Arg's Travel Log

[vallygolf]

You play more solo first out rounds than anyone in my world.  I agree there is nothing better in golf pairings than walking first off solo.  Any tips on how you make this happen so often?

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, vallygolf said:

You play more solo first out rounds than anyone in my world.  I agree there is nothing better in golf pairings than walking first off solo.  Any tips on how you make this happen so often?

 

I guess I'm just not afraid of a little chill in the morning. With many of the courses fairly empty during the week at this time of the year, many players opt to start later in the morning. I'd rather get out early, have a sub 3 hour round, and have the rest of the day free. If it means wearing a few layers at the start of the round that I can peel off as it warms so be it. 

 

[vandyfan]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Very nice course, but if I recall correctly Caledonia is a better test.

 

One of my favorite debates is True Blue vs Caledonia. When you say "better test" do you mean Caledonia requires more ability and technique (i.e. shotmaking)? I would agree because Caledonia is so tight. Do you find that makes Caledonia a better experience? I guess for me, I appreciate being able to spray it a little on True Blue and still have a shot into the green vs striping a tee shot at Caledonia and STILL being blocked out by a tree. Obviously this is an opinion question and no right or wrong. 

 

The one qualifier I would have for the "if you had to play one round I'd head to Caledonia next door" would be if you are SUPER accurate with your tee shots. Otherwise I think weaker golfers would find Caledonia to be quite frustrating?

[Argonne69]

Just so that everyone knows that it's not all golf and beer, I actually saw the beach today. Lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, blackbdmillsaps said:

 

One of my favorite debates is True Blue vs Caledonia. When you say "better test" do you mean Caledonia requires more ability and technique (i.e. shotmaking)? I would agree because Caledonia is so tight. Do you find that makes Caledonia a better experience? I guess for me, I appreciate being able to spray it a little on True Blue and still have a shot into the green vs striping a tee shot at Caledonia and STILL being blocked out by a tree. Obviously this is an opinion question and no right or wrong. 

 

The one qualifier I would have for the "if you had to play one round I'd head to Caledonia next door" would be if you are SUPER accurate with your tee shots. Otherwise I think weaker golfers would find Caledonia to be quite frustrating?

 

Good point. I guess it's similar to Tobacco Road. If one is good with the driver, Caledonia is a fair test. Otherwise it will be a grind. 

 

[Socrates]

Kills me to see your travels.  Stuck here in Canada and more crazy stuff making travel unlikely.  Be that as it may...

 

How many rounds have you got in since your Odyssey began?

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, Socrates said:

Kills me to see your travels.  Stuck here in Canada and more crazy stuff making travel unlikely.  Be that as it may...

 

How many rounds have you got in since your Odyssey began?

 

17 rounds so far. I should be able to get in an additional 20 rounds by the end of the year. 

 

[CDM]

22 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Just so that everyone knows that it's not all golf and beer, I actually saw the beach today. Lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT.... well this thread has gone down hill fast  😃     Let me know when you hit the Midwest area.

[Argonne69]

OK, enough goofing around, back to the golf and beer. Enjoyable morning at Barefoot Resort's Dye course. First round wearing shorts in weeks. It felt great to shed the cold weather layers. 

 

A little disappointing in the course. I don't recall seeing a single railroad tie. Did Pete really design this? Lol. Joking aside, it didn't really feel like a Dye design. Sure, there were plenty of waste bunkers. But then again, every course around here has tons of waste bunkers. What it did have was plenty of diagonal fairways that allowed you to choose how much junk you wanted to cut off before finding the fairway. There was also the mounding and bunkering on the back nine that had a faint resemblance to The Straits. Overall I'd say it wasn't one of his best. Green complexes were moderate in difficulty. A few odd shapes, but the contours were generally tame. Par 3s were OK, but not up to Pete's usual standards. Favorite hole was the 18th. With water the entire length of the left side, and the fairway curving to the left, it played similar to the 18th at TPC Sawgrass. 

 

Conditions were so-so. There hasn't been rain here in days, but the fairways were saturated. Had to take relief a couple of times due to water coming to the surface. Weird. Bunkers were fine. Greens were very nice, and rolling near 10. Pace was, umm, acceptable? I joined another single, and thought we'd avoided the crowds, but there were two foursomes in front of us that refused to acknowledge our existence, so we plodded around behind them for four hours. Should have been 3 hours max. My playing partner was great company, though, and we spent most of the round b.s.ing. Oh, and I really didn't appreciate the attitude of the starter. When I checked in with the pro shop I asked if I could walk the course, and they said no problem. The starter on the other hand asked me if I had gotten permission to walk. FFS. Seriously? I spent the entire morning following a bunch of slowpokes around in their carts, and I'm a concern? Again, just never going to understand or accept this riding attitude. 

 

Solid day, but first round without a birdie in some time. Three bogies and one double. With the fairways being so wet there was very little rollout off the tee. On top of that I still refuse to accept that I'm playing at sea level, and the fact that the ball simply doesn't fly as far. I think I came up short of the green on half the holes. I swear I'll learn tomorrow. 

 

The Dye course is ranked 14th on GolfWeek's Best in State (South Carolina). That's probably right, but it's not going to knock your socks off. Very playable with a number of challenging holes, but certainly not Pete's best. Five cows. 

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort & Golf, North Myrtle Beach, SC 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ugat95qhaci6wsm/AABBril71MM6yXrtKRSLfMRma?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

It's not often that you find a bar/brewpub/taproom with five imperial stouts, so it was obviously back to Liberty Tap Room & Grill for a "Stout Fest" after the round. I'm sticking with the flight-sized pours, so it's not really like drinking. Right? 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

The weather tomorrow should be near perfect with sunny skies and afternoon temps near 70 degrees. I'll be playing TPC Myrtle Beach, my 700th course played. If things work out I just might hit my 1000th course in 2023. Anyone a member of Augusta National? Lol. One can dream, can't they? 

 

[hammergolf]

8 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

The weather tomorrow should be near perfect with sunny skies and afternoon temps near 70 degrees. I'll be playing TPC Myrtle Beach, my 700th course played. If things work out I just might hit my 1000th course in 2023. Anyone a member of Augusta National? Lol. One can dream, can't they? 

 

Enjoy 700!

[Argonne69]

Another gorgeous day at TPC Myrtle Beach celebrating my 700th course. Sunny and 70 degrees when I finished the round. I joined a newly retired doctor and his wife, and we had a Grand (Strand) time. Lol. 

 

Beautiful course. What you'd expect from a TPC facility. Minus the overwatered fairways, the course looked immaculate. Bunkers were pristine. It was the greenest course I've played on this trip, which probably explains the wet conditions. The employee in the pro shop said that they dumped a ton of fertilizer on the course yesterday, and opened up every sprinkler for an overnight watering. 

 

The course felt more like a North Carolina course than a South Carolina one. Tall pines lined every hole. While the overall terrain was flat, they did a great job with the mounding and green complexes, so it was never visually boring, and flat lies were uncommon. Water in play on numerous holes without beating you up with it. Good mix of holes. Par 3s were challenging. The short 4s were gettable, and the long 4s were tough. The 9th was a real beast at 445 yds with an elevated green. Greens were fairly benign. 

 

Solid round with two birdies and six bogies. Highlight was holing out a pitch shot for a birdie. I couldn't make a birdie putt to save my life, so avoiding putting was the trick. 

 

Other than the overly wet conditions, the only nit was that there was little "Wow". It's the type of course that you could easily play every week, but it just doesn't dazzle. Solid layout. Beautiful to look at. Tough but fair. I wouldn't call it a must play, but it won't disappoint. Five cows. 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

TPC Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x99e5lm2e5d5rkm/AABFpUDU4S_LX5Q2G1zgkkg-a?dl=0

 

[Argonne69]

Taking a break tomorrow. Probably going to take a long walk on the beach, and find a good sit down restaurant for dinner. I'll be playing Myrtle Beach National (Kings North) on Sunday, and then heading down to Charleston for three days on Monday. I booked a round at The Links at Stono Ferry on Tuesday, and The Ocean Course on Wednesday. The forecast for Wednesday calls for afternoon showers, so hopefully I finish my round at Kiawah before the rain starts. 

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Looking down the road a bit I was hoping to get in a round at May River near Hilton Head. It's ranked #45 on Golf magazine's Top 100 Public. However, like Pinehurst, it requires an on-site stay at the hotel. Room and a round would run close to $1000. Again, not going to happen. It's very frustrating that these "public" courses don't have some limited slots for walk-ons, especially in the slow season. I'd pay a small premium over the regular resort guest green fee to play it, but a $600 for a night in the hotel is crazy.

 

Looks like it may be the same thing at Sea Island. The Seaside course ranks #50, but requires a stay at the resort. At least the room is "only" $209 + tax. I'll have to think about that one.

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Argonne69

[Bonneville85308]

Silly question because I've never played golf in the Carolinas...are these courses like TPC overseeded in the winter or are they all Bermuda grass in the process of going dormant?

[Argonne69]

22 minutes ago, Bonneville85308 said:

Silly question because I've never played golf in the Carolinas...are these courses like TPC overseeded in the winter or are they all Bermuda grass in the process of going dormant?

 

I haven't played a course that has overseeded. It's been all dormant Bermuda up to this point. 

 

[ode1]

Would not hurt to call and ask....ya never know!

[sabram]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I haven't played a course that has overseeded. It's been all dormant Bermuda up to this point. 

 

Are you sure? The majority of MB courses overseed (usually tees, fairways and greens, but not rough). Dormant Bermuda is brown. In your pix the fairways are bright green so look like rye overseed. In your BF Dye pix, you can see that the areas surroundinging the tee box and around the fairway bunkers are brown while the teeing ground and fairways are green. To me that looks like they over-seeded the tees and fairways and let the rough go dormant.

 

Here are three examples of what I'm used to seeing in MB:

 

1. No overseed; all dormant Bermuda

 

 

2. Overseeded tees, fairways and greens; Only rough dormant

 

 

3. Overseeded everywhere

Edited December 4, 2021 by sabram

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, sabram said:

Are you sure? The majority of MB courses overseed (usually tees, fairways and greens, but not rough). Dormant Bermuda is brown. In your pix the fairways are bright green so look like rye overseed. In your BF Dye pix, you can see that the areas surroundinging the tee box and around the fairway bunkers are brown while the teeing ground and fairways are green. To me that looks like they over-seeded the tees and fairways and let the rough go dormant.

 

Here are three examples of what I'm used to seeing in MB:

 

1. No overseed; all dormant Bermuda

 

 

2. Overseeded tees, fairways and greens; Only rough dormant

 

 

3. Overseeded everywhere

 

Having played on overseeded courses in Arizona the past two winters, I'm fairly sure it's Bermuda. Divots from the fairway are your typical scraggly Bermuda that can't be replaced. 

 

Yeah, there are patches of green, but it's mostly brown. The weather has been warm, so I think the turf is still hanging on. 

 

Maybe they do it different here and simply throw some rye seed on top of the Bermuda instead of killing the Bermuda. It's certainly not the lush green I saw in Arizona. 

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

I've booked the Atlantic Dunes course at Sea Pines, and the Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Dunes for late next week. I've played the other two courses at Sea Pines, and the RTJ course at PD. Any recommendations for a 3rd round in Hilton Head or Savanah? Port Royal, Oyster Reef, Shipyard, Hilton Head National, Pinecrest, or Dolphin Head worth a round? 

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Argonne69

[ArtMBgolf]

6 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

I haven't played a course that has overseeded. It's been all dormant Bermuda up to this point. 

 

Leopards Chase is one of the few remaining courses in MB that has bent greens. 
The fairways don't look overseeded.  For the last 5 years or so Ocean Ridge has
only done bare minimum maint on it's 4 courses, so it's like a muni now.  Any 
planning a MB pkg, should skip Ocean Ridge.   I wish I could have warned you 
away from Leop Chase.   
 
True Blue, BF Dye + TPC look overseeded.   I believe MB overseeds lighter than
AZ, but it's also very early in the Overseed process in MB, where they mainly 
are concerned with how thick/nice the overseed gets as it matures for
March/April peak season.   
 
Before Covid, there was about a dozen overseeding wall to wall, but I don't 
know if they are doing it now.   Man O Way + Wizard were a couple of them.      

[caniac6]

4 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

I've booked the Atlantic Dunes course at Sea Pines, and the Arthur Hills course at Palmetto Dunes for late next week. I've played the other two courses at Sea Pines, and the RTJ course at PD. Any recommendations for a 3rd round in Hilton Head or Savanah? Port Royal, Oyster Reef, Shipyard, Hilton Head National, Pinecrest, or Dolphin Head worth a round? 

 

Old South and Hilton Head National, just off HHI, are both good courses. The course on the Marine base at Parris Island was a fun course, and inexpensive, too.

Edited December 4, 2021 by caniac6

[JB57]

Love following your trip!

You're living the dream.

[Argonne69]

Another enjoyable round today at Myrtle Beach National (King's North). Could have done without the fog that covered the course for the first half of the round, but at least there was no fog delay. The course ranks 12T on GolfWeek's Best in State (South Carolina). While basically flat, the course does have some really fun holes. Plenty of water and sand. I can't complain about the lack of bunkering here. The 18th hole was over the top with ~38 bunkers. I kid not. Lol. The par 3s were visually interesting, including the 12th with an island green. The short par 4 3rd just begged for you to try to drive the green. Best hole of the day was the par 5 6th, the "Gambler" hole. There's an island fairway that if hit allows one to have a great shot at reaching the green in two. One can play to the fairway right of the island with a more traditional strategy. Great risk reward hole. 

 

Conditions were fine. Greens were rolling nicely at 10 or so. Pace was fine for a Sunday morning at 4:15. 

 

Up and down day. Driver was fine, but I left a lot of shots out there with some mediocre irons. Two birdies, five bogies, and a double. My PXG irons just don't seem to like the Bermuda. I may put my i200s back in the back for a round or two. 

 

Overall I thought it was a very good course. Not going to win any awards, but it has enough variety and risk/reward holes to keep it interesting. Five cows. 

 

The par 5 6th. 

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Myrtle Beach National King's North, Myrtle Beach, SC 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x6o8sy43cn2nf6d/AADMFBmC13xVsnYTdVB-F-wxa?dl=0

 

[JungleJimbo]

On 11/2/2021 at 8:38 AM, Argonne69 said:

After many years of dreaming, several years of planning, and a year and a half delay due to the pandemic, I'm finally ready to start my ultimate golf journey. After 32 years in IT, I had my fill of office dwelling. I sold my condo in downtown Chicago and and purchased a 35' class A motorhome. After a brief stop in Chicago to pick up a subset of my stuff, I'll be hitting the road for who knows how long. If it turns out the full time RV lifestyle is not for me, I may simply sell the thing in the spring after a winter traveling through the southeast. In addition to visiting the local tourist traps and state and national parks, I should be able to get in 100+ rounds of golf before returning to Chicago for some personal business in April. 

 

However, if all goes according to plan, I'd like to spend 4 or 5 years traveling the U.S. and Canada. I've played close to 700 courses, but there's oh so many more. Cabot Links. Gamble Sands. Bethpage. I've played over half of the best public courses in the country, but I have a few more to check off my list. Along the way I'll also consume my fair share of craft beer. Lol. 

 

The first part of my trip will take me to Indy, Cincinnati, Nashville, Chattanooga, Ashville, Raleigh, Pinehurst, Columbia, Charleston, Savanah, Sea Island, Jacksonville, Orlando, Ft Myers, Tampa, Pensacola, Mobile, and Shreveport. 

 

I figured I would create a thread in the main travel forum, as my travels will hopefully take me across the various regions. I'll post course reviews, photos, and general musings as I wander like the High Plains Drifter. 

 

As I head back to Chicago with the new RV, I played my first round today in Eastern Arkansas. 'Beautiful fall day on a wonderful course to kick off the trip. I'll post a review shortly. 

 

Onward and upward. 

 

 

 

@Argonne69 I saw this top-rated article in the UK 🇬🇧 Guardian about a new retiree selling everything & driving around the country in a motorhome 🚚 🏠... and thought it might make you smile! 
 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/06/a-new-start-after-60-i-was-done-burnt-out-then-i-moved-into-a-motorhome-and-found-freedom

 

(the preceding story, in the  same series of GuardianUK articles, is about another lady who also found a new life... as a burlesque Dancer! 💃 

..https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/29/a-new-start-after-60-i-lost-weight-then-lost-myself-until-i-became-a-burlesque-dancer )

 

wishing you safe travels & happy golfing/ fairways & greens ⛳️ 

 

[nutmegchoi]

Tagging to follow your journey.

Let me know if you come through New York to play Bethpage.

I'll love to be your company.