Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[stasek]

Got out to Mistwood yesterday. The course, as usual, was in great shape and my game showed some signs of improvement. Instead of hook, the dreaded straight ball showed up. Got me in trouble in couple spots, but otherwise had probably the best driving day of the year. The putter though.... Wow... Can't remember how many 3 putts I had, but it was couple too many. Wound up shooting 81 with 3 doubles, 1 triple (damn 15th - 2 water balls), and 4 birdies. One of my playing partners had a VERY nice stretch going - after taking a 7 on 12th (took 3 shots to get out of the fairway pot bunker) and chilli dipping a chip on 14, he wound up with 4 straight birdies to finish up the round.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='B-Man' timestamp='1437571481' post='11998702']
You work night shift Argonne?
[/quote]

Lol. No, I couldn't sleep. I'm dragging my butt at work right now.

[DZ1454]

[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1437408679' post='11984458']
Played Ravisloe yesterday. A bit of backstory....last September I went there and had the worst round of my horrible season, shot a 103. Much like General Macarthur in the Phillipenes, I vowed I would one day return and get my revenge. That day was yesterday. Felt confident going there as my game this year is unrecognizable compared to last year's debacle of a season. Was excited to try the new cross haned putting technique. Got to the range and realized I was standing too far from the ball on my irons. made an adjustment and noticed immediate dividends.

Got out on the course and hit a great drive on #1 and then had 185 to the pin. Chocked up on a 4 hybrid and landed it pin high 4 feet to the left of the pin, it rolled out to 10 feet. Missed the putt but made par. Next hole rolled in a 10 footer for birdie. On the day was terrible off the tee, but great everywhere else. Hit only 3 fairways all day, but 10 greens. Pretty much all approaches inside 15 feet. New putting led to a personal best 0 3-putts on the round. Got up to the 18th tee needing only a bogey to set my personal best, but of course I shanked the drive and then scuffed my way to the only double on my card for a 77! Ties my lowest score, but this was the first time I did it at a legit course, not a dog track.

Feeling really good about every part of my game except the one big pink elephant in my bag, the driver. This year I gave up on my 2 year pursuit of a draw and have just focused on managing my slice. Been going fine, hitting about 50% FIR, but I know I'll never get to the next level if I can't work the ball right to left. I'm losing 30-50 yards on every drive and putting a ton of pressure on my hybrid game and wedge game whch so has worked out fine, but I know its a tough way to make scores.

Anyone have a good instructor recommendation to work on the driver? Might want some new eyes on the problem.
[/quote]

Whats the general consensus on Ravisloe? I played it yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful course, but on the shorter side. It always seems to me a course I start on fire and then somehow find a way to blow it.

[jimwgt26]

I'm a fan. I have the opposite problem, I usually blow up on the front and play well on the back.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='zaycek1454' timestamp='1437594031' post='12001238']
[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1437408679' post='11984458']
Played Ravisloe yesterday. A bit of backstory....last September I went there and had the worst round of my horrible season, shot a 103. Much like General Macarthur in the Phillipenes, I vowed I would one day return and get my revenge. That day was yesterday. Felt confident going there as my game this year is unrecognizable compared to last year's debacle of a season. Was excited to try the new cross haned putting technique. Got to the range and realized I was standing too far from the ball on my irons. made an adjustment and noticed immediate dividends.

Got out on the course and hit a great drive on #1 and then had 185 to the pin. Chocked up on a 4 hybrid and landed it pin high 4 feet to the left of the pin, it rolled out to 10 feet. Missed the putt but made par. Next hole rolled in a 10 footer for birdie. On the day was terrible off the tee, but great everywhere else. Hit only 3 fairways all day, but 10 greens. Pretty much all approaches inside 15 feet. New putting led to a personal best 0 3-putts on the round. Got up to the 18th tee needing only a bogey to set my personal best, but of course I shanked the drive and then scuffed my way to the only double on my card for a 77! Ties my lowest score, but this was the first time I did it at a legit course, not a dog track.

Feeling really good about every part of my game except the one big pink elephant in my bag, the driver. This year I gave up on my 2 year pursuit of a draw and have just focused on managing my slice. Been going fine, hitting about 50% FIR, but I know I'll never get to the next level if I can't work the ball right to left. I'm losing 30-50 yards on every drive and putting a ton of pressure on my hybrid game and wedge game whch so has worked out fine, but I know its a tough way to make scores.

Anyone have a good instructor recommendation to work on the driver? Might want some new eyes on the problem.
[/quote]

Whats the general consensus on Ravisloe? I played it yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful course, but on the shorter side. It always seems to me a course I start on fire and then somehow find a way to blow it.
[/quote]

I've never found it short. It's a par 70 layout with 2 par 3's over 200 yards from the tips, and 2 par 5's over 530 yards. Only one of the par's 4's could be considered short, #5 at 315 yards.

[DZ1454]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1437594995' post='12001366']
[quote name='zaycek1454' timestamp='1437594031' post='12001238']
[quote name='zer0' timestamp='1437408679' post='11984458']
Played Ravisloe yesterday. A bit of backstory....last September I went there and had the worst round of my horrible season, shot a 103. Much like General Macarthur in the Phillipenes, I vowed I would one day return and get my revenge. That day was yesterday. Felt confident going there as my game this year is unrecognizable compared to last year's debacle of a season. Was excited to try the new cross haned putting technique. Got to the range and realized I was standing too far from the ball on my irons. made an adjustment and noticed immediate dividends.

Got out on the course and hit a great drive on #1 and then had 185 to the pin. Chocked up on a 4 hybrid and landed it pin high 4 feet to the left of the pin, it rolled out to 10 feet. Missed the putt but made par. Next hole rolled in a 10 footer for birdie. On the day was terrible off the tee, but great everywhere else. Hit only 3 fairways all day, but 10 greens. Pretty much all approaches inside 15 feet. New putting led to a personal best 0 3-putts on the round. Got up to the 18th tee needing only a bogey to set my personal best, but of course I shanked the drive and then scuffed my way to the only double on my card for a 77! Ties my lowest score, but this was the first time I did it at a legit course, not a dog track.

Feeling really good about every part of my game except the one big pink elephant in my bag, the driver. This year I gave up on my 2 year pursuit of a draw and have just focused on managing my slice. Been going fine, hitting about 50% FIR, but I know I'll never get to the next level if I can't work the ball right to left. I'm losing 30-50 yards on every drive and putting a ton of pressure on my hybrid game and wedge game whch so has worked out fine, but I know its a tough way to make scores.

Anyone have a good instructor recommendation to work on the driver? Might want some new eyes on the problem.
[/quote]

Whats the general consensus on Ravisloe? I played it yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful course, but on the shorter side. It always seems to me a course I start on fire and then somehow find a way to blow it.
[/quote]

I've never found it short. It's a par 70 layout with 2 par 3's over 200 yards from the tips, and 2 par 5's over 530 yards. Only one of the par's 4's could be considered short, #5 at 315 yards.
[/quote]

I understand what you are saying. Maybe I phrased it incorrectly. What I was trying to say for a course that is Par 70 I always score higher than I would anticipate. I am by no means a great player, but for many of the holes it's a 9i or less for a second shot. *excluding par 3's and 5's.* Maybe it is me but reflecting on my game it's just hard to think I didn't play better.

[jimwgt26]

I think a few other par 4's are "shortish:" 8, 10, 16 and 18. It's a tricky course, it's on the tight side, there's some break on the greens, and the little vertical slopes around the bunkers are a pain in the you know what. I did get to play there when it was private. They used to keep the greens much faster, it was a different course.

[VNutz]

It's not a short course, but it's certainly not long, and it's still a challenge. The design elements being tight and meandering and through trees and with some smallish raised greens help protect it from being easy, as they are supposed to. I think it's a fun test for short or long hitters.

[jimwgt26]

I usually play there after work on weekdays. If I go as a single, I can walk 27 under 4 hrs at a comfortable pace. For $33, it's a bargain. Even going as a foursome weekday afternoons is great, rarely do you have to wait.

[apprenti23]

I've played Rav at least 25 times including back when it was private and now being public- awesome old school layout that's over priced IMHO but always in good shape- I've actually started out driver wedge, driver 7 iron, and driver wedge on the first three holes- it is a SHORT golf course!!! I don't care if there are two par three's over 200 yards- it's a short golf course. Every par 5 is reachable in two and most holes are driver wedge or short iron and there is also a par four that a murdered drive puts you over the green and on a road. [b]All things previously mentioned does not make it an EASY golf course by any means.[/b] Spray your driver into that thick bluegrass rough or miss a green and good luck getting up and down. Would've loved to have to play it with some wooden shafts and old school balls- sure would be a brute!

[VNutz]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1437597469' post='12001652']
Would've loved to have to play it with some wooden shafts and old school balls- sure would be a brute!
[/quote]

The first time I played there we let a single play through, with old school clubs, wooden shafts and everything. Was really cool to see.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1437597575' post='12001674']
[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1437597469' post='12001652']
Would've loved to have to play it with some wooden shafts and old school balls- sure would be a brute!
[/quote]

The first time I played there we let a single play through, with old school clubs, wooden shafts and everything. Was really cool to see.
[/quote]
Same clubs I used in the 1929 Naperville Senior Championship.

Just figured I'd get that in there before CL.

[jimwgt26]

I wasn't trying to imply it's easy. But your much longer than I am if you can reach 2 and 13 in two.

Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any options?

[geochitown]

playing Blackstone this Friday for the first time since they switched the nine's

Looking forward to it!

[dhartmann34]

Love that course. I didn't know they switched up the nine's though. Did they give a reason?

[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1437598258' post='12001762']
playing Blackstone this Friday for the first time since they switched the nine's

Looking forward to it!
[/quote]

[VNutz]

[quote name='dhartmann34' timestamp='1437598692' post='12001806']
Love that course. I didn't know they switched up the nine's though. Did they give a reason?

[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1437598258' post='12001762']
playing Blackstone this Friday for the first time since they switched the nine's

Looking forward to it!
[/quote]
[/quote]

So you finish up to the clubhouse in a more normal fashion and you don't start on a par 5.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1437597994' post='12001740']
I wasn't trying to imply it's easy. But your much longer than I am if you can reach 2 and 13 in two.

Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any options?
[/quote]

Odyssey? Blech. Ravisloe any day.

[DZ1454]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1437597994' post='12001740']
I wasn't trying to imply it's easy. But your much longer than I am if you can reach 2 and 13 in two.

Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any options?
[/quote]

I can think of a few courses I'd rather play than Odyssey in that area. Coyote run might be the easiest if you want a quick route to First Midwest

[apprenti23]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1437597994' post='12001740']
I wasn't trying to imply it's easy. But your much longer than I am if you can reach 2 and 13 in two.

Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any options?
[/quote]

Just texted a buddy he said that Rav is 6238 from the tips... yikes that's short!

From the owner, Mr. Halikias himself, the only reason that Odyssey has a golf course on it is because he can get an extra $20 a head for weddings. The layout is just meh. Never been kept in the greatest shape, ever. They don't get a lot of play because there are much better values in the area.

[stasek]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1437600042' post='12001948']
[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1437597994' post='12001740']
I wasn't trying to imply it's easy. But your much longer than I am if you can reach 2 and 13 in two.

Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any options?
[/quote]

Just texted a buddy he said that Rav is 6238 from the tips... yikes that's short!

From the owner, Mr. Halikias himself, the only reason that Odyssey has a golf course on it is because he can get an extra $20 a head for weddings. The layout is just meh. Never been kept in the greatest shape, ever. They don't get a lot of play because there are much better values in the area.
[/quote]
Yet 5 hour rounds are pretty common... Or so I've heard - haven't played there in years.

[Scratch2Plus]

Just got invited to play Ruth Lake CC. Never been there. One of the guys playing with us is a Long Drive comp dude.
Insanely long off the tee, he routinely waits for people to clear the green on a 400yard par 4, should be fun.

[MountainKing]

[quote name='apprenti23' timestamp='1437597469' post='12001652']
I've played Rav at least 25 times including back when it was private and now being public- awesome old school layout that's over priced IMHO but always in good shape- I've actually started out driver wedge, driver 7 iron, and driver wedge on the first three holes- it is a SHORT golf course!!! I don't care if there are two par three's over 200 yards- it's a short golf course. Every par 5 is reachable in two and most holes are driver wedge or short iron and there is also a par four that a murdered drive puts you over the green and on a road. [b]All things previously mentioned does not make it an EASY golf course by any means.[/b] Spray your driver into that thick bluegrass rough or miss a green and good luck getting up and down. Would've loved to have to play it with some wooden shafts and old school balls- sure would be a brute!
[/quote]

I feel the same way about Ravisloe, I enjoy playing there, the par 5's are good, the par 3's are great but the last couple rounds I've played there I find myself hitting various clubs other than driver off the tee just to have something other than a wedge into the green as most of the 4's are straight away and around 400 yards. Course is always in great shape, greens are always a challenge and the pace of play is always fantastic, it's hard to say it sucks for those reasons and the Par 3's alone.

[Argonne69]

Sigh. Lol. It must be really tough being a long hitter. Us short knockers really feel sorry for you, struggling to find a place to play that doesn't require a 5 wood, lob wedge on every hole.

You should consider putting some almostGolf balls in your bags. With a ball that travels only 1/3 the distance of a regular ball, you'll be hitting driver, 3 wood, 5 wood into every par 5, just like the rest of us!

[Scratch2Plus]

I know that my score will suffer after watching him hit that driver of his. Its just wrong.
I should have him hit the cayman limited flight goilf balls but Im afraid he'll still out drive me. lol.

YouTube search "Erik Keehn...Long Drive swing"

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Scratch2Plus' timestamp='1437619615' post='12003856']
I know that my score will suffer after watching him hit that driver of his. Its just wrong.
I should have him hit the cayman limited flight goilf balls but Im afraid he'll still out drive me. lol.

YouTube search "Erik Keehn...Long Drive swing"
[/quote]

Yeah, pretty much all the guys in the Long Drive series are freaks of nature. 400+ yards. Thing is, not one of them has ever come close to getting a tour card.

Joking aside, would anyone here consider using a short-flight ball if it meant being able to play shorter courses?

[dhartmann34]

[quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1437598855' post='12001822'][quote name='dhartmann34' timestamp='1437598692' post='12001806']
Love that course. I didn't know they switched up the nine's though. Did they give a reason?

[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1437598258' post='12001762']
playing Blackstone this Friday for the first time since they switched the nine's

Looking forward to it!
[/quote]
[/quote]

So you finish up to the clubhouse in a more normal fashion and you don't start on a par 5.[/quote]
Oh thought you meant they did something recently. That change must have happened a long while back because I've always played #1 as a par 4 as long as I've played there. :-)

[zer0]

[quote name='jimwgt26' timestamp='1437597994' post='12001740']
Funny that we're talking about Ravi. I'm going to a concert Friday Night in Tinley Park, and we're going to play beforehand. I voted for Ravi, but the other three wanted The Odyssey. Anyone play there, any opinions?
[/quote]

Only that your friends are friggen a*******.

I'll add on to the Ravisloe love. Great course, only public Donald Ross (re)design in Illinois I believe. Plays long for me, I was hitting hybrids as my second shot all day. As for whether its hard or easy, I'm probably not the best person to ask since my last two scores out there were 77 and 103.

It is a tad overpriced, but once you're out there its easy to appreciate what a fantastic "little" golf course it is. There aren't many sub 6500 yard public courses with more charm than Ravisloe.

[saggysag]

[quote name='Scratch2Plus' timestamp='1437601944' post='12002158']
Just got invited to play Ruth Lake CC. Never been there. One of the guys playing with us is a Long Drive comp dude.
Insanely long off the tee, he routinely waits for people to clear the green on a 400yard par 4, should be fun.
[/quote]

Nice place - don't judge the whole course by the first hole. Go early - is one of my favorite ranges to hit balls

[geochitown]

[quote name='dhartmann34' timestamp='1437620140' post='12003930'][quote name='VNutz' timestamp='1437598855' post='12001822'][quote name='dhartmann34' timestamp='1437598692' post='12001806']
Love that course. I didn't know they switched up the nine's though. Did they give a reason?

[quote name='geochitown' timestamp='1437598258' post='12001762']
playing Blackstone this Friday for the first time since they switched the nine's

Looking forward to it!
[/quote]
[/quote]

So you finish up to the clubhouse in a more normal fashion and you don't start on a par 5.[/quote]
Oh thought you meant they did something recently. That change must have happened a long while back because I've always played #1 as a par 4 as long as I've played there. :-)[/quote]

My post was a bit misleading. The nines were opposite the current, or final routing, from opening until 2012 season.

[DZ1454]

This weather isn't making work easy....