Clubhouse Grille (*** NO LIV DISCUSSIONS ***) (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION ***)

[tolmij]

1 hour ago, Jedaigeki said:

When we visited the DW's family in Sol Cal I made the ironic joke/point every morning of making a scene checking the weather app and looking out the window. When asked "why as it's always sunny" I responded better safe than sunny. 

 

I don't think they really got it, but the DW and I found it amusing. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't even own a coat what it's like to live somewhere where one day it can be 10c and the next -3c

 

 

I have several pairs of long trousers, I used to wear them when working. Left work 14 years ago and only worn shorts ever since. 🌞🌞🌞

[tolmij]

Remember back when I was 12/13, yes I can remember that far back. All the houses had a very steep pitched tiled roof, when it snowed the snow would build up on the roof and as it started to thaw it would slide off with a loud thump. If at that time you were passing by, it did some serious damage to you. After a while we twigged on and walked either very close to the house, this did not always work as they had large steps that by going round them once again put you under the snow. The other alternative was to walk in the road, traffic was not as bad then but still very dangerous. The other problem was that sometimes the snow brought down the roof tiles with it. Several were badly injured with head wounds.

[Divot License]

Well this snow is not like anything I remember in my life here. It's starting to melt away but with the low temps that just makes more danger with Ice. 

 

On another note, I have a good friend who was an Edel register fitter her in the UK.

 

Since we play county (state) comps together we have some investment in each others game. For this reason we are going to get together probably this week and he's going to "fit" me as much as possible for a putter. I won't be buying one but using the Edel principles we are going to experiment and see how and if my selection of putters fit me. 

 

One the back of that I may do some modifications to one of my putters to bring it more inline with the findings. This is purely an excuse by two golf nuts to get together and geek out a little over golf. 

[Fellaheen51]

3 hours ago, Jedaigeki said:

When we visited the DW's family in Sol Cal I made the ironic joke/point every morning of making a scene checking the weather app and looking out the window. When asked "why as it's always sunny" I responded better safe than sunny. 

 

I don't think they really got it, but the DW and I found it amusing. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't even own a coat what it's like to live somewhere where one day it can be 10c and the next -3c

 

 

Ha!  A common refrain here in Michigan, and I suppose elsewhere (except SoCal): 

 

"If you don't like the weather in "______" now, just wait a few minutes." - Mark Twain

 

Anyhow.  Battling the adverse climatic elements makes one feel alive.  In a man against nature sort of way.  Something that those living in perpetually sunny climes never get to experience.  Up to a point.  

[SixtySomePing]

6 hours ago, tolmij said:

Today 26th January is Australia day, very contentious as some call it invasion day but it is still a holiday and lamb is the most consumed meat today.

 

Lunch today.

 

Marinated Lamb cutlets, sugar snap peas, snow peas an peas from the pod, fresh mint leaves, Marinated feta cheese, baked potato, garlic bread and a honey, lemon, dijon mustard, chilli and olive oil dressing, with a creme fresh cream to put on the potato.

 

Went well as second picture testifies.

What a lunch, I think I'll put it on the calendar for next year to celebrate Australia day! I would call it persuasion day and leave it at that if that's the typical meal 😊 We have had nasty weather lately, that coupled with the health concerns and other issues in the country, we had Sloppy Joes yesterday. That was pretty fitting too...

Actually DW made the sloppy Joes from ground beef from our local butcher, so it was angus, very good meat, she made the bread from pretzel rolls that she grilled on the cast iron stove flattop after cutting them in half first, then applied the Sloppy Joe mix to the rolls and added a nice slice of white American cheese from the local Amish deli to the top of each half to keep it together and served them as open faced sandwiches. The cheese kept the sloppy part together in unity so it didn't get out of hand or spread. Kind of symbolic...  

[tolmij]

3 minutes ago, Fellaheen51 said:

 

Ha!  A common refrain here in Michigan, and I suppose elsewhere (except SoCal): 

 

"If you don't like the weather in "______" now, just wait a few minutes." - Mark Twain

 

Anyhow.  Battling the adverse climatic elements makes one feel alive.  In a man against nature sort of way.  Something that those living in perpetually sunny climes never get to experience.  Up to a point.  

Lived for 39 years battling the elements, not too fussed at trying it again.🤨

[tolmij]

4 minutes ago, SixtySomePing said:

What a lunch, I think I'll put it on the calendar for next year to celebrate Australia day! I would call it persuasion day and leave it at that if that's the typical meal 😊 We have had nasty weather lately, that coupled with the health concerns and other issues in the country, we had Sloppy Joes yesterday. That was pretty fitting too...

Actually DW made the sloppy Joes from ground beef from our local butcher, so it was angus, very good meat, she made the bread from pretzel rolls that she grilled on the cast iron stove flattop after cutting them in half first, then applied the Sloppy Joe mix to the rolls and added a nice slice of white American cheese from the local Amish deli to the top of each half to keep it together and served them as open faced sandwiches. The cheese kept the sloppy part together in unity so it didn't get out of hand or spread. Kind of symbolic...  

 

What is a sloppy joe?

[SixtySomePing]

1 minute ago, tolmij said:

 

What is a sloppy joe?

Oh, sorry. It's not our president... ha A sloppy Joe is taking hamburger meat, and adding some type of bbq sauce or recipe per this  https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/sloppy-joes-2120434 to it, then putting it on a bun, see the photo...

[Fellaheen51]

9 hours ago, Conrad1953 said:

So, today's golf balls go much further than balls from 20 years ago?

 

 

Another example of golfdom marketing hyperbole?  That the newest and greatest is bestest.  Draw your own conclusions.  Always thought there was a lot of sham going on with golf balls.  Especially at the premium end, chasing after the big bucks.  

 

Wonder how the "Ball goes far, roll it back" crowd discounts this?  

 

Not that I play Pro V's, unless I find one.  Have a few of the 392's in the "old ball" box.  Perhaps should  dig them out and use them.  Save myself some ball coin.  

[miamistomp]

Snow.. Don't miss it a bit.

Always wanted to live in the tropical climes since I was a little kid seeing , what to me, were magical photos of my Dad 's WW2 Navy photos. Palm trees , lizards, big fish and waves.

   The photos were black and white but my mind colored them in

    Moved to Miami 30 plus years ago and still love the tropical outdoors

 

     Briefly took a job in Colorado but hated the weather and felt claustrophobic being inland

     Even growing up, in Atlantic City , at least I was near the ocean

 

    Only place I have liked more than South Florida was Hawaii but it was wa too expensive and remote

      Miami  is only an 1100 mile, 20 hour drive to see friends and family still up North ( only visit spring through summer ) 😎😎😎

[scomac2002]

2 hours ago, SixtySomePing said:

The cheese kept the sloppy part together in unity so it didn't get out of hand or spread. Kind of symbolic...  

 

I was going to make a funny about Sloppy Joe and keeping things together, but I figure that will get me a trip to the penalty box.  I'm sure all my American friends can figure it out on their own. 😏

 

1 hour ago, Fellaheen51 said:

Wonder how the "Ball goes far, roll it back" crowd discounts this?

 

This does kinda point the finger at the drivers being the problem rather than the ball...

 

Sometimes it's nice being an also-ran.  These deep questions of humanity such as the merits of rolling back golf balls are a no never mind issue for me.  Doesn't matter what ball or what club, it still doesn't go far enough to be a worry!

 

More importantly; I've been reading some articles lately discussing the fallout of the pandemic and how unequal it has been with certain segments of society suffering greatly whilst others are actually prospering.  That is going to be a deep question of humanity going forward I think.

 

With the divergence of opinion on so many subjects one wonders how that might affect the game of golf from the point of view of public venues versus private?  There has been a strong move afoot for a while now to take public lands that are currently golf courses and make them available to more folks as parkland and green space, not just a walled off area for the privileged to play a game.

 

That is a worry for me when last summer rumours were abound regarding my former city of residence were proposing to put two of the three publicly owned courses up for sale for development dollars.  It was heartening to see the public actually come to the rescue as the property by virtue of a rail-trail bisecting it is the providence of not only the regions golfers, but hikers, bikers and dog walkers too.  So it's off the table for now, but it will not doubt be revisited again in the not too distant future.

[SixtySomePing]

5 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

 

Another example of golfdom marketing hyperbole?  That the newest and greatest is bestest.  Draw your own conclusions.  Always thought there was a lot of sham going on with golf balls.  Especially at the premium end, chasing after the big bucks.  

 

Wonder how the "Ball goes far, roll it back" crowd discounts this?  

 

Not that I play Pro V's, unless I find one.  Have a few of the 392's in the "old ball" box.  Perhaps should  dig them out and use them.  Save myself some ball coin.  

Talking about rolling back, I dreamed last night for whatever reason, that I learned how to do something in golf that no one has ever done, that even at my age made me a hit, and I was all of a sudden on tour. (dreams are weird of course) I somehow learned to putt with a backspin, like with a wedge, so I putted beyond the hole, maybe 20 or 25 ft., then the ball would come back to the hole and in. I have no idea where that came from, or why on earth it would appeal to anyone, but hey, stranger things have been dreamt about. Of course, there was no closure to the dream, and I didn't as always get to take any tee or fairway shots. But it was very cool putting beyond the hole, and seeing the backspin on the ball bring it back to the hole and in. 

 

By the way, as far as Pro V's, when I switched to Snells, there was not going back...

[scotee]

3 hours ago, miamistomp said:

Snow.. Don't miss it a bit.

Always wanted to live in the tropical climes since I was a little kid seeing , what to me, were magical photos of my Dad 's WW2 Navy photos. Palm trees , lizards, big fish and waves.

   The photos were black and white but my mind colored them in

    Moved to Miami 30 plus years ago and still love the tropical outdoors

 

     Briefly took a job in Colorado but hated the weather and felt claustrophobic being inland

     Even growing up, in Atlantic City , at least I was near the ocean

 

    Only place I have liked more than South Florida was Hawaii but it was wa too expensive and remote

      Miami  is only an 1100 mile, 20 hour drive to see friends and family still up North ( only visit spring through summer ) 😎😎😎

 

[scomac2002]

13 minutes ago, SixtySomePing said:

By the way, as far as Pro V's, when I switched to Snells, there was not going back...

 

I have never purchased a Pro V1 in my life.  I've used a few as they are always plentiful on most courses if you spend a bit of time in the woods or the long grass. 😏

 

AS far as my ball buying habits are concerned, I have been more concerned with economics rather than performance.  I just finished up last year using the last of 6 doz. Noodles that I bought about 4 years prior.  They were fine for my purposes, but I was running into issues with identifying my ball versus my partners as I have never been one to mark my ball.  (Yes, I know that this is a major sin...).  To help with this issue I will now be gaming coloured balls in an effort to differentiate.  It also helps using Wilson Staffs as they lack the wild popularity of anything carrying a Titleist logo (or Taylormade I'm finding as well...).

[Sean2]

On 1/25/2021 at 4:57 AM, Jedaigeki said:

DW is from Southern California and she's only been here 4 years so it's still very much a shock to her. 

 

The snow is such a novelty for her, she's like a kid with it. 

I wasn't aware the UK received snow like that. Do they have enough snow plows for that kind of storm? For example, the city of Boston has more snow plows than the entire state of Virginia, lol.

[Sean2]

8 hours ago, tolmij said:

Lived for 39 years battling the elements, not too fussed at trying it again.🤨

I have been doing it for 60+ years, lol. 

[Sean2]

5 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

 

I was going to make a funny about Sloppy Joe and keeping things together, but I figure that will get me a trip to the penalty box.  I'm sure all my American friends can figure it out on their own. 😏

 

 

This does kinda point the finger at the drivers being the problem rather than the ball...

 

Sometimes it's nice being an also-ran.  These deep questions of humanity such as the merits of rolling back golf balls are a no never mind issue for me.  Doesn't matter what ball or what club, it still doesn't go far enough to be a worry!

 

More importantly; I've been reading some articles lately discussing the fallout of the pandemic and how unequal it has been with certain segments of society suffering greatly whilst others are actually prospering.  That is going to be a deep question of humanity going forward I think.

 

With the divergence of opinion on so many subjects one wonders how that might affect the game of golf from the point of view of public venues versus private?  There has been a strong move afoot for a while now to take public lands that are currently golf courses and make them available to more folks as parkland and green space, not just a walled off area for the privileged to play a game.

 

That is a worry for me when last summer rumours were abound regarding my former city of residence were proposing to put two of the three publicly owned courses up for sale for development dollars.  It was heartening to see the public actually come to the rescue as the property by virtue of a rail-trail bisecting it is the providence of not only the regions golfers, but hikers, bikers and dog walkers too.  So it's off the table for now, but it will not doubt be revisited again in the not too distant future.

I guess I don't see golfers who play public/municipal courses as privileged. Mostly it's a bunch of us blue collar/middle class guys knocking the ball around. Sure there are exceptions...like Pebble Beach ($500+ for a round of golf)...but for the most part it's just regular folks. 

[Sean2]

2 hours ago, SixtySomePing said:

Talking about rolling back, I dreamed last night for whatever reason, that I learned how to do something in golf that no one has ever done, that even at my age made me a hit, and I was all of a sudden on tour. (dreams are weird of course) I somehow learned to putt with a backspin, like with a wedge, so I putted beyond the hole, maybe 20 or 25 ft., then the ball would come back to the hole and in. I have no idea where that came from, or why on earth it would appeal to anyone, but hey, stranger things have been dreamt about. Of course, there was no closure to the dream, and I didn't as always get to take any tee or fairway shots. But it was very cool putting beyond the hole, and seeing the backspin on the ball bring it back to the hole and in. 

 

By the way, as far as Pro V's, when I switched to Snells, there was not going back...

How do you know that wasn't your real life and what you are experiencing here is the dream? 🙂

[Sean2]

1 hour ago, scomac2002 said:

 

I have never purchased a Pro V1 in my life.  I've used a few as they are always plentiful on most courses if you spend a bit of time in the woods or the long grass. 😏

 

AS far as my ball buying habits are concerned, I have been more concerned with economics rather than performance.  I just finished up last year using the last of 6 doz. Noodles that I bought about 4 years prior.  They were fine for my purposes, but I was running into issues with identifying my ball versus my partners as I have never been one to mark my ball.  (Yes, I know that this is a major sin...).  To help with this issue I will now be gaming coloured balls in an effort to differentiate.  It also helps using Wilson Staffs as they lack the wild popularity of anything carrying a Titleist logo (or Taylormade I'm finding as well...).

My home course is littered with hazards and I find beaucoup golf balls...many of which are ProV's, so I play those. I haven't purchased a golf ball in years. If I had to pay for golf balls, I probably couldn't afford to play my home course, lol. 

[miamistomp]

25 minutes ago, Sean2 said:

My home course is littered with hazards and I find beaucoup golf balls...many of which are ProV's, so I play those. I haven't purchased a golf ball in years. If I had to pay for golf balls, I probably couldn't afford to play my home course, lol. 

 Same here

  I live next to a country club I cant afford and easily pick up a 100 per a week ( after closing walking my dog )that the members are too fat and lazy to leave their carts to find

 in the woods

I keep some and sell the rest back to the pro at my home semi private / muni

   Golf balls subsidize my membership !

    I have hit just about every ball out there- not much difference to my 10-12 handicap

    Titleist has most consistant performance for me. Best all around if I was buying- Precept Laddie and Maxfli

     Worst ball is something called Marathon- makes Nitro feel like a marshmallow- Volvik sucks too

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by miamistomp

[Fellaheen51]

4 hours ago, SixtySomePing said:

Talking about rolling back, I dreamed last night for whatever reason, that I learned how to do something in golf that no one has ever done, that even at my age made me a hit, and I was all of a sudden on tour. (dreams are weird of course) I somehow learned to putt with a backspin, like with a wedge, so I putted beyond the hole, maybe 20 or 25 ft., then the ball would come back to the hole and in. I have no idea where that came from, or why on earth it would appeal to anyone, but hey, stranger things have been dreamt about. Of course, there was no closure to the dream, and I didn't as always get to take any tee or fairway shots. But it was very cool putting beyond the hole, and seeing the backspin on the ball bring it back to the hole and in. 

 

By the way, as far as Pro V's, when I switched to Snells, there was not going back...

 

Never had the backup birdie?  Or in my case, the backup putt to save bogey.  Last year, on a hole that had the cup placed in a ridiculous position, on a steep slope.  Faced with a longish putt, gave it a firm whack, went beyond the hole. Stopped, then rolled right back in.  Quite impressive.  Although the reality was like 3', not the   dreamlike fugue state distance of 20.  Recall the rest of the buds just picking up while using very salty language about the hole location.  Gotta play to the advantageous side of the cup.  What frosts my cakes is the backup drive.  Arrive at the ball to discover it's behind where it landed.  Being distance challenged to begin with, got no time for that shizzle.  Must have been the ball.  

Edited January 26, 2021 by Fellaheen51

[SixtySomePing]

1 hour ago, Sean2 said:

How do you know that wasn't your real life and what you are experiencing here is the dream? 🙂

Because there the ball was going in the hole... 😎

And here, it's just about time to do taxes again, and again, and again... 🤑

 

[scomac2002]

Just finished reading a tidy article discussing equipment recommendations for amateurs coming from tour pros based largely on their own experiences playing in pro-ams.

 

5 equipment tips from PGA Tour players directly to amateur golfers

 

In summary:

1) Know the actual distance you hit your clubs

2) Use the correct iron (and putter) constructions

3) Use wedges with more bounce

4) Get a professional fitting

5) Start out the right way

 

Nothing particularly new here but a reminder nonetheless to choose appropriate gear.

[SixtySomePing]

2 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

Just finished reading a tidy article discussing equipment recommendations for amateurs coming from tour pros based largely on their own experiences playing in pro-ams.

 

5 equipment tips from PGA Tour players directly to amateur golfers

 

In summary:

1) Know the actual distance you hit your clubs

2) Use the correct iron (and putter) constructions

3) Use wedges with more bounce

4) Get a professional fitting

5) Start out the right way

 

Nothing particularly new here but a reminder nonetheless to choose appropriate gear.

Very good stuff. When I was last playing, #1 was critical to me, and amateurs have the advantage along with that of using a device to measure distance to the pin from where they are, and then know which club to use. That is if they have truly taken the time to work properly to know which club to use. Taking a quick trip to the range, using range balls is not the answer. Anyway, I found this invaluable in making the best decision in club choice, and getting as close to the pin as possible. Your other points then were also very important in perfecting the game. 

[Sean2]

30 minutes ago, SixtySomePing said:

Very good stuff. When I was last playing, #1 was critical to me, and amateurs have the advantage along with that of using a device to measure distance to the pin from where they are, and then know which club to use. That is if they have truly taken the time to work properly to know which club to use. Taking a quick trip to the range, using range balls is not the answer. Anyway, I found this invaluable in making the best decision in club choice, and getting as close to the pin as possible. Your other points then were also very important in perfecting the game. 

If anything, I over-club. I have no illusions (or should I say delusions?) about how far I hit the ball, lol. 

[Conrad1953]

16 minutes ago, Sean2 said:

If anything, I over-club. I have no illusions (or should I say delusions?) about how far I hit the ball, lol. 

 

I generally do the same; as in I will round up when I'm between clubs. Kinda depends on the hole

location and the slopes on the green.

[scomac2002]

1 hour ago, Conrad1953 said:

 

I generally do the same; as in I will round up when I'm between clubs. Kinda depends on the hole

location and the slopes on the green.

 

I suppose one of the advantages of playing one course exclusively is that you get to know how the course plays.  That's quite a bit different than how far you hit a particular club.  To be honest, I don't know with exactness how far I hit my clubs at this point.  Too many changes over the past couple of years between equipment and then the physical aspect of the game.

 

I do know that my club selection can vary about 3 clubs worth from roughly the same position depending upon pin position, time of year, weather and whether I'm trying to flight it down.  That just comes from familiarity.  There's also the issue of carry distance versus total distance.  I hit a lot of hybrids and have had plenty run through the green when they come in hot, so I might deliberately underclub because of that.

[tolmij]

6 hours ago, SixtySomePing said:

Very good stuff. When I was last playing, #1 was critical to me, and amateurs have the advantage along with that of using a device to measure distance to the pin from where they are, and then know which club to use. That is if they have truly taken the time to work properly to know which club to use. Taking a quick trip to the range, using range balls is not the answer. Anyway, I found this invaluable in making the best decision in club choice, and getting as close to the pin as possible. Your other points then were also very important in perfecting the game. 

Jeez, you all talk about picking the correct club for distance, I am happy if I can get it to stop on the green from 50 out. My game consists of get it as close as possible then chip on. I do pump the air with my fist if my shot from 50 out lands on the green. 🥴

[Divot License]

20 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

 

 

With the divergence of opinion on so many subjects one wonders how that might affect the game of golf from the point of view of public venues versus private?  There has been a strong move afoot for a while now to take public lands that are currently golf courses and make them available to more folks as parkland and green space, not just a walled off area for the privileged to play a game.

 

That is a worry for me when last summer rumours were abound regarding my former city of residence were proposing to put two of the three publicly owned courses up for sale for development dollars.  It was heartening to see the public actually come to the rescue as the property by virtue of a rail-trail bisecting it is the providence of not only the regions golfers, but hikers, bikers and dog walkers too.  So it's off the table for now, but it will not doubt be revisited again in the not too distant future.

 

Not being in America I can't really comment on the exact situation but I disagree wholeheartedly with the general notion that golf is game for only the privileged. 

 

A round of golf does not cost that much (no more than a night out drinking) golf clubs can be bought for next to nothing as can golf balls and clothing.

 

I had this argument with a friend who said he wanted to get into golf but couldn't afford the sport. I asked him how much he usually spends on a Friday and Saturday drinking. He said not lot, usually buys a four pack our beers on a Friday and a takeaway as a treat and then goes out for 3 or 4 points with friends on a Saturday. 

 

4 pack of beer = £5

Takeaway = £10

3pints of beer = £15

 

Total= £30

 

I told him for that he could play 1 round at half the courses within 20 miles and those numbers are very rough guesses. 

 

It's all about what people choose to spend their money on. The DW and I don't do takeaways very often, we don't have any tv packages (eg cable) and don't own that many material things as that allows us the money we need to pay our golf memberships and enjoy golf as much as possible with away trips. 

 

We jokingly say if someone broke into our house to rob us they would be disappointed as the most expensive things we own are the golf clubs.

[Divot License]

16 hours ago, SixtySomePing said:

Talking about rolling back, I dreamed last night for whatever reason, that I learned how to do something in golf that no one has ever done, that even at my age made me a hit, and I was all of a sudden on tour. (dreams are weird of course) I somehow learned to putt with a backspin, like with a wedge, so I putted beyond the hole, maybe 20 or 25 ft., then the ball would come back to the hole and in. I have no idea where that came from, or why on earth it would appeal to anyone, but hey, stranger things have been dreamt about. Of course, there was no closure to the dream, and I didn't as always get to take any tee or fairway shots. But it was very cool putting beyond the hole, and seeing the backspin on the ball bring it back to the hole and in. 

 

By the way, as far as Pro V's, when I switched to Snells, there was not going back...

There is a regular debate amongst my group at my club (we're called the scratch boys (there's about 20 of us) as we're all the lowest handicappers in the club or most active members) whether the direct to consumer premium balls (snell, vice etc) are actually as good as the Pro Vs. 

 

We have a couple of guys in the group who play and swear by the vice ball but the rest just haven't been convinced. I've tried them a couple of times for a shot or two and they feel nice but I would want to get on the simulator and test the numbers against the Pro V.

 

Also changing ball isn't such an issue for us as our Pro dose us a deal of 3 dozen Pro Vs for £100.