NYC Playing Partners

[lowndes]

Currently living on the UWS and am getting back into golf after not playing much for 7 years. Been hitting a lot of balls at Chelsea Piers and getting lessons. Prob. around a 20 handicap (pure guess) but looking to improve.

 

Curious if anybody is looking for a playing partner. Be fun to get a group together to go play Bethpage or other area courses every couple of weeks.

 

Thanks

[ryan-astoria]

I live in Astoria and I'm in a similar situation - pretty close to breaking 100 for the first time I think, but we'll find out this weekend. I'm hoping to break 90 by the end of the summer, just played a few rounds down in Hilton Head and felt like I had finally keyed into hitting my driver straighter than in the past. Have you ever checked out the Randall's Island Golf Center? Just looking around online it looks like maybe the best practice facility around...

[lowndes]

That's great, and yes I have checked out Randall's Island but it was a pain for me to get to. I ended up getting an offpeak membership at Chelsea Piers which is about $125 a month. Trying to go and hit balls about 3 times a week and have started getting lessons there. Playing golf in NYC is a real pain.

I'm really trying to get down to below a 14 handicap so that I can join my first choice golf course when I move back to Houston. That is my goal for this year but the key for me to do that is to really work on my short game and there isn't a great place to do that here in NYC. Anyways, still just trying to play as much as possible.

Would you be interested in paying Bethpage in a couple of weeks?

[ryan-astoria]

Definitely would be interested, although I may not be able to in the next 2 weeks, maybe 3-4 weeks. I'm visiting my family this weekend and the weekend after that is my birthday, so maybe early June?

Everything at Chelsea Piers is off of mats right? I never feel like I'm doing much good with my irons by hitting them off of mats. I'm hoping Randall's Island isn't too much of a pain to get to since Astoria is right over the bridge and I can drive there - hopefully there's adequate parking. I know they're supposed to have a nice short game area, which is key for me too. Now that I'm (hopefully) ingraining the right swing with my driver and trying to really get consistent there, the next step is improving my short game. It's good enough to break 100, but not good enough to break 90, whereas my putting is already pretty good.

Off topic unless you have $500,000 laying around, but have you seen Liberty National? I saw a couple of tv shows about it and now it's on my bucket list. It's the course in Jersey City with views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty on most holes. $500K to join, then $25K a year to stay in.

[lowndes]

Let's stay in touch and try to shoot for the beginning of June.

And yes everything is off of mats at Chelsea Piers and I actually don't mind them that much except they can be hard on your body. Obviously grass is ideal but if you pay attention to the contact of the ball and how it feels plus where the ball goes you should be able to work on your game. Certainly better than nothing.

The first place I went to here in NYC was Randall's Island and simply didn't like it. You have to pay like an extra $13 to even use the grass area and when I was there it looked liked hardpan. I would prefer to hit off of a mat then their grass area. Also, they do have a nice short game area but when I was there the green must have had 500 balls on it so you couldn't really practice much. This was back in early April so maybe things have changed as the season progresses.

I've never seen Liberty National but have heard plenty about it. The partner who sits in the office next to me is a member there and is always talking about how much fun he had out there, etc. Needless to say it is highly annoying.

[ryan-astoria]

Sounds good...

I went to Randall's Island today and it's $13 for 130 balls before 4, $13 for 110 after 4, and an extra $13 to use the grass, which I paid and found that where the boxes were today it was more like a first cut of rough than a fairway, but if they moved them further back it would have been like fairway. I hate hitting off of mats, but maybe from Astoria I'd be better off finding a course a little ways up Long Island that has a grass hitting area in a driving range. Throw in the $6.50 to go over the RFK and I paid $32.50 to hit 130 balls and use the short game area, which was basically an astroturf green - might as well be cement in terms of trying to stop a ball. There were also pebbles and such on the surface, so putting would be totally useless, even if you don't mind having people chipping/pitching at you while you're putting. I'd say it's only worthwhile if the tee boxes are back in the nicer grass area or you're just looking to work on your drive and hit some chips, unless you don't mind mats - I hate them.

Anybody know of any good ranges open to the public on Long Island that aren't too far from Astoria? Under 30 minutes or so?

And by the way, it's time to become best friends with the guy in the next office and get that invite!

[nevets88]

[size="6"]DO NOT go to RANDALL'S ISLAND to hit off GRASS.[/size]

[size="6"][b]RANDALL'S ISLAND[/b] "[color="#9acd32"]GRASS[/color]" AREA IS [b]AWFUL[/b].[/size]

[Grimace45]

I just relocated to Queens from Philly and would love to get a game. I live in Kew Gardens for now and work at the Aqueduct....shoot me a PM if you need a 4th.

[navin007]

Do you have a group that you play with. My handicap is around 30 ( just guessing). I live on the UES and would like to play every weekend if possible.
[quote name='lowndes' timestamp='1304906924' post='3217769']
Currently living on the UWS and am getting back into golf after not playing much for 7 years. Been hitting a lot of balls at Chelsea Piers and getting lessons. Prob. around a 20 handicap (pure guess) but looking to improve.

Curious if anybody is looking for a playing partner. Be fun to get a group together to go play Bethpage or other area courses every couple of weeks.

Thanks
[/quote]

[squishyy]

Guys, add me to the group as well. I am willing to travel around to meet up with you guys. I'm looking for more playing partners.

[bluetrane]

If you guys live in the city and have a car i'd say drive out to clearview after 5-6pm and use their putting green and make shift chipping area (near the parking lot). The chipping area isn't the most luxurious… basically a flag and lots of rough. Park in the free section and hit balls till dusk. Maybe if you make friends with people in the pro shop they'd let you play a few holes before dark. That was the only way I kept my game in check. The driving ranges in the city are too expensive and a crappy experience overall. Rock hard mats, rock hard range balls, long lines, etc etc. You could also just skip the range and go golfing, which is what I ended up doing most of the time.

Good luck.

[PreppySlapCut]

[quote name='lowndes' timestamp='1305039531' post='3221933']
I'm really trying to get down to below a 14 handicap so that I can join my first choice golf course when I move back to Houston. That is my goal for this year but the key for me to do that is to really work on my short game and there isn't a great place to do that here in NYC. Anyways, still just trying to play as much as possible.
[/quote]
Champions is a pretty good spot, haha. Anyway, if you have some cash to burn and maybe work in the area, Drive 495 in SoHo is an interesting option. It provides a place to practice some putting, work out, hit balls, etc, without having to leave the city.

[tonyecc]

Add me to the group please. I am liveing in midtown, play every weekend. Thanks

[navin007]

Where do you play generally? Let me know if you need a fourth.
-Navin[quote name='tonyecc' timestamp='1309134248' post='3337314']
Add me to the group please. I am liveing in midtown, play every weekend. Thanks
[/quote]

[ryan-astoria]

We should try to organize an easy way to get people together to play or practice. I suppose we could just update this thread with some of our info and then try to match people up when they're available? Or maybe a Facebook group or something like that to get automatic contact notifications? Maybe just everyone's first name, age, location, handicap and whether they drive?


I'm Ryan, I live in Astoria, I'm 25, my handicap is somewhere between 25 and 30 (unofficially calculated at 27.7), and I do have a car.

I recently got up to Bethpage for the first time and played the Green course and loved it. I played Marine Park the other day and thought the course itself was in better shape than I expected, but the layout isn't particularly exciting. The scenery isn't bad though (some water out of play but in view, couple of skyline views). I'd be up for trying to squeeze in a twilight round there or really anywhere in the city any day of the week since I freelance and can set my own hours.

[harpua728]

I live on the UES and try to play as much as I can. I usually have playing partners but sometimes we're looking for 1 or 2 more to fill out a 4some. Other times, like this weekend, I have a tee time at Bethpage Black and have nobody else that can make it. I don't have a car in the city so it makes it a pain to play sometimes. If someone has a car and wants to drive out to LI to play, I'm all for it!

[ryan-astoria]

[quote name='harpua728' timestamp='1309960521' post='3368573']
I live on the UES and try to play as much as I can. I usually have playing partners but sometimes we're looking for 1 or 2 more to fill out a 4some. Other times, like this weekend, I have a tee time at Bethpage Black and have nobody else that can make it. I don't have a car in the city so it makes it a pain to play sometimes. If someone has a car and wants to drive out to LI to play, I'm all for it!
[/quote]

I have a car but I don't know if I'm quite ready for Bethpage Black yet. I figure I need to get my handicap down to at least the mid teens, right? Normally though, I'm up for driving out to LI to play.

[Totti]

[quote name='ryan-astoria' timestamp='1310081350' post='3373125']
[quote name='harpua728' timestamp='1309960521' post='3368573']
I live on the UES and try to play as much as I can. I usually have playing partners but sometimes we're looking for 1 or 2 more to fill out a 4some. Other times, like this weekend, I have a tee time at Bethpage Black and have nobody else that can make it. I don't have a car in the city so it makes it a pain to play sometimes. If someone has a car and wants to drive out to LI to play, I'm all for it!
[/quote]

I have a car but I don't know if I'm quite ready for Bethpage Black yet. I figure I need to get my handicap down to at least the mid teens, right? Normally though, I'm up for driving out to LI to play.
[/quote]

Black is a massacre unless you are a single digit. If you don't mind getting destroyed (I didn't when I played a couple of years ago as a 15ish handicap) then go for it, its still a fun experience, but not in the sense of enjoying playing good golf. That said, I am always down for playing the course with anyone so add me to the list as well.

[squishyy]

Add me to the list as well. I am so bored sitting on my comp. I'd rather be out but have no one to play a round with.

[ryan-astoria]

I'm thinking about trying to play in Queens or Brooklyn Thursday evening (twilight round starting somewhere between 3-6)... I'm also thinking about cutting out early on Friday to get up to Bethpage and play either the Green or the Yellow, maybe try for a 2 pm tee time roughly. I'm flexible since I freelance, so if anyone is interested in either let me know your availability. I have a car, and I don't think I could fit a whole foursome with bags but 2 others I think I could fit.

[navin007]

Ryan,
I would be interested, I am on Upper East Side, handicap 25-30, don't have a car. Weekdays I could probably do only every other week but on weekends I would like to play whenever possible. I think having a facebook page is a good idea to find more people.
-Navin
[quote name='ryan-astoria' timestamp='1310253336' post='3377929']
I'm thinking about trying to play in Queens or Brooklyn Thursday evening (twilight round starting somewhere between 3-6)... I'm also thinking about cutting out early on Friday to get up to Bethpage and play either the Green or the Yellow, maybe try for a 2 pm tee time roughly. I'm flexible since I freelance, so if anyone is interested in either let me know your availability. I have a car, and I don't think I could fit a whole foursome with bags but 2 others I think I could fit.
[/quote]

[harpua728]

Anyone want to play a round on Long Island tomorrow or sunday?

[BigBad]

Anyone want to help me get on the Black course Friday August 19th around 2:30 time? I'm flying in from Ohio at 12:30 @ laguardia. I'm going to try the phone system on the Tuesday that week but I'm not sure I will get on.

[NYCgolfer17]

Can we start a new group for this year? I'd like to be involved. I live on the UES with no car but have a great deal with Hertz where I can rent for $60 for the day plus gas and tolls. Split 3-4 ways, its not that bad. Im about a 12 HCP and would love to play every weekend if possible.

[harpua728]

@slrappaport - I live on the UES too and am a 13 handicap. Would definitely like to get involved once in a while.

[NYCgolfer17]

I would be down. Do you have a car?

[asong77]

I'm down for most courses around NYC or Long Island. I usually have a set foursome on the weekends but I'm available to play during the week. Hoping that spring will come super early this year!

Has anyone actually played with a fellow NYC WRXer yet?

[harpua728]

I have access to a car on long island but no car in the city.

[asong77]

Too cold to play right now since I won't play if it's below 50, but if anyone is interested in practicing and hitting the range, I'm game. I usually go to Spring Rock in New Hyde Park, so if anyone is down, I would like to have a pair of eyes check my swing, etc.

[tembolo1284]

Please add me to the list if you want to play. I'm in Jackson Heights, Queens. Happy to travel. No car for me, however.

I take the LIRR to bethpage and cab it from there to the course. Pretty convenient. Can take 6 train to pelham bay/split rock...and also r train to dyker beach golf course. Other than that you gotta take a car to the other courses.