MD/DC/VA Golfers - Twelve Monkeys Mental Divergence

[dcmidnight]

Had what has to be one of my most frustrating rounds ever during my Sunday morning group yesterday. If you told me that after playing basically no golf for 5 months I'd shoot 75 in early June, I probably would have been all in. But I went out in 33 (-2) with three birdies making everything I looked at. Came home in 42 (+7) and my longest made putt was probably a foot. Seemingly lost all speed control on my first putts, absolutely a completely mess. I absolutely blame Tex for getting me to try the terrible new Callaway ball.

 

j/k the ball actually was pretty decent. Seemed to scuff up a little easier than I'd like but it was pretty good. Fact is between the Chromesoft X, the TP5X and the Prov1x, they are all great golf balls. I think the switch back to the blade putter is what made all the difference, I just feel like outside of...15 feet or so, I have so much more feel with it than using a mallet *

 

 

 

* and yes Fabb, this will probably change tomorrow

[misplacedtexan83]

6 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

Had what has to be one of my most frustrating rounds ever during my Sunday morning group yesterday. If you told me that after playing basically no golf for 5 months I'd shoot 75 in early June, I probably would have been all in. But I went out in 33 (-2) with three birdies making everything I looked at. Came home in 42 (+7) and my longest made putt was probably a foot. Seemingly lost all speed control on my first putts, absolutely a completely mess. I absolutely blame Tex for getting me to try the terrible new Callaway ball.

 

j/k the ball actually was pretty decent. Seemed to scuff up a little easier than I'd like but it was pretty good. Fact is between the Chromesoft X, the TP5X and the Prov1x, they are all great golf balls. I think the switch back to the blade putter is what made all the difference, I just feel like outside of...15 feet or so, I have so much more feel with it than using a mallet *

 

 

 

* and yes Fabb, this will probably change tomorrow

Agree with the outside layer. 
 

Well buddy if you are going to crap your pants do it with a 33 front. 
 

Good round 

[GooseHook]

Grinding through the 2-day stroke play this weekend was a hell of an experience. Having played so poorly recently I was on the fence but one of my buddies talked me into playing, so I said to myself that no matter what, I'd finish the whole thing out. It was HOT as possible, the greens had tons of fire in them, and everyone got to play with clouds of cicadas around them. They are now so rampant that groups of them are crawling around underneath each cup and they will land on your should and let out the little toddler goat scream. It's horrifying. 

 

Round One: I got off to a good start and after a crazy fluke  double on the first par 5, I never really recovered until a birdie on the 18th. The pin locations were extremely tough on Saturday and some I had rarely seen. I struggled with my speed a ton and ran too many first putts way by the hole resulting in an abnormal amount of 3-putts. I made it worse for myself with several untimely wedge pulls and on 4-5 holes I was hitting out of the bunker that no one wanted to be in. Driver game was an acceptable B-, irons were poor but my short game held up decently throughout the day. 91, DFL in my flight

 

Round Two: We went off in threesomes yesterday with better spacing, so no one had to wait until the last few holes. The wind laid down and it was even hotter, so riding was a good break from pushing the day before. I got revenge on the 4th and 9th holes, turning a double and a triple into two birdies and made the turn at 37  (+2). My driver got scorching hot but my putter got cold in the whole back nine, and I limped in with a 43 for an 80. I spent more time in the bunkers again but gave myself enough reasonable chances for sand saves, including a nice 30 yarder that checked up to 6 feet (I missed that putt). 

 

I ended up tied for last in my flight, with 3 players one stroke better than myself and one guy who won our group by about 10 shots. My iron game and putting were suspect all weekend but it was hopeful to see my driving and wedge play shine for two days of pressure.  My game plan also paid off and I kept the same ball in play for the full weekend, only retiring one to a cart path scar. 

 

Final count:

Birdies: 3

Triples: 1

Cicada splats on windshield: 9

Transfusions:  3

Moments of crippling self doubt: ~5

Three putts:  I lost count

 

Summer game plan: lesson on Wednesday, weekend of golf in Carolina with my dad, then retiring the Project X's to go back home to X100s. Continue tuneup for my "major" weekend at Pikewood at end of July, then welcoming a puppy to the home in August. 

[XHoop24]

In two weeks, I'm spending the weekend in VA. Does anyone have a recommendation between Shenandoah Valley Golf Club and Bowling Green Country Club? Which is better course?

[ALTSean]

6 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

In two weeks, I'm spending the weekend in VA. Does anyone have a recommendation between Shenandoah Valley Golf Club and Bowling Green Country Club? Which is better course?

 

I played in a Thanksgiving scramble at Bowling Green CC's North Course last year.  It was an ok course and would be a fine place to smack the ball around if you're staying in the area.  It was not really worth the drive to and from to play in for a 1 day scramble.  YMMV

 

[bubbagump]

11 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

In two weeks, I'm spending the weekend in VA. Does anyone have a recommendation between Shenandoah Valley Golf Club and Bowling Green Country Club? Which is better course?

 

Both are pretty comparable to me, and resemble one another.  Pretty straight forward, and not too much thrills.  It sounds dumb, but it feels more like a giant meadow they cut into a course with varying lengths, than an actual designed course with legit diff grasses?  Reminds me of like Prince William GC  

 

Id try and grab a time at Blue Ridge Shadows if one is available, its more challenging and visually more stimulating, and usually one of if not the top options right in that area.  

Edited June 7, 2021 by bubbagump

[Sterling_247]

18 hours ago, bubbagump said:

 

Both are pretty comparable to me, and resemble one another.  Pretty straight forward, and not too much thrills.  It sounds dumb, but it feels more like a giant meadow they cut into a course with varying lengths, than an actual designed course with legit diff grasses?  Reminds me of like Prince William GC  

 

Id try and grab a time at Blue Ridge Shadows if one is available, its more challenging and visually more stimulating, and usually one of if not the top options right in that area.  

 

I've played the South course the last two years in a work tournament. Agreed that its a boring course, but the price is great and the conditions have been solid both times I've played it. Definitely comparable to Prince William Golf Course in layout but would say that the South course is probably in better shape.

[Johnny T]

I haven't played Bowling Green but would echo what bubbagump said about Blue Ridge Shadows.  Interesting course, conditions usually decent or better, and price is good (at least a couple of years ago). 

[Terphack]

The heat has really made the Bermuda pop at UMD. Conditions are very good and the number of rounds played has dipped slightly making it a bit easier to secure a desired tee time. Cicadas were not bad yesterday either.

[ALTSean]

For the EPP veterans out there, how well does EPP drain or not drain?  I’m supposed to play there tomorrow at 8 am, but am skeptical based on the rain we’ve received and that we’re forecast to get.  Playing in some rain is ok, but I’d rather not be smacking it around in the mud.  

[dcmidnight]

Its probably going to be an absolute mess. Just south of the beltway we had over 4" of rain today and its still raining. 

[ALTSean]

Agree.  I think we’re going to cancel.  Stupid rain on scheduled day off.  First world problems.

[XHoop24]

12 hours ago, ALTSean said:

Agree.  I think we’re going to cancel.  Stupid rain on scheduled day off.  First world problems.

 

As the resident EPP expert, I can safely advise that it DOES NOT drain well. My expert opinion is you should cancel. 

[ALTSean]

25 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

 

As the resident EPP expert, I can safely advise that it DOES NOT drain well. My expert opinion is you should cancel. 

 

[Puppetmaster]

32 minutes ago, XHoop24 said:

 

As the resident EPP expert, I can safely advise that it DOES NOT drain well. My expert opinion is you should cancel. 

 

Unless you want go fishing too, I hear the you get some decent sized fish around there after rain and at the changing of the tide.

[Puppetmaster]

And I can't believe all these years working in DC and I've never played EPP. I've run around it many times though haha. 

[XHoop24]

31 minutes ago, Puppetmaster said:

And I can't believe all these years working in DC and I've never played EPP. I've run around it many times though haha. 

Wow - that’s amazing. Are you back in the city at all? Let me know if you want to get out for a round there during the week. I can likely make it work with a bit of notice. 

[baddomes]

Nah man epp is cool after it rains

 

[Terphack]

My club has an event at Hampshire Greens tomorrow. CPO most likely which wears out the OG's and since I don't go off until the second to last group it is going to be a 5+ hr round I bet.

[ALTSean]

14 minutes ago, baddomes said:

Nah man epp is cool after it rains

 

 

When was this dystopian hellscape picture taken?

 

[XHoop24]

16 minutes ago, baddomes said:

Nah man epp is cool after it rains

 

That is why you never retained the ‘EPP Resident Expert’ title.  

[HackinNut]

Wow!  I haven't been to East Potomac Park in many, many years.  I never thought it would survive but apparently there are a number of people that still play there.  I used to play there a lot when I was a kid, back when they had a double decker driving range before the days of Top Golf.  🙂 

[gsrjc]

39 minutes ago, Terphack said:

My club has an event at Hampshire Greens tomorrow. CPO most likely which wears out the OG's and since I don't go off until the second to last group it is going to be a 5+ hr round I bet.

Luckily HG drains very well. 

Edited June 11, 2021 by gsrjc
Miss spelling

[baddomes]

I will take no questions.

[FAbb]

I would never take Fanny through that kind of standing water.

 

 

 

[Qqq123xx]

You guys are    HOT!

 

Congrats. 

[misplacedtexan83]

Trending boys/girls trending....

[aiyyer]

Love the views, location and the concept of EPP. Definitively not for elitist country club types like altsean, City, OCgolfrick and misplaced Texan here. 

Played there twice and enjoyed both rounds. First round was with THE EPP expert here after rains. Two fairways had 4” or more of water. Lots of condoms, toys and other paraphernalia  around. One green was closed. Cool clubhouse architecture and the multi tiered range is huge. The range feels weirdly claustrophobic on the lower level and I shanked all my attempts at range warmup.

Definitely a must play in the DC area.
 

[ALTSean]

3 hours ago, aiyyer said:

Love the views, location and the concept of EPP. Definitively not for elitist country club types like altsean, City, OCgolfrick and misplaced Texan here. 

Played there twice and enjoyed both rounds. First round was with THE EPP expert here after rains. Two fairways had 4” or more of water. Lots of condoms, toys and other paraphernalia  around. One green was closed. Cool clubhouse architecture and the multi tiered range is huge. The range feels weirdly claustrophobic on the lower level and I shanked all my attempts at range warmup.

Definitely a must play in the DC area.
 

 

Verbatim recent text transcript:

 

@ALTSean Hey guys, I got 2 spots at Langston this weekend, want to play?

 

@Ocgolfrick New phone, who dis?

 

@aiyyer This is Mr. Aiyyer's valet.  Please hold while I get Mr. Aiyyer.

 

@Ocgolfrick Did you lose a bet and are being forced to play Langston?

 

@aiyyer This is still Mr. Aiyyer's valet, he is one his way.  He recently returned from a vacation to play Royal New Kent and the Golden Horseshoe.  My Aiyyer has a tee time this weekend at The Worthington Manor.  Mr. Aiyyer only plays the finest of courses.  

 

@Ocgolfrick Are your friends homeless?  Do you need Bethesda Rick to loan you a few dollars?

 

@aiyyer This is Mr. Aiyyer.  My valet said you rang.  I just got back from a golf trip down to Williamsburg.  I really needed a golf trip in order to decompress from all the golf I am playing at home.  I find that a golf trip really clears my head and allows me to focus better on my local golf at The Manor.  

 

@ALTSean Soooo, are you guys a "no" for Langston?

 

 

[Puppetmaster]

5 hours ago, Qqq123xx said:

You guys are    HOT!

 

Congrats. 

 

Hot like a 90s hit single! 😄