MD/DC/VA Golfers - Twelve Monkeys Mental Divergence

[HighBoomingDraws]

Yesterday I was going to hit balls after work, but I forgot my clubs. I had to go by the club for something else, so I got a demo club from the pro.

 

917 D3, 8.5º with an X-stiff shaft.

 

I bet there are about 3 people at the club who can hit that club effectively. I don't even know why it's in the demo bin.

 

I couldn't get it 20 feet in the air, but I'll tell ya, after some initial slices, I started hitting it straight and it was carrying pretty good and it "felt" low spin. I've been playing with teeing the ball a lot higher, but the range had the rubber tees out and none of them were as high as I wanted to tee that thing.

 

I liked how it looked at the ball more than the Titleist I tried out a couple years ago. Not sure if it was the settings or what, but also, I hate the adjustment system on it.

 

I HATE the standard height of driving range rubber tees. Always rummaging around stalls and mats trying to find that one perfectly tall one.

[HighBoomingDraws]

Who are the 3 extra stiff managers city?

[GoldenBellGW]

Had no idea Sawgrass bumped up to that much... For me personally and like some others, I can think of a bunch of other courses or trips that I'd rather play for $500. I might go as far to say I'd rather put that towards a practice round at Augusta which would be more of an experience for me than Sawgrass. Albeit, I'd probably be dropping another $500 in merchandise. Some mentioned Kiawah - I'd play that as it is a great course plus I imagine the views are unreal. Or a Streamsong or Sand Valley trip.

 

Had this discussion with Dom over Pebble Beach, which I think he said is up to $1000 since you have to stay at the Lodge now. We both agreed that it wasn't worth it, and even if it was $500 we'd have a hard time justifying it. There are only a handful of courses that I consider to fall under my "definitely worth it" list. The Old Course, Augusta (I know), RCD, Cypress, Woodmore ;) and just a few others I could see myself not having to think about the price tag.

 

Not sure how Gavin feels about TPC Scottsdale, but it was only really the finish (15-18) that did it for me there. We played in the offseason for $175, but I would never play peak rates there ($300) having played. I feel like Sawgrass would be the same. Would love to play 16-18, but not sure how excited I'd be for the rest. I'd fall with City in that if I ever did play, it would have to be with three other friends to make the whole thing an experience.

 

This is definitely an interesting topic and discussion to have though. At what point does the course and experience justify the price tag? Do you have a list of those you'd pay anything to play, or do you have a line in the sand?

[baddomes]

GTTh: What other business did City need to conduct at the club?

 

GTTh: Pickleball lesson

[baddomes]

I've been thinking about expensive florida golf, I have a conference at Doral in Feb. They have 4 courses. Prices are $165, $220, $220, and the blue monster is $435 after forecaddie and tip.

 

Would you pay $435 to play the Blue Monster? I'm leaning towards no. Going to play two or three rounds, Might just play the other three courses. It's not like the others are executive courses. Gil Hanse renovated the others as well.

[FAbb]

Would you pay $435 to play the Blue Monster?

 

No.

[baddomes]

Would you pay $435 to play the Blue Monster?

 

No.

 

OK it's settled. Thanks!

[davechen]

Played the blue monster years ago. Not particularly impressed.

[SullGolf]

I wouldn't pay that much to play the Blue Monster.

 

The amount I'd pay for a particular place is totally subjective obviously. There's a limit for me somewhere around $200 for most courses, but that I'd significantly exceed for a course I thought was special in some way. Doral doesn't fit in that category for me. I think Florida golf is pretty boring overall, and that's a course that's just typical Florida golf from what I've seen.

[eagle1997]

i'd pay 5Gs to play Augusta twice in one day.

 

i'd also pay for a foursome of hivers to join me for a sunrise to sunset day at gunpowder.

 

 

GTTh: What other business did City need to conduct at the club?

 

gotta be conference call related.

[FAbb]

With a lot of those places (Sawgrass, Blue Monster), you're paying a premium just because it's a course that hosts a televised professional event.

 

I bet 90% of the golf population would be more likely to know what you're talking about if you told them you played TPC Sawgrass than Pine Valley.

[GooseHook]

I'd probably pay a handful of bills to play Winged Foot, Riviera, National Golf Links...or other of those classic courses that have a long history.

 

This would need to include a meal at the member's expense though.

[XHoop24]

I actually would put TPC Sawgrass high on my list of courses I want to play. I love the Players. One of my favorite tournaments of the year and would enjoy playing there knowing I'll be watching the PGA players on the same course for the next 30 years. I would pay the price for Pebble as well. Wouldn't think twice about it (although the roommate would). That said, my list of courses I'm willing to pay $500 dollars for is not very long.

[GoldenBellGW]

I wouldn't pay that much to play the Blue Monster.

 

The amount I'd pay for a particular place is totally subjective obviously. There's a limit for me somewhere around $200 for most courses, but that I'd significantly exceed for a course I thought was special in some way. Doral doesn't fit in that category for me. I think Florida golf is pretty boring overall, and that's a course that's just typical Florida golf from what I've seen.

 

I was going to pose a question of what would you pay for Augusta, but like you said, it is totally subjective and we'd all have different answers. I guess I would be willing to pay more for a place that might be considered a once in a lifetime invite, or I won't be there again in my life (i.e. Barndougle, Tara Iti, Cape Kidnappers). I'd drop coin just because of the views, golf, and probably because I could say I won't have this chance again.

[baddomes]

GTTh: Paying off bunko debt after a borderline illegally threatening handwritten note from Eleanor (she doesn't know how to use "an e-mail")

[ceejay81]

I don't know, worth and value are so subjective. I paid like $250 to play Avenel back in July knowing it's way too much money for that course, but I wanted the experience. I'm so glad I did. I wouldn't play it again at that rate, but I didn't know if the opportunity would ever present itself again.

 

My dad got to play Sawgrass back in the spring and he was excited to play it. Afterwards he said it's way too much money for that course but it didn't matter to him. Their caddie told them to hit as many as they wanted on 17.

 

I think in April when I was there, PH #2 was $395 plus the $105 total for caddie fee and tip. That was worth every single penny of that $500 and I would have been okay paying more. That's how much I loved it.

 

I will gladly pay a premium to play a course that the pros play on. But that's what makes it "worth it" to me.

 

I paid $375ish (288 pounds) already for Kingsbarns and that is still 7 months away. Paying for experiences and memories is something I'm never opposed to.

[dsc123]

There are very few courses that I would pay $500 to play. It would have to be a combination of great golf, great scenery, and fame. St. Andrew's, Augusta, Pebble, come to mind. I'm not sure there's much else.

[ceejay81]

$500 gets us 2 rounds on the Old Course at St Andrews. Hard to believe it's only 180GBP.

[baddomes]

Kent's played all these places. Kent what's the most expensive round of golf you've played?

[davechen]

If it was a special occasion, sure..$500 for a famous course is doable. Although I'd rather pay that money to play Pebble or the Old White+caddie.

 

I've gone to a few charity events in recent years that usually had rounds at an exclusive club up for silent auction. $500 would be easier to stomach once you explain to your wife that it's tax deductible!!

 

Talking about charity auctions, my brother regularly bids on golf outings at super high end courses. Apparently there are web sites for it (e.g., charitybuzz.com).

 

Last time he asked my if I was interested in a package of a round at Aronimink and a round at Merion. I was like, sure, I guess. Ends up the winning bid was 8k. Way out of my league.

 

I said if Pine Valley or Augusta ever come up, let me know. But he said those ones never do. Way too exclusive. And it'd certainly be way, way out of my league.

[FAbb]

I had a similar conversation about golf course mass appeal with 2MT once. He plays Avenel with his boss and clients for work. After playing it and being very underwhelmed, I was asking him why his company would maintain a membership there, with all the other great venues in the area. The answer was pretty simple - short of Congressional, there's not another course around that has the name recognition of Avenel. People know the TPC name, and the course from all the years hosting PGA Tour events. Golf course be damned, they want to play the name brand venue.

[HighBoomingDraws]

Not sure how Gavin feels about TPC Scottsdale, but it was only really the finish (15-18) that did it for me there. We played in the offseason for $175, but I would never play peak rates there ($300) having played.

 

I played during peak rates. We grossly over tipped the fore caddie because we had no idea what the precedent was. He even gave us a few bad yardages/reads.

 

The course was obviously phenomenal but you are correct that it was a little uninspiring before hole 15.

 

The Champions Course across the street was much more true dessert golf and less Pete Dye. It also helped I shot 102 on stadium and 83 at champions lol!

[ceejay81]

Kent's played all these places. Kent what's the most expensive round of golf you've played?

 

Golf was much cheaper in the black and white days before color was invented.

[thechief16]

If it was a special occasion, sure..$500 for a famous course is doable. Although I'd rather pay that money to play Pebble or the Old White+caddie.

 

I've gone to a few charity events in recent years that usually had rounds at an exclusive club up for silent auction. $500 would be easier to stomach once you explain to your wife that it's tax deductible!!

 

Talking about charity auctions, my brother regularly bids on golf outings at super high end courses. Apparently there are web sites for it (e.g., charitybuzz.com).

 

Last time he asked my if I was interested in a package of a round at Aronimink and a round at Merion. I was like, sure, I guess. Ends up the winning bid was 8k. Way out of my league.

 

I said if Pine Valley or Augusta ever come up, let me know. But he said those ones never do. Way too exclusive. And it'd certainly be way, way out of my league.

 

My old man's club had Augusta and Ballyneal in a recent auction. I have to check in and see what they came in at. I should have had him put a bid in on Ballyneal, as it probably isn't on the radar of a lot of those members.

[baddomes]

Good point. Kent, please present inflation-adjusted prices you paid for rounds of golf before the Great War

[2moreTerps]

I had a similar conversation about golf course mass appeal with 2MT once. He plays Avenel with his boss and clients for work. After playing it and being very underwhelmed, I was asking him why his company would maintain a membership there, with all the other great venues in the area. The answer was pretty simple - short of Congressional, there's not another course around that has the name recognition of Avenel. People know the TPC name, and the course from all the years hosting PGA Tour events. Golf course be damned, they want to play the name brand venue.

 

awesome story with 0% exaggeration: Customer comes up to me. "Hey i may need a favor. My brother-in-law is coming into town in two weeks. we're going to play golf on that friday. he asked me to get him onto Congressional. i'm trying to, but can you make a time for avenel just in case?". we played avenel.

[GooseHook]

If it was a special occasion, sure..$500 for a famous course is doable. Although I'd rather pay that money to play Pebble or the Old White+caddie.

 

I've gone to a few charity events in recent years that usually had rounds at an exclusive club up for silent auction. $500 would be easier to stomach once you explain to your wife that it's tax deductible!!

 

Talking about charity auctions, my brother regularly bids on golf outings at super high end courses. Apparently there are web sites for it (e.g., charitybuzz.com).

 

Last time he asked my if I was interested in a package of a round at Aronimink and a round at Merion. I was like, sure, I guess. Ends up the winning bid was 8k. Way out of my league.

 

I said if Pine Valley or Augusta ever come up, let me know. But he said those ones never do. Way too exclusive. And it'd certainly be way, way out of my league.

 

Most recent one was a round a Merion for two with dinner. It certainly didn't go for anything remotely near that price though. $8k, that's like 2 years of dues to a local private club!

[FAbb]

Totally unrelated - I fired up the first 'sode of Counterpart last night. Confirmed right up my alley. Killer rec, DC.

[baddomes]

I'm working from home today.

 

John Cena is hosting the 10:00 hour of the today show with Hoda and Kathie Lee for some reason.

[2moreTerps]

guy redoing the blue course at Congo:

 

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2018/12/20/architect-keith-foster-facing-5-year-prison-term-for-transporting-selling-goods-made-from-endangered-species-111821/