Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Lol. Well, I've certainly had better days and better rounds. Thought I might get lucky with the rain, but it started falling on the 11th hole. I should have bailed when I heard thunder on the 15th hole, but the remaining holes played back towards the clubhouse, and there didn't look like any shortcuts through the subdivision, so I kept playing. Pace was fine on the empty course. I played through the lead group on the 2nd hole, so it was clear sailing. 

 

Heritage Ranch today. Meh. Very surprised that it's an Arthur Hills design. I've played flatter courses in housing devopments, but this one still won't get the heart rate up. The fairways were wide enough that the homes were generally pushed back, so it didn't feel claustrophobic. There were a handful of holes on the front nine that weren't bad, but most of the layout is fairly benign. Mounding was decent, so there were a few uneven lies. Fairway bunkering was light. Greenside was a tad better. Water in play on six holes. Seven holes with left/right movement with three doglegs. 

 

Very easy off the tee with wide fairways and little trouble. Minor misses would catch the generous rough. Big misses would be OB in a backyard for the most part. The few isolated holes on the front were wooded. Approaches were a little tougher with a few bunkers in play. Greens had gentle contouring and slope. Putting was less than stressful. Up and downs from the dormant rough was challenging with a combination of uneven lies and iffy lies. 

 

Par 3s were good with plenty of trouble, but lacked variety. All mid to long irons. Par 5s were meh. Nothing reachable and not a lot of trouble. The pair of short 4s were benign. 

 

Conditions were very wet. Cart path only for the riders. Fairways were getting little rollout, and there was standing water in spots late in the round. Rough was decent. Bunkers were very compacted. Greens looked great, but several days of rain had them soft and slow. 9 maybe. 

 

Played the White tees at 6472 (71.0/130). Should have played a shorter combo with the driver going nowhere, but don't think it would have helped much. Irons were off. Wedges were iffy. Putter couldn't get the ball to the hole. Rushing to beat the rain certainly didn't help, and once it started falling it only got worse. Lol. Ten bogies and a double. Highlight of the day was getting some steps in after 2 days of sitting around. Not getting lit up like a Christmas tree by a bolt of lightning was a nice bonus. 

 

Going with a middle of the road 5 cows. Playable, but uninspiring. A handful of good holes, but too many boring ones. Needs the usual stuff. More bunkering, a short and long par 3, a risk/reward par 5, and trouble on the short 4s. No walking rate, but at least they allow walking. The $90 weekday rate was high, but not crazy. Can't say I'd recommend it. I cert wouldn't be in a rush to get back. 

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club, Fairview, TX 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Par 5 17th. Toughest tee shot on the layout. 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bdj1nn60m6h327cvy7zic/AH9EblGIkpyGyGF01DIYo8k?rlkey=nf9xf227dhg5mewdss4t16i7a&st=nest6wyp&dl=0

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by Argonne69

[ZephyrS4]

Man, you really jumped into winter once you left California and Arizona……shockingly different looking courses now.

[hammergolf]

12 hours ago, carrera said:

I imagine Arg would leave Bessie home for the trip, like he did for his Maui excursion, but after two trips in the last year to Ireland where I drove a rental car....you get used to hugging the shrubbery on the left side!  Was just glad that each time, when turning in the rental car there was no damage noted.

I drive a passenger van pretty much every year when I’m there, and honestly you get used to it. There’s more room than it looks and even enough room for 18 wheelers to drive at you in the other lane. 

[cassel191919]

On 12/25/2024 at 12:07 PM, Argonne69 said:

 

Bessie doesn't float. Lol.

 

Don't really want to drive in Mexico. 'Might fly to Cabo at some point.

 

I've been thinking about 3 or 4 weeks in Ireland.

 

I vote 4 weeks in Ireland, the readers need a narrated tour.

[Argonne69]

I guess I'd consider it a pleasant morning. Seem to have poor luck weatherwise when I'm in town. No rain today, but a dense fog for nearly half the round was a bit of a nuisance. Sunny skies later lifted the spirits. Got out with another single early, and he played ahead a few holes in. 

 

Iron Horse today. The parkland layout was designed by Dick Phelps and Jeff Brauer. Could probably cut and paste much of yesterday's review here. A little more elevation change, but nothing drastic. The opening hole plays through a housing development, but the remainder of the holes have homes adjacent to the property. The out and back design is cut into three sections by railroad tracks and I-820. The din of traffic is a bit annoying. Two creeks run through the course, and are a factor on most of the holes. I counted twelve with water in play, with many forced carries. Fairway bunkering was light. Greenside was decent. Nine holes with light left/right movement. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with a number of fairly narrow fairways, and more than a few forced carries over the creek. The 18th was particularly tough. Minor misses would typically wind up in the very light rough, but lies were crummy. Big misses right would likely be playable from adjacent fairways. Left tended to be OB. Approaches were also fairly tough. Greens had decent defenses. A few were elevated, and a number were on the small side. Greens had gentle contouring and slope. Like yesterday, putting was stress free. Up and downs were tough with plenty of crummy lies on uneven turf. 

 

Par 3s were pretty good with water in play one three of them. The 17th was the best of the bunch with its elevated teebox and forced carry over the creek to a narrow green. Variety was meh. Hybrid down to 9i. The pair of par 5s were meh. Neither were reachable. Both had a creek in play in front of the green, but it wasn't really in play with a wedge in hand unless you laid the sod over the ball. The pair of short 4s were benign. The 7th did have a small green over the creek, but with a wedge in hand it really shouldn't be a factor. 

 

Conditions were rough. Soft and muddy. The creek overflowed its banks yesterday. Trash was all over the place. Standing water in many spots. Fairways were saturated and CPO for the riders. Plenty of bare spots in the dormant fairways. Rough was even worse. Bunkers were shockingly good. Looked like the maintenance crew got out early and groomed them. I was expecting washed out messes, but instead they were freshly groomed wet sand. Impressive. Greens looked great, but were slow from the dampness. Might have been 9.5. 

 

Played the Green tees at 6328 on the par 70 layout (71.6/129). Dummy me didn't realize it was a par 70. Should have played a combo, as drives were going nowhere in the slop. Irons weren't quite as bad as yesterday, but still meh. Hard to force yourself to take a divot when you know you're going to get a face full of mud. One birdie, six bogies, and a double. Shot of the day was the tee shot on the par 3 14th. Beautiful high draw with a 7 iron that landed on the right side of the green, and the slope and draw spin directed it left towards the center pin. Thought it was going in the hole. Settled a few feet away for the sole birdie. Highlight of the day was having two old cabooses for restrooms. Lol. Nice touch for a course named Iron Horse. 

 

I wanted to go with six, but I have to go with 5 cows again. Just too many similarities to Hunter Ranch to go with the higher bovine count. Enjoyable, but the design needs the same ol tweaks. Short and long par 3s, a risk/reward par 5, and more fairway bunkering. No walking rate again, but thankfully they allow walking. Definitely came in handy on a CPO day. The $84 weekend rate was fine. Yet another local course that's not a must play, but certainly playable. It's $62 to play weekdays, and I'd have no problem teeing it up regularly if I was a local. 

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Iron Horse GC, North Richland Hills, TX 

 

Oy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y8bprmvb2ic4l7iolwr98/ADnasqvYsMaLixlk8tdiX8E?rlkey=7j8t05rg8192n8cvpuqoygnc9&st=vs174j1q&dl=0

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Back to False Idol Brewing for another imperial stout. It's only a few minutes away from Iron Horse, and opens at 11 am, so it wasn't a tough choice. Lol. Went with the Monstro. At 17% ABV, it packs a nice punch. 

 

 

[ZephyrS4]

Cool bathrooms…..right up your alley!

[Argonne69]

Ugh. For some time now I've considered settling down in the DFW area, but I dunno. It's definitely playable year around, but these conditions are certainly not ideal. If one simply wants to be able to tee it up in the winter, then it'll do, but it's sure not Palm Springs, Tucson, or Naples. 

 

It's amazing how (artifical) overseeded conditions can influence one's view of a course, but to be honest, it's a reality. I certainly don't mind playing on dormant turf, but green grass certainly lifts the spirits. Lol.

 

[Argonne69]

2 minutes ago, ZephyrS4 said:

Cool bathrooms…..right up your alley!

 

Lol. Rail fan heaven. 

 

[Argonne69]

Well that certainly put a huge smile on my face. Been to over 125 BBQ joints in the last 3 years, and this was certainly one of the best. M' Jays House of Smoke in Arlington. Brisket was simply outstanding. Tender and very juicy with a great rub. Ribs were phenomenal. Meaty and juicy, and required a gnaw to get the meat off the bone. Same quality rub as the brisket. Jalepeno Cheddar hot link was equally juicy. The beans and mac and cheese were both top notch. The sauce had a great balance of sweet and tangy. Can't say enough about the place. The three meat platter was also priced below the normal rate. Can't recommend it enough. 

 

 

[ZephyrS4]

Yum!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I played Twisted Gun GC in in the hollers of West Virginia and they used cabooses for the bathrooms on the course. Play it if you can Arg!

[caniac6]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Ugh. For some time now I've considered settling down in the DFW area, but I dunno. It's definitely playable year around, but these conditions are certainly not ideal. If one simply wants to be able to tee it up in the winter, then it'll do, but it's sure not Palm Springs, Tucson, or Naples. 

 

It's amazing how (artifical) overseeded conditions can influence one's view of a course, but to be honest, it's a reality. I certainly don't mind playing on dormant turf, but green grass certainly lifts the spirits. Lol.

 

One club near me paints their fairways, and even that lifts the spirits a bit.

[Argonne69]

I stopped at PGA Superstore in Arlington to see if I could find the illusive unicorn club, a Ping G425 or G430 9w. No dice. Surprisingly they had a couple of 7 woods, but no 9. 

 

As I was walking through the putter section I noticed that they had a few L.A.B. Golf putters, so I gave them a tryout. 

 

First was a Mizz.1 Max with a long, counterbalanced SuperStroker grip. I have similar grip on my PXG Blackjack, but uts8 head has extra weight. The Mizz felt awful. Couldn't feel the head. 

 

Next was the DF 2.1. Meh. 

 

The DF3 was a little better, but didn't feel as stable as my Mizz.1 Max. 

 

Looks like I found the right club for the time being. I would like to try the new OZ.1, but I generally prefer putters with weight out at the ends. 

 

[mci711]

Fitting for LAB putters is really beneficial. They are so different than regular putters, center shafted, lie angle etc. 

[imkirby34]

9 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Iron Horse today.

 

 

When my previous employer decided to relocate from the Bay Area, I agreed to help set up part of the new lab in Haltom City back in 2001.  I played Iron Horse a few times in my 18 months out there.  I was hoping your pictures would jog my memory but, unfortunately, I still remember basically nothing of the course.  Heh.  

 

I was trying to remember the other courses I played while I "lived" out there.  I know one was Fossil Creek because I could've walked there from the extended stay hotel at which I was staying.  I *think* I played Lake Arlington.  I think the only way I'll ever figure it out is if I can somehow find the files for my old website.  🤔 😆

 

 

[Argonne69]

Ugh. When I booked PGA Frisco a few days ago the weather forecast called for sunny skies. 'Looked at the forecast last night before heading to bed and it showed t-storms in the morning. Sitting inside Bessie having my morning coffee and listing to the sound of heavy thunder and rain falling on her roof. The radar shows the heavy stuff in the Arlington/Dallas area. Frisco looks like it'll be spared the heavy stuff. I have a 9 am tee time, but was planning to show up at least an hour early to see if I could walk on. In either case it looks like it's going to be a cloudy, wet morning. Would have been nice to have some decent weather when dropping over $400 for the round.

 

[Argonne69]

Managed to get in 5 holes before play was suspended due to lightning in the area. I was able to get out as the lead single after a couple of members pushed back their teetime. Beautiful course. Hopefully the delay will be short. 

 

 

Looks like at least an hour delay. 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Oy. 90 minutes and no closer to getting the all clear. Rumble of thunder overhead just reset the clock again. 

 

Close to two and a half hours and still waiting. It's turned into quite the lousy experience. 

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Well, that wasn't quite the day I had expected. Love when the weatherman is completely wrong about the forecast. The rain and lightning just didn't want to move out. Just as it looked like it was clearing a bolt of lightning would strike east of the course, and that would reset the 30 minute clock. Wound up with a three hour delay. Oy. 

 

Anyway, the Fields Ranch East Course at PGA Frisco today. The gem of a course was designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. It hosted the Senior PGA Championship last year, and will host upcoming LPGA and PGA Championships, along with a Ryder Cup. The complex also has a West Course. The sprawling prairie style layout is a beaut. Surprising amount of elevation change for a fairly flat piece of property. Fairway bunkering was very good. Saw a few places where I'd add a few more. Greenside was excellent. Water in play on four holes with a creek cutting across a few holes, but there are many native areas with red stakes. Five holes with left/right movement, including a couple of doglegs. Homes are being built adjacent to the courses, but they don't really distract from the experience. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with a few forced carries, and numerous bunkers. Minor misses were no worry. With few trees and low cut rough one could still attach the green. Big misses are big trouble with the dense native areas. 

 

Approaches were tough. Elevated greens with solid protection, including a few odd shaped ones often had me firing to the fat of the green. Greens looked like they had gentle contouring and slope, but putts would break way more than expected. Can't say that I had any stressful putts, but they were anything but easy. Up and downs were a mixed bag. Plenty of closely mown areas around the greens, so the Texas wedge got a good workout. However, there were more than a few flops from tight Bermuda lies over deep bunkers after shortsiding myself. 

 

Par 3s were excellent. Plenty of trouble that included 3 forced carries. Variety of length was also excellent with lengths ranging from a gap wedge to a fairway wood. Par 5s were mixed. The pair on the front were meh, but the back's pair were solid. The 18th was a solid risk/reward hole with a creek in front of the green that was definitely in play. Short 4s were also top notch. The driveable 15th is fantastic. The elevated green is protected by a dozen deep bunkers. Laying up leaves one with a wedge from a low spot with the same deep bunkers staring at you. The green is also very shallow. 

 

Conditions were decent. Fairways were in good shape. The rough had some patchy areas that were mud with the recent rain. Bunkers were mixed. Several barely had sand, but a few were also pristine. Got a feeling that the wind removes the sand from exposed bunkers. Greens looked great, but the rain kept the speed down. Might have been rolling 10. 

 

Played a modified III/IV combo at 6340 yds (71.0/134). Thought that the regular combo was a tad too short at 6154 yds. Driver was a little better behaved today, but irons were a mess. Wrist is still causing me to pick the ball, resulting in too many thin shots. Wedges helped, but not enough. Lag putting was spot on, but shorter putts were meh even with a good read from my caddie. Six bogies and two doubles. Highlight was probably the sand save from a deep front bunker on the par 5 3rd. Honestly, with the 3 hour delay, and being cold and wet, I was focused more on just getting through the round than setting the course record (Steve Stricker - 64). Lol. If I wasn't heading out of town in a few days I'd probably have asked for a raincheck. 

 

Think this one just crosses into the 8 cow category. I'd like to see more trouble on the par 5s, and more contouring on the greens. I was told by several staffers that the West Course has tougher greens. Definitely want to check it out. Now, the elephant in the room is the price tag. The course is walking only with mandatory caddie. The $370 greens fee isn't horrible, but toss in the $125 caddie fee plus tip and it's a $570 round of golf. Gulp. Sorry, but as much as I like the layout, this is not a $500 course. As much as I like having a caddie, I'm perfectly capable of playing one without. Pebble Beach, Chambers Bay, Kiawah Ocean, and plenty of other top courses don't require caddies. Worth a visit? Certainly if you've got deep pockets. However, I wouldn't lose sleep if I didn't play it again. 

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Fields Ranch East Course at PGA Frisco, Frisco, TX 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6yldkutdyhwx7jhe3jrry/AISV4S2rCihqSZUUPqYj5wE?rlkey=tth3nil761xy8unihix4dtfbp&st=6wu03n4w&dl=0

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Needed some high octane brews to lift the core body temperature. The Brass Tap in Frisco. Over 60 taps with a very nice selection. Started with a favorite, an Ommegang Three Philosophers Belgian Quad. Followed that up with a 2024 Martin House Columbiana imperial stout. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Middle of the road mole today. I was hoping to find a top rated restaurant, but with three hours shot and the day quickly evaporating, I settled for something close to the course. Salsa Tex-Mex in Frisco. Mole was halfway decent. Had a bit of a kick. The chunks of chicken breast were juicy. Margarita wasn't bad. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Oy. OK, it's a bit of a stretch, but Dallas/Fort Worth is becoming Los Angeles. Seems you can't get anywhere without spending 40 minutes to an hour driving, and that's in light traffic. Spent 30 minutes just getting from Frisco to the nearest freeway. Left the RV park at 7 am this morning, and eleven and a half hours later I'm back. The 3 hour rain delay sure didn't help, but spending over 2 hours traveling between two suburbs is nuts. They've done a good job building out the highways, but the area north is a tough nut unless you want to spend $15 in tolls to save 15 minutes. 

 

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Well, that wasn't quite the day I had expected. Love when the weatherman is completely wrong about the forecast. The rain and lightning just didn't want to move out. Just as it looked like it was clearing a bolt of lightning would strike east of the course, and that would reset the 30 minute clock. Wound up with a three hour delay. Oy. 

 

Anyway, the Fields Ranch East Course at PGA Frisco today. The gem of a course was designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. It hosted the Senior PGA Championship last year, and will host upcoming LPGA and PGA Championships, along with a Ryder Cup. The complex also has a West Course. The sprawling prairie style layout is a beaut. Surprising amount of elevation change for a fairly flat piece of property. Fairway bunkering was very good. Saw a few places where I'd add a few more. Greenside was excellent. Water in play on four holes with a creek cutting across a few holes, but there are many native areas with red stakes. Five holes with left/right movement, including a couple of doglegs. Homes are being built adjacent to the courses, but they don't really distract from the experience. 

 

Moderately difficult off the tee with a few forced carries, and numerous bunkers. Minor misses were no worry. With few trees and low cut rough one could still attach the green. Big misses are big trouble with the dense native areas. 

 

Approaches were tough. Elevated greens with solid protection, including a few odd shaped ones often had me firing to the fat of the green. Greens looked like they had gentle contouring and slope, but putts would break way more than expected. Can't say that I had any stressful putts, but they were anything but easy. Up and downs were a mixed bag. Plenty of closely mown areas around the greens, so the Texas wedge got a good workout. However, there were more than a few flops from tight Bermuda lies over deep bunkers after shortsiding myself. 

 

Par 3s were excellent. Plenty of trouble that included 3 forced carries. Variety of length was also excellent with lengths ranging from a gap wedge to a fairway wood. Par 5s were mixed. The pair on the front were meh, but the back's pair were solid. The 18th was a solid risk/reward hole with a creek in front of the green that was definitely in play. Short 4s were also top notch. The driveable 15th is fantastic. The elevated green is protected by a dozen deep bunkers. Laying up leaves one with a wedge from a low spot with the same deep bunkers staring at you. The green is also very shallow. 

 

Conditions were decent. Fairways were in good shape. The rough had some patchy areas that were mud with the recent rain. Bunkers were mixed. Several barely had sand, but a few were also pristine. Got a feeling that the wind removes the sand from exposed bunkers. Greens looked great, but the rain kept the speed down. Might have been rolling 10. 

 

Played a modified III/IV combo at 6340 yds (71.0/134). Thought that the regular combo was a tad too short at 6154 yds. Driver was a little better behaved today, but irons were a mess. Wrist is still causing me to pick the ball, resulting in too many thin shots. Wedges helped, but not enough. Lag putting was spot on, but shorter putts were meh even with a good read from my caddie. Six bogies and two doubles. Highlight was probably the sand save from a deep front bunker on the par 5 3rd. Honestly, with the 3 hour delay, and being cold and wet, I was focused more on just getting through the round than setting the course record (Steve Stricker - 64). Lol. If I wasn't heading out of town in a few days I'd probably have asked for a raincheck. 

 

Think this one just crosses into the 8 cow category. I'd like to see more trouble on the par 5s, and more contouring on the greens. I was told by several staffers that the West Course has tougher greens. Definitely want to check it out. Now, the elephant in the room is the price tag. The course is walking only with mandatory caddie. The $370 greens fee isn't horrible, but toss in the $125 caddie fee plus tip and it's a $570 round of golf. Gulp. Sorry, but as much as I like the layout, this is not a $500 course. As much as I like having a caddie, I'm perfectly capable of playing one without. Pebble Beach, Chambers Bay, Kiawah Ocean, and plenty of other top courses don't require caddies. Worth a visit? Certainly if you've got deep pockets. However, I wouldn't lose sleep if I didn't play it again. 

 

Ouch, $370 + caddie. They have lost their mind! 

[Argonne69]

12 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Ouch, $370 + caddie. They have lost their mind! 

 

Not a very crowded tee sheet at this time of the year.

 

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Not a very crowded tee sheet at this time of the year.

 

Not surprising. So many other great options at half the price. 

[ZephyrS4]

Did you go to a Brass Tap when you were in Monterey?