The Plight Of The Southern Golfer

[Duffner's Waggle]

While many of my northern brethren (DP4, Uncle Cardy, RBhan12) begin to put the sticks away and call it a season, I hear so much talk of this "indoor golf" and "dome golf" and the like and I can't help but be jealous. I mean sure, I will probably play another 6-8 rounds before the end of the year, maybe more depending on my schedule, but the problem is that it does get somewhat cold here (30s & 40s), but more than that it gets wet in the winter time. The issue is that we don't have domes or indoor golf here. Because we're not in a 'cold weather climate' those things don't exist.

 

I've never been inside of one and I probably never will, but northerners, count your blessings next time you tee it up inside the dome and realize old Duff is sitting by the window at home watching the rain fall, dreaming of puring 3woods off the back of an inflatable igloo....

[DTXgolfer12]

Winter is the best time to play in Texas! It's also the only time we get rain consistently so the courses are green and soft and usually in the 50's and sunny during the middle of the day.

[stryper]

Sorry, no sympathy here....⛄️

[golfdad907]

[quote name='texchad12' timestamp='1415743513' post='10431089']
Winter is the best time to play in Texas! It's also the only time we get rain consistently so the courses are green and soft and usually in the 50's and sunny during the middle of the day.
[/quote]

When I lived in the GWN, specifically Chicagoland, we'd play CogHill year round, Domes were just invented, can't recall name of course that setup the first one, White Pines (maybe), which was better than nothing.

Simulator facilities sprung up everywhere it seemed, we even joined Winter leagues, usually played at night, similar to Monday night football, we had Wednesday night golf.

Then I got smart moved to Texas and play all year. Ironically, summer is worst time of year to play here, hot and generally little to no wind. Winter golf in TX is really fun, not hot, generally not too cold, and dormant Bermuda greens can roll up to 13 or so, depending on where you play.

[glk]

I know this is wrong in so many ways but I couldn't help myself - do you guys wear these when you play in the South? Got to know cause were moving to Kodak, Tn next spring and I need to understand how many pairs of levis I would need to cut down - btw, have a place in Charleston, SC and have never seen any but then again Chucktown is much more urban/metro than Kodak.

 

[glk]

[quote name='golfdad907' timestamp='1415744600' post='10431169']
[quote name='texchad12' timestamp='1415743513' post='10431089']
Winter is the best time to play in Texas! It's also the only time we get rain consistently so the courses are green and soft and usually in the 50's and sunny during the middle of the day.
[/quote]

When I lived in the GWN, specifically Chicagoland, we'd play CogHill year round, Domes were just invented, can't recall name of course that setup the first one, White Pines (maybe), which was better than nothing.

Simulator facilities sprung up everywhere it seemed, we even joined Winter leagues, usually played at night, similar to Monday night football, we had Wednesday night golf.

Then I got smart moved to Texas and play all year. Ironically, summer is worst time of year to play here, hot and generally little to no wind. Winter golf in TX is really fun, not hot, generally not too cold, and dormant Bermuda greens can roll up to 13 or so, depending on where you play.
[/quote]

Yep simulators everywhere - course 2 miles from me here in Naperville will be setup with a couple in about a week - much better than bouncing 6 irons off the roof of a dome - even hold leagues.

[knockdstiff]

This is some twilight zone stuff.....You are jealous of a part of the country that is about to be sheathed in ice for the next 4 months because we have fake substitute golf?

 

[Wooderson]

I know this is wrong in so many ways but I couldn't help myself - do you guys wear these when you play in the South? Got to know cause were moving to Kodak, Tn next spring and I need to understand how many pairs of levis I would need to cut down - btw, have a place in Charleston, SC and have never seen any but then again Chucktown is much more urban/metro than Kodak.

 

 

Could not be more wrong dude. Us southerners prefer wranglers to levis.

[smoky25]

I know this is wrong in so many ways but I couldn't help myself - do you guys wear these when you play in the South? Got to know cause were moving to Kodak, Tn next spring and I need to understand how many pairs of levis I would need to cut down - btw, have a place in Charleston, SC and have never seen any but then again Chucktown is much more urban/metro than Kodak.

 

 

No you won't see much of that down south. Our women shave their legs.

[Big Dozer]

I moved to KY from FL, what a mistake, golf wise(to just name 1)... The guys around here are pretty creative. All winter long you see guys in their carts with the zip up covers and the little propane heater. actually stays pretty warm in the cart. If it's above freezing and no wind, usually I'm out there too. We have a blue ball tournament on new years day. If > 32* its 18 holes and 9 if not.

[glk]

Larry Lujack, a legendary Chicago DJ, was an over the top golf nut - I remember listening to him and the winter golf tales - this bit from his wiki page tells it all (sadly he passed about a year ago):

[color=#252525]Away from the job, he was an enthusiast about golf. After triple heart bypass surgery in 1991, Lujack marked his calendar for the date his doctor told him he could return to the sport. Not just a "fair weather" golfer, Lujack suited up in winter gear and snowshoes to play Chicago area golf courses in winter. He played a full 18 holes at Buffalo Grove on January 23, 1985; the temperature was 27 degrees below zero with a windchill of -75 degrees. Lujack collapsed afterwar[/color]

[Chicago Lefty]

This thread is insane. Winter is awful here.

[Duffner's Waggle]

[quote name='Chicago Lefty' timestamp='1415746282' post='10431311']This thread is insane. Winter is awful here.[/quote]

Haha my man, I was born and raised in Milwaukee before I was given the gift of southern living. Mom's from Green Bay, Dad's from the west side of Chi-Town. Its tongue-in-cheek. I know what I'm "missing" out on....

But I do wish I had a place I could go hit balls all winter in shorts and a polo.

[Chicago Lefty]

Well it wouldn't be in a golf dome...it's usually pretty damn cold in the domes.

[Qqq123xx]

I know this is wrong in so many ways but I couldn't help myself - do you guys wear these when you play in the South? Got to know cause were moving to Kodak, Tn next spring and I need to understand how many pairs of levis I would need to cut down - btw, have a place in Charleston, SC and have never seen any but then again Chucktown is much more urban/metro than Kodak.

 

Those and speedos also. You haven't golfed till you've worn one. :rolleyes:

[Duffner's Waggle]

[quote name='Chicago Lefty' timestamp='1415747240' post='10431367']Well it wouldn't be in a golf dome...it's usually pretty damn cold in the domes.[/quote]

They're not heated?? Whats the point then? Just light a driving range

[Big Dozer]

Duff, I wish someone would give me the gift of southern living - pi$$ing down rain, skies as gray as a 10 year old pair of underwear and 30 degrees - this may be "the south", but it's no gift

[Chicago Lefty]

[quote name='Duffner's Waggle' timestamp='1415747663' post='10431397']
[quote name='Chicago Lefty' timestamp='1415747240' post='10431367']Well it wouldn't be in a golf dome...it's usually pretty damn cold in the domes.[/quote]

They're not heated?? Whats the point then? Just light a driving range
[/quote]

They're heated but it costs a small fortune to heat. I would guess on a warmer day outside they are around 55-60 inside, but the middle of January/February and I've actually seen my breath inside the Bolingbrook dome.

[MadGolfer76]

I thought the "plight of the southern golfer" was that they lived in the south?

[MtlJeff]

This is the like when a hot girl complains about being hot

[knock it close]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1415750020' post='10431589']
This is the like when a hot girl complains about being hot
[/quote] Still better than not hot girls complaining about being hot...

[Forged4ever]

I know this is wrong in so many ways but I couldn't help myself - do you guys wear these when you play in the South? Got to know cause were moving to Kodak, Tn next spring and I need to understand how many pairs of levis I would need to cut down - btw, have a place in Charleston, SC and have never seen any but then again Chucktown is much more urban/metro than Kodak.

 

Dude, having been raised down that way, you show up at a course in a pair of those and you better be able to hit more than a ball with the club in your hand.

 

Urban/Metro?

 

WTF, LMAO?!?

 

Bro, I got one cousin down there that is still dead set in the belief that they were one battle shy of winnin that conflict we had mid-19th century and his Bro thought that a Metrosexual was a homosexual that lived in the city.

 

I don't put "lol" cuz the stupid son of a b**** was dead serious.

 

And they're considered fairly normal.

 

And you wanna know about cutting your levis down?

 

Bro, you're better off in white pants and a white belt, lol

 

Welcome to the forum :)

 

A great group of Peeps!

 

Fairways & Greens My Friend,

Richard

[Forged4ever]

Bro, could this not be business opportunity?

What about portable heaters in the bays at the range?

Do you have any ranges with covered bays, like 2-3 tier hitting bays or is everything out in the open?


Fairways & Greens My Friend,
Richard

[Duffner's Waggle]

[quote name='Forged4ever' timestamp='1415751692' post='10431749']Bro, could this not be business opportunity?

What about portable heaters in the bays at the range?

Do you have any ranges with covered bays, like 2-3 tier hitting bays or is everything out in the open?


Fairways & Greens My Friend,
Richard[/quote]

Everything in the open except one at a mini Golf place, but its a little like the saying "that girl's so ugly I wouldn't (kiss) her with your (lips)!" <<edited version

I wouldn't hit their range balls with YOUR driver.... Its a dump!

[caniac6]

We play as long as we can get a tee in the ground. We are fairly plightless here in Winston-Salem.

[wlargen]

In Southwestern Virginia (Abingdon) Winter time doesn't offer much opportunity for golf. I've played in some pretty cold conditions and will usually play if I can get the tee in the ground and there isn't too much snow on the course. That being said, around 2 or 3 years ago, there was VERY little golf played. My home course has a sign in sheet and it was something like this....last round signed was December 3....next one was January 2 when there was a relatively mild day. Then a series of clippers came in and I'll bet there wasn't another round played at our club for another month. I am a huge fan of the newer high tech clothing that makes golfing in cold possible. I'm envious of those of you all who can play year round and I know that I have the opportunity to play much more than many on this board. It's all good....I think about playing if I can't..makes us appreciate the return of warm weather

[Forged4ever]

These are a couple of shots of my Bud's range. In the far right of the upper pic and the blow up of the lower pic are the stalls that I referring to. They have small portable heaters that are affixed to the top left side of the stall and I've hit when it's in the high 20s-30s and it's ok. They're also good for rain as long as it's not blowing into your face. The upper level, near left is used for teaching with video and LM.

FWIW, the last slot in that bottom far right bay was "my" spot. I had a black wicker rocker in it that I initially put in the back of it along with a bench for my Teacher and with his passing in '06, I took the bench out used the rocker for myself or anyone who stopped by. Well, the rocker has been moved to the upper "deck" where a "mature" Class A uses it, lol.

Maybe something like this would fly as it's good for sunny, rain or blustery days.

Have a nice day

My Best,
Richard

[Hot Rod 71]

Hey Duff, is that driving range still on Holland Road near Dam Neck Road? They used to have heaters there. I haven't been there in a few years. I'm not sure that range is still in existence.

[DevilDog]

About to get cold for an extended period here in the south and really too cold to play. But as the OP said, winter is rainy season for the south and the courses get really soft and play longer when you can get out to play.

[vbb]

Can't say I'm with you on this one Duff! Yes, our winters can be rainy and chilly, but you can play golf around here several times a month (time permitting) easily through December. There have been many a Christmas day where it got into the mid-60s, and the mid-50s for a daytime high are commonplace, which is just fine for golf. The worst two months weather-wise are Jan and Feb, but again, there will be a few days in those months where the daytime highs are in the 50s and it is dry. When you're walking, that's comfortable.

We have true year-round golf here... it just isn't idyllic like So Cal.

The bigger issue is the fact that it gets dark so early, so getting in that late afternoon round doesn't work.