Playing golf in Vancouver Canada (NO POLITICS!)

[mukster]

Played Meadow Gardens today. They punched week before last. Greens were awful as expected. 
Was good to get out regardless. 

[Phireside]

Mix of no rain, light rain, and medium rain out at FV today. Greens pretty unplayable after punching and the rain. The sand and the wet make it tough to get the ball to the hole. But all in all, it was nice to be out at FV which is one of my favs that I don't get to play often.

[The Beav]

We got the full Kings Links treatment today.  High wind, crazy gusts, and sideways rain for 7 or 8 holes.  Course was in great shape, especially the greens.  

 

Best part? A nice sub 3hr walking round and others on the course actually waved us through.  Didn't think that was a thing in Van anymore.

[Phireside]

2 hours ago, The Beav said:

We got the full Kings Links treatment today.  High wind, crazy gusts, and sideways rain for 7 or 8 holes.  Course was in great shape, especially the greens.  

 

Best part? A nice sub 3hr walking round and others on the course actually waved us through.  Didn't think that was a thing in Van anymore.

We got through FV in about 3 hours today.

 

I recall a round about 2019-2020 at UBC, we were a 4 ball and a twosome was catching up and waiting a bit. Don't remember the hole but it was a par 4, we agreed that we would tee off, walk up and then wave the twosome through. When the guys hit and came up to us, one of them had the stones to say "you're supposed to only wave groups through on par 3's." We all thought they might actually say thanks for letting us through. You can't please them all apparently.

Edited April 28, 2024 by Phireside

[myspinonit]

19 hours ago, Phireside said:

We got through FV in about 3 hours today.

 

I recall a round about 2019-2020 at UBC, we were a 4 ball and a twosome was catching up and waiting a bit. Don't remember the hole but it was a par 4, we agreed that we would tee off, walk up and then wave the twosome through. When the guys hit and came up to us, one of them had the stones to say "you're supposed to only wave groups through on par 3's." We all thought they might actually say thanks for letting us through. You can't please them all apparently.

Surprising the number of players still that:

1. don’t get keeping up to the group in front is the obligation not that they "aren't holding anybody up behind us". In one of my golf groups it's in black and white if you fall behind a all,  first two guys finishing a hole get to the next tee pronto and tee off to help trying to catch up. In my other group (University) I just got word that after one warning they may just tell a group to pick up and get to the next tee. Bravo. (And tough luck I guess for anyone in that foursome that was in good shape to that point for a tournament.)

 

but

more to your point (and sadly I play with some of these offenders)----

2. don’t realize it is not acceptable that a faster group following less than four should just  waiit.  i.e. Not aware that current pace of place USGA and Golf Canada etiquette guidelines is to let faster groups play through,  whether they are just faster, or are a threesome, twosome or even a single.  Some still think that a single has no standing on the course….very old practice. 

 

 

Aside...Glad some of you guys are getting out even ith the cooler and wetter  conditions this April. This is the first year in a while I can't get excited about playing right now.  Though thumb arthritIs which is really telling me  it hates the cold, especially wet cold, is a big part of that. I'm expecting Amazon delivery next week of a supposedly quite water-resistant rechargeable hand warmer.. So we'll see how that goes. 

Edited April 29, 2024 by myspinonit

[myspinonit]

On 4/28/2024 at 11:44 AM, myspinonit said:

Surprising the number of players still that:

1. don’t get keeping up to the group in front is the obligation not that they "aren't holding anybody up behind us". In one of my golf groups it's in black and white if you fall behind a all,  first two guys finishing a hole get to the next tee pronto and tee off to help trying to catch up. In my other group (University) I just got word that after one warning they may just tell a group to pick up and get to the next tee. Bravo. (And tough luck I guess for anyone in that foursome that was in good shape to that point for a tournament.)

 

but

more to your point (and sadly I play with some of these offenders)----

2. don’t realize it is not acceptable that a faster group following less than four should just  waiit.  i.e. Not aware that current pace of place USGA and Golf Canada etiquette guidelines is to let faster groups play through,  whether they are just faster, or are a threesome, twosome or even a single.  Some still think that a single has no standing on the course….very old practice. 

 

 

Aside...Glad some of you guys are getting out even ith the cooler and wetter  conditions this April. This is the first year in a while I can't get excited about playing right now.  Though thumb arthritIs which is really telling me  it hates the cold, especially wet cold, is a big part of that. I'm expecting Amazon delivery next week of a supposedly quite water-resistant rechargeable hand warmer.. So we'll see how that goes. 

I take the last para back as warmth returns for now. 
Played  yesterday had a helluva fun time generally (including finding a putter grip easier on the thumb as I went, 4 grips in five holes I think) before I settled on a modified  one of my old faithful. Hands feel pretty good today. Can’t wait for next week’s play.  Boy, golf and me are fickle

 

[The Couv]

Redwoods opening May 9th but the rates are a bit high for my taste.  I enjoy that course but won’t play it much at that price.

[Phireside]

11 minutes ago, The Couv said:

Redwoods opening May 9th but the rates are a bit high for my taste.  I enjoy that course but won’t play it much at that price.

What are the details? I don't see anything on the site yet.

[The Couv]

I’m on their email list so I got an email yesterday I think.

 

$89 weekdays, $109 weekends 

[Phireside]

5 hours ago, The Couv said:

I’m on their email list so I got an email yesterday I think.

 

$89 weekdays, $109 weekends 

Found the email in my junk folder. I think it's a tough pill to swallow but the state of rates around here, it's roughly in line with what others have done in the years it's been closed. The unknown is what the course is like now. If all the upgrades and conditions justify it, then I'm fine with it. It's a great course.

[The Beav]

Anyone with a post-aeration Fraserview update? Need to decide on a Friday round there.

[myspinonit]

14 hours ago, The Beav said:

Anyone with a post-aeration Fraserview update? Need to decide on a Friday round there.

Ha. I was just going to post. Played today. No one (we had more than one teetime)  could get the ball to the hole on the greens. Never have seen them this slow. Was  told after the round they haven't cut them yet after aeration to help the healing.  I rather doubt that, since I believe aeration  was the week of Apr 22, and I wasn't putting through rough. But they certainly weren't  close- cropped.

Edited May 7, 2024 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

 Beautiful day up at tower ranch.. finally starting to get some half decent weather 

Edited May 10, 2024 by Shushwap

[mukster]

20 hours ago, Shushwap said:

 Beautiful day up at tower ranch.. finally starting to get some half decent weather 

Nice😎

My buddy is doing his marshal duties today and just sent me this

 

[Shushwap]

We need people to post pics of where there playing. 

I love to see course pics 

So many places I will never get to play 

[myspinonit]

7 hours ago, Shushwap said:

We need people to post pics of where there playing. 

I love to see course pics 

So many places I will never get to play 

Good point. 

 

Reminds me  I meant to post that Langara has some green issues (slower and bumpy) post winter and post-aeration. Played last Thursday, most notable to me were some bare patches on the 15th green (Hhmmmm...maybe that was post-vandalism remains).  I don't recall seeing that when I played May 4, but maybe that was just that these were deep in the green in front of the back right pin last Thursday. 

 

University was coming along well condition-wise yesterday and greens were in better shape and faster than Fraserview and Langara that had later aeration.

 

Sadly  (I think it may be a while till completed) both holes 6 and 7 at University are now shortish Par 3's. Under  construction as I understand it is a new par 3 green for hole 6 and to merge the current number 6 tee and hole 7 into  a long par 4 (or a par 5?) number 7.  Ending at the current par three 7th green NW of  the Golf Museum. History: Number 6 used to be a good longer par 4, but after many complaints from residents  on the street left about stray golf balls, it was shortened to about a rather boring 300 yards. Well forward of the previous tee-box. So the new par 3 is filling in mostly no-man's land.  

 

As far as pics go, Shuswap, I may post you a sexy pic of a golf cart going into the water! Bit the bullet today and bought a Rovic Swivel RV1S and Alphard V2.  The remote  aspect scares me a bit (vs onboard controls) but positive reviews online and by friend golfers, wheelie bars ( vs none on some standalone e-carts)  and pushing three times this week in warmer weather and fading on the last few holes each time finally convinced me it was time.

Edited May 12, 2024 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

10 hours ago, myspinonit said:

 

As far as pics go, Shuswap, I may post you a sexy pic of a golf cart going into the water! Bit the bullet today and bought a Rovic Swivel RV1S and Alphard V2.  The remote  aspect scares me a bit (vs onboard controls) but positive reviews online and by friend golfers, wheelie bars ( vs none on some standalone e-carts)  and pushing three times this week in warmer weather and fading on the last few holes each time finally convinced me it was time.

Let me know what you think of the Alphard V2

A friend purchased one a few years ago..  he only used it a few times and stopped 

I think he decided he wasn't a walker lol 

I have been threatening to purchase it from him.. 

[mukster]

25 minutes ago, Shushwap said:

Let me know what you think of the Alphard V2

A friend purchased one a few years ago..  he only used it a few times and stopped 

I think he decided he wasn't a walker lol 

I have been threatening to purchase it from him.. 

Interesting. I actually like the exercise of walking and pushing my cart. I find the walking far more exercise than pushing a golf cart. Always wonder why people go for motorized golf carts.

[myspinonit]

11 hours ago, mukster said:

Interesting. I actually like the exercise of walking and pushing my cart. I find the walking far more exercise than pushing a golf cart. Always wonder why people go for motorized golf carts.

We'll see I guess.  I'll let you know, Shuswap. Remind me if I forget.

 

I find the pushing harder than the walking, at least uphill on  softer fairways  (e.g. Fraserview holes 7-10).   Or just on plain hot days that even drained me 30 years ago.  All the guys I know who have them really enjoy them and most play multiple rounds a week.   Hmm....I often use an umbrella on sunny days for more UV protection so probably that impedes on energy pushing a cart especially in a a light breeze? 

 

One of the guys at Peak Golf told me yesterday (after I had bought it ) that he just saw a ton of guys using them at Whistler last weekend. The Alphard is supposed to handle rain ok, and some of the guys I know who have one play here regularly in the winter. 

 

Certainly there will be  more maintenance (charging etc.) and a bit more setup and take-down time,  more room taken in the vehicle (still need a pushcart with modified brackets). And certainly the need to be more attentive as one moves along.

 

 I had a Powacaddy for just a  few weeks several years ago but dumped it at a big loss mostly as it did not have "wheelie bars" and was prone to tip backwards.  This model does have wheelie bars.

 

So fingers crossed.

 

I took the new toy(s) onto a field to today to test it out with the remote ( manufacturer recommended) and am doing a similar practice as a single at flat Musqueum tomorrow. Today handling was ok. The hardest thing for me was to figure the levers to secure/release  the Alphard fo/from the cart brackets. 🙂

 

Edited May 13, 2024 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

On 5/12/2024 at 8:34 AM, mukster said:

Interesting. I actually like the exercise of walking and pushing my cart. I find the walking far more exercise than pushing a golf cart. Always wonder why people go for motorized golf carts.

Interesting as I think i would walk if I had a motorized cart... I have a push cart now that I use at a few executive courses... I have not tried to walk a full size course with it...

[The Beav]

I went on a golf bender this past weekend and can report on a bunch of places.

 

Morgan Creek - Very good.  Probably 1-2 weeks away from being mint. A very nice and welcome surprise.

Redwoods - Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was really let down.  Fairways were quite shaggy and sandy, and the greens were extremely slow.  Not worth anywhere near the $110 weekend rate they are charging right now.

Northlands - Immaculate. Probably the best shape I've ever seen it.   I wish they'd enforce pace of play a little more aggressively, but that's a minor nitpick. 

Riverway - Very good as we all know.  Course was actually starting to brown a little and playing firm and fast.  Greens smooth and quick enough.

Canal - Very good.  Greens could be a touch faster IMO.  They have the rough very long and thick right now which is a little annoying when you need to community ball search for balls within 2 yards of the fairway. 

 

All in all, we are truly blessed with great public golf options in this area.  Get out there and enjoy it fellas.

[bekgolf]

On 5/12/2024 at 8:34 AM, mukster said:

Interesting. I actually like the exercise of walking and pushing my cart. I find the walking far more exercise than pushing a golf cart. Always wonder why people go for motorized golf carts.

 

Hilly courses and age.  An electric push cart allows me to play hilly courses and still get the exercise from walking.  Pushing a cart is doable but the hills make it a lot harder.  I'd rather carry a hilly course than to push a cart, the hills are so much easier when carrying imo.

[myspinonit]

3 hours ago, bekgolf said:

 

Hilly courses and age.  An electric push cart allows me to play hilly courses and still get the exercise from walking.  Pushing a cart is doable but the hills make it a lot harder.  I'd rather carry a hilly course than to push a cart, the hills are so much easier when carrying imo.

 🖕

I tell the story now that many years ago when I played McCleery (with the heavy old style vinyl cart bags, heavy 2 wheel PULL  carts)  that on a hot  day sometimes I would choose to carry that heavy bag the whole round  rather than walk up that hill dragging my clubs.

 

Fast forward about thirty or thirty five years, playing in a seniors group I learned  better. That (duh!)  you are  going to be  coming down 11 so take a putter and wedge or such to finish and a driver for teeing off 11 and leave the rest at the bottom. Kinda sorta like the old bull, young bull joke. 😀

 

 

Edited May 14, 2024 by myspinonit

[myspinonit]

On 5/12/2024 at 8:07 AM, Shushwap said:

Let me know what you think of the Alphard V2

A friend purchased one a few years ago..  he only used it a few times and stopped 

I think he decided he wasn't a walker lol 

I have been threatening to purchase it from him.. 

Ok...first round out today...on a flat exec course (Musqueum) just to try it out on the flat.  Small hiccup, the wheelie bars were installed a bit low (should be above ground) and  a bracket support was installed backwards - not by me. It's in the store and I expect it to be rectified tomorrow.

 

I liked it though. certainly helped it was flat and  slow play ahead so I did not feel rushed. (In fact our threesome had fun as a practice round with Mulligans, extra chips and putts ). 

 

 There are a number of factors to consider for selecting an electric cart.  Or earier model vs current Alphard kits) from my research, fellow golfers info and personal experience.

 

If you want, send me a PM with your phone # and we'll chat.

Edited May 14, 2024 by myspinonit

[Haroputt]

Anyone done putter fitting with one putt or club champion in Richmond/Vancouver 

If so how was it ?  
can pm if it’s too negative 

[myspinonit]

2 hours ago, Haroputt said:

Anyone done putter fitting with one putt or club champion in Richmond/Vancouver 

If so how was it ?  
can pm if it’s too negative 

No, but I did it at Morgan Creek I think about six years ago.  Testing with all his fancy-dancy laser, and computer tech showing swing  path etc.  He had some to buy and or buy and adjust but also had a deal with Surrey Golftown that if I found a putter (s)  I liked, he could get them to his studio to try on his setup and if I wanted to buy at GT price.

I ended up with a Scotty mallet with a similar arc to the one I play now. Though Lincoln Li (no longer in Canada sadly) adjusted my current one a bit a couple of years ago. It isn't going anywhere.

Edited May 21, 2024 by myspinonit

[Shushwap]

I did a putter fitting at evnroll hq in carlsbad 

Was Interesting to go over all the numbers 

Fitting was done on a quintic same as morgan uses 

[Phireside]

I posted this in the club fitters thread, but wondering if anyone has experience at Genuine Golf in North Van? Wondering if they have all the OEMs and shaft options in house to get fit on? Looking to do a fwy wood fitting.

[Shushwap]

Played talking rock today.. The fire really did some damage in that area 

This was my favorite course as it was so private in between the trees 

I hope they are able to invest in replanting 

Not sure how much I will play there now 

The bunkers were trash.. rocks and weeds coming up all over 

[The Beav]

6 hours ago, Shushwap said:

Played talking rock today.. The fire really did some damage in that area 

This was my favorite course as it was so private in between the trees 

I hope they are able to invest in replanting 

Not sure how much I will play there now 

The bunkers were trash.. rocks and weeds coming up all over 

Oh man that looks so different!  I guess we should be grateful the course itself survived, but that's tough.