Originally Posted By DVC_dad I have a silly confession to make: This has been bothering me for a while and it is silly and childish...BUT it is a demon I would like to exercise. In this thread a LONG time ago, I posted that I shot 3 over par on 9 holes. I then posted that that was a mistake and that I shot 5 over par on 9 holes. Well...four days or so later, I was posting my scores in the computer at the club house (working on my USGA offical Handicap) and to my utter astonishment I relized that I DID NOT shoot 5 over par on 9 holes... I shot 5 over par on 7 holes!!!!!!!!!! I had not written my score on hole #10 nor hole #18 !!!!!!!!!! SO...this means that instead of a score of 41 on 9 holes, I got a 41 on 7 holes!!! I mean HOW stupid can I get? In my defense: That day I did have to leave the course 3 times, for about an hour each...once after playing #10, once after playing #17, and it was a day that I was trying to FORCE 9 holes into a day of utter chaos. Two lessons learned: 1- Write the score down before leaving the hole. 2- Don't try to squeeze in golf on a day that just can't accomodate it. THERE: I feel better now.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <By the way, I feel so strongly about it, I have to say one more time...Medinah looks magnificient! I don't recall grass THAT green and beautiful. It almost looked like the entore course was fairways and greens.< It was really nice-- the pros get to play slightly better manicured courses than the rest of us schleps
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I could not agree MORE. But then they have earned it I suppose. My cousin played Sawgrass about 2 years ago. His wife worked for a sponsor of a tourney at the time, and somehow she got him a pass to play with some of the mgt. from the sponsor company. He tells a wonderful story of having the round of his life until.... hole 17. LOL
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I played there about 6 years ago. My neighbor at the time was originally from N.C. ( and is back there now) and was a private pilot also. He rented a twin engine and we flew down there and met his brother who was a CFO for a large firm there... The flight and company was way better than my round is all I will say. The course was very nice..and maybe because there was no pressure because I was not playing well - but 17 did not kill me...I was D.O.A. well before I got there -- LOL ! two things I learned while there...1. there were 2 courses there ( who knew ? )- we did play the Stadium Course, and second the signature 17th that everyone knows due to the water -- by the time you get to it, the average player realizes there is water everywhere...brush up on your rule book for lateral water hazards - even on holes where the water seemed insignificant...bam ! ( or should I say Sploosh ! )
Originally Posted By DVC_dad That was also a comment he made to me was that it seemed that there was water on every hole.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 On many holes the pros take the water out of play - I unfortunately did not...
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I dare say #17 at TPC Sawgrass is a challenge for ANYBODY depending on wind. I would like to play there, and also I would like to play Trump International.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I have a great story: My home phone rang about 7:30 PM last night. It was a fellow member who I am not very fond of; big ego, known to be very liberal with his score, and acts like he owns the place...anyway... He was calling to give me an ivite to attend a tee time for this morning at 8:00 AM. He told me that he had heard that I play alone a lot, and he wanted to see "what that's all about." I asked him how good of a player he was to which he replied, "I am pretty darn good. I play in that Saturday morning group that goes off around 8:00." I know of this group of around 10 guys, very good, play for money. I quickly accepted. He then asked me right there on the phone, "Shall we make it $10 a hole then just for fun?" I thought about it, and then quickly accepted. Now to this morning... We teed off after 20 minutes or so on the practice range. While he spent his time blasting drives into the stratophere, I hit nothing but my wedge, 9, and 8. Then after 15 mins I walked over to the practice putting green and practiced putting, whilst he went on with his fairway woods. Okay to get to the end of the story...the guy was a very good golfer. However, EXACTLY as I expected...I was able to rattle him pretty easily, and pretty early. Here's how! At the first hole, #1 he gave me the honor. I teed up, tried to kill the ball with every ounce of stregth I had, and I hooked it terribly, out of bounds. He said, "Consider that your Breakfast ball, eat it, and re-tee. We won't count that stroke." Here comes the rub... I said, "We ARE playing for money right?" He replied, "Yes we are, $10 a hole...just to make it fun. We can do more if you like." I thought such a comment to be pretty obnoxious and forward, especially since I just hooked my first drive of the day into the trees left. I will admit I was outwardly offended by it. But I brushed it off and commented, "no $10 is good since it's just for fun. But since we are playing for money afterall I will go look for it, if I find it Ill play it, if not I will drop and take the necessary penalty." "Oh so you play like that?" said he. "Yes," I said. "I have found that playing by the rules turns most 10 handicapers into 25's." *Big Smile* Long awkward pause... "Okay what are your rules?" he asked. I said, "Simple, no Mulligans, no do-overs, no second balls. Play the course how you find it, play your ball where it lays. It's that simple." At this point I was being somewhat of an a-hole but the guy really is an obnoxious sort and I find it no one's business if I play alone. He agreed to "the rules." He teed up, and hit a wonderful drive right down the right side of the fairway about 210 yards out, right into a rather large bunker. Burried. And so began my all time best round of golf I have ever played in my life...and his worst so he says. I know of at least 8 times that he improved his lie while I wasn't looking, and two times I am pretty sure he dropped a ball to prevent taking a lost ball penalty. But I figure if he can live with it, it's his business. Playing by the rules really rattled his cage. Long story short: I ended up shooting a completely HONEST 45 on the front. He shot a 48. I shot a completely honest 46 on the second nine, to his 40. This gives me a 93. BRAVO!!! This gives him an 88. But as you recall, the money was on each hole so the overall strokes really were not the issue. Now that makes us pretty even. I ended up losing $30 dollars to the guy overall, but I was very pleased with that. Afterall that's not too bad for a 28 handicapper against a 10 hadicapper. ;D
Originally Posted By DVC_dad ^ ^ ^ <<<I shot a completely honest 46 on the second nine>>> I shot a completely honest 48 on the second nine !!! TYPO
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I don't think I will ever play for money again, however, it sure did cause me to take my time and focus. During the round he claims to have played before for up to $1000 a hole, and $5000 overall low score. I don't believe him. He isn't good enough to play that kind of golf, unless ofcourse, he has his own set of rules.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 < "I am pretty darn good. I play in that Saturday morning group that goes off around 8:00."< this is the guy I am always looking for -- any golfer that makes a statement like this, is nowhere near the golfer they pretend to be ( same goes for bowling - pool take your pick) - <"Yes," I said. "I have found that playing by the rules turns most 10 handicapers into 25's." *Big Smile* < this should be a bumper sticker or a poster - as it is SO true <Now that makes us pretty even. I ended up losing $30 dollars to the guy overall, but I was very pleased with that. Afterall that's not too bad for a 28 handicapper against a 10 hadicapper. ;D< Dad, one thing here we've got to talk never give away 18 handicap and play even up -- I know you wanted to set his smugness in place and I admire that-- but here would have been an alternative ( that I'll bet he won;t give you now ) -- his handicap 10 ( supposedly ) - and your 28 -- difference 18 - hey that's a shot a hole -- tell him give me 9 ( 1 shot on each of the 9 hardest rated holes) -- my guess is you would have won about $50 - $70 and you would have been giving him a 'break' -- either way -- great round .!!!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <During the round he claims to have played before for up to $1000 a hole, and $5000 overall low score. I don't believe him. He isn't good enough to play that kind of golf, unless ofcourse, he has his own set of rules. < he either plays other blowhards and they all have too muchmoney - but playing for Michael Jordan betting type money is doubtful -- but shooting an 88 - and not at a championship course....at $5K a hole - I know a certain 12 handicap that would play him straight up, and likely leave with a new bimmer...LOL ! $5K a hole $90k a round -- I ain't buying it either..
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<his handicap 10 ( supposedly ) - and your 28 -- difference 18 - hey that's a shot a hole -- tell him give me 9 ( 1 shot on each of the 9 hardest rated holes) -- my guess is you would have won about $50 - $70 and you would have been giving him a 'break' -->>> Well...(as I am NEW to the whole dark underworld of "Friendly Wagers" during golf outings)I didn't know how to approach that whole handicap thing. BUT thanks to YOU vbdad, (being no doubth that you have been around the playground a few times) I now know. I have about 4 or so more scores to enter into the computer up there before the USGA spits out my handicap card. Had I got this guy to agree to the handicap, and THEN show him that I intend on sticking to the rules, I think that I would have cleaned him up...but the true peotic justice (or irony) in that sinario is, I would not only have won, but would have had bragging rights to claiming that I had even given him a BREAK!!! Hond sight....*sigh* <<<$1000 a hole, and $5000 overall low score.>>> The way he explained that big money was more like this... Two seperate bets: Bet #1) $1000 per hole Bet #2) Everyone puts in $5000 and that entire pot went (supposedly) to the overall stroke play winner (or individual low score.) Personally, after playing with this guy, I think he is a complete idiot, and it has re-doubled my efforts to continue to play alone out here for now. I am going to the practice range and I will spend an entire hour with only two clubs...my P and my 9. Then the next day, my 8, and 7...and so on. My very best shot of the day, the one that will make me keep chasing this insane game, was this: Hole 9, par 4 about 160 to green center, water all the way down the fairway on the left, lots of safe grass all the way down on the right. Pin placed -1 yard (right in the middle.) This guy hits a 5 iron and goes about 5 yards off the right of the green, and maybe 10 yards short. He cusses, and walks back to the cart, and SLAMS his 5 iron into the bag. At this point I am thinking...muahahaha he's toast. So I ask him, "What club did you hit again?" He says, "5 iron." "Ahh..ok I think I had better hit a 4 iron," I say. He looks at me and I can FEEL him thinking I am going to blow it. I was thinking...."just remember the range, pretend you are on the range and hit the ball." I did just that, I hit it sweet and high (somehow) and I was maybe 15 feet left, pin high on the green! I didn' react, just acted all cool as if, "yep that was the right club." I honestly think that this made him blow his chip up...lots of up but not much down and his ball went all he way across the green. I was howling inside. Remember, I wish the guy no ill things in life whatsoever, but he IS a big blowhard and jerk, and I was just a little peice of Karma for him.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I have learned two new things recently... 1.) Swing consistantly, swing the same for every club, but switch the club to change the dsitance, don't change the swing or speed. 2.) If it doesn't FEEL right, stop and back off. No sense pushing through a bad set up and blowing a shot. I stopped on two BACK swings today, turned my back on the ball and walks a few steps away cause it just didn't FEEL right. I don't know...is that legal? Also, I don't know all the rules, but isn't it against the rules to take a drop and somehow be dropping CLOSER to the hole?!?!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad ^ ^ ^ Did you see the drop they gave Tiger for hitting the ball 1,000 yards out of bounds onto a ROOF of a building yesterday??? Someone had to actually go up there and GET his ball!!!
Originally Posted By officerminnie How in the world those guys hit lousy shots and then recover is beyond me! If you or I hit a shot like that, we'd be taking a 12 on the hole .
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <2.) If it doesn't FEEL right, stop and back off. No sense pushing through a bad set up and blowing a shot.< absolutely -- two reasons -- odds are good if it doesn't feel right, it isn't-- and secondly ,by that time you have mentally convinced yourself it is wrongand the shot is doomed
Originally Posted By vbdad55 < BUT thanks to YOU vbdad, (being no doubth that you have been around the playground a few times< I rarely play for money these days as I just don't play enough ...and secondly I play much more for enjoyment now then for the competition. Not that the competitive juices still don't flow because they do....but my feeling on games where betting is common ( golf/ bowling /pool etc)_ is that there are two kinds of opponents who are so anxious to bet as this guy you golfed with are -- idiots and bigger idiots. And for those who are usually very casual about it, they are to be feared the most...hustlers and top money players do not brag about their games or exploits...they want you to know very little about them, and even less accurate stuff.... I would be tempted to play a guy like this for money just to put it to him....but I would do that more years ago when I played very often. Regardless of skills, unless you are a regular +++ ( lots of practice) - you can't be consistent enough to count on your game shot after shot there was a day when between bowling and pool there wasn't a person on the planet I feared ( not sure if good or bad)- and I won my share of torunaments and trophies ( and money$ ) - but this was in my youth when I played so often all shots and conditions were second nature to handle...and all I focusd on was the mental aspect of beating my opponent. I never qite got there in golf as I knew I was good, but not to the same level and I always figured just as I was taking people in 9 balls and straight pool ( my fave) toruneys, and king of the hills in bowling--- there was someone like me going to take my money in golf.... but yeah, the reason I mentioned the givingback of 9 strokes you had coming was two fold 1/ you already sized this guy up to be somewhat of a blowhard and the whole mulligan etc thing tells you the scores he turns in for his handicap were bogus & 2/ there's nothing better than this guy giving you 1 back on the 9 toughest holes and youbeat him scratch on the front...I can almost guarantee if he had given you those strokes - by the back 9 he would have shot worse, not better..mentally you would already have won
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<mentally you would already have won>>> I think I accomplished this victory before we ever walked onto the first tee box. My whole goal for the round was to get in his head, mostly because I was offended that he called me, presenting himself as a "friend" only to try to win some money...and I suspect to scout me out for "that Saturday Group." Anyway, either way, I am not good enough at all to play for money. I never will be. But being new to "real golf" per se, I am finding there are TONS of golfers out there claiming a 15 handicap, when they are nowhere near a 15 IF and that is a big IF they play by the rules. I mean quite honestly, it is hard...very hard to be a true 15. In my mind, being a 15 Handicap means two things. 1. You average a score of 87 on 18 holes, AND 2. You play by the rules in doing so. The rub is...if you average 87, then sometimes you shoot 80, sometimes you shoot 94...you know what I mean? It doesn't mean you shoot 94-100 but shave strokes off for bad drives, lost balls, water, and sand. I want to know my handicap for ME, no one else. How else am I ever going to know how well I am improving if I "fudge" my scores? I am only cheating MYSELF. If the scores submitted aren't OBJECTIVE then the hadicap isn't going to be true.
