[kscarrol]

I agree the lessons are where to start but club technology has really improved in the 23 years since you bought your clubs. Do several lessons playing some in between as we all can improve our swing but then I’d look to be properly fitted for some new clubs. They don’t have to be the latest/greatest as all makers still sell models that are a year or two from introduction at lower prices.

[NorCalAthlete]

I gained 30 yards going from Callaway X20 Tour irons to PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons.

Can't even imagine how you'll feel going from X12s to Gen 6+ irons lol.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

I agree the lessons are where to start but club technology has really improved in the 23 years since you bought your clubs. Do several lessons playing some in between as we all can improve our swing but then I’d look to be properly fitted for some new clubs. They don’t have to be the latest/greatest as all makers still sell models that are a year or two from introduction at lower prices.

The plan is to take 3-5 lessons before my work league starts in April. Want to start out strong.

My thoughts exactly. I don't need the best, just something better than what I currently have.

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

I gained 30 yards going from Callaway X20 Tour irons to PXG 0311 Gen 3 irons.

Can't even imagine how you'll feel going from X12s to Gen 6+ irons lol.

I would imagine it would be night and day difference! Prolly the sound and the way the ball jumps off the face would be a huge difference. Will be interesting to see what the Pro says about them. lol

[MoeTE87]

Update for everyone.

Had my first practice session with a Pro this morning and it went great. Indoor state of the art everything. Very impressive stuff.

Started out hitting 5 balls to see how my swing was looking. He was able to record my swing and pin pointed out things he said I needed to focus on.

We talked about my swing then did a few drills and minor tweaks to my hand placement on my club, then chest, shoulder and hip rotation. By the end of the 1hr 15min session, I was hitting my 9iron when I first started in the morning of 125 to the last 10 shots of the day around the 160ish mark and the ball was striking so much better. Great first day.

I am very happy I did the lesson and will be going back at least once per month until April to work on things. He gave me a few drills I can do at home to keep things in line and work on my muscle memory.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Update for everyone.

Had my first practice session with a Pro this morning and it went great. Indoor state of the art everything. Very impressive stuff.

Started out hitting 5 balls to see how my swing was looking. He was able to record my swing and pin pointed out things he said I needed to focus on.

We talked about my swing then did a few drills and minor tweaks to my hand placement on my club, then chest, shoulder and hip rotation. By the end of the 1hr 15min session, I was hitting my 9iron when I first started in the morning of 125 to the last 10 shots of the day around the 160ish mark and the ball was striking so much better. Great first day.

I am very happy I did the lesson and will be going back at least once per month until April to work on things. He gave me a few drills I can do at home to keep things in line and work on my muscle memory.

My experience with golf instruction is that the improvements are really made in practice sessions between lessons. It takes time and repetition to ingrain the new movements, especially under the pressure of a real round. I tell everyone that you should be planning numerous practice sessions between every lesson or the improvement will be incremental at best.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

My experience with golf instruction is that the improvements are really made in practice sessions between lessons. It takes time and repetition to ingrain the new movements, especially under the pressure of a real round. I tell everyone that you should be planning numerous practice sessions between every lesson or the improvement will be incremental at best.

Yeah, I agree. If the weather holds up, I plan on going to the heated driving range tomorrow during my lunch break. There is a range about 10mins from me. Easy enough to hit some balls for 30mins.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Yeah, I agree. If the weather holds up, I plan on going to the heated driving range tomorrow during my lunch break. There is a range about 10mins from me. Easy enough to hit some balls for 30mins.

Good on ya. Repeated practice of the changes taught is the only answer. IMO inexpert unprofessional opinion it is also better to do it frequently for 15-30 minutes than one 3 hour mega-session. Also better if you aren't feeling it and are frustrated stop and go back the next day. But that assumes you have the option to do it whenever you feel like it.

[jamesinaz]

Just wanted to crow to fellow golfers. Yesterday my club had a special event. We have a set of tees that make all the holes par 3s. Longest tee shot it about 170 yards. We have 6 4 man teams in a scramble type event where only one of you tees off each hole then you all play in from there. This game is all about putting and chipping.

My "A" player is a former PGA tour professional. One who was known as a good putter on the tour. Jesus that guy can putt. We won it with 6 under par and he was responsible for 3 bombs.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Spending January and February in Scottsdale Arizona. Already booked Troon’s Monument course for 1/1 to start 2025 right. Probably get in TPC Scottsdale sometime before the WM Open. Any other course recommendations in the North Scottsdale area are appreciated.

[jamesinaz]

Troon Monument is a great choice. And clearly you aren't concerned with pricing based on the two courses you mention.

IMO TPC Scottsdale is only worth playing because you see it on TV every year. We have lots of better courses here. And the cost will be high because it's on TV. Here are a few favorites. Not sure all are public.

We-Ko-Pa. Not cheap but always in good shape and great layouts. Close to home for me and I love both of them.

Pinnacle Peak Country Club - pretty sure it is private but the greens. Oh man.

Boulders is interesting and scenic. Watch out for rattlesnakes if you venture into the desert for stray balls.

Gainey Ranch. I LOVE that course. Apparently they just redid the course a few years back and they did it right.

Some I know are public and maybe a tad cheaper:

Papago - used to play professional tournaments here. Not as scenic and very challenging if you play long tees.

Tatum Ranch - a fair test of golf. Wait I think it is private.

Rancho Manana - this is a tight desert course. I probably use driver on maybe 3 holes there and at my age I am not confused with a really big hitter. Very scenic.

BTW you missed the nicest December since I moved here in 1999. I will play today in shorts and golf shirt. Just fantastic. No idea what January brings. If you are doing research and have questions on any of the courses drop a line and I'll try to help.

[NorCalAthlete]

I second We-Ko-Pa. You could spend a day there playing 36 and the practice area is pretty damn great in my humble opinion.

I also played Gainey Ranch when I was there last time - love that they mix up the rotation and it's a nice little course, with some pretty epic houses in spots along it, but I enjoyed WKP more.

I'll have to check out the others you just mentioned.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Heeding the advice I booked my second round in AZ for Sunday 1/5 at We-Ko-Pa’s Cholla course. Looks wonderful. Thanks guys!

[jamesinaz]

Hope the weather holds out. Played my home course yesterday in shorts and expect to do the same today in mid 70s, sunny and little wind. Yeah baby.

But I screwed up. 50 yards out on hole 17 par 5 in 2. All I need is par that and an easy par 4 18 and I shoot my age for the first time in my life. Stick the wedge into the ground take a bogie and the dream flops.

[MoeTE87]

I'm jealous of all you guys still playing right now! It's gross here and cold.

I have atleast 3 more months until it starts to get nice enough outside to play. Boooooooo

[MoeTE87]

Hey All!

Wife and I are looking at taking a 4-5 night trip at the end of March. We are thinking some sort of wine tasting trip or a beach trip. We have been to Destin every year for the past 8 years. Looking for somewhere fun. I am trying to tie in golfing as well as this would be a great chance for me to play somewhere different other than Cincinnati, OH.

Any thoughts on places?

We are open to wine tasting, if its in California or elsewhere or even a beach vacation that has an unbelievable resort and makes you feel like you aren't in the USA. But I would love to tie in golf if we can.

Open to other suggestions as well. We were in Sedona, AZ October 2023. Not sure if we would go back to AZ.


Thank you!

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Hey All!

Wife and I are looking at taking a 4-5 night trip at the end of March. We are thinking some sort of wine tasting trip or a beach trip. We have been to Destin every year for the past 8 years. Looking for somewhere fun. I am trying to tie in golfing as well as this would be a great chance for me to play somewhere different other than Cincinnati, OH.

Any thoughts on places?

We are open to wine tasting, if its in California or elsewhere or even a beach vacation that has an unbelievable resort and makes you feel like you aren't in the USA. But I would love to tie in golf if we can.

Open to other suggestions as well. We were in Sedona, AZ October 2023. Not sure if we would go back to AZ.


Thank you!

Napa, San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles, or Monterey would be excellent choices for California.

In Napa / around the general vicinity you have:

Yocha Dehe (~1 hour away but if you're flying out, you could fly into Sacramento and it'd be kinda in the vicinity)
Eagle Vines
Chardonnay

and a bunch more if you have partnerships with country clubs or anything or can work something out with wineries / organizers.

Paso Robles you have Hunter's Ranch along with the 805 HQ brewery which has some pretty awesome food + beer selection not sold in stores that you can pick up in cases from their warehouse near the restaurant. Paso Robles IMO rivals Napa for wineries as well.

Monterey is Monterey. If you haven't ever been / aren't familiar with the area, it's home to the world famous Pebble Beach, but also has half a dozen other much cheaper / more accessible / easier-but-still-gorgeous-views courses to play ranging from Spyglass / Spanish Bay (part of the Pebble trifecta) to Pacific Grove, Bayonet & Black Horse, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley Ranch. And of course, again, the country clubs most can't get into. Tons of wineries and such around. Easily the most expensive option on this list.

If you're willing to make a bit of a combination flight + road trip out of it, there's also Northwood, but that's a bit out of the way and doesn't have much else for everyone not golfing.

Not sure what your budget is, but if you can swing it, CA's worth it. If you want to hit more of the bay area / tour San Francisco and such (there are still plenty of wine tasting options all over the bay area), then I'd also have to throw in Half Moon Bay Ocean Course (although 16-18 on the Old Course are absolutely iconic; 1-15 are through the houses / neighborhood though), Harding Park in SF, Cinnabar in SJ, Coyote Creek Tournament Course in SJ. If you're pressed for time and just want to get pissed about how good even just a 9 hole par 3 course can be out here, go hit Mariner's Point in Foster City for a range session / quick 9.

[Quadruple VANOS]

The Monument course at Troon kicked my butt yesterday. Played the Gold tee boxes that are 140 slope so that can happen I guess, especially when my short game is so rusty. Place is really gorgeous though. Difficult to capture with an iPhone but wow.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

If you're willing to make a bit of a combination flight + road trip out of it, there's also Northwood, but that's a bit out of the way and doesn't have much else for everyone not golfing.

Love Northwood!!