Ever been so pumped to play a nice course...

[Potatohead]

Only to be disappointed after?

I'm not really talking about when you play badly, more so from another situation that was just a bit of a let down.

It has happened twice to me. First time was I was in San Diego and went to play Torrey, and the greens were all sanded, big time. That was a bit of a bummer overall but it was still cool to be there.

Second one was at Doral, I played the Blue but I didn't get to finish as play was quite slow (pace was about 5.25 hours), and that was after I paid $240 bloody dollars to play it. I didn't get to play 17 or 18 and hinted in the Pro Shop afterwards it would be nice to get $50 back or something. They did offer a rain check for nine holes but seeing as how I live 3000 miles away that was kind of useless to me. I could have sold it I guess. I also felt very out of place, the whole place was quite snobby (and I am not a slob by any means).

My best experience was probably at Pumpkin Ridge.

Anyway, any other experiences?

[bigred90gt]

I had a rather disappointing experience playing Restone, where the Shell Houston Open is played. during tournament conditions, the course is phenomenal. It's condition is better than anything I have ever seen. The 2 times I played it, the condition was no better than any other decent public course, but you still paid a premium rate. The rate they charge (I think it is $175 peak and $125 twilight now) MIGHT be worth it if you can get a tee time shortly after the SHO, but in other times of the year, I wouldnt spend more than $50 to play there. that was MY experience with it a couple of years ago anyway. It cold have changed by now, but I wont be spending the money to find out.

[bvmagic]

TPC Sawgrass for me. This was before they had that huge clubhouse and still had the pyramid shaped one. Greens didn't look good and were running slower than the courses I usually play. Staff and everything else was fine though. Just bad timing.

[fatmouse]

kapalua was pretty overpriced for what it is

[fairwayallday]

I thought kapalua was great, one of the hardest courses I've played with the wind, greens etc.

My bad experience was also Torrey. Played it 6-8 months before the 08 open and it was in "under construction".

Even if that were not the case, I would not pay to play there again. You pay that price because you are there, not for course conditions, if that makes sense...

[PostandGhost]

Bandon Dunes

[Pit_Man]

TPC Scottsdale. Its all about the finishing holes. The rest was disappointing. In particular, the staff- which at those prices is inexcusable.

[Stick Shootin]

Damn I love playing Torrey Pines and it is pretty cheap for a resident of San Diego being about 35-45 bucks. You need to come back when the greens are in good shape. That is great that you had a good time at Pumpkin Ridge. I played there about 3-4 years ago and it is a beautiful course! Loved everything about it.

[quote name='Potatohead' timestamp='1306447034' post='3265104']
I'm not really talking about when you play badly, more so from another situation that was just a bit of a let down.

It has happened twice to me. First time was I was in San Diego and went to play Torrey, and the greens were all sanded, big time. That was a bit of a bummer overall but it was still cool to be there.

Second one was at Doral, I played the Blue but I didn't get to finish as play was quite slow (pace was about 5.25 hours), and that was after I paid $240 bloody dollars to play it. I didn't get to play 17 or 18 and hinted in the Pro Shop afterwards it would be nice to get $50 back or something. They did offer a rain check for nine holes but seeing as how I live 3000 miles away that was kind of useless to me. I could have sold it I guess. I also felt very out of place, the whole place was quite snobby (and I am not a slob by any means).

My best experience was probably at Pumpkin Ridge.

Anyway, any other experiences?
[/quote]

[Potatohead]

[quote name='Stick Shootin' timestamp='1306517053' post='3267105']
Damn I love playing Torrey Pines and it is pretty cheap for a resident of San Diego being about 35-45 bucks. You need to come back when the greens are in good shape. That is great that you had a good time at Pumpkin Ridge. I played there about 3-4 years ago and it is a beautiful course! Loved everything about it.

[quote name='Potatohead' timestamp='1306447034' post='3265104']
I'm not really talking about when you play badly, more so from another situation that was just a bit of a let down.

It has happened twice to me. First time was I was in San Diego and went to play Torrey, and the greens were all sanded, big time. That was a bit of a bummer overall but it was still cool to be there.

Second one was at Doral, I played the Blue but I didn't get to finish as play was quite slow (pace was about 5.25 hours), and that was after I paid $240 bloody dollars to play it. I didn't get to play 17 or 18 and hinted in the Pro Shop afterwards it would be nice to get $50 back or something. They did offer a rain check for nine holes but seeing as how I live 3000 miles away that was kind of useless to me. I could have sold it I guess. I also felt very out of place, the whole place was quite snobby (and I am not a slob by any means).

My best experience was probably at Pumpkin Ridge.

Anyway, any other experiences?
[/quote]
[/quote]

Pumpkin is awesome. I have played it twice (the public course, Ghost Creek I think) and both times it was very quiet, and the condition is phenomenal. Literally carpets for fairways.

[Pepperturbo]

I do my level best never to have expectations... especially, when it comes to playing named courses. I play what I get. Holding expectations can quickly ruin most any event... it can quicken tempo, and influence judgment in the wrong direction, even ruin ones game. The point of new experiences it to enjoy them.

That subject kinda reminds me of my bachelor days - heading out a blind date, thanks for attentive friends. It's better to show up with no expectations, so I could at least have a good time, and maybe..., verses expectations of the perfect woman, and be disappointed every time I rang a door bell.

[brentk14]

[quote name='From_Parts_Unknown' timestamp='1306497392' post='3266409']
Bandon Dunes
[/quote]

Can you explain a little on this? I had an outstanding time there. Haven't heard many people say it was a let down.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='brentk14' timestamp='1306523886' post='3267373']
[quote name='From_Parts_Unknown' timestamp='1306497392' post='3266409']
Bandon Dunes
[/quote]

Can you explain a little on this? I had an outstanding time there. Haven't heard many people say it was a let down.
[/quote]

Indeed. We would like to know what was disappointing about Bandon?

[hoganfan924]

Dub's Dread. Overrated!

[In2Bate]

For me it was Rich Harvest Farms. Not that it was bad but the grounds were awesome. The locker room was awesome. The range was awesome. Course condition was great. The course itself (layout, variety, fun, etc) was just average. Overrated in my book.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I had the opposite happen. I played Spyglass Hill for my 21st birthday, when we got to Monterey Friday afternoon it was 70 degrees and sunny going along with the weather forecast for the weekend of sun sunshine. Well when I woke up in the morning it was pouring down rain and the forecast had changed to rain and wind all day long much to my dissapointment. My first mistake was not planning for any possible changes in weather and trusting the forecast. I only had a light shell to wear. Well this is where I was blown away by the staff in the shop a Spyglass. One of the guys was about my height and build went to his car and let me borrow his nice and very expensive FJ rain suit, I told him at first that the rain realy didn't bug me, but he insisted I wear it to make the round as enjoyable as possible for me on my birthday. Needless to say I was completely blown away, and went out and played in the worst conditions I have ever played in. By the end of the round the rain was coming down sideways and the temperature dropped into the low 50's. It was the happiest I have ever been to shoot in the 90's

[Poser]

Pinehurst #2 for me. This is the most overpirced course ever for what you get. Much better courses here in NC for hundreds less.

[Subsonic]

Sadly, I too have had this experience. I have played courses that I thought were a let down. I feel I thought about it so much prior to playing that anything would have fell short of my expectations.

OTOH, I have had some really great rounds while on business travel playing a course that I knew nothing about. With no expectations anything that is affordable and in good condition is a bonus!

[Shambles]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1306518530' post='3267170']
I do my level best never to have expectations... especially, when it comes to playing named courses. I play what I get. Holding expectations can quickly ruin most any event... it can quicken tempo, and influence judgment in the wrong direction, even ruin ones game. The point of new experiences it to enjoy them.

That subject kinda reminds me of my bachelor days - heading out a blind date, thanks for attentive friends. It's better to show up with no expectations, so I could at least have a good time, and maybe..., verses expectations of the perfect woman, and be disappointed every time I rang a door bell.
[/quote]

I totally agree with this point of view and attitude. Life is much more pleasant when we are prepared to expect surprises rather than be dictating expectations.


Shambles

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='fatmouse' timestamp='1306448566' post='3265162']
kapalua was pretty overpriced for what it is
[/quote]
What didn't you like?

For me TPC Stadium. Not nearly as difficult as I expected. Condition was good.

[Misplacedtxn]

I've been disappointed twice. Once at river's edge in shallotte, NC. The greens were gone. They were about to renovate and apparently decided to just let the existing greens burn out. The other was just bad luck. We flew up to long island 07. Well I was planning on getting to play the BP black or at least the red. There was a late freeze and the course did not open. Not sure when I will get back up to long island, or even NYC with a car to get out to BP.