Opinion of the Golf Channel Am Tour

[cpouley]

I know there are other threads about the Am Tour, but I couldn't find one that answered what I wanted. Basically, do you guys like it? Is it worth the investment? 199 is steep and the tourneys are a little more than I normally pay, but if it is worth it, I would certainly do it. I truly respect your opinions. Let me know what you think. Also, if there are any of you playing in the Sacramento Tour I would really appreciate your opinion as that would be the one I join. Thanks you ahead of time.

[rockinar]

I play on it. Been on it for 5 years. I like it. For that $199 they send you a box of swag that's probably worth $75 retail (nice shirt, couple sleeves of balls, discount cards, etc). So it's not that bad. Yes, the tournaments are a tad pricey. But you have to keep in mind that it's a business, and the director has to paid for organizing the all the tournaments at the different courses, buying the trophies, etc. The level of play is pretty solid, occasional sandbagger, occasional cheater but they are kept in check for the most part. Lots of nice course across the country where tournaments are held if you want to travel, two day majors at nice courses, some PGA Tour courses, etc. My only advice is don't BS about what your handicap is when you join. The "new guys" are always the sandbaggers and new guys tend to be watched by the rest of the players. You go out in shoot an 78 in your first tourney when the rest of your flight shot 90+, you're not going to make too many friends. I have seen it happen quite a few times. New guy show up, beats the field by 15 strokes, gets his trophy, heads to the parking lot and never plays another tournament again. Anyone who's been on the AmTour for a while has seen it too and new guys tend to be watched.

Enjoy. The people you play will be a mixed bag. Some that are taking it WAAYY too serious and think they are a future star and don't say a word all day. But most are just out there having fun.

If you're on the fence, email the tour director, they might let you play one tournament as a guest without having to join (you'll still pay the entry fee, and won't be allowed to collect prizes)

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='cpouley' timestamp='1394676790' post='8860003']
I know there are other threads about the Am Tour, but I couldn't find one that answered what I wanted. Basically, do you guys like it? Is it worth the investment? 199 is steep and the tourneys are a little more than I normally pay, but if it is worth it, I would certainly do it. I truly respect your opinions. Let me know what you think. Also, if there are any of you playing in the Sacramento Tour I would really appreciate your opinion as that would be the one I join. Thanks you ahead of time.
[/quote]

I tried it once. At the time you could enter as a guest at a reduced rate. Don't know if that is still the case. No BS on the handicap, as the other poster said. If you haven't played in many tournaments, you will likely score about 10 strokes higher than you would like. They will shunt you into a different bracket if your scores don't fit the one you start in. Overall, it was a good time. Well-run and organized. I played with some nice folks. Plenty of tour poser going on, so be ready for a bit of the weird factor. Not a big deal, really.

[cpouley]

I took your guys advice and emailed the tour director. Waiting to hear back. Thanks for your help

[skilikeme]

I was thinking about joining too, but it looks like there are only about 20 guys in the MN field. Seems sort of small...

[sompin2do]

[quote name='rockinar' timestamp='1394688867' post='8860971']
I play on it. Been on it for 5 years. I like it. For that $199 they send you a box of swag that's probably worth $75 retail (nice shirt, couple sleeves of balls, discount cards, etc). So it's not that bad. Yes, the tournaments are a tad pricey. But you have to keep in mind that it's a business, and the director has to paid for organizing the all the tournaments at the different courses, buying the trophies, etc. The level of play is pretty solid, occasional sandbagger, occasional cheater but they are kept in check for the most part. Lots of nice course across the country where tournaments are held if you want to travel, two day majors at nice courses, some PGA Tour courses, etc. My only advice is [b]don't BS about what your handicap is[/b] when you join. The "new guys" are always the sandbaggers and new guys tend to be watched by the rest of the players. You go out in shoot an 78 in your first tourney when the rest of your flight shot 90+, you're not going to make too many friends. I have seen it happen quite a few times. New guy show up, beats the field by 15 strokes, gets his trophy, heads to the parking lot and never plays another tournament again. Anyone who's been on the AmTour for a while has seen it too and [b]new guys tend to be watched.[/b]

Enjoy. The people you play will be a mixed bag. Some that are taking it WAAYY too serious and think they are a future star and don't say a word all day. But most are just out there having fun.

If you're on the fence, email the tour director, they might let you play one tournament as a guest without having to join (you'll still pay the entry fee, and won't be allowed to collect prizes)
[/quote]

+1000

Couldn't have said it better myself, especially the part about your handicap. Fortunately it doesn't take long for a good tour director to spot them and do a quick promotion to where they belong.

Love meeting new people at the 2-day majors and nationals also. Almost 3 years for me and plan to renew this June.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='skilikeme' timestamp='1394727890' post='8863271']
I was thinking about joining too, but it looks like there are only about 20 guys in the MN field. Seems sort of small...
[/quote]

Probably somewhat limited due to climate but once you're registered you can play any event in any city. The only one that requires qualifying is nationals. In your limited area it would seem pretty easy to do that.

[kg92lefty]

Nothing but hacks. Play in real amateur events.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394733676' post='8863959']
Nothing but hacks. Play in real amateur events.
[/quote]

Care to elaborate? What is a "real" amateur event?

[rockinar]

[quote name='sompin2do' timestamp='1394735622' post='8864183']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394733676' post='8863959']
Nothing but hacks. Play in real amateur events.
[/quote]

Care to elaborate? What is a "real" amateur event?
[/quote]


An even that's behind a keyboard where he won't get ... handed to him by "hacks".

[kg92lefty]

hahaha of course the golf channel am tour would say something like that. You all think you are so good when in reality you suck.
Nobody really good plays golf channel am tour. Any scratch or plus handicap is not going to waste their time playing a flighted tour or event. I see these scores across and golfweek tour scores all the time and it's pathetic what wins the championship flights.

[rockinar]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394737331' post='8864421']
hahaha of course the golf channel am tour would say something like that. You all think you are so good when in reality you suck.
Nobody really good plays golf channel am tour. Any scratch or plus handicap is not going to waste their time playing a flighted tour or event. I see these scores across and golfweek tour scores all the time and it's pathetic what wins the championship flights.
[/quote]



I did not know shooting par is "pathetic". Maybe you would like to put your money where your mouth is??? If you're so good, why don't you step out from behind the keyboard?

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='rockinar' timestamp='1394738168' post='8864505']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394737331' post='8864421']
hahaha of course the golf channel am tour would say something like that. You all think you are so good when in reality you suck.
Nobody really good plays golf channel am tour. Any scratch or plus handicap is not going to waste their time playing a flighted tour or event. I see these scores across and golfweek tour scores all the time and it's pathetic what wins the championship flights.
[/quote]



I did not know shooting par is "pathetic". Maybe you would like to put your money where your mouth is???
[/quote]

I would never waste 6 hours of my life and $200 (or whatever it cots) to play in one of those. The GC am tour is a joke here, all the really good players make fun of it because it is a joke! Dont try to make it out to be something great. Ill stick to real competition.

[toc]

And another good threads goes bananas

[rockinar]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394738460' post='8864525']


I would never waste 6 hours of my life and $200 (or whatever it cots) to play in one of those. The GC am tour is a joke here, all the really good players make fun of it because it is a joke! Dont try to make it out to be something great. Ill stick to real competition.
[/quote]


Move along keyboard pro.

[duffer987]

Apart from spambot threads selling Viagra, I don't think I've ever reported posts before.

kg92 - There is no place for such attacks on these boards, people can and cannot choose what they like - personally I'll stick to local men's club tournies - and people can debate it, but you're vitriolic posts are 100% pointless and incredibly bitter. Keyboard hero indeed.

[bjackson]

OP - [url="http://www.ncga.org/competitions/2014-tournament-calendar/2014-events/"]NCGA events[/url] will be better.

[dcmidnight]

If there are other tour options for you I would highly recommend you check them out.

My experience with the GC Tour in this area was very poor. Six hour rounds were the norm and yes, you do run into the potential for serious sandbagging in every event. Maybe it just happens with a particular person once or twice but in each flight - but why would you want to take the chance? Last year there was a guy in the 4-8 flight shooting under par. Sure thing. In general though - outside of the top spots - [u]in my opinion[/u], you will find the quality of play very poor relative to what their supposed handicap is. Guys in the 8-12 flight not breaking 100, guys in the Championship flight not breaking 90. So I guess if I wanted to say something good about it I would say that if you can shoot near net even with your handicap you would probably do well.

Also if you have never played on an am tour before and you could do it without paying the $200 it might be worth the experience of doing it. In my opinion though in your area I'm sure there are a ton of good tour options out there that would be more rewarding.

[awil]

[quote name='sompin2do' timestamp='1394732631' post='8863837']
[quote name='skilikeme' timestamp='1394727890' post='8863271']
I was thinking about joining too, but it looks like there are only about 20 guys in the MN field. Seems sort of small...
[/quote]

Probably somewhat limited due to climate but once you're registered you can play any event in any city. The only one that requires qualifying is nationals. In your limited area it would seem pretty easy to do that.
[/quote]
In all honesty if your game is decent your better off to play usga qualyfing mga qualfying and state open qualfying and your club championship in minnesota then you would this . Many more golfers that are teally good out there in minnesota and the testamnet that only 20 play it ahould say something imo

[cpouley]

Thanks guys. I am glad there were a few players on here that had actually played on them with both good and bad experiences so that I could make my decision. I really don't care what other golfers think of them or who they make fun of. I am just a hacker myself looking for a fun experience. I do appreciate the input. Thank you.

[rockinar]

[quote name='cpouley' timestamp='1394762524' post='8867321']
Thanks guys. I am glad there were a few players on here that had actually played on them with both good and bad experiences so that I could make my decision. I really don't care what other golfers think of them or who they make fun of. I am just a hacker myself looking for a fun experience. I do appreciate the input. Thank you.
[/quote]


If you're a hacker you should have lots of fun, and a little competition will encourage you to try to improve your game. That's what it's all about. Even 20 handicappers don't like to come in DFL (Dead F-n Last)

[GoIrish17]

[quote name='rockinar' timestamp='1394739459' post='8864629']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394738460' post='8864525']
I would never waste 6 hours of my life and $200 (or whatever it cots) to play in one of those. The GC am tour is a joke here, all the really good players make fun of it because it is a joke! Dont try to make it out to be something great. Ill stick to real competition.
[/quote]


Move along keyboard pro.
[/quote]

You should read through his posting content. It's like a greatest hits album of how not to contribute anything positive to a thread.

[cpouley]

I really don't know what exactly qualifies as a hacker. I have a 13 index. I just used that term because of how it was used and presented earlier in the thread. It sounds fun. I really do appreciate what you have said.

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1394739832' post='8864671']
Apart from spambot threads selling Viagra, I don't think I've ever reported posts before.

kg92 - There is no place for such attacks on these boards, people can and cannot choose what they like - personally I'll stick to local men's club tournies - and people can debate it, but you're vitriolic posts are 100% pointless and incredibly bitter. Keyboard hero indeed.
[/quote]

Topic was: "Opinion of the Golf Channel Am Tour" And I gave it. Don't get mad at me for answering what the OP asked. Rockinar is the child.

[MadGolfer76]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1394737331' post='8864421']
hahaha of course the golf channel am tour would say something like that. You all think you are so good when in reality you suck.
Nobody really good plays golf channel am tour. Any scratch or plus handicap is not going to waste their time playing a flighted tour or event. I see these scores across and golfweek tour scores all the time and it's pathetic what wins the championship flights.
[/quote]

A guy in the group I played with made it to the second stage of Q-School. He didn't suck - he just liked to play golf.

[danielao]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1394739832' post='8864671']
Apart from spambot threads selling Viagra, I don't think I've ever reported posts before.

kg92 - There is no place for such attacks on these boards, people can and cannot choose what they like - personally I'll stick to local men's club tournies - and people can debate it, but you're vitriolic posts are 100% pointless and incredibly bitter. Keyboard hero indeed.
[/quote]

LOL reporting an opinion in a thread asking for opinions.

Try harder bro, try harder...

[cpouley]

Ok. I am the OP and here is how I took it. Maybe I'm wrong, but I felt the opinion given by KG92Lefty got more into a personal attack on players that play the Am Tour. "Real Players make fun of it" as to say that I am not a Real Player or anyone on the tour isn't a real player. I asked for an opinion on the tour. And saying the tour is a joke because of the way it is run or because it takes too long or because it costs too much is one thing, but to imply that "Real Players" don't play it sounds a little condescending to me. Maybe that wasn't the intent, but that is at least how I took it. I do however, value your opinion. Thanks again. This has been very helpful in my decision.

[Hairpie]

I'm in sac area as well and would agree with NCGA events...golf am tour competition doesn't compare

[cpouley]

So I took your advice and I am playing in my first tournament as a guest. Trying it out to see if I like it. Thanks for all your input. It has been extremely helpful. I love this site.

[SadTrombone]

6-hour rounds, small fields, but decent courses and the people are generally fun to spend 6 hours with.

I can't tell you if it's "worth it" or not. To me, it isn't. I don't enjoy taking 6 hours to play in a 3 man field, but that's just me. Some regions have much bigger turnouts. YMMV.