The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[Bob Cat]

@mshills You were saying something about moving from Miami and your movers getting into it with your neighbor?

[touch]

There has been a lot of talk here since I posted the Poll regarding getting a Hole In One. For those of you that have yet to get one I say keep on plugging along. I played 25 years before I finally got my first when I was living in Las Vegas. It happened at the Wildhorse G.C. I went another 14 years and I got my second Ace 4 years ago at Links of Tryon. Then very unexpectedly I got my third on the 15th of April this season at Hendersonville CC. 

 

My HIO's 

Las Vegas, NV                  126 yards     9 iron

Landrum,   SC                  167 yards      5 hybrid

Hendersonville, NC          134 yards     8 iron

 

Monday we played Apple Valley. The week before Stan (my #1 golf buddy) got his first Hole In One on the 17th hole at Apple Valley (unfortunately I was playing at a different golf course that day and didn't get to witness it) . Stan has been playing golf for 48 years so it show's you that even with many decades in the game you can still snag that first ACE. ⛳

 

 

[Triple Lindy]

1 hour ago, mshills said:

I love just about everything about New Mexico,

New Mexico has some beautiful areas, but man, it’s a poor state. Healthcare is some of the worst in the country. My mom lived in Ruidoso for quite awhile and it’s beautiful, but pretty remote. About 90 minutes from Roswell, so it’s got that alien thing going for it, if that’s your bag.

[dashanks]

15 hours ago, touch said:

 

 

There is a chance that an all time record will be hit in the Newlyweds hometown on Sunday......120*  !  This guy says it is 115* there today, 

I've lived that endless oppressive summer desert heat and I don't miss it. 

 

It turned quite hot here with afternoon high temps to hit 90* for the next 3 days.

 

 

 

 

That's incredible.  My water heater is set to only 10 degrees more than that.  Yikes! 

[imkirby34]

I'd like to add to my previous poll post.  I just drove the 281-yd par 4 #2 hole at Callippe Preserve GC to ~15 feet.  It's a scramble and one of my partners sank the eagle putt.

[NCLancer]

17 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

I'd like to add to my previous poll post.  I just drove the 281-yd par 4 #2 hole at Callippe Preserve GC to ~15 feet.  It's a scramble and one of my partners sank the eagle putt.

[imkirby34]

This is hilarious. I just drove the 8th hole at Callippe.  Measured 305 yds uphill with a helping 5 mph breeze to ~25 feet.  We did not sink the eagle putt.  

[touch]

7 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

This is hilarious. I just drove the 8th hole at Callippe.  Measured 305 yds uphill with a helping 5 mph breeze to ~25 feet.  We did not sink the eagle putt.  

 

Congratulations imk!⭐

Was that drive only possible because you had one of those $1200 driver shafts? 😅

[aenemated]

2 hours ago, Triple Lindy said:

New Mexico has some beautiful areas, but man, it’s a poor state. Healthcare is some of the worst in the country. My mom lived in Ruidoso for quite awhile and it’s beautiful, but pretty remote. About 90 minutes from Roswell, so it’s got that alien thing going for it, if that’s your bag.

 

Yep. It's a weird place, man. 

 

We spent a few days in ABQ while on tour last year and I was like "I get why they based Breaking Bad here." 

[chisag]

26 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

I just drove the 8th hole at Callippe.  Measured 305 yds uphill

 

 

... Uphill?!? You Da Man. 👍

[aenemated]

So I got a little presumptive about when my LA GOLF L series would arrive to do the irons rebuild and ... uh ... disassembled everything last weekend. 

 

They still haven't shipped 😂

 

Guess the Nikes WILL be going in the bag for a few days. 

[mshills]

Pretty good day today. Out in 44 with a couple highlights. 
 

We have back to back par 5s. I’m coming off doubling #6 🤬 at 545 yards that is a beast of a hole for me and driving it in the L rough is toast. So #7 is 472 downhill and I hit a good drive, then a good 5w, reaching the green in 2. The one armed dude doesn’t get that very often so I’m pumped. 

66’ away. My car’s license plate says “3PUTPAR” I’m not having that today! Great lag to 4’ and I bang in the birdie. 👊🏼
 

#9 I hit a salty 9i from 128 to about 4’. This putt was hard, did not convert the bird. 🖕🏼
 

 

Here is a big hillside, #8 green is in the foreground, #13 runs along the top of that ridge. You can see how dry it has been. We really need some rain. 
 

 

2 doubles and the missed birdie putt cost me on the front. On the back I doubled 16 and 18 for another 44.

 

I am pleased. Hit it well. Putted fine, really didn’t make anything of consequence but was right around the jar today. The heat and humidity makes me feel right at home and body feels good. 
 

Time for a whole mess of grilled shrimp and some cold 🍻 

[touch]

I like the Lounge and I especially enjoy one of the features of this group and that's the sharing of our current golf adventures. Every couple of days there is posted a golf recap with photos from one of us. 👍⛳🏌️

 

Thank you @imkirby34 and @mshillsfor telling us about some highlights that happened to you while on the course this Independence Day.

MS your course is just like most courses around here in that we need rain too and some brown is appearing. Not your greens though, those suckers look money still. Again I say I like the looks of your course mucho. Congrats on getting pumped after some well executed shots today.

imk, the course you played today also looks special. I googled that course and saw it was in Pleasanton,CA. I wanted to see more of it. Wow that is a great track, and congrats on driving a green!  We all enjoyed hearing about that long hitter.

 

My day at work is complete. I am heading home.

[imkirby34]

3 hours ago, touch said:

 

Congratulations imk!⭐

Was that drive only possible because you had one of those $1200 driver shafts? 😅

 

LOL.  Thank goodness for CPO (Callaway Preowned) and their bday discount.  I got the Autoflex for < $400.  It is weird, though, using the suggested D0 swing weight.  It probably isn't the proper term, but I don't feel like I'm getting much feedback when it's that light, so that's something to get used to.

 

I will also need to add another chip-in for the poll as I chipped-in for birdie on #11.  We finished -8, but didn't stick around since we were pretty certain that wasn't going to place in the top-3 for prizes.  

 

3 hours ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Uphill?!? You Da Man. 👍

 

I'm still a quite shocked.  Well, about as shocked as the guys who were still putting on the green.  The landing area is beyond fairway bunkers and, as you might assume, quite firm, so it probably rolled at least 30 yards.  In my previous dozen-or-so rounds there, I know I've carried those bunkers in line with the green at least a couple times but the closest I'd been was right around 40 yards.

 

I tried going for a downhill-ish par 4 (299 straightline, probably 280 with slope) and hit it very well again, but the breeze took it right and into the greenside bunker.

 

I freely admit that I wasn't money every time with it.  Both times that I tried to draw it on holes that bent to the left, I hit it dead straight through the fairway.  The other drive was a semi-smothered hook.

[chisag]

14 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

Thank goodness for CPO (Callaway Preowned) and their bday discount.  I got the Autoflex for < $400.  It is weird, though, using the suggested D0 swing weight.  It probably isn't the proper term, but I don't feel like I'm getting much feedback when it's that light, so that's something to get used to.

 

 

... Normally I don't place much stock in "recommended" anything from OEM's because they are just starting points and individuals will adjust to fit their unique swing. When I cut mine to my preferred playing length of 45.25" it came out to C9, and C9-D0 is the recommended swing weight for my 47gm autoFlex Dream 7 model 405 for 80-95mph swing speeds. I swear it feels like they designed and built a shaft specifically for my swing. Sounds like yours is treating you very well too. I know I have said it before but that waggle like a fly rod makes it easy to understand how it could add more distance if timed correctly, but with so much flex I am shocked by how much more accurate it is than any driver shaft I have played. 

[NJBigFish22]

Got up early this Independence Day at teed off around 7:30.  This was my third round back and was a lot more consistent than the previous 2 rounds.  I was right around bogey golf.  The place I dropped shots was out of the bunkers, with my foot/ankle I just don’t feel stable in the sand.  The plus for the day was I hit driver well.  It definitely gave me better opportunities to go for the green in regulation.  This was also my first round with the Hogans I purchased over the weekend.  I enjoyed playing with them, and even decided to play again tomorrow. 

[mshills]

33 minutes ago, touch said:

I like the Lounge and I especially enjoy one of the features of this group and that's the sharing of our current golf adventures. Every couple of days there is posted a golf recap with photos from one of us. 👍⛳🏌️

 

Thank you @imkirby34 and @mshillsfor telling us about some highlights that happened to you while on the course this Independence Day.

MS your course is just like most courses around here in that we need rain too and some brown is appearing. Not your greens though, those suckers look money still. Again I say I like the looks of your course mucho. Congrats on getting pumped after some well executed shots today.

imk, the course you played today also looks special. I googled that course and saw it was in Pleasanton,CA. I wanted to see more of it. Wow that is a great track, and congrats on driving a green!  We all enjoyed hearing about that long hitter.

 

My day at work is complete. I am heading home.

Thanks! The greens are still pretty slow but they are consistent and true. We got an email from the greenskeeper, he had been getting complaints, so he felt compelled to send the email explaining during such hot, dry weather he has to be careful not to lose the greens. 
 

Those guys take a lot of bull 💩 for no reason.

 

I was upset about the beeotching so I sent him an email and said slow and alive beats fast and dead, you made the right decision and you’re doing a great job. The course is in really good shape, pretty remarkable shape given the hot weather (94 today!) and minimal rain. 
 

I hit a couple of the best FW wood shots in memory today. Really good. The 88 could have been much lower, I just really made only one big putt. Didn’t putt badly, was just one of those days my ball was right around the jar and not finding it. 
 

Son #1 lands at 10p tonight. He’s been gone 2 weeks so looking forward to him getting back here. Reckon he’s having a nice dinner at JFK tonight. 😂 Been there done that too many times to count!

[Hickory4ever]

I played with three friends this afternoon on a sunny warm day. Three of us were playing hickory shafted clubs and our one buddy played his modern clubs. It was a very close game but my friend Gerald prevailed with 80, Mike had 82 and I ended up 83. Our friend playing modern was at the back of the bus with 84.

 

There is a big tournament here tomorrow and we are taking Hickory Friday on the road. It will be my 91st game of the year.

 

To my American friends, happy Fourth of July. Oh and my HIO drought continues.

[NCLancer]

37 minutes ago, NJBigFish22 said:

Got up early this Independence Day at teed off around 7:30.  This was my third round back and was a lot more consistent than the previous 2 rounds.  I was right around bogey golf.  The place I dropped shots was out of the bunkers, with my foot/ankle I just don’t feel stable in the sand.  The plus for the day was I hit driver well.  It definitely gave me better opportunities to go for the green in regulation.  This was also my first round with the Hogans I purchased over the weekend.  I enjoyed playing with them, and even decided to play again tomorrow. 

@NJBigFish22  What driver were you using today?  Hopefully it's one that can bring you some confidence off the tee!  

[NJBigFish22]

1 hour ago, NCLancer said:

@NJBigFish22  What driver were you using today?  Hopefully it's one that can bring you some confidence off the tee!  

I am using the TM BRNR mini driver.  Right now it’s still set at 13.5*,.  I am also able to hit it well off the deck, so it can act as a strong 3W.  Eventually I may demo the Qi10, but for some reason the mini suits me. 

[touch]

Monday I played Apple Valley G.C. at the Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure, NC. Ryan my coworker and assistant Pro at BFCC joined Stan and me. We couldn't find a 4th. It was 82* under partly cloudy skies with 64% humidity. Not much wind. It got sticky for 90 minutes. I last played the course two years ago, Stan last played it the previous week, and it was Ryan's first time on the course. We had a decent warm up on the range and also spent some time on the practice green. The course had their green surfaces redone a few years back and they converted the old bent grass to Champion Bermuda. The greens were running about 11.5 and they were in exceptional condition. They were the best Bermuda grass greens I have played in many years. The golf course is a beauty. 

 

On the first four holes, two par 4's, a Par 3, and a Par 5 I made pars. On #5 the 350 yard Par 4 (handicap no.5) I hit driver 7 iron to 10 feet and made the birdie putt. Two bogeys happened next as I needed a wake up call.....hey LP you haven't seen this track in forever remember. +1 thru 7. Two pars on 8 and 9. I made the turn with a 1 over 37.  Great opening 9. 

It didn't last. After starting my front 9 with 4 Pars and a birdie, I opened the back 9 with 4 bogeys (in a row) and a par. +5 thru 14. Consistent steadiness returned and I made Pars on the last 4 holes. I had two mid range birdie looks that didn't fall on 16 and 17. 

 

I ended up with a 78 and was most pleased that I was able to shoot my number on that challenging course that I hadn't played in two years.

Ryan was the medalist with a 72.

The S man was off some and found the mid 80's. 

 

Apple Valley is a nice big golf course. I think there was once two holes running kind of parallel to one another all day. There are holes on the course that remind me of Conesstee Falls, Cummings Cove, and Cleghorn. AV is indeed also a western North Carolina gem of a golf course just like the other three. Stan and I decided after our round that because Apple Valley is such a special layout that has amazing greens and is also a blast to play we will add it into our regular rotation of frequently played courses. It's a two lane winding mountain road for most of the journey down to Lake Lure that takes a good hour from Asheville. There are no main roads down to that vacation spot. Yes you have to be very attentive when driving the narrow main road, but after your semi nervous drive you get out on the golf course and realize that the drive was so damn worth it. ⭐ ⚡⛳🏌️‍♀️

 

 

Edited Friday at 01:33 AM by touch

[aenemated]

Just did a quick 9 in 110° over at Aliante ... with the Nike Tour blades! And it was also the on-course debut of the new driver; which finally arrived last week but what with all the "getting married" stuff, didn't get out last weekend. 

 

If the iron shafts are anything like this DJ shaft ... good heavens. No joke, none whatsoever, with the 8° TSR3 and the DJ ... I'm getting easily at least 30 more yards if not more. It's a pretty short course so I don't have a ton of driver tee shots but the ones I did. Man. I've played there enough to know where I tended to be off the tee with the old setup (10° TSR3 w/ Ventus Black 60S). It wasn't BAD but I just knew I wasn't getting as much as I should. And it really came down to how high my spin numbers were. 

 

It's not like I'm not used to swinging a TSR3 - been playing whatever model TS3 since like ... 2018. But there's something about that shaft that as soon as I move into transition; the load is tremendous. But not like out of control at all; it just feels like there's a damn bowling ball at the end just smashing through the hitting area. Feel at impact is incredible. The second par 5 is ~500yds ... only needed a (truly traditional lofted blade) 4 iron to get pin high. Just barely missed the eagle putt. Them LA GOLF folks might be on to something! 

 

And an interesting thing ... I'd forgotten I put X100s in the Nikes. A flushed 4 iron blade with those is a lovely feeling. 🙂

 

Fun 9 holes. Super stoked to get my gamers back together. 

[NCLancer]

56 minutes ago, NJBigFish22 said:

I am using the TM BRNR mini driver.  Right now it’s still set at 13.5*,.  I am also able to hit it well off the deck, so it can act as a strong 3W.  Eventually I may demo the Qi10, but for some reason the mini suits me. 

[mshills]

I remember playing very many sets of irons with X100 or S300, and the odd S400s. Nothing feels better! (The S400 not so much.)

[chisag]

19 minutes ago, mshills said:

I remember playing very many sets of irons with X100 or S300, and the odd S400s. Nothing feels better! (The S400 not so much.)

 

 

... Amen. One of the reason I decided to go on staff with Tommy Armour was the Tour Lite shaft offered in the 845's. Starting out with persimmon, Wilson MBs and and HT100 balata balls, I have always had a smooth swing and sometimes too smooth leaving attainable distance on the table. I started playing with DGX100's and went to DGS200's but when I hit the Tommy Armour Tour Lite shafts it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders swing. They were a much better fit for me than Dynamic Gold shafts. WI played KB Tour shafts when they were released before starting down the road of graphite iron shafts, and I have been there ever since. Obviously aene is a beast and his arms pistons from years of playing drums. 😎

[aenemated]

Hell, the only thing I played for ... I dunno, like 25 years was S400s. 

 

Oh, those halcyon days when the extent of a fitting was "Which Dynamic Golds do you want?" 

[imkirby34]

Speaking of trying to get a HIO..

 

 

[mshills]

8 hours ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Amen. One of the reason I decided to go on staff with Tommy Armour was the Tour Lite shaft offered in the 845's. Starting out with persimmon, Wilson MBs and and HT100 balata balls, I have always had a smooth swing and sometimes too smooth leaving attainable distance on the table. I started playing with DGX100's and went to DGS200's but when I hit the Tommy Armour Tour Lite shafts it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders swing. They were a much better fit for me than Dynamic Gold shafts. WI played KB Tour shafts when they were released before starting down the road of graphite iron shafts, and I have been there ever since. Obviously aene is a beast and his arms pistons from years of playing drums. 😎

100% certain the DG weren’t the best fit for me, but who knew? I hit shots with a higher, flatter (better) trajectory with the PX 6.0 but did not like the way they felt. The DG just felt like golf to me. 
 

X100 was my preference, best setup I had were Ping i5 in x100. Could never play those today (one major factor) but have great memories of some good golf. 

[touch]

8 hours ago, imkirby34 said:

Speaking of trying to get a HIO..

 

 

 

Crazy. I thought I saw one drop. 

[Double Mocha Man]

13 hours ago, Hickory4ever said:

Oh and my HIO drought continues.

 

Yours is coming soon! You are overdue. And I believe the rule is if you hit a hickory tree using a hickory shafted Club and the ball rolls into the hole it is legit.😁