Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

Oy veh. I thought I'd heard ever stupid reason under the sun why I'm not allowed to walk a flat golf course, but today's excuse really takes the cake. 

 

I can't walk the course because I'd have to cross a street getting to the back nine. A small, limited access street. Of course riding an electric cart across the same street is much, much safer. So glad these courses are looking out for my well being. 

 

For the love of God, be careful out there. 20 mph speed limit with a traffic control device for golfers crossing the street. The carnage could be gruesome. 

 

 

Edited January 26 by Argonne69

[Double Mocha Man]

33 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Oy veh. I thought I'd heard ever stupid reason under the sun why I'm not allowed to walk a flat golf course, but today's excuse really takes the cake. 

 

I can't walk the course because I'd have to cross a street getting to the back nine. A small, limited access street. Of course riding an electric cart across the same street is much, much safer. So glad these courses are looking out for my well being. 

 

 

A nearby course I like to play when I'm up for just nine holes has a golf Nazi in the Pro shop.  If the first tee is jammed I'll request to go off on the back nine. Invariably I am told they are putting chemicals on the back nine. At the rate he tells me this that back nine will be a radioactive waste site in about 2 months.

[Argonne69]

Sunny but cold morning at Contraband Bayou. Perfect morning for walking, but not so much riding with cart path only in effect. Grrrr. The Tom Fazio design ranks #4 in Louisiana on GolfWeek's Best in State list. Can't really argue with that, but I think it points more to the fact that Louisiana is lacking great public courses. Decent enough layout, but not Tom's best. I guess I'd call it a bayou style layout. More water and native areas than trees. Pretty much every hole was dead straight. Bunkering was good, but he's done better. Water on a handful of holes, but it's not really in play other than a couple of short forced carries. 

 

Not much trouble off the tee. Typical resort course with generous fairways and rough. You'd have to be crazy wild to lose a ball here. Approaches were moderately difficult. Decent greenside bunkering, smallish greens, and a few elevated ones required some precision. The extremely soft conditions made running the ball up the chute impossible. Up and downs were tricky due to the fairly high Bermuda rough, and the sloppy conditions. Putting was fairly benign. The greens weren't boring, but they'd never be categorized as tricky. 

 

Par 3s were mixed. The two with forced carries were fun. The three par 5s were awful. No risk. No reward. Plain old three shot holes. Same with the three short 4s. 

 

Conditions were very wet. The overseeded fairways were thin, so anything hit slightly fat would send up a wave of mud. Rough was quite nice. Bunkers were freshly groomed, but could use more sand. Greens were bumpy and slow. Maybe 9. 

 

Played a Gold/Green combo on the par 71 layout at 6275 yds (70.1/118). Solid round thanks to my scrambling. Plenty of fairways hit, but too many long approaches. One birdie and six bogies. Highlight of the day was surviving the crossing of the "dangerous" street crossing. Good thing I was required to take a cart. Best shot of the round was a nice 27' birdie putt on the par 4 14th. 

 

I'll be nice and give CB 5 cows. Not a lot they can do about the rain we got. I really should subtract a cow for the ridiculous cart requirement. I was the only player on the course, and I could have walked it in the same time given the CPO. These places that give their staff no discretion drive me nuts. $65 was a decent rate. I expected higher. Even though I played the CC at the Golden Nugget next door in a heavy fog, I recall it being a much better course. This one's OK, but there's little sizzle. Would make a good warmup round for the Golden Nugget. 

 

Edited January 26 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Contraband Bayou GC, Lake Charles, LA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5d372vyfd9b5zrn/AACzJLrL6_CkWe15aR5bxO3Oa?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Second visit to Crying Eagle Brewing Company in Lake Charles. 20 taps, but a little too IPA heavy. The barrel aged RIS isn't bad enough but it's not award winning. 

 

 

Off to Kinder, LA tomorrow morning. After nearly 3 months in Texas, it's time so say farewell to the Lone Star state. Staying at the Coushatta Casino Resort RV park, and teeing it up at Koasati Pines GC on Saturday. 

 

[Argonne69]

Jimmy Nick's BBQ in Vidor. Yeah, it's a food truck, but it has some very good Q. No ribs, unfortunately. Brisket was tender and tasty, a a bit on the lean side. Hot link was tasty, but the casing really required some teeth to bite through it. Dirty rice was very good. Nice kick. Mac and cheese was thick and creamy. Very impressed with the sauce. Nice balance of sweet and tangy. At $15 the two meat platter didn't break the bank. 

 

 

[AzSuperHack76]

On 1/25/2023 at 1:50 PM, stevopagolf said:

Arg-

 

Maybe Kingsley club in Northern Michigan.  It's private but offers limited outside play.  have your pro call them or probably if they hear your story and it being your 1000 course I'd would think they would accommodate .  Just a thought if you haven't played it already.  It is supposed to be really nice.

Kingsley has completely shut down outside play. You need to play with a member now. 

[stevopagolf]

8 hours ago, AzSuperHack76 said:

Kingsley has completely shut down outside play. You need to play with a member now. 

That's a shame!

[vernon]

22 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Oy veh. I thought I'd heard ever stupid reason under the sun why I'm not allowed to walk a flat golf course, but today's excuse really takes the cake. 

 

I can't walk the course because I'd have to cross a street getting to the back nine. A small, limited access street. Of course riding an electric cart across the same street is much, much safer. So glad these courses are looking out for my well being. 

 

For the love of God, be careful out there. 20 mph speed limit with a traffic control device for golfers crossing the street. The carnage could be gruesome. 

 

 

Yeah I definitely wouldn't want to chance that!  

 

Scary just looking at it.......

[Argonne69]

Busy afternoon after an uneventful drive to Kinder. Booked an RV park near Atchafalaya GC in Patterson, LA for late next week. I'll be in Lafayette early next week. Also booked 4 nights in New Orleans for the following week. 

 

I called Fallen Oak and booked a round of golf, along with the mandatory overnight stay at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. Don't really want to spend $199 for a room I don't need, but you only live once. They said they have a parking lot across the street from the casino for oversized vehicles, so I could elect to park Bessie there for a night if I want to save a few bucks. Probably not worth it, as the lot won't have electric. We'll see. 

 

[mshills]

I’ve never played golf in Louisiana — interested to hear if there is good golf that way. 
 

The hunting and fishing (especially the fishing!) is absolutely world class, and of course the food scene in New Orleans and points south. Some of the best I’ve ever eaten was in Houma…but I don’t think there is much golf down that way, and it’s not really close to New Orleans. 

[Kernel]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Busy afternoon after an uneventful drive to Kinder. Booked an RV park near Atchafalaya GC in Patterson, LA for late next week. I'll be in Lafayette early next week. Also booked 4 nights in New Orleans for the following week. 

 

I called Fallen Oak and booked a round of golf, along with the mandatory overnight stay at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. Don't really want to spend $199 for a room I don't need, but you only live once. They said they have a parking lot across the street from the casino for oversized vehicles, so I could elect to park Bessie there for a night if I want to save a few bucks. Probably not worth it, as the lot won't have electric. We'll see. 

 

Where will you play in/around Lafayette? Born and raised there

[Argonne69]

Just now, Kernel said:

Where will you play in/around Lafayette? Born and raised there

 

I have time for two rounds. The forecast looks pretty wet. Looking at Southern Oaks CC, Farm d'Allie, and Wetlands. 

 

[Argonne69]

Not a lot to do in Kinder. Brewpubs are nonexistent, and restaurants are meh. Figured I'd stay in today and enjoy a bottle of good stuff from my stash, and tomorrow I'll treat myself to a steak at the Big Sky Steakhouse at the Coushatta Casino Resort. Haven't had a proper steak in over a year. Had one at Streamsong on New Year's Day 2022. 

 

Heading up to Marksville on Sunday for a two night stay and a round at Tamahka Trails on Monday. The round will be my 300th on the journey. There appears to be a few brewpubs in the area, but they're all closed Sunday and Monday. Bummer. Hopefully I'll have better luck in Lafayette. 

 

 

Edited January 27 by Argonne69

[Kernel]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I have time for two rounds. The forecast looks pretty wet. Looking at Southern Oaks CC, Farm d'Allie, and Wetlands. 

 

I have been away for awhile now, so take this with that in mind. I would highly recommend playing your two rounds at the Farm and the Wetlands. IIR, Southern Oaks was sold and someone put some money into it, but even with that I suspect it is a significant step down. 

 

[TBD203]

How was the Isaac brand stout? Was able to snag one while visiting Rochester over Christmas. The coffee variant I tried was a little hot so I may let the rest sit for awhile.

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, TBD203 said:

How was the Isaac brand stout? Was able to snag one while visiting Rochester over Christmas. The coffee variant I tried was a little hot so I may let the rest sit for awhile.

 

Tasty, but more of a pastry stout. Very sweet. I prefer the taste of a bourbon barrel as opposed to a dessert. Lol. 

 

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, mshills said:

I’ve never played golf in Louisiana — interested to hear if there is good golf that way. 
 

The hunting and fishing (especially the fishing!) is absolutely world class, and of course the food scene in New Orleans and points south. Some of the best I’ve ever eaten was in Houma…but I don’t think there is much golf down that way, and it’s not really close to New Orleans. 

Spent many years in La. It was blessed with great people, great food, great seafood, and great fishing. Unfortunately it isn’t a good golf state. The casinos have helped by building some decent ones, but public golf is just not good. There was a great course, The Bluffs in St. Francisville that had very unique terrain for La. and a great layout. But last I heard it went under. 

[Dancin]

8 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Busy afternoon after an uneventful drive to Kinder. Booked an RV park near Atchafalaya GC in Patterson, LA for late next week. I'll be in Lafayette early next week. Also booked 4 nights in New Orleans for the following week. 

 

I called Fallen Oak and booked a round of golf, along with the mandatory overnight stay at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. Don't really want to spend $199 for a room I don't need, but you only live once. They said they have a parking lot across the street from the casino for oversized vehicles, so I could elect to park Bessie there for a night if I want to save a few bucks. Probably not worth it, as the lot won't have electric. We'll see. 

 

Really looking forward to your Fallen Oak review. It's been suggested multiple times for my spring golf group's destination but we never did it.

[Argonne69]

Another day, another rant about walking policies. I'm sure many of you are sick of hearing about it, and frankly, I'm sick of talking about it, but when a good round is spoiled by course employees not knowing their policies, it's worth noting. 

 

Booked the round a few days ago, and when I asked about walking they said no problem. Checked in this morning, and told them I was walking, they said nothing. First one out on the course and it's a muddy mess. Cart path only. After two holes I don't see the group behind me. I made the turn in 1:20, and as I'm walking to the 10th tee a worker rides up in a cart and asks me if I need a cart. I assume he thought I was coming from the range and heading to the first tee. I said no, I've just made the turn in less than 90 minutes, and that I'm heading to the 10th. "Oh, we don't allow walking here." Well, that's not what they told me when I booked the round, and the pro shop staff said nothing when I checked in. 

 

Are some courses ever going to figure out out that they're in the customer service business? A happy golfer walking 9 holes in less than 90 minutes is not a problem, and doesn't need to be hassled. The staffer could have simply said, "Have a good back nine" and have been done with it. 

 

Three things that really tick me off are no walking policies, getting hassled by staff, and staff not knowing the course policies. This whole thing could have been avoided if they'd told me that walking isn't allowed when I booked the round, or when I checked in. Maybe instead of hassling players capable of playing in less than 4 hours, maybe they should go out and hassle the players working on their 5 hour rounds. I'll never understand when golf became a motorized sport. 

 

So, instead of me giving a glowing review of the course, they're getting the middle finger. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

8 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Another day, another rant about walking policies. I'm sure many of you are sick of hearing about it, and frankly, I'm sick of talking about it, but when a good round is spoiled by course employees not knowing their policies, it's worth noting. 

 

Booked the round a few days ago, and when I asked about walking they said no problem. Checked in this morning, and told them I was walking, they said nothing. First one out on the course and it's a muddy mess. Cart path only. After two holes I don't see the group behind me. I made the turn in 1:20, and as I'm walking to the 10th tee a worker rides up in a cart and asks me if I need a cart. I assume he thought I was coming from the range and heading to the first tee. I said no, I've just made the turn in less than 90 minutes, and that I'm heading to the 10th. "Oh, we don't allow walking here." Well, that's not what they told me when I booked the round, and the pro shop staff said nothing when I checked in. 

 

Are some courses ever going to figure out out that they're in the customer service business? A happy golfer walking 9 holes in less than 90 minutes is not a problem, and doesn't need to be hassled. The staffer could have simply said, "Have a good back nine" and have been done with it. 

 

Three things that really tick me off are no walking policies, getting hassled by staff, and staff not knowing the course policies. This whole thing could have been avoided if they'd told me that walking isn't allowed when I booked the round, or when I checked in. Maybe instead of hassling players capable of playing in less than 4 hours, maybe they should go out and hassle the players working on their 5 hour rounds. I'll never understand when golf became a motorized sport. 

 

So, instead of me giving a glowing review of the course, they're getting the middle finger. 

 

 

Clever that you never named the course.  😁

[Argonne69]

Anyway, cloudy but otherwise pleasant morning, at least on the front. Kousati Pines at Coushatta today. Beautiful course with plenty of water and a few native areas. Generally flat, but they did an excellent job with the mounding. I had more than a few uneven lies out there. Once again I'd categorize it as a bayou style layout. Not enough trees to be a "proper" parkland layout, but it's not prairie style. The front had a few nice sweepers, but the back was a little too much back and forth. Bunkering was very good. Water was in play on a few holes, but while it was there on others I don't really think it came into play unless one was seriously wild. 

 

Another resort course that was generally forgiving off the tee, but bunkers did come into play on minor misses. Rough was fairly wide, so bigger misses would still be playable. Approaches were fairly tough. Greens were moderate in size and well defended. The course was once again playing soft with CPO conditions, so longer approaches were the norm. Seemed like lots of tucked pins, so up and downs were dicey from the rough or saturated short grass. The greens weren't crazy, but there was definitely more slope than the eye could see. 

 

Par 3s were mixed. A couple were meh, but the two with forced carries were fun. No real risk/reward on the 5s. The 1st was interesting in that the green was on the opposite side of a creek, but there really wasn't a gap in the trees that made it a dogleg. It was really luck of the draw if your layup found a spot with a clear view of the green through the trees. The 18th was a fun hole. The fairway ended at a large pond, and then split on both sides of the pond. A bit of risk reward, as the right side seemed a little shorter, but required a 3rd over the water. The left fairway swept around the pond. Short 4s weren't overly exciting. 

 

Conditions were extremely soft. Walking on the thin, overseeded fairways was like walking on a water bed at times. Mud balls galore, Rough was decent. Bunkers were nicely groomed, but could use a bit more sand. Greens were very nice, and rolling at least 10, possibly 11. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6450 yds (70.8/126). The tips stretch to 7617 yds if you're a glutton for punishment. Lol. Same ol game today, plenty of fairways but not enough greens. One birdie and six bogies. Highlight of the round was a nice 24' par putt on the par 4 8th. Thought I'd go birdie free, but the golf gods threw me a bone on the 18th with a 15' birdie putt from a few inches off the putting surface. 

 

Lots of similarities with Contraband Bayou. Nice looking course, but I'd make a few changes including shortening one of the 5s, and toughening up the short 4s. Can't beat the $50 price which apparently includes the cart. I'll give it 6 cows. Worth a visit, but bring your mud shoes. 

 

[Argonne69]

Koasati Pines at Coushatta, Kinder, LA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1dxtjh9s656qcii/AACzbYPKggl8qWMJBVQTwAUxa?dl=0

 

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Another day, another rant about walking policies. I'm sure many of you are sick of hearing about it, and frankly, I'm sick of talking about it, but when a good round is spoiled by course employees not knowing their policies, it's worth noting. 

 

Booked the round a few days ago, and when I asked about walking they said no problem. Checked in this morning, and told them I was walking, they said nothing. First one out on the course and it's a muddy mess. Cart path only. After two holes I don't see the group behind me. I made the turn in 1:20, and as I'm walking to the 10th tee a worker rides up in a cart and asks me if I need a cart. I assume he thought I was coming from the range and heading to the first tee. I said no, I've just made the turn in less than 90 minutes, and that I'm heading to the 10th. "Oh, we don't allow walking here." Well, that's not what they told me when I booked the round, and the pro shop staff said nothing when I checked in. 

 

Are some courses ever going to figure out out that they're in the customer service business? A happy golfer walking 9 holes in less than 90 minutes is not a problem, and doesn't need to be hassled. The staffer could have simply said, "Have a good back nine" and have been done with it. 

 

Three things that really tick me off are no walking policies, getting hassled by staff, and staff not knowing the course policies. This whole thing could have been avoided if they'd told me that walking isn't allowed when I booked the round, or when I checked in. Maybe instead of hassling players capable of playing in less than 4 hours, maybe they should go out and hassle the players working on their 5 hour rounds. I'll never understand when golf became a motorized sport. 

 

So, instead of me giving a glowing review of the course, they're getting the middle finger. 

 

Arg, two things that I know are pet peeves for you are non walking courses and flat terrain. You’ve travelled the country enough to know that walking is not the thing in the South and Southeast that it is in the North, West, and Midwest. Don’t know why that is, but it’s just that way. Another thing you need to understand is you are a VERY fast player. The overwhelming majority of golfers are not. The fact is the majority of groups struggle playing in under 5 hours with carts. That would be 6 hours walking for the overwhelming majority.  As far as terrain, it’s almost exclusively flat south of I20 in the South and Southeast. Frankly, expecting hilly terrain just isn’t going to happen the majority of time. 
Now, staff issues I completely agree with you. It’s a pretty easy transaction, we give them money, they need to be nice. I think some in the golf business have this transaction backwards. They feel you are the one being given the privilege of playing their course. I’ll never understand how golf staff can’t understand how important their behavior and treatment of guests is in addition to the course and conditions.

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Anyway, cloudy but otherwise pleasant morning, at least on the front. Kousati Pines at Coushatta today. Beautiful course with plenty of water and a few native areas. Generally flat, but they did an excellent job with the mounding. I had more than a few uneven lies out there. Once again I'd categorize it as a bayou style layout. Not enough trees to be a "proper" parkland layout, but it's not prairie style. The front had a few nice sweepers, but the back was a little too much back and forth. Bunkering was very good. Water was in play on a few holes, but while it was there on others I don't really think it came into play unless one was seriously wild. 

 

Another resort course that was generally forgiving off the tee, but bunkers did come into play on minor misses. Rough was fairly wide, so bigger misses would still be playable. Approaches were fairly tough. Greens were moderate in size and well defended. The course was once again playing soft with CPO conditions, so longer approaches were the norm. Seemed like lots of tucked pins, so up and downs were dicey from the rough or saturated short grass. The greens weren't crazy, but there was definitely more slope than the eye could see. 

 

Par 3s were mixed. A couple were meh, but the two with forced carries were fun. No real risk/reward on the 5s. The 1st was interesting in that the green was on the opposite side of a creek, but there really wasn't a gap in the trees that made it a dogleg. It was really luck of the draw if your layup found a spot with a clear view of the green through the trees. The 18th was a fun hole. The fairway ended at a large pond, and then split on both sides of the pond. A bit of risk reward, as the right side seemed a little shorter, but required a 3rd over the water. The left fairway swept around the pond. Short 4s weren't overly exciting. 

 

Conditions were extremely soft. Walking on the thin, overseeded fairways was like walking on a water bed at times. Mud balls galore, Rough was decent. Bunkers were nicely groomed, but could use a bit more sand. Greens were very nice, and rolling at least 10, possibly 11. 

 

Played a Blue/White combo at 6450 yds (70.8/126). The tips stretch to 7617 yds if you're a glutton for punishment. Lol. Same ol game today, plenty of fairways but not enough greens. One birdie and six bogies. Highlight of the round was a nice 24' par putt on the par 4 8th. Thought I'd go birdie free, but the golf gods threw me a bone on the 18th with a 15' birdie putt from a few inches off the putting surface. 

 

Lots of similarities with Contraband Bayou. Nice looking course, but I'd make a few changes including shortening one of the 5s, and toughening up the short 4s. Can't beat the $50 price which apparently includes the cart. I'll give it 6 cows. Worth a visit, but bring your mud shoes. 

 

You’ll like the Marksville course better.

[Argonne69]

12 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Arg, two things that I know are pet peeves for you are non walking courses and flat terrain. You’ve travelled the country enough to know that walking is not the thing in the South and Southeast that it is in the North, West, and Midwest. Don’t know why that is, but it’s just that way. Another thing you need to understand is you are a VERY fast player. The overwhelming majority of golfers are not. The fact is the majority of groups struggle playing in under 5 hours with carts. That would be 6 hours walking for the overwhelming majority.  As far as terrain, it’s almost exclusively flat south of I20 in the South and Southeast. Frankly, expecting hilly terrain just isn’t going to happen the majority of time. 
Now, staff issues I completely agree with you. It’s a pretty easy transaction, we give them money, they need to be nice. I think some in the golf business have this transaction backwards. They feel you are the one being given the privilege of playing their course. I’ll never understand how golf staff can’t understand how important their behavior and treatment of guests is in addition to the course and conditions.

 

In this case it was the lack of knowledge about the policy, rather than the policy itself that bothered me. Given that it was a resort course, I was a bit surprised that they "allowed" walking. I'm certainly not going to question it. Doesn't seem too difficult to educate the staff regarding the rules. 

 

I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again. There is one overriding rule, keep pace. Don't care if a player or group rides, walks, crawls, walks backwards, runs, uses a pogo stick, or walks on their hands. If they keep up with the group ahead they should be welcome. If not, they shouldn't be shocked when they're asked to pick up the pace or move back into position. This blind belief that walkers are slower that players sharing a cart is pure hogwash. 

 

Yeah, there are slow walkers. There are also slow riders. Ever hear of a case where a slow rider was told that they have to walk because they might slow down play? I sure haven't.

 

[hammergolf]

5 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

In this case it was the lack of knowledge about the policy, rather than the policy itself that bothered me. Given that it was a resort course, I was a bit surprised that they "allowed" walking. I'm certainly not going to question it. Doesn't seem too difficult to educate the staff regarding the rules. 

 

I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again. There is one overriding rule, keep pace. Don't care if a player or group rides, walks, crawls, walks backwards, runs, uses a pogo stick, or walks on their hands. If they keep up with the group ahead they should be welcome. If not, they shouldn't be shocked when they're asked to pick up the pace or move back into position. This blind belief that walkers are slower that players sharing a cart is pure hogwash. 

 

Yeah, there are slow walkers. There are also slow riders. Ever hear of a case where a slow rider was told that they have to walk because they might slow down play? I sure haven't.

 

Agree 100%. Trust me, playing a 5+ hour round, with over an hour spent on waiting is so bad. I read an interesting article the other day about courses giving a rebate on green fees if you finished in less than 4:15. Something has to be done to encourage and teach players to play faster. You are certainly NEVER going to hold anyone up. I truly think the large majority doesn’t even know the things they do to slow down a round. Maybe the bow ties could put a priority on pace of play instead of changing the names of hazards and terminology of halved in match play….

[Argonne69]

Arrived at the Big Sky Steakhouse at the casino a few minutes before they opened, so I thought I'd kill some time at a table game. It's been a while since I was at a casino, and was surprised to see $15 table minimums so early in the day. Ten minutes later I was down $200 after a dozen straight losing hands. Just a reminder why I haven't been in a smoke filled casino in a while. 

 

Much better luck at the steakhouse. Not the best ribeye I've had, but I've definitely had worse. Tasty, but an aged ribeye needs to be a little more tender. 

 

 

[Lobby]

You’ve now played all over the country 

 

Which city / metro area has the best golf facilities?  IOW, where would you settle down if golf was your primary consideration?

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, Lobby said:

You’ve now played all over the country 

 

Which city / metro area has the best golf facilities?  IOW, where would you settle down if golf was your primary consideration?

 

It's still up in the air. I like plentiful good, cheap public golf. I don't mind shelling out $100 on occasion, but that gets pricey when one is playing four or five days a week. I'd like to have a couple of cheap munis nearby, along with a dozen mid-tier and a handful of top-tier courses within 20 miles.

 

Dallas Fort Worth was fun. I like North Carolina, but I don't think there are enough inexpensive courses to keep me interested. I'm going to have to look more closely at Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem.

 

One problem I'm going to have is that I'd like to have 3 to 5 acres. That will very likely move me out into the sticks, and travel times to the courses will become an issue. With DFW being a massive sprawl, it would be over an hour to reach half the courses.