Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[ldchristopher]

I’ve already said my piece about beverage carts and guys getting hammered on the golf course. Apparently being opposed to those things, focusing on golf for golf’s sake rather than as a social activity and/or reason to drink heavily early in the morning, and believing people should - gasp! - repair ball marks and divots makes me a pr!ck. I’m good with that. 

[MountainKing]

2 hours ago, Symphonize said:

 

Hoping to join you with the retire by 50 group! Then have 40 years of uninterrupted golf. 

 

I got about 6 more years to get there. Just had a kid last year, so depending on how things progress it might be head more towards 52-53.  Whenever it happens we'll be moving to a warmer climate and then I'll look for a private club (and probably employment in the golf world).   Not totally sure if I'll have 40 years in the cards, I have a pretty broken body with my back being the biggest mess.  I'll play until my skill diminishes and it's no longer fun.  My guess is retirement will give me about 10, maybe 15 years.

[MountainKing]

1 hour ago, ldchristopher said:

I’ve already said my piece about beverage carts and guys getting hammered on the golf course. Apparently being opposed to those things, focusing on golf for golf’s sake rather than as a social activity and/or reason to drink heavily early in the morning, and believing people should - gasp! - repair ball marks and divots makes me a pr!ck. I’m good with that. 

 

How dare you even think of using a golf course for the primary purpose of golf!

[Quem24]

22 hours ago, chisag said:

 

 

... 🤣  now I think you are just trolling. No different than complaining about 3 straight days of rain Friday - Sunday or in my case 3 months without any rain. It changes nothing but sometimes it is nice to just let it out with others experiencing the same thing. 

Thats fair.  It just fits the overall theme of most posts ITT, which is tiresome to me, so I chimed in this time.  I can be the odd man out, I don’t mind. I don’t smoke cigars…I shouldn’t join a cigar thread and complain about cigar smoke. Just giving you a leisure golfers perspective. 

 

8 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

It's weird to assume the financial status of anybody in either direction.  I could afford a club if I wanted to but the combo of paying thousands a month for something I can only use half the year, and wanting to retire at the age of 50 makes it a bad investment for me.   That shouldn't even be a factor in the conversation tho -  common sense should be an easy thing for everybody on a golf course. 

 

-If you're going to drink, do it in moderation so your cart doesn't end up in a hazard (or worse you take a family out on your ride home)

-If you listen to music, do it at a reasonable level so the rest of the course isn't subjected to it

-Play the right tees, and if you're a high handicapper having a rough hole know when to pick up (or play a format like stableford that has a max score)

-Do what you need to do to get around in 4 hours

-take care of your messes on the course (divots, ball marks, garbage

 

Telling people they should go join a club shouldn't be the answer, it's so simple to do the basic things, but instead you get people who feel like they paid their money and they deserve the world and should be able to do what they want.

Your bullets aren’t happening, because people think just like your last paragraph. 
 

I am not judging your or anyone else’s ability to join a private club. I’m suggesting doing so would allow your bullets to come to fruition…they aren’t going to on public courses.

 

I take 10s sometimes and I’m not picking up. I finish what I start.
 

2 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

I’ve already said my piece about beverage carts and guys getting hammered on the golf course. Apparently being opposed to those things, focusing on golf for golf’s sake rather than as a social activity and/or reason to drink heavily early in the morning, and believing people should - gasp! - repair ball marks and divots makes me a pr!ck. I’m good with that. 

 

I don’t think you’re reading the thread, but you’re getting likes, so there’s that. 
 

I think of it as a social activity. Judge me as you wish.  

[stasek]

7 hours ago, chisag said:
... stasek to be fair I have no idea how 5 beers effects you over 4+ hours because as we all know, 5 beers can either get someone a little too drunk while others can drink 5 beers and seem to be exactly the same. How much you drink isn't the issue, it is how someone acts after drinking x number of drinks. Because really it is none of my business what you do as long as you are respectful of the course and others and are pleasant company. 

Honestly, it didn’t do anything.  As a matter of fact, I played better on the back 9, and if I putted like a 15 handicapper, I would have shot under par for the 9.  Doesn’t hurt that I live about 2 miles from the course, either. 

[stasek]

4 hours ago, jimwgt26 said:

Wonder who the cropped out handsome fella is 🤔🤔🤔.  

[ldchristopher]

I also played Big Run today. I always struggle with what course to play after Michigan and forget about Big Run. The topography is more like Southern Wisconsin or Battle Creek, the walk is comparable to Calderone (a little over 7 miles and a little over 100 flights of stairs) and the conditioning was about what I expected, which wasn’t much. The rough had been cut and the fairways offered some roll but most of the bunkers were washed out and/or just mud pits, the greens were very soft (maybe 7 or 8), and a lot of the tee boxes are getting chewed up. There are also a handful of very dead trees on the property. Something tells me they aren’t going to be cut down. Big Run is still among my favorite layouts in the area and I’ll be sad when it eventually goes. 
I started out very hot but couldn’t buy a birdie putt. Only one bogey on 7 (that dumb par 3 gets me far more often than the 225 par 3 does) for a 37 at the turn. I almost drove 10 but still settled for a par. Kind of a snapshot of my round. I made a few bogies on 11, 12 and 17 but birdied 18. The cup was in a brutal position on the front and I was way above the hole. If my putt hadn’t dropped it probably would have rolled all the way off. But I jarred it for a 75. Got some flat golf on the docket for tomorrow. 

[Scratch2Plus]

12 hours ago, jimwgt26 said:

She was a lot of fun at HoE(Highlands of Elgin)!!! 
 

Playing Foxford Hills Sunday and HoE on Monday.

If anyone plays Foxford Hills on the weekends lookout for Bre! She’s such a sweetheart! She makes great transfusions! 
 

As for the drinking on the course goes, I find myself so much relaxed with a few beers in me. The bad shots doesn’t effect me as much after a few beers. 

Edited June 25, 2024 by Scratch2Plus

[Scratch2Plus]

On 6/23/2024 at 3:44 PM, DavePelz4 said:

 

Can only imagine.  Unfortunately, she doesn't count me among her FB friends apparently.

She’s been mia for a few years and I’m assuming a lots happened to her since the HoE days. Hoping for the best for her. 

[jimwgt26]

11 hours ago, stasek said:

Wonder who the cropped out handsome fella is 🤔🤔🤔.  

I'll never tell...

[mci711]

If you have pictures of cart girls saved on your phone you might be a creep.....😂

[ldchristopher]

The one and only Deer Creek this morning. The hilliest course in the area yesterday followed by the flattest. I made it 15 holes before the rain hit, went in for a bit, saw a window in the radar to finish, and played the last hole in a downpour. They sent me off the back first and I had three birdies (11, 14 and 18), three pars and three bogies. On the front I had nine pars and finished with a 72. 

[zer0]

8 hours ago, Scratch2Plus said:

She’s been mia for a few years and I’m assuming a lots happened to her since the HoE days. Hoping for the best for her. 

damn I hope she resurfaces.  I'm already 5 years into my 20 year plan of grooming her.  The first 5 years were dedicated to politely saying hello to her and making small talk during the 1-2 times I would run into her on the course per year.  The next 5 I was really going to up my game and add "over tipping" to the game plan.  

[Scratch2Plus]

3 hours ago, mci711 said:

If you have pictures of cart girls saved on your phone you might be a creep.....😂

Nah, that’s from her IG. She also cuts my hair every month. 😂

[Springsteennut]

My usual morning round at Redtail was wiped out this morning. Usually it doesn’t bother me too much if I get rained out but I still had the itch. I looked around for somewhere to get in a quick 9 since I had a small window to play this afternoon before I had to be somewhere. I wasn’t really finding anything I could squeeze in the timeframe I had so I decided to call Wing Park in Elgin. I used to live close to there and when my kids were in school and I was working nights if I could wake up around noon I could run over there play 9 and be home and showered before the kids got home. It had been a couple of years since I was there. Much the same as I remember it. Decent conditions, slow and smooth greens, traps they should just get rid of, greens are still tiny and good pace of play. I played with a nice guy and had my lowest 9 of the year and my best GIR by far too. The GIR was the best part since the greens are so small and I’ve been struggling with all year. Some changes I’ve made seem to be coming together. I might have to sneak in a couple more there. I had forgotten it was a pretty fun course.

[J3H]

Anyone play Oak Brook GC recently?

[B-Man]

2 hours ago, J3H said:

Anyone play Oak Brook GC recently?

Haven't recently but I just got back from the driving range there and the 9th green/surrounds looked in great/lush condition.

[ldchristopher]

Balmoral Woods this morning. They have a policy of not allowing singles out until 7:30 so I was whistled!cking on the putting green for like 40 minutes. I’m not a big range guy but with that policy at least get a net like they have at Steeple Chase. They’ve done some tree removal and there’s considerably less hardpan than before. It’s always good to see heavily wooded courses letting the grass breathe a little. The greens were smooth and running at a 9. I was in two bunkers and one was excellent while the other was like concrete. My game was a little off but the greens there don’t undulate all that much so I was able to get up and down when I missed greens. I had back to back birdies on 11 and 12 (tree removal on 12 has made that a driver hole) with four bogies mixed in. 74. 

[propman]

Played Highland Woods today. Pace was slow but I did like the course.

[DavePelz4]

A course I don't remember ever seeing anyone mention is Minnie Monesse.  Anyone with experience playing there?

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

A course I don't remember ever seeing anyone mention is Minnie Monesse.  Anyone with experience playing there?

 

'Played it back in 2020. Decent parkland layout with a few elevation changes. Conditioning was a little spotty, but it was fairly cheap.

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1633298-where-are-you-playing-tomorrow-chicago-round-3/?do=findComment&comment=22953204

 

 

Edited June 28, 2024 by Argonne69

[MountainKing]

3 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

A course I don't remember ever seeing anyone mention is Minnie Monesse.  Anyone with experience playing there?

 

Buddy that lives down that way says it's the 2nd best public course in that area, but it's a distant 2nd to Elks.  He called it their version of Big Run. 

 

 

 

Heading back to Springbrook on Saturday, next week looks like Old Oak and then Bull Valley.

[jcook10]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

 

Buddy that lives down that way says it's the 2nd best public course in that area, but it's a distant 2nd to Elks.  He called it their version of Big Run. 

 

 

 

Heading back to Springbrook on Saturday, next week looks like Old Oak and then Bull Valley.

I don't know if you have been before but pack your big boy pants for Bull Valley. That is the hardest course in town for me. Something about that stretch from 1-8 makes me sweat thinking about it.

[MountainKing]

12 minutes ago, jcook10 said:

I don't know if you have been before but pack your big boy pants for Bull Valley. That is the hardest course in town for me. Something about that stretch from 1-8 makes me sweat thinking about it.

 

I've been out there, it is a heck of a test of golf.   I shot a 78 there from the grey's last year and felt it was one of the best rounds of golf I've played.  There's no relief anywhere tee to green.

[jcook10]

3 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

 

I've been out there, it is a heck of a test of golf.   I shot a 78 there from the grey's last year and felt it was one of the best rounds of golf I've played.  There's no relief anywhere tee to green.

It's one of those courses that is hard for being hard's sake. I have a friend that is a member that I just offer to host when he invites because once a year is enough of a beat down for me. I truly cant comprehend the guys that play out there 3-4 times a week. They must be sticks or sadists. 

Edited June 28, 2024 by jcook10

[MountainKing]

4 minutes ago, jcook10 said:

It's one of those courses that is hard for being hard's sake. I have a friend that is a member that I just offer to host when he invites because once a year is enough of a beat down for me. I truly cant comprehend the guys that play out there 3-4 times a week. They must be sticks or sadists. 

 

The member I know has gotten insanely good since joining.   He's got himself down to right around a +3 now. All aspects of your game get pretty tight if you play there regularly.   If I lived up that way I would join it in a heartbeat, I'm a sucker for really hard golf courses. 

[MountainKing]

First of three rounds this week at Springbrook, rare afternoon out for me. .  Thanks to all the rain yesterday the course wasn't as I'm good shape as last time, but can't blame the course on mother nature.   Pace was great for Saturday afternoon at 3:45.  Courses with great walking culture for the win.

 

I came out hot on the front, 5 birdies and 1 bogey for a 32.  I haven't been under 70 in a very long time amg thought today was it.  Sadly by 11, the heat starting hitting me hard, which is bizarre given I normally love it.   I managed to add 10 strokes for a 42.   Couldn't be more let down with a 74.

[ldchristopher]

Wedgewood this morning. The Pride Parade is creating a mega traffic jam so I’ve got plenty of time for a round recap. That course is quite popular these days. Must be the Hawk Auto signature hole (more on that later). We were paired up with two guys who were blown away by how far Bear and I came for golf. We were both visiting our parents anyway. They were cart golfers but kept pace. Didn’t have a cart speaker. Made pleasant conversation. Would 100% play with them again. 
 

Wedgewood is in good shape. The greens were decent, though the first two hadn’t been rolled. The sand in the bunkers was very compacted. Easy to get out of with lots of spin but tough to figure out distance control. The flags weren’t moving but there was a one club breeze up top. I was pretty locked in for the first 13 holes but barfed up bad bogies on 14 and 15. Luckily, the Hawk Auto hole was waiting. I went just over the green off the tee and two others were just off. Bear played it safe and all four of us made birdie. So that was cool. Also, the new Subarus and Mazdas are in. Bear and I both also birdied 8. Bogies on 4, 5, 13, 14 and 17 for a 74. 

[DavePelz4]

Fox Bend in Oswego yesterday. I screwed up the tee time and it was an extra half hour of warming up.  However, they don't let you hit anything but irons on the range now, WTH is up with that?  They might have changed from the limited distance balls, so maybe that's it.

 

Got to the first tee and the starter suggests that we'll have a super fast round as 2 groups in front of us didn't show up.  The group in front of us was on the second green so excited to play a round where you can get into the rhythm.  A high school golfer was paired up with us and oh was he a hoot.  Apparently the coach teaches neither rules or etiquette. At least 10 times, one of the 3 of us had to ask hit not to hit practice putts at the hole while we were putting, not to stand right behind us as we were hitting, to yell fore if you hit a shot that puts anyone at risk.  Countless times he said, "oh my bad." Dude, when you make the same mistake over and over again, that just means you don't get it. He was of the belief that you can pick up your ball and place it wherever you want, whenever.  He'd mark his ball and line it up on pitches/chips, etc. I asked him if he did it in matches and he said yes.  Claimed not to know that you can't do that.

 

What probably made him more obnoxious was the aforementioned pace of play.  The group that teed off 30 minutes in front of us was so freaking slow.  We caught them on the 4th hole and waited ON EVERY SHOT FOR THE REST OF THE ROUND. Think the pro shop would send anyone out to get their asses in gear?  Nope.  Just under 5 hours and they ended up having 2 holes open in front of them at the end of the round.  

 

Can't have an all negative post, so the bright spot in the round, was 10 putts on the back 9.  Hit a lot of approaches and chip close but also made a few 20+ foot putts.  Had lots and lots of time to read the green.

 

Next round is Friday at Prairie View.  

[ldchristopher]

2 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

  A high school golfer was paired up with us and oh was he a hoot.  Apparently the coach teaches neither rules or etiquette. At least 10 times, one of the 3 of us had to ask hit not to hit practice putts at the hole while we were putting, not to stand right behind us as we were hitting, to yell fore if you hit a shot that puts anyone at risk.  Countless times he said, "oh my bad." Dude, when you make the same mistake over and over again, that just means you don't get it. He was of the belief that you can pick up your ball and place it wherever you want, whenever.  He'd mark his ball and line it up on pitches/chips, etc. I asked him if he did it in matches and he said yes.  Claimed not to know that you can't do that.

 

What probably made him more obnoxious was the aforementioned pace of play.  The group that teed off 30 minutes in front of us was so freaking slow.  We caught them on the 4th hole and waited ON EVERY SHOT FOR THE REST OF THE ROUND. Think the pro shop would send anyone out to get their asses in gear?  Nope.  Just under 5 hours and they ended up having 2 holes open in front of them at the end of the round.  

 

My concern is not with the dumb Covid golfer or the clueless Junior. My concern is when they procreate and their kids grow up thinking this brand of stupid and ignorant is both normal and acceptable. GET THE F&$% OFF MY LAWN!!!