MD/DC/VA Golfers - Twelve Monkeys Mental Divergence

[mizuno player]

2 hours ago, Ocgolfrick said:

Every great partnership has a "big ideas" guy and a guy who actually handles all the details.  Sherlock Holmes had Watson. Washington had Jefferson.  Stalin had Trotsky.  

 

And now I- I have @Sterling_247.

 

The Big Idea:  Let's have a Hive Event at Royal New Kent. Heck, let's make it 36 holes. Let's get crazy and have an option to play another Strantz design- Stonehouse the next day.  And to top it all of, let's try to do that drafting of partners we always talk about- make somebody get that "Fat Kid picked last for kickball" treatment.

 

@Sterling_247:  OkeyDokey.

 

So OcGolfRick and Sterling247 are proud to bring you:  

The Mike Strantz Experience.  

36 holes Saturday May 29th

20 spots available

 

Bonus Sunday Round at Stonehouse May 30th 8 spots available.  

 

Signups available now! Details on the page.  Anything else ask away!

 

https://sites.google.com/view/thehivegolfclub/unofficial-event-rnk?authuser=0

That sounds like a fun time.  Id love to be able to do that.

 

I've played both course 10 or so years ago. Thankfully RNK has different owners from when I played. They put zero money back in. 

[aiyyer]

If you’re a Stranz fan -
http://www.mikestrantzdesign.com/golfgallery.html

[willboyrd]

On 2/17/2021 at 8:40 PM, aiyyer said:

Royal New Kent was inspired by Royal County Down in Northern Ireland and is draped in fescue and dotted with the kind of bunkers that require Sherpa porters to find your way home again”.

Mr. Tex also insisted on walking the course and most of my first round last year was spent trying to find him in the thorny vegetation!! Crazy course to walk with some  ridiculous transfers. Much belated respect. 
I also feel like extensive waste bunkers are not really native or conducive to the Virginia location though. There are enough crazy bunkers to make up for it though - 10 for example. Every par 5 at RNK is great. 
From a design standpoint -  Caledonia, Stonehouse, RNK, True Blue, Tobacco, Tot Hill, was the chronological order of courses in his design career. Got lucky last year and played Tobacco, RNK, True Blue and Caledonia and am a huge Stranz fan. It’s a cliche but his courses are really American whatever that means. A big rake in the butt to good old Ross next door at #2.
Stranz also reminds me of a golf Quentin Tarantino. Got his design language figured out early (Pulp Fiction) and then spent the rest of his short career trying to outstranz Stranz.

Caledonia is unique, compact and visually pretty but both RNK and True Blue, I think, are better examples of his design idiom. True Blue is sensationally great (good score there!) and has all the Tobacco stuff without going ZZTop overboard and is my favorite Stranz course.

Got carried away. 

Took me 4 to get out of a bunker on #4 in the first round en route to a 98. Bettered that by 11 shots in the 2nd round. It really is a mind effer of a course. 
 

I personally didn’t care for the first par 5 around the pond. But the others were phenomenal. The only hole I truly disliked was 16 though. 

[willboyrd]

On 2/16/2021 at 8:28 AM, ALTSean said:

With a 3 day weekend for Presidents' Day, I went out late afternoon yesterday just to chip and putt out of principal.  Saturday and Sunday were not playable and our courses were closed until at least mid afternoon and even then, I think they only opened up a couple holes.  Today's weather looks decent, but this job thing may get in the way.  

 

If you need some golf reading material to pass the time not playing, check out Tom Coyne's books if you have not already.  I just finished "A Course Called Ireland" and started "A Course Called Scotland."  They are a good mix of golf, personal stories, some history, and more golf.  The mere fact that he was able to go on a 4 month Irish golf trip while married and then a 2 month Scotland golf trip while married with kids, is in itself amazing.  

Just in time for ‘A course called America’ due out in May!!

[ALTSean]

2 hours ago, willboyrd said:

Just in time for ‘A course called America’ due out in May!!

I plan to get it when it comes out!

 

Have you read “Ireland” and “Scotland?”

 

[willboyrd]

5 minutes ago, ALTSean said:

I plan to get it when it comes out!

 

Have you read “Ireland” and “Scotland?”

 

Yes to both. And Paper Tiger, I really enjoy Coyne’s style. 

[ALTSean]

1 minute ago, willboyrd said:

Yes to both. And Paper Tiger, I really enjoy Coyne’s style. 

I’ll check out “Paper Tiger” once I finish “Scotland.”  He’s a good writer and he came across well and likable playing with the NLU guys in their Ireland series.   I’d rather tee it up with him than the NLU bros.  🤣
 

 

[willboyrd]

Yup, that’s what got me started reading them. 

[bandondunes54]

https://www.golfwrx.com/648285/usga-announces-amateurs-can-accept-sponsorship-money-and-more-changes/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Featured_Latest&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused

 

Which company should each Hiver sign with?  Marshall with Louisville Golf?  Vinay with Bridgestone?  This is also the first time posting in more than a month, so I will likely not see your answers.  

[ALTSean]

53 minutes ago, bandondunes54 said:

https://www.golfwrx.com/648285/usga-announces-amateurs-can-accept-sponsorship-money-and-more-changes/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Featured_Latest&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused

 

Which company should each Hiver sign with?  Marshall with Louisville Golf?  Vinay with Bridgestone?  This is also the first time posting in more than a month, so I will likely not see your answers.  

 

@eagle1997 with Macallan

 

@Ocgolfrick with the Orange Whip

 

 

[dsc123]

I can't believe I missed the pizza discussion!  I'm diving in anyway.

 

You definitely don't need 800 degrees to make a tasty pizza.  NY style ovens--the ones that look like metal dressers with flip down doors--cook at like 550.  Any decent home oven can get close to that.  The high temp is really only necessary for Neapolitan style, which cooks in 60-90 seconds. 

 

I highly recommend Tony Gemignani's Pizza Bible.  I was going for NY style for a long time and trying/reading everything I could.  Kenji has a lot of good stuff.  Love his NY pizza sauce.  Taught me to use whole block (not shredded), whole fat cheese.  Huge difference!  But the big breakthrough from the Pizza Bible was the use of two pizza stones.  Halfway through you move to the other stone to mimic moving the pizza to a fresh hot spot in a big oven.  That got me as close as I think I can get to good NY style pizza.  The only missing factor is the size.  I suffer from a very specific sense of what a NY pizza should be and a 13" slice throws off the bread/crust vs cheese/sauce proportions.  If you're better than me and can move past that mental block, you can really make excellent NY style pizza in a home oven.

 

Now I use an Ooni, which I love, to make Neapolitan.  I launch when the floor hits 750-800.  Cooks in 60-90 seconds.  I can't make a NY, Detroit, or Chicago style at that temp, but its perfect for Neapolitan. 

 

If you just want a simple tomato sauce, we've liked this best: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011H95ZFW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1.  To our taste, it has best flavor of all the tomato sauces we tried.  I don't do anything to it--just put it on the dough as it comes out of the can.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2021 by dsc123

[SullGolf]

What was the issue that the new USGA amateur rule is supposed to solve?  Were people losing amateur status because of money from being an "influencer"? 

[willboyrd]

27 minutes ago, SullGolf said:

What was the issue that the new USGA amateur rule is supposed to solve?  Were people losing amateur status because of money from being an "influencer"? 

That’s the first thing I thought of. 

[aiyyer]

6 hours ago, ALTSean said:

 

@eagle1997 with Macallan

 

@Ocgolfrick with the Orange Whip

 

 

@bandondunes54Smuckers Uncrustables/Club Champion

[GooseHook]

19 hours ago, dsc123 said:

I can't believe I missed the pizza discussion!  I'm diving in anyway.

 

You definitely don't need 800 degrees to make a tasty pizza.  NY style ovens--the ones that look like metal dressers with flip down doors--cook at like 550.  Any decent home oven can get close to that.  The high temp is really only necessary for Neapolitan style, which cooks in 60-90 seconds. 

 

I highly recommend Tony Gemignani's Pizza Bible.  I was going for NY style for a long time and trying/reading everything I could.  Kenji has a lot of good stuff.  Love his NY pizza sauce.  Taught me to use whole block (not shredded), whole fat cheese.  Huge difference!  But the big breakthrough from the Pizza Bible was the use of two pizza stones.  Halfway through you move to the other stone to mimic moving the pizza to a fresh hot spot in a big oven.  That got me as close as I think I can get to good NY style pizza.  The only missing factor is the size.  I suffer from a very specific sense of what a NY pizza should be and a 13" slice throws off the bread/crust vs cheese/sauce proportions.  If you're better than me and can move past that mental block, you can really make excellent NY style pizza in a home oven.

 

Now I use an Ooni, which I love, to make Neapolitan.  I launch when the floor hits 750-800.  Cooks in 60-90 seconds.  I can't make a NY, Detroit, or Chicago style at that temp, but its perfect for Neapolitan. 

 

If you just want a simple tomato sauce, we've liked this best: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011H95ZFW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1.  To our taste, it has best flavor of all the tomato sauces we tried.  I don't do anything to it--just put it on the dough as it comes out of the can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was my Version 2, 36 hours of fridge fermentation and a 75/25 mozzarella and provolone blend. I forgot I had a vented pan and this cooked up in about 7 minutes in a 425 degree convection cycle. 

 

My deep dish cast iron method is still in the revision. I got a nice result overall in a lower oven, but the dough ended up rising a bit too much.  My first guess is that I don't need as big a dough batch as I thought for that type of cook.

 

No matter the result, cooking 6 pizzas over 3 weekends for less cost than ordering 1 through DoorDash is a victory. 

Edited February 23, 2021 by GooseHook

[GooseHook]

Days like these are like a specially designed form of torture. Sunny and warm, but all the ranges and courses are covered in snow and most are closed. Fortunately the Pine Ridge range was open, even though they probably shouldn't be. I don't know how one would operate a snow covered range that's completely saturated. 

[dcmidnight]

Burke Lake was open today and I'm not really sure how. Any ball hit with a wedge went right into the ground...it cant be economically sound to keep the range open and lose that many balls. But what do I care, I'm selfish.

 

First time really hitting balls in going on three months, been waiting to get out there since last week when the forecast came out. Just so happy to be out and to mostly be pain free, definitely a little tentative at first but shoulder felt great after I got loose. Didn't want to push it so I hit for about an hour and then rolled out.

 

Definitely going to have to get into the simulator do do a little driver testing and yardage checks with the new irons - wind was blowing pretty hard out there today so it wasn't really a yardage-check kind of day. Didnt give one F though.

[thechief16]

16 hours ago, dcmidnight said:

Burke Lake was open today and I'm not really sure how. Any ball hit with a wedge went right into the ground...it cant be economically sound to keep the range open and lose that many balls. But what do I care, I'm selfish.

 

First time really hitting balls in going on three months, been waiting to get out there since last week when the forecast came out. Just so happy to be out and to mostly be pain free, definitely a little tentative at first but shoulder felt great after I got loose. Didn't want to push it so I hit for about an hour and then rolled out.

 

Definitely going to have to get into the simulator do do a little driver testing and yardage checks with the new irons - wind was blowing pretty hard out there today so it wasn't really a yardage-check kind of day. Didnt give one F though.

Nice.  I'm in the sim on Sunday for a little tune up work.  Sadly, SIM2Max wont arrive until Monday.  

Edited February 25, 2021 by thechief16

[TheCityGame]

Domes, Hoop, me and MeatDave got out to UMD yesterday. They were CPO even for push carts, so we all carried half-bags.. 

 

Anyway, it was a little wet, but far FAR from other wetness I've seen before. Nothing plugged and I never even got a real mud ball. A couple dirty-balls, but nothing with a big plug of mud on it. MeatDave said he's played Reston Natl the day before and they were soaked and had 4 holes closed. 

 

Domes was mid-season form. He was -1 on the front, stuffed a hybid to a foot from about 200 on hole 13 (his 3rd shot). Shot of the day. 

 

Domes holed a bunked shot on 8. Meat holed a chip on 9. There were a couple of bombs.

 

Fun day. Great weather. I love that course. 

 

They had all the tees out, even the tips. They've always respected the winter golfer. 

[willboyrd]

Gonna be the first time playing or hitting balls outside in 3 months this Sunday - playing WoMan with @aiyyer and some others. Couldn't be more excited for it! 

Edited March 2, 2021 by willboyrd

[gregh729]

I am going to try to get out next Tuesday or Thursday, or both. Haven't touched a club since Veteran's Day in November

[dcmidnight]

16 minutes ago, gregh729 said:

I am going to try to get out next Tuesday or Thursday, or both. Haven't touched a club since Veteran's Day in November

Same and same.

 

Next Tuesday, 65*...

[ALTSean]

I played my first round in a while on Saturday, but it was rough.  Between the rust from not playing and the soggy conditions, it was definitely winter golf.  It was good to be out there and the weather was fine once the rained stopped, but I need to get some reps in.  The next 10 days look a lot better than February so hopefully we're out of the woods.

[thechief16]

24 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

Same and same.

 

Next Tuesday, 65*...

Let's talk.  I have a PTO day I need to burn next week.......

[willboyrd]

Currently trying to complete my home practice set-up by the weekend - have all the components:

- Flightscope Mevo
- 4'x5' decent quality mat

- Net

 

Just need to put the base down for the foundation under the mat. Gravel, sand, and pavers. I know none of these PLMs are extremely accurate, especially into a Net (although I will have ample space to maximize amount of flight before hitting the net), but I figure (read: hopeful lol) it'll atleast be a consistent from shot to shot to use as a tool to measure change/improvement as I work on my swing. 

 

Big goals this year is to neutralize my grip slightly and shallow out AoA. My AoA is just stupid steep and it's really costing me from both a distance and dispersion standpoint. 
 

Edited March 2, 2021 by willboyrd

[ScottHutch2]

Hey guys, looks like I made it through my first winter in MD. Weather looks good for next week and I'm excited to start getting out there to some new courses. Last year I only played Waverly Woods, Blue Mash, and Hobbits Glen. I hear all of the nice courses are out toward Frederick, any recommendations on some good tracks to check out this year? What are some of you guys' favorite public/Semi-Private courses? cheers

[mizuno player]

45 minutes ago, ScottHutch2 said:

Hey guys, looks like I made it through my first winter in MD. Weather looks good for next week and I'm excited to start getting out there to some new courses. Last year I only played Waverly Woods, Blue Mash, and Hobbits Glen. I hear all of the nice courses are out toward Frederick, any recommendations on some good tracks to check out this year? What are some of you guys' favorite public/Semi-Private courses? cheers

Worthington Manor and whiskey Creek , Little Bennett and PB Dye. All are within a few miles of each other. A little further out are Maryland National and Musket Ridge. Still in Frederick however. 

Edited March 8, 2021 by mizuno player

[ScottHutch2]

14 minutes ago, mizuno player said:

Worthington Manor and whiskey Creek , Little Bennett and PB Dye. All are within a few miles of each other. A little further out are Maryland National and Musket Ridge. Still in Frederick however. 

I've heard a lot about Whiskey Creek and Worthington, but not much about the others. Glad I asked, thanks a lot. I am excited to start exploring some more courses. Moving to a new state during a pandemic isn't great for making friends so I come here for all my golf related questions haha. thanks a lot

[mizuno player]

11 minutes ago, ScottHutch2 said:

I've heard a lot about Whiskey Creek and Worthington, but not much about the others. Glad I asked, thanks a lot. I am excited to start exploring some more courses. Moving to a new state during a pandemic isn't great for making friends so I come here for all my golf related questions haha. thanks a lot

Just my .02. Worthington, Whiskey and MD National are the best of the bunch. Again my opinion  Musket is over priced. I'm lucky I live within 10-15 minutes of Whiskey and Worthington. 

 

I've not played with anyone from this thread but all they all seem like a good bunch. 

 

 

[ScottHutch2]

4 minutes ago, mizuno player said:

Just my .02. Worthington, Whiskey and MD National are the best of the bunch. Again my opinion  Musket is over priced. I'm lucky I live within 10-15 minutes of Whiskey and Worthington. 

 

I've not played with anyone from this thread but all they all seem like a good bunch. 

 

 

Noted, thank you. I'm sure I will give them all a try this year. I have met a few cool people playing as a single last season. Think I'm going to try joining a local mens league this year, but on weekends I like exploring new areas and new courses so I appreciate the input.