Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

10 hours ago, islesmb said:

Moorland was always my favorite of the three courses there back in the good ol days of the Legends. I haven’t played there in years. Don’t want to deal with the 5 hour rounds.

 

Is there any time of the year in which they don't do split tees? Normally one can get in a quick round by being one of the first groups out, but the whole split tee thing just makes it a train wreck. 

 

[islesmb]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Is there any time of the year in which they don't do split tees? Normally one can get in a quick round by being one of the first groups out, but the whole split tee thing just makes it a train wreck. 

 

Not at Legends no.

[dougieb42]

Arg - Having read your comments on # of bukers on a golf course, there's a discussion over on Golf Club Atlas about that very topic.

This is one of the suggestions:

At what number of bunkers is a course .....
Heavily bunkered?  125+
Average bunkered?  100-110
Moderately bunkered?  40-70
Sparsely bunkered?  35 or fewer
This week’s pro your event has 80+...TPC Craig Ranch north of Dallas

 

What do you consider when you are looking for bunkers while you are playing?

 

 

[Argonne69]

23 minutes ago, dougieb42 said:

Arg - Having read your comments on # of bukers on a golf course, there's a discussion over on Golf Club Atlas about that very topic.

This is one of the suggestions:

At what number of bunkers is a course .....
Heavily bunkered?  125+
Average bunkered?  100-110
Moderately bunkered?  40-70
Sparsely bunkered?  35 or fewer
This week’s pro your event has 80+...TPC Craig Ranch north of Dallas

 

What do you consider when you are looking for bunkers while you are playing?

 

 

I don't think it has anything to do with the numbers. There are plenty of courses that have bunkers where I scratch my head and wonder why they're there. Many don't come into play for the better player, and the bogie+ golfer is just going to get beat up. A fairway bunker 100 yds off the tee? Might look good, but it's kind of pointless. 

 

Obviously there are fairway bunkers that simply catch offline tee shots. Fine. I like an occasional one that pinches the fairway, so you have a choice to make. Lay back or risk hitting to the narrow portion of the fairway. An occasional bunker in the middle of the fairway adds risk. 

 

Doglegs should almost always have an inside bunker that makes one decide if trying to carry it is a wise play. The outside corner should also have a bunker to catch dreaded straight balls. A dogleg with a pond on the inside corner is served by a waste bunker running along its edge. 

 

Par 5s need a couple near the landing area pinching the landing zone. Short 4s need bunches of them. Lol.

 

Greenside bunkering need more than a couple to be interested. Don't think every green on a course needs a deep front bunker, but at least a third should have them, especially if the green is angled and there's an option for a back pin. 

 

If there's water near the green, it's nice to have a bunker to collect minor misses so that they don't end up wet. Same with back bunkers if there's a PA long. 

 

So, at least two fairway bunkers for each par 4, four for each par 5, and three for each green. That's 98 to be average. 

 

[Argonne69]

Good day to take the day off. Heavy rains passed through the area early this morning, and there were a few brief showers at times. Probably would have been a bit of a soggy round. 

 

Spent a couple of hours at Brookgreen Gardens. Part sculpture garden, part botanical garden, and part lowcountry zoo. I believe the property used to be a rice plantation. Good workout without having to look for golf balls. Lol. Probably walked 5 miles. Certainly more serene than waiting to hit a shot on a crowded golf course. Attendance was pretty low today. 

 

Two minor complaints. First, many of the sculptures face south, so you can't see many of the details with the backing sun. Second, it would be nice if they painted a thin line on the pavement to follow to make sure you see the entire park. I think I hit most everything, but I did get turned around a couple of times wondering if I should go right or left. 

 

Definitely enjoyed the visit. Not sure how often they change the sculptures, but I can see visiting occasionally to get away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qv3kmo8s4rnar5bhme44o/AHoH1M0qPzn4fITKBFcVe1c?rlkey=3njiglcwnoys4fndgz694gzqn&st=0mxhs2dv&dl=0

 

[caniac6]

One of our favorite spots. I think the outdoor sculptures are mostly permanent. They do change the art in the galleries near the restaurant. It’s been a few years since we have been there. Might have to make a trip in the fall.

[buckI]

Arg,  did you play a lot of early morning rounds in Chicago and what was pace of play there?   I know at our club early morning is usually 3:30 to 3:45 for a foursome but by late morning to early afternoon it is pushing 4:30.  We can even tell which groups will slow the pace.

[Argonne69]

8 hours ago, buckI said:

Arg,  did you play a lot of early morning rounds in Chicago and what was pace of play there?   I know at our club early morning is usually 3:30 to 3:45 for a foursome but by late morning to early afternoon it is pushing 4:30.  We can even tell which groups will slow the pace.

 

Yes, almost all of my rounds we early morning rounds. 'Not quite as early as I play now, but with traffic heading back into the city getting heavy in the early afternoon, I tried to be finished before 1 pm.

 

There are close to 200 courses in the Chicago area. A handful are notorious for slow play (e.g. George Dunne), but most are acceptable. I avoided the slow ones. There are only a couple of courses that are housing development layouts, as most of the courses are older parkland ones that were built before the whole housing development course boom began. As such, the flat layouts are fairly conducive to faster play.  Teeboxes are close to the previous green. Not a ton of areas to lose a ball. Most big misses can be easily found and played from an adjacent fairway. 

 

Don't recall a single course that required a cart at the time I left. I believe a couple now require carts. Most of the courses I played regularly had a heavy concentration of walkers. Players went straight to their balls, whereas many riders would sit in the cart watching their playing partner hit. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Wonderful morning. Nice change of pace. Instead of the grinding split tee round, I played an out and back design that doesn't do split tees, so I was able to get out and basically have the course to myself. I joined a member on the first tee, but since he was riding I told him to go ahead, and I played as a single. Nice three hour hike on a picturesque course. 

 

Played the Fazio Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf today. I played the Dye course three years ago on the first leg of the journey. Very nice parkland layout with only a couple of homes visible. The course is split by highway SC-31, so unfortunately quite a few holes had road noise. Not a lot of elevation change, Fairway bunkering was very good. Plentiful with a handful of long waste bunkers. Greenside was equally good. Water in play on 17 holes. Seven holes with left/right movement, including two that I guess you could call doglegs. 

 

Let's call this moderately difficult off the tee. Most fairways were quite generous, but bunkers were in play, and there were a couple of short forced carries. Minor misses would find the generous rough. Big misses that weren't wet were lost in the dense trees/junk. 

 

Approaches were mixed. Plenty of greens with light defenses with open fronts, but a handful had solid bunkering. Greens were very benign with light contouring and slope. Putting was rather straightforward. Up and downs were also pretty easy if you weren't in one of the deep greenside bunkers. 

 

The five par 3s were decent with sufficient trouble. Water in play on all of them. Variety of length was meh, however. Played 9i to 5i. No short or long one. Except for the 10th, the par 5s were a little lackluster. The 10th was a very good risk/reward hole with the green tucked behind a pond with deep front bunkering. The sole short par 4 15th was benign. 

 

Other than the bunkers, conditions were very good. Fairways were in nice shape. Rough was cut low. Bunkers were terrible. Standing water in many. Hardpan was common. Several were groomed, but the "sand" was more mud than sand. Many of the bunkers were deep and in need of steps given the steep banks. Many of them had deep footprints from players trying to get out of them. Greens looked great, but unfortunately the morning dew had them rolling no more than 9. Might have been pushing 10 on the closing holes. 

 

Played the Black tees at 6350 yds on the par 71 layout (71.0/136). No idea where that slope came from. Another solid day ballstriking. Wedges saved more than a few pars. Putter should have been golden on the easy greens, but it couldn't get a ball to the hole. Five bogies. Shots of the round were a few flip wedges on the long par 4s that led to easy pars. Highlight of the round was being out on a scenic course without having to fret about the pile up at the turn. Also, I had fun chatting with the marshal and cart girl. The marshal grew up in Chicago, and we had plenty to chat about. The cart girl cracked me up when she pulled up and said that it was nice to see someone actually walking the course. She attended college outside of Chicago, and played on the golf team, so we talked about the courses that we had both played. 

 

Going with 6 cows. Better contouring on the greens would have given it seven. Very nice looking course, and plenty penal if you're not straight, but the greens are ho hum. Needs a short and long par 3, and a tough short par 4. The $175 weekday rate wasn't crazy, but its certainly not a budget course. Very playable, but I don't think it's a must play. 

 

[Argonne69]

Barefoot Resort & Golf, Fazio Course, North Myrtle Beach, SC 

 

Good morning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go or no-go on the par 5 10th 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/nmr9x0zn8nu320wl98q9w/AHAoBfndAndn-WnUaWYY3nA?rlkey=yhppwe0bv6tjmumhzhz1fwamp&st=oq75t17r&dl=0

 

Edited May 5 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Liberty Tap Room and Grill. Visited 3 years ago. 48 taps with a very nice selection, but alas, no Belgians. They did have two imperial stouts, so I opted for a Collective Arts (Hamilton, ON) Origin of Darkness BBA Old Fashioned Imperial Stout. 

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

7 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Liberty Tap Room and Grill. Visited 3 years ago. 48 taps with a very nice selection, but alas, no Belgians. They did have two imperial stouts, so I opted for a Collective Arts (Hamilton, ON) Origin of Darkness BBA Old Fashioned Imperial Stout. 

 

 

 

That's darker than my morning espresso!

[Argonne69]

43 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

That's darker than my morning espresso!

 

Lol. The funny thing is that a stout is a lighter beer than a regular ale. If you've ever had a black and tan, the stout floats on top.

 

 

[Argonne69]

Took a refreshing swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Can't remember the past time I took a dip in it. 25 years ago during a cruise to the Bahamas? Water temp was very nice. Winds were coming off the ocean and waves were ~2 feet. Took a bit of a beating. Lol. 

 

 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Took a refreshing swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Can't remember the past time I took a dip in it. 25 years ago during a cruise to the Bahamas? Water temp was very nice. Winds were coming off the ocean and waves were ~2 feet. Took a bit of a beating. Lol. 

 

 

 

 

When I  was a kid we took many vacations to Miami.  My little sister and I loved to run and jump in the ocean... spend hours in the water.

 

Then we took a vacation to Long Beach, California.  Little sister and I ran and jumped into the ocean.  Then we instantly jumped out.

 

We didn't know oceans were different temperatures... just stupid little kids.

[Argonne69]

Enjoyable last day in Myrtle Beach. Split tees isn't my cup of tea, especially when I'm in the lead group that makes the turn in 90 minutes, but at least this wasn't a grind. I can live with 4 hours. Pesky clouds kept blocking the sun. Nice that they allow walking, but am I the only person in Myrtle Beach who walks? 

 

Prestwick Country Club today. The parkland course was designed by Pete and P.B. Dye. Minus the greens, there were plenty of Pete's signature design elements. Greens were as boring as I've ever seen on one of his courses. The layout routes through a housing development, but the homes were pushed back for the most part. The back nine was more interesting than the front, but unfortunately I started on the 10th. Not a ton of elevation change, but it had its moments. Did a good job sculpting the mounds on many holes. Fairway bunkering was a little light, but there were some nice waste bunkers. Greenside bunkering was a little better. The volcano bunker on the 18th was interesting. Water in play on 8 holes. Only four holes with gentle left/right movement. 

 

I thought it was pretty easy off the tee with light bunkering and only a couple of short forced carries. Minor misses would find the generous, low cut rough. Big misses would likely clip a tree and stay in play, but there was plenty of OB out there. 

 

Approaches were a little more challenging. Pete loves his angled greens, especially with water in front. Greens were downright boring. Gentle contouring and slope. Bury a few elephants. Putting was dead simple. Up and downs were mixed. Miss in the right spot and it was a straightforward chip. Still plenty of chances to shortside yourself from a low spot. 

 

Par 3s were pretty good. A couple had that signature Dye look with the diagonal PA bounded by wood ties. Decent amount of trouble. The 5th was no slouch, but the 13th with the carry over a pond was the best of the bunch. Nice mix of lengths ranging from PW to FW. Par 5s were decent. Two were reachable, but not sure I'd call them risk/reward. The 9th was a slight sweeper left with water on that side, and hugging that side knocked off a few yards. The four short par 4s weren't particularly interesting. 

 

Conditions were a little spotty for the price. Several teeboxes were rough. Fairways were pretty thin. Rough was cut low. Bunkers needed sand and grooming. Greens looked great. Speed was barely 9. 

 

Played the White tees at 6347 yds (72.2/138). Simply no idea where that rating and slope came from. Did the raters visit the right course? Solid day ballstriking, but I did leave a couple of irons out to the right. Wedges were spot on. Putter was meh on the slow greens. Two birdies, four bogies, and a double. Shot of the day was the approach on the par 5 17th. The pin was tucked back right next to the pond, but I was playing for the left half of the green with a 9i. Hit a dreaded str8 ball directly at the pin that landed 10 feet short, and settled two feet past the hole. Whew. 

 

Going stingy here with 5 cows. Not the first time Pete has gotten five from me. The greens need to be bulldozed. Can't recall a more boring set of greens on a Dye design. Could use more risk on the par 5s. Short 4s also need a few fangs. No walking rate, and the $160 weekday rate is at least $60 too high. Glad I checked off my 41st Pete Dye layout, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return. 

 

[Argonne69]

Prestwick Country Club, Myrtle Beach, SC (#10 Start) 

 

 

Nice clouds early 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qym5cvxctn9pr3rouiudg/AEfXDCW9KGAkj47bucdwhjg?rlkey=38vb8ie9e1yowlkdl2lhn25bw&st=kamblo0y&dl=0

 

Edited May 6 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Last day in this RV resort in Myrtle Beach, so I couldn't let a water slide go to waste. Lol. I haven't been on a water slide in 20+ years. After a quick dip in the pool to cool off, it was off to the racer slide and tube slide. Skipped the lazy river. Too tame. You're never too old to have a happy childhood. 

 

 

 

Booked a round of golf in Wilmington for Thursday at Beau Rivage, and Saturday at Carolina National. Weather looks spotty with a chance for rain. 

 

Tried to get a tee time at Wilmington Municipal, an old Donald Ross design, but it was fully booked. I'll keep trying, but Magnolia Greens will be the backup plan for Saturday. 

 

I had Bald Head Island Club on the list, but it requires a ferry out to the island. Travel time would be 1:45 each way. Ugh. 

 

[TheBear95]

Arg, when you are headed back north? 

 

I think the weather here in Chicago has finally made the turn.

[Argonne69]

11 hours ago, TheBear95 said:

Arg, when you are headed back north? 

 

I think the weather here in Chicago has finally made the turn.

 

I'll be working my way up through the eastern states. I'll be in North Carolina for a month, and then I'll hit Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and southern Pennsylvania. 'Probably going to head west through Ohio after that. I'd like to time it so that I can attend the LPGA event in Cincinnati.

 

My tentative plan is to roll through Chicago sometime in September for a week or two before heading south towards St Louis, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

 

[cassel191919]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I'll be working my way up through the eastern states. I'll be in North Carolina for a month, and then I'll hit Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and southern Pennsylvania. 'Probably going to head west through Ohio after that. I'd like to time it so that I can attend the LPGA event in Cincinnati.

 

My tentative plan is to roll through Chicago sometime in September for a week or two before heading south towards St Louis, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

 

Hopefully its not soon because I enjoy the daily read while I am at work, but do you have an end date in mind for ending this journey?

[Argonne69]

17 minutes ago, cassel191919 said:

Hopefully its not soon because I enjoy the daily read while I am at work, but do you have an end date in mind for ending this journey?

 

Not yet. I'll likely spend the fall and winter in the southeast again. 

 

[ssp]

I am of the opinion that Split tee times should be a private club deal where times are more predictable and consistent.

 

[Double Mocha Man]

16 minutes ago, ssp said:

I am of the opinion that Split tee times should be a private club deal where times are more predictable and consistent.

 

 

What if on the split tee times they send fewer groups off the back 9 intentionally leaving a gap for the fast-turners off the front 9?  Your first few groups off #1 are generally going to be seasoned vets who move fast.  The course should recognize this.  Problem solved.  

[Nels55]

9 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

What if on the split tee times they send fewer groups off the back 9 intentionally leaving a gap for the fast-turners off the front 9?  Your first few groups off #1 are generally going to be seasoned vets who move fast.  The course should recognize this.  Problem solved.  

I used to enjoy early Sunday morning rounds with some guys who work during the week and then the course started sending fivesomes of beginners off the back nine in front of us.  Lol somewhat less enjoyable after that.

[Argonne69]

Split tees are simply a money grab. With 9 minute intervals, they can jam another 13 or 14 groups out on the back. 

 

[Argonne69]

After a 2 hour pit stop at Camping World this morning for an oil change on Bessie, it was an uneventful 2 hour drive northeast to Wilmington. Not much scenery on US-17, but there sure are enough traffic lights. The east coast needs an interstate from Norfolk to Charleston. Either that or build a few overpasses on US-17. 

 

Small RV park nine miles east of downtown, or 24 minutes. Sheesh. Gravel site isn't quite level, but I've had worse. 

 

 

Probably going to head out for a beer and a burger in a bit. Early tee time at Beau Rivage GC tomorrow. 

 

[Argonne69]

Heavy traffic in the area. Fifteen minutes to travel five miles to Watermans Brewing. Small brewery with two dozen taps. Usual stuff, but they do have a nice Holy Cacao Belgian Dark Strong Ale. 

 

 

Something a little different today. Was originally thinking yet another burger, but opted for fish and chips. The three pieces of fish weren't bad. The fries weren't really "chips", but were tasty. The hush puppies were very good. 

 

 

Edited May 7 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Watching the PGA Works collegiate event at Whistling Straits on The Golf Channel. For early May, the course looks decent. 

 

It appears that the course has decided that the 1000 "sandy areas" are waste areas. Not a bunker on the property. They may not be bunkers, but I'd say the course could be categorized as heavily bunkered. Lol. 

 

I played the course one time back in May 2011. I've never seen the photo online, but I swear there was a small black and white photo in the clubhouse that showed the land before Pete brought in the bulldozers. It was a cow pasture that gently sloped towards Lake Michigan. If anyone has a link to that photo I'd love to see it. 

 

[vallygolf]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Split tees are simply a money grab. With 9 minute intervals, they can jam another 13 or 14 groups out on the back. 

 

Not entirely correct.  In the hot desert it allows for 2x the morning tee times to beat the heat.