MountainKing

I haven't been there in years, but if I remember the place correctly, that's one heck of an impressive slice to get one into the lake. If they're worried about re-tee' and pace of play, might be time to throw a drop area up in the fairway 120 out. You hit in the water - next step is to go drop up there. Why put that on the starter if it's a constant issue? Some of these courses need to do a better job helping themselves out.

If you're thinking about it this much without spending a dime, then you probably should move on and look at something else. My approach - I don't buy anything that I haven't been fit into.

Coyote Run did the same thing last time I was there. I did ask the starter what the point was since the damage was already done, and I got looked at like I'm the crazy one.

I fell in love with the MG gloves, and since they were cheap as could be over the years I've stocked up on them like they're going out of business. Given how many I have, and how cheap they were, I'll just toss the glove and pull out a new one if it gets in too bad of shape. I usually only keep the glove on to hit a full shot so even in the worst conditions I normally can get a few rounds out of a glove before sweat kills it.

I like the guys at Prairie Bluff. They don't put up with nonsense.

Not that I want to make assumptions based on looks, but I'd be willing to risk my life savings these 4 were not friends with any of the rangers. Arrowhead is another place, like Prairie Landing, where the staff leaves a lot to be desired. Pro shop gave us a lashing earlier this year for showing up to early to a 6:20 tee time cause he wasn't ready to go. Feel like the starter is always yelling into his radio on 1 when teeing it up. Had some ranger messing with the dang water jugs making a ton of noise while we were hitting... which doesn't bother us but I could see others really getting annoyed with it.

They had the greens running at almost 13 at that time. No public course that gets as much play as Arrow does should be running that fast for weeks on end. Most private courses don't even do that, and when they do it's for days at a time, not weeks. They got a new super this year, have a feeling some of this is rookie error with trying to see what his new toy can do.

Back out to Arrowhead yesterday, and there's a lot to take in. As I predicted, they pushed it to much in early on and now it's showing some pretty good wear. A few of the greens have dead patches and will probably need to be sodded. Others have disease or signs of stress. With all the moisture and lack of mowing they were probably running at a cool 9. It was a bit odd to see downhill putts hit firm still come up short. Very different course now than it was two months back. With the weather we've been having, it is what it is. Pace of play was another story. We started on the west 9 and the group in front of us fell behind pretty quick. We come off of 9 and the group is still getting drinks, food etc. We tried to jump but the starter said no. He then tells us they're fine, they played in 2:15.... we have some back and forth about how they're not keeping up, but the starter made it clear that doesn't matter. By the time we were able to tee off, the 4 ball behind us, and the group behind them were all on waiting. Starter was getting it from them as well, glad they all spoke up. Back 9 was another 2:15, but add in 15 minutes for the stop at that turn and 4:45 is what you got. If you're going to say 2:15 is okay, at least make it so you need be on hole 10 teeing off within 2:15. Most of the back we had 3 groups on every hole. Why is a golf course allowing one group to ruin things for the rest? Lots of rangers out, what's the point? They're just being paid to drive around and wave, take em off the payroll and lower the greens fees. 1 birdie, 2 bogies, 73. After yesterday's experience, we probably will pop this one out of the rotation for the rest of the year. I'm sure they'll miss us.

The two pro's were in there, so at least it wasn't just a kid or older guy running the register when they came in. They don't really put up with a ton, especially guys like this. Also 100% agree on the lightning. If they don't sound the siren for it - then you are leaving the course on your own doing, no rain check should be issued, and more if you go wait it out, you don't get your spot back on the course.

If you aren't going to abide by the pace rules they have in place - then I 100% agree with this! What I don't understand is if there's rain on the radar, how you don't ask what the rain check policy is BEFORE you go play. They did have it out there, but we know that people like this can't really read to begin with.

It was the slow group who I think dropped after 17. So even more amusing. They felt like they were owed at least 9 holes since they didn't finish. Pro-rate that out it would have been less than $5, I can't believe anybody would think taking 10 minutes go get $5 is worth their time. Back 9 pace was going to be pushing 2:30, that alone should disqualify anybody for a rain check when they would have easily made it if they were moving at a reasonable pace. It's amazingly obvious how easy these covid golfers are to identify. For the sanity of us, and course employees, I'm really hoping we're nearing the burst of that bubble. Growing the game is fine, but these guys IMO are not growth, they are destroying it.

Sunday we went out to Prairie Bluff for a morning round. Weather was looking iffy and there was some debate if we should just stick to the range and hit some balls or give it a go. We gave it a go. Course was saturated as expected from all the rain, but it was in fantastic shape despite that. Greens were on the slower slide, but rolled great, and the bunkers held the water really well. Pace was great on the front, we got through in an hour and 20. On the back we hit a wall with pace, and looking at the sky the weather clearly was going to take a turn, but the three groups in front of us were just out there like nothing was going on. The group in front of us would all sit in their carts and wait until until the group were well beyond range until they actually got out and started their pre shot nonsense. The heavens opened up on us on hole 16, luckily all the slow pokes abandoned ship. We were on foot so we just stuck it out and it was a wet wet finish. If these dang covid golfers would have all worked with a bit of urgency, they easily could have finished, along with the two groups behind us prior to the weather. Instead they found themselves inside arguing about rain checks, unreal. I chirped to the pro I know behind the counter they deserve nothing cause their slow play is what caused them to end up in the rain. Anyway, 2 birdies, 2 bogies for a solid even par round. Yesterday was back out to Fyre Lake. I say it every time, but I enjoy the place more and more with every round. Scenic, challenging, a perfect mix between risk/reward, target golf and everything in between. Much like our area, they were hit hard with rain in the last week seeing several inches, so it was a bit softer than usual, but greens were still great and rolled at about a 10. The place holds water well, even in the low areas. Once tho required amenities get put that will get the big guys to finally rank the place, you're going to probably see it in the top 3. $120 weekday rate for all day play, $30 in gas, you can't beat it for the value either. Morning 18 had a tough start going 4 over in the first 5 holes, from there one birdie and one more bogey for a 75. Afternoon 18 tossed in an eagle on 2, birdie on 10 and 15, but balanced that out with a couple doubles and a couple bogies for a 72. Since the course was empty after our second round and we went back out and played I think 7 more, just jumping around to some of our favorite holes. Fyre really is just an incredible golf experience.

All good points - I guess the way I look at it, is just this one event alone doesn't offer anything to either side, it's more getting into what potentially could be the future. What does Grant get out of it if he can't do his thing with it? At that point he's just another guy who will be south of the cut line.

That's a whole other conversation - and much like I wouldn't work for a company that required me to be in the office. I would be real hesitant to go to a US based company that followed this practice. Crazy enough tho, it seems like the companies that are "return to office", are also the same companies that rely heavy on outsourcing to other countries.

I don't know his entire ledger - you look up his company details since it's all public record in FL, and he's the owner of his company, on top of being part owner of For Welness and Takomo. I'm sure he pays a salary out to his production crew, and with taxes and all that I'm guessing he's still raking in well into the low millions. Much less stressful way to make millions compared to the average tour guy you pointed out who is grinding away at it...and if he misses the cut this weekend he makes $0 - where Grant is probably still raking in thousands from doing nothing because his business has a lot of passive income built into it. You just seem to be against all of it, which is fine, ignore it, but to think it's not something that's taking off, taking off fast, and will be a pretty big thing for the foreseeable future, is foolish.