Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[DavePelz4]

I'm at the golf dome in Addison and a Srixon rep is here selling QST for $15/dozen and both Z-Stars for $20. Good deal? My favorite is the newer Wilson FG Tour. Do any of these Srixons compare?

 

Tell Todd the NIU Huskie guy says hi. He'll probably get a big laugh out of it.

[chisag]

I'm at the golf dome in Addison and a Srixon rep is here selling QST for $15/dozen and both Z-Stars for $20. Good deal? My favorite is the newer Wilson FG Tour. Do any of these Srixons compare?

 

... Not a fan of the QST which spins like the Bridgestone RX. But Z Star was my ball of choice before finding the TP5x. I think that is a killer deal on both Z Stars. I ordered 4 dozen TP5x in the buy 3 get one free with personalization. I just have them put a . on the ball so I can't even see it at address. Also just grabbed 4 dozen Kirkland Signatures so I am set for the season but still would have picked up 2 dozen Z Star if I were there.

[VNutz]

I'm at the golf dome in Addison and a Srixon rep is here selling QST for $15/dozen and both Z-Stars for $20. Good deal? My favorite is the newer Wilson FG Tour. Do any of these Srixons compare?

 

The ZStar is a steal at that price, elite level ball, ProV quality. I'd suggest trying them if that's what you normally play.

[Scratch2Plus]

I could never get the Zstars to cooperate with my allegedly illegal clubs.

[MountainKing]

Have not played RF in years. The BB course (while not the most exciting on the eyes) is challenging enough for me.. Also, the short game practice area at BB can't be beat. If I had to make this decision, it would be BB.

 

More or less agree. RF has been a mess condition wise the last few years, although I have heard last year it was much better. I never really cared for the course, too many goofy holes that feel squeezed into the housing development..like an "oh no we're running low on land how do we make this work" type thing.

 

I'd say that there are only 3 holes that feel "squeezed", the par 4 14th, the par 5 15th, and the par 4 16th. Otherwise it's a decent layout. Hole 14 is still fun, as it's a good short par 4 that is risk/reward. The only reason the 15th is a par 5 is because of the large tree guarding the green. If that were to blow down in a storm it would be a par 4 easily. The 16th is as tough a short par 4 as they come. Again, risk/reward, but it does feel tight.

 

My understanding is that conditions have improved, but pace of play still stinks.

 

 

I'm cool with most of the front 9 there. It's the back 9 on the other side of the road that bug me. Here's your land, figure out how to get 5 holes in there and 2 have to be par 5's. One of my lowest 9 hole rounds ever was posted on that back 9 but it's still not enough for me to care for it. Short par 4, short par 5, short par 4 then another shorter par 5 that they had to use a tree to protect it with. I think the 16th is dumb, most average golfers don't have the required shot in the bag for that hole. The finish with 17 and 18 are strong, I really do enjoy both of those holes.

[ldchristopher]

You guys are crazy. I haven't even been to the range yet, let alone played this year. Maybe it was the 7 years I spent in Atlanta, but I need it to be 50* to play. Looking like May for that.

 

... Even though I have been in Chicago since '78 I also still have southern blood in my veins. Born and raised in the south til I graduated from East Carolina and started my career in radio going to Athens and then Columbus Ga. The older I get, the more the cold is intolerable. After spending January in Orlando and 6 weeks in Phoenix coming to an end today, I am not playing unless a 6 is the first temperature number. Sure, on a sunny calm 55* day I might play but those are rare. I am with you, these guys are crazy and while I can deal with a 3 club wind, I have zero interest in a 3 club temperature adjustment. Unless I am loose and swinging freely, a tight cold swing with enough clothes on to have a garage sale, just holds no interest for me. Nor does spending time in an igloo, ice fishing or cross country skiing. A 3 day drive back home and I imagine I will not be playing for awhile. After 35 rounds in 38 days (having to hike when the Mrs visited on the other 3 days) a little time off probably isn't a bad thing and I will be dying to get out when the 60's finally arrive.

 

I'm one of the crazy guys that's been playing, but I've lived my whole life here. And, I don't have the ability to escape to some place warm and sunny for a few weeks.

 

There are some advantages to playing in the cold. First, the courses are empty. No pace of play issues. And, it can be quite peaceful being out on an empty course. Plus, after a long winter, its nice just to get out and walk a course again.

 

Also, I have to say, golf gear has come a long way. Compared to 10 years ago, I can wear one less layer, in clothing that has far less restrictions and that keeps me warmer. I think the term "tech" is extremely overused in golf equipment, but perhaps where it is most noticeable is in apparel. If you only play in ideal conditions it can be hard to recognize, but start moving to the extremes of the thermometer, you begin to see how this new clothing really helps you stay comfortable no matter the conditions.

 

 

... My wife is born and raised here so I get it. She accepts winter as a natural occurrence and embraces it with snow hiking, cross country skiing and staying active all winter. I think it is a punishment to those of us not smart enough to move to a warmer climate. I tip my cap to the both of you. It just isn't really golf just like the Sox aren't really playing baseball in this weather. The advice to hold the club like a live bird or the arms should feel like cooked spaghetti is impossible when I am tight and cold. I have a ton respect for anyone that can brave these elements on a golf course, even if I think you are insane. :man_in_love:

It's really not that bad. Granted, Bear and I are both in our mid-30s so I can't guarantee we'll be playing like this 30 years from now (I'd like to think so but I'm a realist), but once we get moving it's quite tolerable. The key is to put a lot more thought into what courses we play and, more importantly, what we avoid. The wide open prairie-style courses are just too cold and wind off water hazards gets brutal at times. Also, it's a two club difference going over cold water when it's 30 something degrees out. No exceptions. I really like the 2:45 pace but I'd imagine playing in these conditions but waiting on every shot would be awful.

[chisag]

... Growing up in NC and then spending 4 years in Ga my fate was cast. Even in my mid 30's I could not have fathomed playing golf with temps in the 30's. But like my wife, you guys grew up with these conditions. When I first moved to Chicago in '78 to do afternoons at WEFM I got here in late May. I remember the first day in late fall that the temps dropped into single digits (something I had never experienced) and I showed up to work in a new down coat, wool hat, fur lined boots and these big mittens. My program director arrived about the same time I did wearing a leather jacket, jeans and sneakers. He looked at my outfit and said "Good stuff. What are you gonna wear when it gets cold?"

[Eagleman]

Anybody looking to play tomorrow or the rest of the week? I live in channahon and I’m willing to travel a bit. I used to play(and be an active member) but between my grandfather passing, the man who got me into golf, and life I quit playing 5 or 6 years ago. I’m back to playing recently and I’m looking for other people to play with. I’ve been playing Cinder Ridge in Braidwood the last couple days and it’s in good shape. It’s a fun course that isn’t to expensive.

[DavePelz4]

... Growing up in NC and then spending 4 years in Ga my fate was cast. Even in my mid 30's I could not have fathomed playing golf with temps in the 30's. But like my wife, you guys grew up with these conditions. When I first moved to Chicago in '78 to do afternoons at WEFM I got here in late May. I remember the first day in late fall that the temps dropped into single digits (something I had never experienced) and I showed up to work in a new down coat, wool hat, fur lined boots and these big mittens. My program director arrived about the same time I did wearing a leather jacket, jeans and sneakers. He looked at my outfit and said "Good stuff. What are you gonna wear when it gets cold?"

 

OK this is really scary and shows how old I am but...didn't that station go from classical to top 40 or was it the other way around?

 

Geez I'm old.

[B-Man]

Ravishloe on Saturday. Hopefully not to rainy.

[stringbean502001]

Played Makray Memorial today. All things considered with our weather, I thought the course was in outstanding condition. Not wet, greens rolling well. Traps in good shape. Impressed. Still winter rates also (of course, this is still Chicago winter evidently)

[Argonne69]

Old:

 

Watching Apollo 11 on a black and white TV.

The Blizzard of '67

The '67 tornado in Oak Lawn

Walking home from school at noon to eat lunch, and watch Bozo Circus (live).

Watching Walter Cronkite report on the War in Vietnam.

Getting your first color TV.

Listening to Larry Lujack on WCFL

[PuttCurseRepeat]

When I first moved to Chicago in '78 to do afternoons at WEFM I got here in late May.

Ha! My friends and I would record WMET, bitd. I think I still have an old cassette laying around. The DJ in his cool DJ voice would always say "emmy-TEE!" and sounded like he would hardly move his mouth or lips. Then he'd play Shadow Dancing. ?

 

EDIT: Just realized I somehow confused WMET with WEFM. Nevermind. ?

[DavePelz4]

Old:

 

Watching Apollo 11 on a black and white TV.

The Blizzard of '67

The '67 tornado in Oak Lawn

Walking home from school at noon to eat lunch, and watch Bozo Circus (live).

Watching Walter Cronkite report on the War in Vietnam.

Getting your first color TV.

Listening to Larry Lujack on WCFL

 

Not many people knew that in addition to being a HUGE golfer, Uncle Lar also was a hoopster. Was privileged to play hoops with him and Little Snot Nosed Tommy and enjoy a few Sox games with him. Tommy Edwards was very good on the court. Was also ripped on air by Lujack in response to a Klunk Letter of the Day. Stories.

[propman]

Played Prairie Bluff today. Almost a perfect day with low winds. Played with a buddy in less than 3 hours. Shot an 81 with no birdies. Not complaining.

[chisag]

... Yup, I was there the day WEFM changed formats from Classical to Top 40. I worked at WMET too, so all good. And if you are OLD for listening, what does that make me?

[Argonne69]

A little spring tease, and then a poor weekend. It looks like we'll be dodging rain Saturday and Sunday, with temps falling Sunday into the low 40's. I'll likely play Saturday, but it'll be a last minute call in the morning when I wake up and check the radar. Most courses look like they have wide open tee sheets at this point.

[dhartmann34]

A little spring tease, and then a poor weekend. It looks like we'll be dodging rain Saturday and Sunday, with temps falling Sunday into the low 40's. I'll likely play Saturday, but it'll be a last minute call in the morning when I wake up and check the radar. Most courses look like they have wide open tee sheets at this point.

 

Yeah it's gonna be ugly. I even saw chances of snow. Temps keep moving between upper 30's and lower 40's...along wind and rain. I'll most likely be sitting in the sauna at the gym before hitting some balls into a net.

 

But I got in 9 yesterday and today hopefully 18

[geochitown]

got in my first 9 of the year last night at Mt Prospect

first night of weekly league

this will be the majority of my golf this year

 

pretty happy with first round of the year, putting needs more work

 

course in very good shape, so that's nice...

 

got cold fast yesterday afternoon!

[@_the_crook]

..2 + inches of heavy drizzle forecast for Sunday..

 

Slip and slide on # 16 at Sportsman's? It's downhill from the teebox until you reach the pond.

[WindyCitySPN]

Anyone played Ravisloe recently?

[Ish]

Played Highlands of Elgin on Wednesday after work. Course was in good condition.

[@_the_crook]

Old:

Watching Apollo 11 on a black and white TV.

The Blizzard of '67, twas but a flurry. We had family stuck at work in the loop for a few days.

The '67 tornado in Oak Lawn

Walking home from school at noon to eat lunch, and watch Bozo Circus (live). Lived four blocks from my grammar school; did the same.

Worthless trivia - My neighbor and schoolmate's dad trademarked and marketed the first version of the Bozo bucket game.

Watching Walter Cronkite report on the War in Vietnam.

Getting your first color TV.

Listening to Larry Lujack on WCFL - uh-oh, fan of Super CFL, not DoubleYew, EL-eSS?

we seem to have lived parallel lives

[Argonne69]

OK, I'm officially sick of this cr*p. I was thinking that we might get a break with the rain, and there does appear to be a slight opening at the moment for a quick round, safely assuming that nobody is out there. However, 40 degree temps with 20 mph northeast winds has the windchill down to 23 degrees. Uh. No. I don't think a trip to the range would be productive. What a mess.

[dhartmann34]

OK, I'm officially sick of this cr*p. I was thinking that we might get a break with the rain, and there does appear to be a slight opening at the moment for a quick round, safely assuming that nobody is out there. However, 40 degree temps with 20 mph northeast winds has the windchill down to 23 degrees. Uh. No. I don't think a trip to the range would be productive. What a mess.

Yeah this weather is really ridiculous. I'll be going to my local shop to hit balls into a net while working on stuff from my last lesson. Glad I got in some holes while the weather was nice. Really enjoying my new set of irons.

[chisag]

Old:

Watching Apollo 11 on a black and white TV.

The Blizzard of '67, twas but a flurry. We had family stuck at work in the loop for a few days.

The '67 tornado in Oak Lawn

Walking home from school at noon to eat lunch, and watch Bozo Circus (live). Lived four blocks from my grammar school; did the same.

Worthless trivia - My neighbor and schoolmate's dad trademarked and marketed the first version of the Bozo bucket game.

Watching Walter Cronkite report on the War in Vietnam.

Getting your first color TV.

Listening to Larry Lujack on WCFL - uh-oh, fan of Super CFL, not DoubleYew, EL-eSS?

we seem to have lived parallel lives

 

 

... You guys left out the #1 event of our lives. The creation of the Beatles that changed music as we knew it. The main reason I got into radio.

[AUTIGER07]

This weather may cause me to move back down to the Southeast.

[nealkb]

I bought a little mat to hopefully hit foam balls into the padded corner of my buildings basketball court

[chisag]

This weather may cause me to move back down to the Southeast.

 

... Amen. As Steven Frears said to a friend of mine after a long take involving huge crowds, a crane shot and all the stars in the shot when we were filming Hero here in Chicago "Rick, you've missed your f*cking mark!" Coming back from Phoenix to this never ending winter, I certainly missed my f*cking mark... sigh.

[ldchristopher]

Next Sunday looks playable. Because 10 day forecasts are always super accurate.