surrounded by a real estate development but because several of the holes are well below the home level it gives you a feeling of isolation from them when playing the course. The homes didn't come close to coming into play.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/SouthernDunes1116?feat=directlink
Hole #11 is a par 3 that played 190 yards to a back pin into a 10-15 mph wind. The first thing you notice are all the bunkers (11) that are visible. None of them should come into play except for a really poor shot. The deception on the tee of this hole is the severe penalty you will pay if you are long left or right. My philosophy on par 3's is the same as with birdie putts, make sure you get it to the hole. So, I went with the longer hybrid and hit a nice shot which landed just a few feet past the pin and trickled off the back. As I got closer to the hole I realized that I should have gone with the shorter club due to the severe drop off of the back half of the green. There was some thick rough long that held my ball up from rolling all the way down the back slope. I was able to chip up with a 60 deg wedge and stop it within tap in range for a par. Ideally, you should not challenge anything long on this hole and play up to the middle of the green. From the tee, without local knowledge, there is no way to tell how severe a shot you may leave yourself with by missing long. Southern Dunes has a very nice variety in the distance and direction of one shot holes.
The sixteenth hole is a short par 5 featuring a classic Biarritz green. A Biarritz is a green with a large swale in the middle, the swale is usually at least 4 feet deep and guarded on both ends by a bunker. They are most commonly seen on the long par 3's designed by C.B. Macdonald and his proteges. This green is rather small in depth at only 22 yards so it makes it very difficult to find a front or back pin. Today, the pin was at the base of the swale which made for an easy approach shot but a difficult read on your putt.
Off the tee you have a generous landing area for your drive with the only danger being two large bunkers on the left. Smyers bunkers at Southern Dunes are generally very large with capes or small spines to access them. At 507 yards from the blues you can take a run at the green or lay up on your approach. There is a large mound protecting the right front of the green. If the pin isn't placed in the front portion of the green you can go at straight on, if a front pin the best way you can get the ball on the green is to lay up left of the hole and pitch on. Bottom line is if you have a front or back pin position it is going to be difficult to get it close due to the deep swale. I hit a 3 wood on my approach and ended up left of the green in a perfect position for a front pin. I pitched with my 60 degree to a few feet right of the middle pin and was left with what looked like an easy straight putt which I missed. If I had played here before I might have known this putt had some break in it and had a better chance for making birdie. Par is excellently defended at #16 around the green as are at two other par 5 holes, #4 and #9. I choose #16 because of the superb use of the classic Biarritz design.
Other notable holes: #4, #5, #9, #13, #14, and #15.
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/SouthernDunes1116?feat=directlink
Hole #11 is a par 3 that played 190 yards to a back pin into a 10-15 mph wind. The first thing you notice are all the bunkers (11) that are visible. None of them should come into play except for a really poor shot. The deception on the tee of this hole is the severe penalty you will pay if you are long left or right. My philosophy on par 3's is the same as with birdie putts, make sure you get it to the hole. So, I went with the longer hybrid and hit a nice shot which landed just a few feet past the pin and trickled off the back. As I got closer to the hole I realized that I should have gone with the shorter club due to the severe drop off of the back half of the green. There was some thick rough long that held my ball up from rolling all the way down the back slope. I was able to chip up with a 60 deg wedge and stop it within tap in range for a par. Ideally, you should not challenge anything long on this hole and play up to the middle of the green. From the tee, without local knowledge, there is no way to tell how severe a shot you may leave yourself with by missing long. Southern Dunes has a very nice variety in the distance and direction of one shot holes.
The sixteenth hole is a short par 5 featuring a classic Biarritz green. A Biarritz is a green with a large swale in the middle, the swale is usually at least 4 feet deep and guarded on both ends by a bunker. They are most commonly seen on the long par 3's designed by C.B. Macdonald and his proteges. This green is rather small in depth at only 22 yards so it makes it very difficult to find a front or back pin. Today, the pin was at the base of the swale which made for an easy approach shot but a difficult read on your putt.
Off the tee you have a generous landing area for your drive with the only danger being two large bunkers on the left. Smyers bunkers at Southern Dunes are generally very large with capes or small spines to access them. At 507 yards from the blues you can take a run at the green or lay up on your approach. There is a large mound protecting the right front of the green. If the pin isn't placed in the front portion of the green you can go at straight on, if a front pin the best way you can get the ball on the green is to lay up left of the hole and pitch on. Bottom line is if you have a front or back pin position it is going to be difficult to get it close due to the deep swale. I hit a 3 wood on my approach and ended up left of the green in a perfect position for a front pin. I pitched with my 60 degree to a few feet right of the middle pin and was left with what looked like an easy straight putt which I missed. If I had played here before I might have known this putt had some break in it and had a better chance for making birdie. Par is excellently defended at #16 around the green as are at two other par 5 holes, #4 and #9. I choose #16 because of the superb use of the classic Biarritz design.
Other notable holes: #4, #5, #9, #13, #14, and #15.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Pacific Dunes #11
Sitting inside watching it rain on another cool winter day in Florida has got me day dreaming about my upcoming trip to Bandon Dunes, the first of August. This summer will be my third pilgrimage to the Resort. Now with the new fourth course opened we will be playing 8 rounds over four days, instead of the six I have played the past two trips. The weather at the start of August has been in the 60-70 degree range, sunny, with average winds of 10-20 mph. It can be much stronger and the courses are designed with the ground game in mind. One of my most used shots is the hybrid runner from up to 100 yards out when the wind is gusting. Walking is mandatory with caddies and pull carts available.
Of the three courses I have played there, Pacific Dunes is my favorite followed by Bandon Trails. Pacific was designed by Tom Doak's team and came online in 2001. In fact of all the courses I have played to date, if I had one last course to play again, Pacific Dunes is the one I would pick.
There are endless ways to go about playing each hole at Pacific, with the many routes you can take on the ground or through the air. The fescue fairways are very generous and almost as firm and fast as the fescue greens. It is somewhat unconventional in the layout with two par 3's starting out your back nine. But they are so different that you never really get the feeling you have just played back to back one shot holes. Before your back nine is completed you will have another two par 3's and a short par 4 to experience. Par is 35 and plays a bit over 3100 yards from the back tees. It is one of the most enjoyable nines you will ever play. Who says you need length to have a great course?
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/PacificDunes11?feat=directlink
The 11th hole is a short par 3 that plays from 110 to 145 yards. In the summer it usually plays into the prevailing NW wind which can get up to 40 mph or more. On the left is the Pacific Ocean ,110 feet below, with a deep bunker in between it and the green. Short is a series of tiered bunkers, gorse, and beach grass. To the right are three more bunkers to keep you in play. If that were not enough of a challenge, you are shooting uphill at the smallest green on the course.
When you step up to the tee this is one of the most beautiful and visual intimidating holes you will ever play. It ranks right up there with the 7th at Pebble and 17th at TPC Stadium that I have played. Actually, the hole has more bark than bite. I think of the five par 3's at Pacific Dunes it is the easiest for me.
I have played it in moderate winds, and winds of 40 gusting to 50 mph. That particular windy day I hit an exceptional 6 iron from 110 yards right over the pin to about 6 feet. I have hit as little as a PW. Missing to the right you will initially think you have got to be dead, but more times than not you will have a chance to hit it on the green and have a shot at par. The one place you don't want to go is left on the beach below, fortunately the stronger the wind the less chance you have of doing so. There are bunkers guarding the left side of the green, so don't be afraid to aim at these if the summer wind is up.
I have played this hole six times with the worst score being a bogey. I have had some good birdie chances but have only made one. Even par at #11 for my 6 rounds, is the best I have done on any of the holes at Pacific Dunes. Visual intimidation, beauty, and scoreablity are reasons why this is one of my favorites at Pacific Dunes.
8/1/10 Update. My favorite par three at Pacific Dunes did not treat me so well on this trip. I plugged in the left bunker and took a double my last round but was still able to shoot 78. The other two days produced bogies from the right side. This trip I played the other par 3's at even par.
Other notable short holes at Pacific: #2,#5,#6,#14,#16, and #17.
Of the three courses I have played there, Pacific Dunes is my favorite followed by Bandon Trails. Pacific was designed by Tom Doak's team and came online in 2001. In fact of all the courses I have played to date, if I had one last course to play again, Pacific Dunes is the one I would pick.
There are endless ways to go about playing each hole at Pacific, with the many routes you can take on the ground or through the air. The fescue fairways are very generous and almost as firm and fast as the fescue greens. It is somewhat unconventional in the layout with two par 3's starting out your back nine. But they are so different that you never really get the feeling you have just played back to back one shot holes. Before your back nine is completed you will have another two par 3's and a short par 4 to experience. Par is 35 and plays a bit over 3100 yards from the back tees. It is one of the most enjoyable nines you will ever play. Who says you need length to have a great course?
http://picasaweb.google.com/InPursuitof1000/PacificDunes11?feat=directlink
The 11th hole is a short par 3 that plays from 110 to 145 yards. In the summer it usually plays into the prevailing NW wind which can get up to 40 mph or more. On the left is the Pacific Ocean ,110 feet below, with a deep bunker in between it and the green. Short is a series of tiered bunkers, gorse, and beach grass. To the right are three more bunkers to keep you in play. If that were not enough of a challenge, you are shooting uphill at the smallest green on the course.
When you step up to the tee this is one of the most beautiful and visual intimidating holes you will ever play. It ranks right up there with the 7th at Pebble and 17th at TPC Stadium that I have played. Actually, the hole has more bark than bite. I think of the five par 3's at Pacific Dunes it is the easiest for me.
I have played it in moderate winds, and winds of 40 gusting to 50 mph. That particular windy day I hit an exceptional 6 iron from 110 yards right over the pin to about 6 feet. I have hit as little as a PW. Missing to the right you will initially think you have got to be dead, but more times than not you will have a chance to hit it on the green and have a shot at par. The one place you don't want to go is left on the beach below, fortunately the stronger the wind the less chance you have of doing so. There are bunkers guarding the left side of the green, so don't be afraid to aim at these if the summer wind is up.
I have played this hole six times with the worst score being a bogey. I have had some good birdie chances but have only made one. Even par at #11 for my 6 rounds, is the best I have done on any of the holes at Pacific Dunes. Visual intimidation, beauty, and scoreablity are reasons why this is one of my favorites at Pacific Dunes.
8/1/10 Update. My favorite par three at Pacific Dunes did not treat me so well on this trip. I plugged in the left bunker and took a double my last round but was still able to shoot 78. The other two days produced bogies from the right side. This trip I played the other par 3's at even par.
Other notable short holes at Pacific: #2,#5,#6,#14,#16, and #17.
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