TPC Stadium experience

[linkerpan]

3rd day of the trip. Is all about the experience.

 

Forget the magazine reviews, forget the haters, the Stadium course is an experience on itself. You can go to tens of thousands golf courses and never get that feeling. Socially, is the golfing version of a Lambeau Field or Fenway Park. Sure, is pricey, is neat, is all what a TPC should be, but then, there is the feeling any golf lover, no matter class will really enjoy this track.

 

Now, about the experience: first class range, beautiful chipping and putting areas. Actually, the putting green plays exactly, speed-wise, to the conditions of the course, not like in Champions or WeKoPa the previous days. I lost my putter cover and before the tee time the ranger was waiting for me with it. Nice hole 19th, with local brews and good food. Unforgettable, my tee shot in 13th hole falling in the middle of the two fairways, close to the place where fans remove the boulder for Tiger Woods. Unforgettable, pitching wedge to a few feet from the flag on the 16th hole and pairing it. Unforgettable, driving the 17th hole. Unforgettable, making par in my finishing hole after a complicated second shot. I can hit the same shots in any other golf course and won't even remember.

 

The good: Very good forecaddie, spotless course, premium environment, again, the experience.

The bad: will always be pricey, not many comforts once on the course.

[Birddog2]

My experience at PGA West was during the 1986 Skins' Game w/Jack, Arnie, Lee and Fuzzy. First time I saw Jack he seemed larger than life...what a treat! I now know why they referred to Arnie as the 'ole pro... that guy could wale on the ball!

[tesuquegolfer]

[quote name='linkerpan' timestamp='1357022550' post='6146959']
3rd day of the trip. Is all about the experience.

Forget the magazine reviews, forget the haters, the Stadium course is an experience on itself. You can go to tens of thousands golf courses and never get that feeling. Socially, is the golfing version of a Lambeau Field or Fenway Park. Sure, is pricey, is neat, is all what a TPC should be, but then, there is the feeling any golf lover, no matter class will really enjoy this track.

Now, about the experience: first class range, beautiful chipping and putting areas. Actually, the putting green plays exactly, speed-wise, to the conditions of the course, not like in Champions or WeKoPa the previous days. I lost my putter cover and before the tee time the ranger was waiting for me with it. Nice hole 19th, with local brews and good food. Unforgettable, my tee shot in 13th hole falling in the middle of the two fairways, close to the place where fans remove the boulder for Tiger Woods. Unforgettable, pitching wedge to a few feet from the flag on the 16th hole and pairing it. Unforgettable, driving the 17th hole. Unforgettable, making par in my finishing hole after a complicated second shot. I can hit the same shots in any other golf course and won't even remember.

The good: Very good forecaddie, spotless course, premium environment, again, the experience.
The bad: will always be pricey, not many comforts once on the course.
[/quote]

I am scheduled to play there for the first time in 2 weeks. The deal I got includes a forecaddie, or at least that was my interpretation. Would you please share how you came to get a forecaddie, whether it was included or you requested, and how much you paid/tipped. I have never used one and am worried that he/she won't groove with my style. I am used to doing my own thing, I am a 4.6 cap and I shoot my own pins with my rangefinder and know what clubs I think I should hit. I am worried I may not agree with my forecaddie and I might get stressed causing me not to enjoy my round.

[Socrates]

[quote name='tesuquegolfer' timestamp='1361919134' post='6508955']
I am scheduled to play there for the first time in 2 weeks. The deal I got includes a forecaddie, or at least that was my interpretation. Would you please share how you came to get a forecaddie, whether it was included or you requested, and how much you paid/tipped. I have never used one and am worried that he/she won't groove with my style. I am used to doing my own thing, I am a 4.6 cap and I shoot my own pins with my rangefinder and know what clubs I think I should hit. I am worried I may not agree with my forecaddie and I might get stressed causing me not to enjoy my round.
[/quote]
During certain times of the year, forecaddies are automatic (Nov-Apr). Forecaddies are way different from caddies. They will tell you certain info for on the tee -like don't hit it here- and yardage on Par 3's (on par 4's & 5's they have jogged off down the fairway to keep track of your ball(s). They won't be telling you how to play shots or what club to hit although they may give you the yardage on the fairway if they are nearby or you ask for it. I used my laser almost everywhere and he knew that I didn't need the yardage unless I asked for something. They are there to help, but not be your caddie.

[linkerpan]

You will soon get used to him, because he keeps the high handicappers in check, so you will appreciate the helps he provides keeping your mates with your pace. Like you I brought my own finder, so he was not necessary for yardage. Also I am a fast player, so I hate slow play and he helps with the pace. He will rake for you, I do appreciate that. I told him at the beginning that I like to clean my clubs, but he was helpful moving my car when I walked from the fairway to the green. I used him to record my tee shot at 16th in my iPhone.
All in my group tip him 30-35.
Remember to get early to enjoy the practice area, one of the best I have been.

[g8tor20]

PM me if anyone is going to play in the future. I have some gift cards (and bonus cards) that I would love to sell and I'd even be up to play the course with some fellow WRXers. My fiance bought me $600 worth of cards but I'm not going to just use them on friends who don't even appreciate golf. Check out my thread in the For Sale section if interested....

[tesuquegolfer]

[quote name='g8tor20' timestamp='1361926001' post='6509793']
PM me if anyone is going to play in the future. I have some gift cards (and bonus cards) that I would love to sell and I'd even be up to play the course with some fellow WRXers. My fiance bought me $600 worth of cards but I'm not going to just use them on friends who don't even appreciate golf. Check out my thread in the For Sale section if interested....
[/quote]

I bought myself 2 - $100 gift cards for Valentine's Day knowing I was going to play there and they gave me an extra $20 in gift certificates. With a recent "baseball" promo code I booked for $219 +tax which should be ~$235. Leaving me a few $ toward a hat or shirt. So, figure I will play the Stadium for $195 inc. tax after the free gift certificates deal. I usually play WeKoPa but because of the high price of a rental car during spring training, I decided to stay somewhere close to where I could be shuttled to the course and to the LPGA tournament. So, the Spring Hill Suites worked perfectly as they shuttle to both and I had enough points to stay 5 nights for free. I am still planning to play WeKoPa on Friday with a friend if we can figure out how to get out there, shuttle or taxi. It is usually the best deal for me having an OB Sports reciprocal deal from my home course here in ABQ (~$110 for the Prime rate).

[g8tor20]

Woops. I read the title and thought this was TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass. I'm a few thousand miles from you guys

[GC70]

[quote name='g8tor20' timestamp='1361927778' post='6510019']
Woops. I read the title and thought this was TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass. I'm a few thousand miles from you guys
[/quote]
Me too I thought you where talking about THE STADIUM ! I do love Scottsdale , played 3x! The fore caddies are great! Pace of play just moves its great to play the weekend after the waste management tourney.

[Josh L.]

Oh I thought this was about the Stadium at Sawgrass as well. I was going to chime in on how great my experience there was. Planning to play Scottsdale in november though, pretty excited.

[Truman]

The fore caddies primary objective at Scotsdale is to keep his players moving. They will give tips and expect to receive one as well.

[GC70]

[quote name='Truman' timestamp='1361937185' post='6511271']
The fore caddies primary objective at Scotsdale is to keep his players moving. They will give tips and expect to receive one as well.
[/quote]
The tip is in the green fee. We always gave them $10.00 per person in the 4 some plus a drink at the turn or after.

They get like $15-20 per player in the group from the green fee + tip!