Intro: New to Phoenix / GolfWRX - from New England

[sdemo]

Morning, Gentlemen - The regional sections of GolfWRX seem to act as the "Plenty of Fish" of golf. Considering I'm new here and am, essentially, courting you all - here goes:

 

Bio:

I moved to Phoenix (Biltmore area) just shy of a year ago. Between moving, starting a new job and house hunting, I've struggled to play as little as twice a month. That said, I have played a variety of courses in the area - Southern Dunes is my favorite thus far - and in the last two GolfHub tournaments. My Phoenix golfing experience has been positive so far, but I'm growing tired of being paired up with high handicappers while playing hurry-up-and-wait 5+ hour rounds. I'm looking for a solid group!

 

Vital Stats:

Age - 25

Handicap - 3

5-iron Distance - 200 yards

Ball flight - Mid/High Draw

 

Likes:

Trees (N/A in Phoenix, I know)

Walking-friendly golf courses

3.5 hour rounds

Wide-open fairways

Soft / fast / rolled greens

Sub-$75 greens fees

Early morning tee times

Best-balls and scrambles

 

Dislikes:

White belts

Cargo shorts

Shot golf / short courses (Superstition Springs comes to mind)

Boring / Flat / "Traditional" courses (Orange Tree, etc.)

Bermuda grass

5 hour rounds

 

I'll be around and look forward to talking to / meeting you all. If you're ever looking for a 4th or have a line on a good course / deal, let me know!

 

Steve

[YMark]

I sometimes wear a white belt, so I'm out. Bummer.

[chsneggs]

plenty funny,

even though I agree with you the white belt stance killed you,

I am sure you meant an tasteless white belt display .....

[sdemo]

The white belt certainly has it's place in the Ladie's locker room.


Really though, it's no deal-breaker (of course). I'm a bit jaded as my old boss used to wear a white shirt, white pants, white belt and white shoes. A bit too matchy...

[chiromikey]

white belt goes with shite shoes so you might have to put up with it if we play together...but the all white look is a bit much.

i'm available for southern dunes just about any morning with a few days notice.

[sdemo]

I may have to rescind my statement about white belts or I'll never get a group, lol...



Southern Dunes is showing at $69 for 7:36AM / 7:52AM on Saturday, 4/27. I may book one of those times if any of you want to join.

[fore_life]

I'd invite you to play, but I'm worried that if you're not a fan of white belts, what are you gonna do about neon pink or red belts haha.

Are you ever free to play during the week?

[sdemo]

Just booked 7:36AM on 4/27 at Southern Dunes. 3 slots left!



EDIT: Really can't play during the week. I have the min. number of vacation days since I recently moved to another job/company. I reserve those for trips/tournaments back home in CT.

[Sean2]

Greetings and Welcome to GolfWRX!

ps: I live in New England and you wouldn't want to play golf with me though. I do play fast, and I don't where a white belt, but I don't hit the ball a mile and I'm a mid-HI. :-)

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I rock the white belt too albeit never with black pants/shorts.

Count me out on Southern Dunes, they ruined that place in my book

Ever interested in playing Wekopa Saguaro or Vista Verde let me know, those are my two main tracks

[sdemo]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1366680418' post='6896915']
ps: I live in New England and you wouldn't want to play golf with me though. I do play fast, and I don't where a white belt, but I don't hit the ball a mile and I'm a mid-HI. :-)
[/quote]

Sean, I'll play with anybody... as long as you dont sandbag (and I'm sure you don't), we'd find a match that'd work. Haven't played much South of Boston, but I'll be back for the Little Brown Jug at Waconah (near Pittsfield).


[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1366681343' post='6897039']
I rock the white belt too albeit never with black pants/shorts.

Count me out on Southern Dunes, they ruined that place in my book

Ever interested in playing Wekopa Saguaro or Vista Verde let me know, those are my two main tracks
[/quote]

I've played both. Vista Verde is a great track - just a bit far out there. I played Wekopa once and had a less than desirable experience with their bermuda rough - felt like I was playing off a fluffy brillo pad. I'm due for a return to both, though.

Has Southern Dunes changed since October??

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Dunes used to be one of my top 3 tracks here, love the design love the layout loved how firm and fast it played. Played it a few weeks ago for the first time in a couple years (wasnt playing much due to injury) bunkers are ruined basically 1/32 inch of sand then hardpan dirt underneath. Wall to wall overseed which took away that natural look, plus it is playing softer than it should. They let the collars around the greens grow out a bit taking away some of the fun of putting from off the green.

Basically Troon has made it tourist friendly and it sucks

[sdemo]

Ah, understood. I like hard traps - I'm used to playing out of muddy / compact traps back home (nothing's fluffy when it rains every other day). Completely agree about the overseeding everywhere thing - makes it more of a resort type course than a desert course. The layout is what keeps me coming back. It's fair, long, and challenging. Truly a fun test.

For most of the winter, I've been playing Papago. "Normal" length par 3s and green rough are welcome.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

It sucks because I have always had a fond spot for Southern Dunes and have been able to play well out there even from the back tees. I never really made a fuss about the hour drive for me because it was worth it and that is just no longer the case IMO.

[chiromikey]

i need to work sat but let me try to move things to the afternoon and let you know tomorrow.

[Macattack]

Steve,

Would love you tee it up with you this summer. Shoot me a PM.

[sdemo]

^ Will do.


One_Putt_Blunder - Saw your "Courses to Play" sticky just now... Is TPC Champions still $49 for walkers? How walk-able is the course (long distances between holes, etc)?

[Kadin 25]

Welcome to GolfWrx!

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='sdemo' timestamp='1366734547' post='6900617']
^ Will do.


One_Putt_Blunder - Saw your "Courses to Play" sticky just now... Is TPC Champions still $49 for walkers? How walk-able is the course (long distances between holes, etc)?
[/quote]

Think it is closer to 56 bucks now, It is a very walkable course without big gaps between holes. I had two bad hips and still walked it if that gives you an idea. It is an unpublished rate so make sure to tell the shop you are walking so they charge you the correct rate. I always book directly through them and avoid golfnow etc to make sure that I dont get stuck with the higher rate.

I will be playing there a bunch next winter when I am finally strong enough to walk 18 again.

[sdemo]

That's great info. Considering Papago is charging upwards of $65/round (and, at 7400 yards, isn't much fun to walk), I've been looking elsewhere. I'll have to give the TPC a call.

[Olson12]

Steve,

Welcome to WRX. You'll find that the guys here in the southwest chapter are pretty active. I mostly only play with guys I met here. It will be nice to play with someone on my side of town for once though ha! I'm used to driving out to mesa/scottsdale area. I'm usually in for early morning weekend rounds 6/7 am and like to walk as well. Shoot me a PM and we can set something up. Again, welcome to the group.

-Blake

[natural_one]

Welcome!

White belt here.

Later.

[StarFleetGolfer]

I have a white belt too so I'm out

[sdemo]

What you guys choose to wear is on you. I judge silently.

[ricar1610]

Welcome...

You don't like bermuda - Phoenix is going to be cruel to you

Seriously though - the TPC Champions is great. Played the AZ Stroke Play there last week. Greens were up above 12 - they should be back to normal but they are smooth and fast and fairly receptive - probably more now that water has been reintroduced. They stopped watering on Tuesday before the tournament...they were slick...

I enjoy walking Papago and the rate is lower if you walk.

Good luck!

[Arizonalefty59]

Nice, I'm from Millbury,Mass.

[chiromikey]

i'm available for sat morning if you've still got an opening. can't promise an "a" game but let me know.

[sdemo]

[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1366845092' post='6911383']
Nice, I'm from Millbury,Mass.
[/quote]

Nice! Any way to get NESN here other than going with Dish? I miss Fenway...


[quote name='chiromikey' timestamp='1366868617' post='6913501']
i'm available for sat morning if you've still got an opening. can't promise an "a" game but let me know.
[/quote]

Sent you a PM.

[teejaywhy]

No belts for me. I have elastic waistbands.

*edit*
Cargos with elastic waistbands.

[sdemo]

Somehow cargo + elastic doesn't jive with your cigar and whiskey (neat) profile picture, lol.


@One_Putt_Blunder - After playing Southern Dunes on Saturday, I completely agree with your assessment of the course. They tucked the pins so, naturally, I found myself in a couple bunkers. The bunkers are essentially clay, with a top coat / dusting of sand. If your wedges have any bounce at all, it's damn near impossible to get under the ball. Considering the rather large lips on the bunkers, I found myself playing a game of chicken - opening up the face of the club and trying to hit down on / close to the ball. It was penalizing, to say the least.