Nice sticks. That Odyssey looks quite a bit like my Del Mar. I am trying to give the mallet a fair shake this season, I have used blade putters almost my entire life but keep reading that there is an advantage to using a mallet. Have never played the Left Dash balls, usually play Vice Pro Plus in the spring until the temps come up and then start digging into my Pro V stash.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Been out there a handful of times visiting my son at ASU, but have never played, sooking forward to it. Monday and Wednesday teetime already booked. See how things go, could maybe add a Friday.

where you playing?

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TPC Scottsdale- Champions course ($500 for the Stadium course is out of my comfort zone...)
Legend Trail

Trying to balance not spending a fortune, but still getting decent courses. Hard to know, because reviews can be all over the place, and even the worst courses are relatively expensive this time of year. No matter how it goes, I can try different courses next time.

I had a friend growing up that would spend a few weeks every summer in Phoenix. He played all the courses dirt cheap. The downside was, he would burst into flames if not careful...

E-mail came out yesterday from my course and they are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week so got first tee time on Saturday. Looking forward to it. Planning to head out and buy the membership after work today if the timing works out. Might try to play Friday. Staying the night in Chicago on Thursday so not sure when I would be back and try to play during the afternoon as it would likely be glacially slow.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I played Champions course last time I was there. It's nothing special.

I played Quintana and that was amazing. Cut right out of the desert. The locals all swear that We-po-ka or however it's spelled is the best course in the area.

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I looked into we-po-ka, based on reviews. My brain (and wallet) are not ready for $300 rounds.
Playing around on some of the courses websites, it looks like I need a late May golf trip. Prices are half, or more, than they are through April. Of course, the average high in late May is 97.

i went in late may and weather was fine. Dry heat nad if you tee off early you barely deal with it. Prices definitely go down at that time from what I heard. Forgot what we played for Quintana but it was definitely under $300 and it was an amazing tourist course.

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Played 9 last Saturday. A little cool and breezy, but not terrible. Course was soggy and still winter-ish, but playable. For March 8th it was just fine. Definitely felt good to be out there walking in the sunshine.

I was very rusty and was a bit of a mixed bag shot wise, but nothing unexpected the first eight holes. I had cobbled together something halfway decent on the scorecard (couple doubles, no three putts) and had a chance to break 50. Three balls in the water on #9-- with a drive in play I might add-- lead to a 10 which was not a fun way to end it. First double digit hole of the season, it would be a small miracle if it were my last.

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My course opened today at noon. It's too windy to play, but I think I will go chip and putt. I want to get outside today.

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don't kill yourself like that, double par max score on each hole. Or maybe that was a par 5 in which case continue on killing yourself

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The wind was down a bit when I left work so I played 6 holes. Three pars and three bogeys with two birdie putts that just missed. At my course if I am +3 though 6 holes I will sign up for that all summer long. The par 3's are the real defense at my club and there are two of them in the first four holes.

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Bought my pass yesterday but course was busier than I’d like so we will start today. Will be mild temps but very windy. I’ve picked up a club once since Halloween and that was before Xmas so I have very low expectations. Can’t wait to get started. Will be an odd season as one of our regulars had a heart attack and stroke and will likely be out all season. Leaves just me and a buddy so we will likely be paired with strangers all season. My partner travels a lot so I’ll be on my own a lot so not sure how that will work because I can’t make a tee time for one.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Got out yesterday. Crazy to be hot wearing pants in mid-March. Wind was nuts, but if it’s 75 in March, probably windy. Will see what weather and schedule looks like next Saturday, but might not get out again until Arizona trip in a couple weeks.

Got out and battled the winds, course was in decent shape but a lot of branches down. Usual early season stuff. Bladed a sand shot and the chipping and pitches were not very good. Always the last thing to come around. New driver and three wood appear that they will be nice additions. Might adjust the 3 wood loft up a bit from 14.5 which I believe will open the face a bit. Two doubles hurt the card. Had one shot from 138 that I had to hit a 7 iron in so essentially a 3 club wind. Had a chance to break 80 but laid the sod over a chip on 18 and then skulled it to the back of the green finishing for an 81.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I’m pretty sure if you loft up, go from 14.5 to 15.5, you actually close the face. Took me forever to understand the physics behind this but I’m 99% certain this is the case.

Played three times this past week, two at my home course and first round elsewhere. 72, 79 and 76. All from the back tees. An eagle and 6 birdies in the three rounds.

Debating on trading in on an Elyte triple diamond driver through Callaways site, their 150% deal on trades ends tomorrow. Bad thing is I haven’t hit the Elyte yet.

You appear to be right regarding the club face. I always thought it worked the other way. I’ve had a 13 degree degree 3 wood before and just a bit too difficult to hit it consistently off the ground. I’ll just give it a bit more time to figure out. The TSR woods felt really good and the ball was flying off the face. Nice start for you out of the gates.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Had tee times both days this weekend but the pro shop called my buddy and told him the course is closed this weekend. Hitting balls at the range tomorrow morning, might be a blessing in disguise.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

After a long off season this weekend should be the start of golf season. Courses are officially open and while we have 10am tee times tomorrow that gets pushed ahead to 8am for next weekend. No big expectations this year, hoping to improve on my stats like I try to every year. After my initial round two weeks ago I am very optimistic about the new driver off the tee and hopefully can get the 3 wood dialed in as well. I'll try again to get in roughly 70 rounds or more this year.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Hope I didn't blow my load in my first full round of the year. I shot 75 with four 3 putts. Couldn't have hit the ball any better. I hit 11 greens and was busting my driver. Shot 81 on Sunday with a rough start, but a really good back (43-38). I have been doing golf specific exercises at home with bands and a WeckMethod RMT Club thing I bought. Early returns are encouraging. Who knew that actually working on your game can help?

I also have been reading a book I highly recommend called The Four Foundations of Golf: How to Build a Game That Lasts a Lifetime. It's not an instructional golf book, it's more about golf philosophy and the mental approach to the game and matching your expectations to your abilities. For example, after going through the stats of golfers at all levels of proximity to the hole from 100-125 yards out the author concludes that hitting the ball anywhere on the green should be celebrated, not expected. It's been a great read so far.

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I played Saturday. Had a 10am tee time and was taking my time in the morning and walked the dog with my wife. I got back and saw I missed a call from my buddy 20 minutes prior. I called him back and he said the course was letting people out since the weather was decent. I was so pissed. Got my shit together and got out there by 8:30 to tee off. I was just frazzled and not warmed up. Got off to a poor start and it never really got better. Only hit 3 greens and I was 2 for 8 getting up and down. Couple of water balls and two three putts. Really wanted to get out yesterday and rectify some of the issues but the radar scared us off and from what I heard we would have gotten soaked.

Nice start Franky.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

All you fellow golfers need to follow "Your Chicago Weather" on FB. He tells you no one can accurately predict the weather in any given location at any time, but he gives you the "science" behind forecasting and why things may, or may not, happen. When it comes golf and potential weather he is all I pay attention to. So many people just look at an app and see rain at some point during the day and don't go out to play.

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Played my first round of desert golf today at Legend Trail in Scottsdale. With never playing out here, happy with it as one of my choices. Course was in good shape, and greens were as fast as anything I play around Chicagoland. Hit the ball well, outside of two horrible double bogeys. Made up for one of them by holing out from 95 yards for eagle on 18. Finished with 75 (+3).

Playing again Wednesday, and maybe squeeze another round in Thursday or Friday.

Looks like two rounds of golf this weekend but likely frost delays each morning. Oh well. Just hoping to start hitting the ball with a bit more consistency. My course is closed next Saturday so was thinking of heading down to Pine Meadow and hitting an extra large bucket of balls and spending some time in the bunkers and working on chipping for a few hours in the morning.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

got my big golf trip coming up first week of June. The Wisconsin circuit this year.

Thursday: TBD (maybe Brown Deer or Thunderhawk) followed by overnight stay downtown Milwaukee
Friday: Whistling Straits followed by amazing fish fry at Wendt's and then travel to hotel in Ripon
Saturday: All day at Lawsonia
Sunday: Washington County on the way to airport



But here is the best part. Me and my partner are gonna step up our matching outfit game this year. He agreed to wear whatever I get him. So full knickers outfit it is!

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Played TPC Scottsdale-Champions Wednesday (-1 thru 12, finished +3 (74) Not overly impressed with the course, and with all the options to try, won't play it again on a future trip.

Added McDowell Mountain on Thursday. Guys I played with were older, so played short tees (5,900 yards). Kept driver in the bag most of the day, and hit it really well (17 GIR). Shot 68 (-4) with 2 bogeys. One was a 3 putt. The other a par 3 that I chunked the tee shot into the desert, then re-hit and almost "aced" it for par and had 2" bogey putt.

Playing The Preserve in Wooddale on Sunday. Will have to stream the Masters in the background.

Sounds like you are having a pretty good trip. Nice.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

You're flying to Milwaukee?

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Weather finally seems to be breaking I think which is good news for us golfers. Didn't get to play Saturday as they had a 27 hole scramble event. Apparently -21 under won. My buddy was in it and said it took 8 hours to play. Exactly why I don't sign up for those anymore. Kind of fun but VERY slow playing in 8-somes. Got out yesterday just two of us and we got in 18 under two hours and was heading home before 10am. Perfect. Course really starting to dry out and I finally started hitting the ball better. A couple of chili dipped chips but started making some putts so it was enjoyable. Headed to Charlotte this week to visit my mom. We will play 18 one day and I usually enjoy playing the old set of Mizuno blades and Cleveland wedges I have at her house. Also usually an opportunity to hit one tee shot with the old Ping Zing 1 iron.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Played some 9 holers in less than ideal weather conditions with mixed results- 1 good round, 1 very poor round. Another so so.
Won our Mustard Jacket tournament with a fairly high score last month. Two 8's and a 7 on par threes , but very good short game outside of those two ridiculous efforts.
Shot an 85 last week Monday in some brutal winds at Coyote Run. Drained a few medium length putts (~12') and got up and down 3 times out of bunkers.

With life and baseball season starting (Pinto this year), I haven't been able to get out consistently. But overall optimistic with where the game is. I've figured some things out that I was doing wrong and when I manage to eliminate those issues (lifting up an d too quick on the takeaway, outside in swing plane), the ballstriking has been quite good. I have been pleased with the early season results here.

Hope the weather treats us better in May and you all can get out more and play well too.

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