Arg's Travel Log

[Mullenboy]

All I will say is... given I do know what you like and pretty much trust your judgement.... is.... The Bridges must have changed a LOT since I last played it (over 10 years ago).  I can't remember hating any course as much as I hated that one.

 

7 cows.  

 

Oh well.  🙂

 

 

[Argonne69]

7 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

All I will say is... given I do know what you like and pretty much trust your judgement.... is.... The Bridges must have changed a LOT since I last played it (over 10 years ago).  I can't remember hating any course as much as I hated that one.

 

7 cows.  

 

Oh well.  🙂

 

 

It's definitely a shot makers course. Mediocre ballstriking and putting need not apply. Heck, solid ballstriking can still be a kick in the head. It's definitely not a course for the typical weekend player looking to slap the ball around. The course will certainly eat you up if you're not hitting it straight. 

 

[Argonne69]

Didn't feel like driving 20 minutes to Livermore for a golden ale, so it was back to Fieldwork in San Ramon on the way back to I-680 for an imperial porter. Always tasty. 

 

 

[Mullenboy]

9 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

It's definitely a shot makers course. Mediocre ballstriking and putting need not apply. Heck, solid ballstriking can still be a kick in the head. It's definitely not a course for the typical weekend player looking to slap the ball around. The course will certainly eat you up if you're not hitting it straight. 

 

My issue wasn't the difficulty.  I play and enjoy plenty of difficult courses.  I recall winning a sunday event at the Bridges with a round close to par.  And I am not that good.

 

 My issue at The Bridges was stupid design - good shots being punished - nowhere to hit several.  You mentioned goofy holes.  I kinda thought all  18 were goofy.  And it was overpriced (back then anyway).

 

To each his own.

 

 

Edited November 1, 2024 by Mullenboy

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, Mullenboy said:

My issue wasn't the difficulty.  I play and enjoy plenty of difficult courses.  My issue at The Bridges was stupid design - good shots being punished - nowhere to hit several.  You mentioned goofy holes.  I kinda though all  18 were goofy.  And it was overpriced (back then anyway).

 

To each his own.

 

 

I can certainly understand. I hit a few "quality" teeshots that I thought were golden, but couldn't find my ball in the fairway. Wound up in the rough with dicey lies. Definitely seems like being able to work the ball on many holes would be advisable. My playing partner hit a few tee shots that I thought were fine, but sure enough they found trouble. 

 

[Mullenboy]

16 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I can certainly understand. I hit a few "quality" teeshots that I thought were golden, but couldn't find my ball in the fairway. Wound up in the rough with dicey lies. Definitely seems like being able to work the ball on many holes would be advisable. My playing partner hit a few tee shots that I thought were fine, but sure enough they found trouble. 

 

And yet it gets 7 cows?  That must be one great beer.  🙂

 

Good shots ending up bad + high price + 5+ hour round every time I played it = no love.  1 cow.  🙂

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Has it really been 3 years, 70,000 miles, 49 states, 9 provinces, 709 rounds, and countless brews, brisket, burgers, and mole?

 

Tell us again what state you're missing?  Not the one you're about to travel to, is it?

[Argonne69]

28 minutes ago, Mullenboy said:

And yet it gets 7 cows?  That must be one great beer.  🙂

 

Good shots ending up bad + high price + 5+ hour round every time I played it = no love.  1 cow.  🙂

 

Lol. Just over 3 hours today. Got held up for a few holes by a foursome, but they waved us through on the 5th. 

 

[Argonne69]

7 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Tell us again what state you're missing?  Not the one you're about to travel to, is it?

 

Yeah, Hawaii. Knocking that one out in two days. 

 

Crazy thing is that I haven't played a round in Illinois on this trip. Played nearly 250 courses in my home state, but bypasses it in the last 3 years. Probably should have played a round across the Mississippi from St Louis, and played in all 50 states. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Probably should have played a round across the Mississippi from St Louis, and played in all 50 states. 

 

But you still have played in Illinois, just not on your current odyssey.  The Alaska Ferry comes and goes twice a week from my home town Bellingham, WA.  But I've never caught it... so Alaska is still not on my list, nor Maine.

[Double Mocha Man]

7 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Lol. Just over 3 hours today. Got held up for a few holes by a foursome, but they waved us through on the 5th. 

 

 

Played yesterday and Ron and I were waved through on the par 3 fourth  First time in two years I've been waved through, playing 3 days a week behind slowpokes.  I think they heard me grumbling down on the tee box.  And there were two open holes ahead of them.

[Argonne69]

Been a few weeks since I had a decent burger. Wound up at Athen's in Dublin. Pretty much a 5 Guy's knockoff with expensive items on the menu. Very tasty, but should a half order of fries really be $5.75? The Cajun fries were very tasty however. The double cheeseburger with bacon was very good, but it was less than steaming hot. Probably prepared earlier and sat under a heat lamp. Still, it wasn't bad. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

26 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

But you still have played in Illinois, just not on your current odyssey.  The Alaska Ferry comes and goes twice a week from my home town Bellingham, WA.  But I've never caught it... so Alaska is still not on my list, nor Maine.

 

Oh yeah. I've played thousands of rounds in Illinois on over 250 courses. Illinois can't compare to Wisconsin or Michigan for quality, but there are plenty of quality courses that don't cost an arm and a leg. 

 

[ode1]

@Argonne69...currently at 3 Sheeps Brewing after enjoying a great day.....walked 27 at Quit Qui Oc and after enjoying one of 👇

Hoedown

10.8%

Imp. Stout w/ Cherries and Chilies

 

Imperial Stout with cherries, chipotle chilies, and ancho chilies

 

And wondering about your cow system and what you would give to this course.....and hence the post.  By the way the beer is damn good.  Craft Pass b1g1 is legit in these scenarios😆.....back to my post.....after thinking about your ranking system and what leads to more cows....i.e. sweepers, dog legs, elevation change, a few risk/reward holes, strategic bunkering, good mix of yardages amongst same par holes, good condition, etc.  Have you ever rated a course high/er yet liked a lower ranked course just because.....enter your own comments here.  Like an 8 cow ranked was not as fun or well liked as a 6 cow, etc.

[Argonne69]

Just now, ode1 said:

@Argonne69...currently at 3 Sheeps Brewing after enjoying a great day.....walked 27 at Quit Qui Oc and after enjoying one of 👇

Hoedown

10.8%

Imp. Stout w/ Cherries and Chilies

 

Imperial Stout with cherries, chipotle chilies, and ancho chilies

 

And wondering about your cow system and what you would give to this course.....and hence the post.  By the way the beer is damn good.  Craft Pass b1g1 is legit in these scenarios😆.....back to my post.....after thinking about your ranking system and what leads to more cows....i.e. sweepers, dog legs, elevation change, a few risk/reward holes, strategic bunkering, good mix of yardages amongst same par holes, good condition, etc.  Have you ever rated a course high/er yet liked a lower ranked course just because.....enter your own comments here.  Like an 8 cow ranked was not as fun or well liked as a 6 cow, etc.

 

I think most ratings could be adjusted +/- one cow. I've played plenty of courses that looked nice, and/or played with great company on perfect weather days, but at the end of the day the course itself lacked a few things that would have boosted the score. For me a course that climbs to the 8 or 9 cow territory has to have the usual design elements. 

 

That said, there are a number of 8's that can beat you up, and if you're feeling pummeled at the end of the round it can be a downer vs. a solid 6 or 7 that didn't extract a pint of blood. Other than poorly designed holes, I don't think I ding a course because it's tough but fair.

 

[Mullenboy]

"Other than poorly designed holes, I don't think I ding a course because it's tough but fair."

 

Sorry I can't let this go. 

 

The Bridges has several poorly designed holes and is tough and unfair. You said it yourself in your review and posts thereafter.  Yet it gets 7 cows.

 

Come on just admit it wasn't the course.... you played well, and quickly, with a nice playing partner, in great weather, at a fair price.  Any course gets at least 6 cows under those conditions.  Add a great beer thereafter and it gets to 7.

 

Come back and play The Bridges in 90+ degree heat with slow play idiots in the groups all around you and have it take over 5 hours after you're paid $150.  Then tell me it's 7 cows.  One tends to notice the deficiencies more in that scenario.

 

It's all good.  But is the cow rating based on your experience or the golf course itself?  It's VERY VERY fine if it's the former.  Just admit it.  And if so you can only call yourself human.  Hell yes one's experience matters when assessing a golf course.

 

And I am writing this in very good humor.  Think of it as s***-giving amongst friends who have never met.  😉

Edited November 1, 2024 by Mullenboy

[Double Mocha Man]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Oh yeah. I've played thousands of rounds in Illinois on over 250 courses. Illinois can't compare to Wisconsin or Michigan for quality, but there are plenty of quality courses that don't cost an arm and a leg. 

 

 

Did you ever play Sunset Hills near Edwardsville?  That was our home course when I played college golf.

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, Mullenboy said:

"Other than poorly designed holes, I don't think I ding a course because it's tough but fair."

 

Sorry I can't let this go. 

 

The Bridges has several poorly designed holes and is tough and unfair. You said it yourself in your review and posts thereafter.  Yet it gets 7 cows.

 

Come on just admit it wasn't the course.... you played well, and quickly, with a nice playing partner, in great weather, at a fair price.  Any course gets at least 6 cows under those conditions.  Add a great beer thereafter and it gets to 7.

 

Come back and play The Bridges in 90+ degree heat with slow play idiots in the groups all around you and have it take over 5 hours after you're paid $150.  Then tell me it's 7 cows.  One tends to notice the deficiencies more in that scenario.

 

It's all good.  But is the cow rating based on your experience or the golf course itself?  It's VERY VERY fine if it's the former.  Just admit it.  And if so you can only call yourself human.  Hell yes one's experience matters when assessing a golf course.

 

And I am writing this in very good humor.  Think of it as s***-giving amongst friends who have never met.  😉

 

With all due respect it sounds like you might be questioning Arg's integrity.  I feel he's fully aware of a totally enjoyable round but separates it from rating the course.  Just my opinion.

[mmoran]

Mullen is just salty because no matter how hard he tried to get a round in with Arg it didn’t work with Arg’s schedule. 

[aloha b.]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

With all due respect it sounds like you might be questioning Arg's integrity.  I feel he's fully aware of a totally enjoyable round but separates it from rating the course.  Just my opinion.

I fully agree with you as well!

[aloha b.]

2 hours ago, mmoran said:

Mullen is just salty because no matter how hard he tried to get a round in with Arg it didn’t work with Arg’s schedule. 

Or it could be something else!🙃

[aloha b.]

Arg,

I hope that you enjoy your round tomorrw at Wente! I've played Wente many times and have always enjoyed it! I'm not a good golfer but I do remember getting a birdie on the first hole once. The first tee has an elevation of ~100' I think. I shot a 40 on the front nine before I woke up and played my usual game on the back nine. 😁

Is a cart still included in the green fees? I don't remember if you hit balls at the range first to warm-up but if you do it's about a 4-5 min. drive with a cart up a hillside. The putting green and chipping area is near the Pro Shop.

Edited November 2, 2024 by aloha b.

[Argonne69]

12 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Did you ever play Sunset Hills near Edwardsville?  That was our home course when I played college golf.

 

No, didn't get a chance. I made one trip to the Peoria/Pekin area, and played Lick Creek, and Crane Creek. I believe Crane is now closed.

 

[Argonne69]

8 hours ago, aloha b. said:

Arg,

I hope that you enjoy your round tomorrw at Wente! I've played Wente many times and have always enjoyed it! I'm not a good golfer but I do remember getting a birdie on the first hole once. The first tee has an elevation of ~100' I think. I shot a 40 on the front nine before I woke up and played my usual game on the back nine. 😁

Is a cart still included in the green fees? I don't remember if you hit balls at the range first to warm-up but if you do it's about a 4-5 min. drive with a cart up a hillside. The putting green and chipping area is near the Pro Shop.

 

Yeah, the cart is included with the green's fee. I generally don't warm up on the range. My patented low draw is usually pretty reliable on the first tee. Lol. If I do warm up, I usually just hit a couple of wedges and maybe an 8 iron or two.

 

Looks like I may have caught a break with the weather, as the early morning rain is heading out of the area. Unfortunately my tee time isn't until 9:30, but as usual I'll arrive early and hope there's a no-show.

 

Edited November 2, 2024 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

11 hours ago, mmoran said:

Mullen is just salty because no matter how hard he tried to get a round in with Arg it didn’t work with Arg’s schedule. 

 

Hoping to get out with him on his 9 hole course when I'm down in San Jose after the Maui trip.

 

[stevopagolf]

Arg-

 

I am impressed with the number of rounds!  I retired 2 years ago and am approaching 250 rounds.  I play 4-5 times a week anymore and I would be divorced and forced back to work!  Friends always say "you must be getting really good". The answer is no..... you have to fix your flaws and practice.  I just go play.  I know my flaws but don't take time to fix them, but I am really good at hitting low hooks around trees to the front of greens from all my opportunities!  

 

I hope your journey continues, as I enjoy following it, but know at some point the road will get to be to much!  Safe travels

[Argonne69]

Just now, stevopagolf said:

Arg-

 

I am impressed with the number of rounds!  I retired 2 years ago and am approaching 250 rounds.  I play 4-5 times a week anymore and I would be divorced and forced back to work!  Friends always say "you must be getting really good". The answer is no..... you have to fix your flaws and practice.  I just go play.  I know my flaws but don't take time to fix them, but I am really good at hitting low hooks around trees to the front of greens from all my opportunities!  

 

I hope your journey continues, as I enjoy following it, but know at some point the road will get to be to much!  Safe travels

 

I think the sweet spot for me is 4 rounds a week. During my two winters in Arizona I played Monday through Friday, and it was too much. I'm averaging close to five rounds a week on this trip, but the travel days help break up the long stretches.

 

During the summer of 2020 I was playing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The midweek day off really helped.

 

[Argonne69]

Well, better than 9:30 am. Arrived at Wente Vineyards and was able to move up to 8:10 am. Making the hike up to the 1st tee. Lol. 

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2024 by Argonne69

[aloha b.]

51 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Well, better than 9:30 am. Arrived at Wente Vineyards and was able to move up to 8:10 am. Making the hike up to the 1st tee. Lol. 

 

 

 

It’s a nice little hike up to the first tee! The weather looks pretty good too!

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, aloha b. said:

It’s a nice little hike up to the first tee! The weather looks pretty good too!

 

The hike up Lombard St to the 10th was fun. Lol.