Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[ldchristopher]

36 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

How'd you play 11?

Made par. The traditional 3 wood-54° wedge-9 iron-2 putt. I hit a good drive but the ball was still 12-14 inches below my feet. And Golf Visions ain’t bothering to trim the junk that hangs over the fairway on the left. 

[Holy Moses]

14 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

The 18th fairway at Bowes took a bolt of lightening this morning.  Fortunately, the course was cleared before this happened.

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/405796525213915

It’s not coming through

[DavePelz4]

1 hour ago, Holy Moses said:

It’s not coming through

 

Apologies, sent it to several others and it worked OK.  Let me see if I can find a teenager somewhere to fix my issues.  

[DavePelz4]

Comp round at Redtail.  Lots of construction going on there and it'll be interesting to see the finished clubhouse.  

 

All in all, with the exception of the bunkers, the course is playing fast and firm. The bunkers were inconsistent with the amount of sand. In 2 bunkers, one was fine, the other was hitting off compacted dirt. The greens were really firm as most seem to be this year.  Even having a high ball flight, coming from the fairway, wedges were still going 15 feet beyond where they hit the green.

 

Pace was OK at a couple of minutes over 4 hours, for a Saturday, not terrible. 

 

My chest is pretty much unfrozen from my March procedure. Thankfully it only happens with the driver, but in the downswing, my chest literally catches causing some terrible tee shots. Pretty sure I was in multiple counties with a few wayward shots. Thankfully, the short game continues to save my bacon.

 

Apparently the bar business is doing great. A post round beer is the only beer I drink and was really looking forward to an ice cold beer on a hot day.  The young lady bartender pointed out their list, and they were out of my first 7 choices.  Sheesh. 

 

Next comp round at Orchard Valley on Saturday. Thinking this might be the time to start hitting a 3 wood off the tee.

[B-Man]

Was supposed to play a big outing today at Chicago Highlands. Cancelled due to damage from the storms last night. Lots of standing water etc. Bummer.

[DavePelz4]

19 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Made par. The traditional 3 wood-54° wedge-9 iron-2 putt. I hit a good drive but the ball was still 12-14 inches below my feet. And Golf Visions ain’t bothering to trim the junk that hangs over the fairway on the left. 

 

If Golf Visions gave you a bull dozer and said have at it, what would you do to that hole?

[ldchristopher]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

If Golf Visions gave you a bull dozer and said have at it, what would you do to that hole?

I’d need more than a bulldozer, but I see three options: 

1. The easiest is, the landing area either in front of the hazard or behind becomes the green and it plays as a par 3. Pro: If the front landing area is used, it gives OG a short 3, which it’s currently missing. Con: OG would be a par 69 with 6 par 3’s. 
 

2. Rip out the trees along the left side and create some flat landing areas in the fairway. That slope is insane. It works for the design of the current hole because there’s never standing water in that fairway but it’s also why my second shot is always a wedge.
 

3. Play as a short 4. Put the green near the bridge. Maybe some tree removal to tempt people into trying to drive it. Maybe trick out the green or really bunker it up. Plenty of hazards over there. 

[TheBear95]

23 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

I’d need more than a bulldozer, but I see three options: 

1. The easiest is, the landing area either in front of the hazard or behind becomes the green and it plays as a par 3. Pro: If the front landing area is used, it gives OG a short 3, which it’s currently missing. Con: OG would be a par 69 with 6 par 3’s. 
 

2. Rip out the trees along the left side and create some flat landing areas in the fairway. That slope is insane. It works for the design of the current hole because there’s never standing water in that fairway but it’s also why my second shot is always a wedge.
 

3. Play as a short 4. Put the green near the bridge. Maybe some tree removal to tempt people into trying to drive it. Maybe trick out the green or really bunker it up. Plenty of hazards over there. 

 

Option 3. No need to move the green though. Create tee boxes where that weird strip of fairway is in front of the first bridge. Do some tree trimming on the left side to open it up a bit too. Longer hitters could be tempted to drive the green, and shorter hitters could still lay-up in the fairway short of the second bridge. The hole plays into the prevailing SW/W wind, so even a hole at 280-290 yards would be challenging to drive the green for the longer guys.

 

I guess a short 4 could cause pace issues, but the par 5 Anaconda already does that. Plus, it would eliminate the concern of getting hit with a Judge Smails slice from #15. There's always balls banging off the trees when you're on the tee at #11.

[DavePelz4]

40 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

I’d need more than a bulldozer, but I see three options: 

1. The easiest is, the landing area either in front of the hazard or behind becomes the green and it plays as a par 3. Pro: If the front landing area is used, it gives OG a short 3, which it’s currently missing. Con: OG would be a par 69 with 6 par 3’s. 
 

2. Rip out the trees along the left side and create some flat landing areas in the fairway. That slope is insane. It works for the design of the current hole because there’s never standing water in that fairway but it’s also why my second shot is always a wedge.
 

3. Play as a short 4. Put the green near the bridge. Maybe some tree removal to tempt people into trying to drive it. Maybe trick out the green or really bunker it up. Plenty of hazards over there. 

 

I'll go with option 3.5. Short par 4, move the tee box to just short of the first hazard and turn it into a risk reward hole.  Basically 3 tee shot options.  Layup short of the creek which would be around 185 and leave a wedge in.  Attempt to carry the creek and play to the left fairway.  That's 245 yards to that fairway, you young bucks have that easy and then it's a lob wedge. Option 3, take out some of the trees on the right the entire way up, including just past the second penalty area which would make it about 320 yards and let it rip.

 

Yep, I might have drawn this up on Google Earth and sent it off to GV but you know both Tim Miles at GV hate me so you know that immediate went in the 3T file.

[TheBear95]

5 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

I'll go with option 3.5. Short par 4, move the tee box to just short of the first hazard and turn it into a risk reward hole.  Basically 3 tee shot options.  Layup short of the creek which would be around 185 and leave a wedge in.  Attempt to carry the creek and play to the left fairway.  That's 245 yards to that fairway, you young bucks have that easy and then it's a lob wedge. Option 3, take out some of the trees on the right the entire way up, including just past the second penalty area which would make it about 320 yards and let it rip.

 

Yep, I might have drawn this up on Google Earth and sent it off to GV but you know both Tim Miles at GV hate me so you know that immediate went in the 3T file.

 

We will bring renderings to the pro shop when we are at Oak Grove next, lol.

 

The "pro shop" was actually open yesterday! 

 

 

[Holy Moses]

6 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

Apologies, sent it to several others and it worked OK.  Let me see if I can find a teenager somewhere to fix my issues.  

I know the super, so he sent me this. Quite the strike!

 

 

[Springsteennut]

23 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

I know the super, so he sent me this. Quite the strike!

 

 

Mother Nature needs to fix her divot.

[ldchristopher]

Palmira yesterday (woof) and White Hawk and Aberdeen today. All three were very, very wet. This review brought to you by Captain Obvious. I should charge for this level of expert analysis. 
 

Palmira was actually fine all things considered. Bunkers were ponds, fairways were like a wet sponge, but the greens were rolled that morning. 2 birdies on 12 and 14. 74. White Hawk had playable bunkers. Washed out but functional. It drains the best of the three and the greens had just been rolled. Even with the rain, they were at a 10. I birdied the first hole and got excited. Didn’t make another bird, though after a bad front (39 with three straight bogies on 5, 6 and 7), I shot even on Silver. Moving to the Whites probably helped. 75. Aberdeen was in the worst shape. Lots of trees were down, water completely filled up a bunch of bunkers, a few back tee boxes have been ignored and are growing in with weeds, and the greens were fine but were the slowest of the three. It probably shouldn’t have been open. Two birdies (2 and 10) for a 74. I played the same three balls the last three days. That sleeve is being retired. 

[Argonne69]

25 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

Palmira yesterday (woof) and White Hawk and Aberdeen today. All three were very, very wet. This review brought to you by Captain Obvious. I should charge for this level of expert analysis. 
 

Palmira was actually fine all things considered. Bunkers were ponds, fairways were like a wet sponge, but the greens were rolled that morning. 2 birdies on 12 and 14. 74. White Hawk had playable bunkers. Washed out but functional. It drains the best of the three and the greens had just been rolled. Even with the rain, they were at a 10. I birdied the first hole and got excited. Didn’t make another bird, though after a bad front (39 with three straight bogies on 5, 6 and 7), I shot even on Silver. Moving to the Whites probably helped. 75. Aberdeen was in the worst shape. Lots of trees were down, water completely filled up a bunch of bunkers, a few back tee boxes have been ignored and are growing in with weeds, and the greens were fine but were the slowest of the three. It probably shouldn’t have been open. Two birdies (2 and 10) for a 74. I played the same three balls the last three days. That sleeve is being retired. 

 

 

[ldchristopher]

Great round at Chalet Hills this morning. Like every course in the area, it was very lush and looked more like mid-May than mid-July. Greens were excellent. Ultra smooth and running at about a 9. Bunkers looked fine but I was only in one fairway trap. It was nice not to see any ponds or washed out sand traps. The grounds crew was out cutting but on the holes they didn’t get to yet, the rough was crazy thick. 
 

I played awesome. I bogied the first hole and doubled 5 but birdied 2, 3, 7, 8, and 11. I hit 14 greens and had a combination of a hot putter and really strong wedge play from around 100 yards. 71. 

[Springsteennut]

I’m playing Countryside tomorrow.  Never been there we will see how it goes. That will be 3 rounds in 4 days my body’s going to hate me.

[Symphonize]

Got up to Stonewall for the first time in a couple years. Always love it there. Great day with a few bad breaks. Figured something out at address with the 3-wood lately, and my ball striking has been great with it. 8/12 fairways with it, with 2 more just 3 yards off the fairway. Including a 275 yard bomb on 14 (slightly downwind). 

3 bad holes left me with a 46-45 91, a 6 on the par 3 9th, a 7 on the par 4 16th (after only 130 left after the drive, and a 7 on 18, had 90 in after 2, hit a good pitch shot, but just hit the downslope a bit, rolled onto the green, and off the left side into the water…

 

Fun round.
 

Chapel hill in the morning, should be interesting. 

[Holy Moses]

[psygolf]

On 7/19/2024 at 12:08 PM, ldchristopher said:

Great round at Chalet Hills this morning. Like every course in the area, it was very lush and looked more like mid-May than mid-July. Greens were excellent. Ultra smooth and running at about a 9. Bunkers looked fine but I was only in one fairway trap. It was nice not to see any ponds or washed out sand traps. The grounds crew was out cutting but on the holes they didn’t get to yet, the rough was crazy thick. 
 

I played awesome. I bogied the first hole and doubled 5 but birdied 2, 3, 7, 8, and 11. I hit 14 greens and had a combination of a hot putter and really strong wedge play from around 100 yards. 71. 

Did you hit the Broken Oar afterwards?

[ldchristopher]

2 hours ago, psygolf said:

Did you hit the Broken Oar afterwards?

That the place on the Fox? Nah. I had to be home by noon. Was off the course by 10:15. Chalet isn’t the most accessible place from the city but I’ll keep playing there every once in a while because the walking discount is so good. $37 to walk. $65 to ride. 

[MountainKing]

The Preserve for the first time this year.   What used to be my go to,  has become an easy pass with their current green fees.  They really should be embarrassed for what they charge vs what they provide.   Fairways were shaggy.  Greens were dreadfully slow, bumpy and inconsistent.  Bunkers lacked sand and the overall look just felt run down.  Pace was 4:30 to top it off.  Really sad to see this beautiful course like this.  They fill the tee sheet so I doubt there's much incentive to do better.

 

Really strong day striking it, but a ton of poor putting.  Birdies on 2 and 13, couple 3 putt bogies and a bogey on 16 because of a poor tee club selection for a 73.

Edited July 21, 2024 by MountainKing

[Holy Moses]

I didn’t remember Arrowhead’s greens being this fast and hard as a rock. Very tough course today.

[mauiman]

I’ve always called it Arrowrock.

7 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

I didn’t remember Arrowhead’s greens being this fast and hard as a rock. Very tough course today.

 

[DavePelz4]

Orchard Valley yesterday. The course is in very good condition, but somehow managed twice to find spots on the course that were drenched yielding mudballs. Fairways played generally fast, greens were very good, the bunkers were firm though and could have used more sand. Pace was a bit slow with the round taking just under 4:30. But it was a nice 7 mile walk, so no complaints with that. The worst part of OV is the range. Finding grass to hit off was a challenge to say the least.  Can't remember hitting off dirt on any range like this.

 

Next comp round is at Ruffled Feathers in a couple of weeks. Have heard very diverse opinions of the conditions.  2 weeks ago someone said it was in bad shape, and yesterday someone said it was nearly perfect.  Anyone here, who I'd trust more than anyone else, play there recently?

Edited July 21, 2024 by DavePelz4

[Holy Moses]

2 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Orchard Valley yesterday. The course is in very good condition, but somehow managed twice to find spots on the course that were drenched yielding mudballs. Fairways played generally fast, greens were very good, the bunkers were firm though and could have used more sand. Pace was a bit slow with the round taking just under 4:30. But it was a nice 7 mile walk, so no complaints with that. The worst part of OV is the range. Finding grass to hit off was a challenge to say the least.  Can't remember hitting off dirt on any range like this.

 

Next comp round is at Ruffled Feathers in a couple of weeks. Have heard very diverse opinions of the conditions.  2 weeks ago someone said it was in bad shape, and yesterday someone said it was nearly perfect.  Anyone here, who I'd trust more than anyone else, play there recently?

The range balls there are limited flight, so I always have to remind myself that they go low and short. Orchard Valley does have a nice halfway house with a grill which I always enjoy.

[Springsteennut]

I played Countryside in Mundelein yesterday. We played the Prairie side. This was my first time there. Pretty nice course. Greens weren’t the quickest I’ve played this year. They were tricky but the ball rolled true. Fairways were fine and rough wasn’t too deep. The pace was good we were done in just under 4 hours, even with my lousy play. Price was just south $70 which seemed more than reasonable for this course on a Saturday morning. 

[MountainKing]

2 hours ago, Springsteennut said:

I played Countryside in Mundelein yesterday. We played the Prairie side. This was my first time there. Pretty nice course. Greens weren’t the quickest I’ve played this year. They were tricky but the ball rolled true. Fairways were fine and rough wasn’t too deep. The pace was good we were done in just under 4 hours, even with my lousy play. Price was just south $70 which seemed more than reasonable for this course on a Saturday morning. 

 

Give the other 18 a roll sometime.  It's got some cool holes and some of those tiny greens will really test your ball striking.

[DavePelz4]

Figured out why so many courses are lacking sufficient sand in bunkers.  It's city championship season and people are sandbagging like usual.  In the Naperville city championship, the person who won the C flight, basically the 4th level, carries an 11.3 index per the CDGA, with his most recent 20 rounds having only 5 rounds under 85,  with nothing in the 70's, he managed to shoot a 77 and 79 to finish with a net score of -11 and win by 10 shots. 

 

Isn't it amazing that someone can play that well for 2 consecutive rounds at just the right moment?

 

 

[mci711]

48 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

Figured out why so many courses are lacking sufficient sand in bunkers.  It's city championship season and people are sandbagging like usual.  In the Naperville city championship, the person who won the C flight, basically the 4th level, carries an 11.3 index per the CDGA, with his most recent 20 rounds having only 5 rounds under 85,  with nothing in the 70's, he managed to shoot a 77 and 79 to finish with a net score of -11 and win by 10 shots. 

 

Isn't it amazing that someone can play that well for 2 consecutive rounds at just the right moment?

 

 

 

Ridiculous, should immediately be disqualified. The odds of him posting those scores back to back in competition are around 300,000:1 (I think, I've never been great at math)

 

Are these results posted anywhere? 

Edited July 22, 2024 by mci711

[psygolf]

On 7/20/2024 at 8:14 PM, ldchristopher said:

That the place on the Fox? Nah. I had to be home by noon. Was off the course by 10:15. Chalet isn’t the most accessible place from the city but I’ll keep playing there every once in a while because the walking discount is so good. $37 to walk. $65 to ride. 

Love the layout there, about as fun as it gets.