Any other golfers at the Gulch?

Posted by $ Abaco 8 years, 4 months ago to Entertainment
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I am curious if there are any other duffers here. I took up golf at the unusually older age of 29 and, for several years, was the worst golfer I've ever seen. Now, a couple decades later, I can hit a nice shot once in a while. I enjoy the game very much and my wife plays too - making for great outings together. I rarely get the time but do enjoy getting to sit with a brew and watch the pros once in a while. Beautiful swings with those guys. I like watching the LPGA too...probably more.

Any other duffers?


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  • Posted by Wnston 8 years, 4 months ago
    Yessir, have been honoring golf by sculpting golf courses whether they need it or not for 52 years. That's what we hackers do. Just now (past two years) have been consistently hitting drives "straight down the middle". Best part of my game though had been mid to shot irons and putting. Even at 72 I'm an average golfer scoring usually in the mud to high 80's. My bag had Calliway driver & woods, and Adams IdeaTech irons. Wedges are a mix: Cleveland, Titlest, Mizuno. Use a blade putter for over 25 years. Was on a winning 4-man Scramble team early in my playing years. Never enjoyed playing in tournaments as egos get in the way of fun. Hands getting some arthritis so don't know how much longer I'll be playing - but will continue watching the pros - guys and gals.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
      Cool. I enjoy playing scrambles. Have been on some very good teams - twice on a team that set my old league's record. That's fun to be part of. Some guys can really play...
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  • Posted by dwlievert 8 years, 4 months ago
    I have a friend, Biff is his name. He met Muffy at the 19th hole. They hit it off and Biff fell in love with Muffy.

    He decided he would invite her to dinner, at which time he would ask her to marry him. He began: "Muffy, I have never met a woman I loved more than you - and I want to ask you to marry me. Before I do however, I want to be perfectly honest with you........

    I have never done anything in life I love more than golf. When I am not playing it I am thinking about it - the course, the ball, my swing, the clubs. It is never out of my mind, it is my PASSION! And if you can live with that, I would like to ask you to marry me."

    "Biff, I am so surprised! As you know I play a little golf and enjoy doing so, though I certainly do not love it as you do. But you know, I really don't think that will be a problem.

    However, you have been so honest with me I think I need to be just as honest with you before you ask me. Now Biff, I want you to understand that for the past 2 years I have been a hooker....."

    "Aw Muff, that's just because you are not properly swinging through the ball!"
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 4 months ago
    First I thought you asked for gophers or gofers. No but I tried it one morning back in the sixties. Friend who was a drafted golf pro decided I should learn. All morning long he gave lessons and close to noon after four hours and four holes I took him to lunch at the gun club. After eating we went to the pistol range and I put what was left of a dozen golf balls on a fence stepped back 20' or so and blew all of them into the jungle . This was the old Panama Canal Zone. He stayed with golf and my fondest memories was teeing off four times for the last time.
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  • Posted by Den_RearSteal 8 years, 4 months ago
    Hello there! Over the last year or so I have gotten into golf. My job is the responsible party that got me active in the sport. I work in the maintenance department of TopGolf, so being around all things golf everyday you have no other choice but to take intrest in it.

    To be honest, I really enjoy it and what I do, esp the free games and the occasional clubs! I have had a bit of spare time at work in the past and have mastered being able to bounce a golf ball off of a club head, usually a 6 or 8 iron, and pop it up and swing to hit the ball just before it hits the ground. (Have video to prove it)

    Never been on a full size 18-hole, but have played pitch and putt a time or two. I find it very relaxing and allows one to have some interal reflection time, while being outside in the breeze and in nature (some what).
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  • Posted by Technocracy 8 years, 4 months ago
    I didn't start as early as JB, I was 13. I did however keep at it all through high school. I was even on the school golf team. Carried a 6 handicap, and could better that on a good day.

    Now I play so rarely, my handicap is going out there in the first place.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
      A 6 handicap is good golf. I shot around 90 for years until this year when I made a couple changes to the swing. Now, mid-low 80s. Whole different game with that small score adjustment. I just like getting out there, really. That means I'm not on the phone or at a computer...
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 4 months ago
    Nope. Tennis & racquetball were my things. Still enjoy watching a tennis match. Particularly when Pete Sampras used to play, and Oh, those sisters, Serena and Venus -- grace and power. Tried golf. After a year of trying, I broke 100. I thought, I'll never do better than that and quit.
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    • Posted by blackswan 8 years, 4 months ago
      After having tried the game (at a shooting range), and hitting the ball in every direction, I saw how difficult it is to play well. So, I came to appreciate guys like Tiger Woods, Singh, Els, and others. I also have a thing for tennis (I play that a lot better than golf), and I'm awed by players like Sampras, the sisters, and others. Now, I mostly stick to scuba.
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      • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 4 months ago
        I never got around to scuba, although I often snorkeled, which I realize is a whole different thing. In the Caribbean, snorkeling is a lot like having a glass bottom boat rather than being right down amid the creatures.
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        • Posted by Wnston 8 years, 4 months ago
          Herb, snorkeling is a hoot. Started in Hawaii but crystal clear waters in the Caribbean are better IMO. Never tried scuba but always wanted to to get down amongst the creatures. Agree that it's like flyng in the water.
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          • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 4 months ago
            I was snokling off the private island belonging to the cruise I was on. Suddenly below me was a Manta Ray slowly "flying" at about the same pace I was swimming. I was fascinated.But by the time I looked up I could hardly see the island. Scared the hell out of me. That good of a swimmer I was not. By the time I got on shore I was so exhausted I threw off the snorkel, dropped to the sand and fell asleep. My wife woke me to go back to the ship. She said I missed all the fun by sleeping all the time we were there.
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          • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 4 months ago
            For a really good vacation try Va'vau Island Group of Tonga....the diving and snorkeling is tremendous. Bring your own boat or rent one there or hotel and let the dive boat skipper do the work!
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    • Posted by Wnston 8 years, 4 months ago
      Like you, Herb, my sport early on was Tennis and Baseball. Baseball is a good fit (the swing) for golf, but the type of swing in Tennis is NOT a good fit for golf. Knees keep me off the courts now as well as just too darned old in the legs. My good friend (avid tennis player) has a terminal heart attack while playing with is competitive tennis playing daughter. Lesson learned.
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      • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 4 months ago
        I'm too old and infirm for any sport other than Monopoly. Even then, my butt hurts from sitting so long. I guess my true love was racquetball in which I developed a certain degree of proficiency. And it always provided a good workout. It has fallen out of favor lately, but I'm no longer able move fast enough to move across the court let alone try to hit a tennis ball.
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  • Posted by bsmith51 8 years, 4 months ago
    I don't like the pressure of playing - and searching for lost balls (and sometimes my marbles) - in the presence of others. But I don't mind competing with myself at the range. My brother, 79, and his wife, 91, still play often. it keeps them young.
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  • Posted by jimslag 8 years, 4 months ago
    I tried it out when I was in the military, so not an early learner like some. I was right around 32 or so. I play occasionally but not very serious about it. I hit a ball or 2 occasionally but my partner moved out of the country 2 years ago, so have not been lately. Of course, live in a small town with 1 course and it is way north side and I live way south side.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years, 4 months ago
    I have played golf since the age of 6. I used to be a solid player until a few years ago. After breaking my driver, I haven't played much since. The driver was not broken in anger. ;)
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
      If it were broken in anger, that'd be a great story.

      I purposely have exposed my kids to golf very young, just to get them started with some sort of swing. When I took it up it was ugly.

      I broke a few clubs over the years, none in anger. I did throw one once in anger - away from any fellow golfers. Long time ago. Broke a couple woods hitting balls. Snapped a 5 iron head off hitting a ball (MacGregor clubs aren't what they used to be). I finally got custom fitted for irons a few years ago and have had a set of Taylormades every since. Great clubs.

      Golf really should be part of school curriculum as it is used so often in business. I do business with very few who don't play.

      Caddyshack still brings me to tears...
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      • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years, 4 months ago
        I have broken several clubs because, although I have a solid swing, I excavate a fair amount of earth after hitting the ball. As for golf being part of the curriculum, many of my students take it as a one credit elective. FIT has a pretty solid golf team. Our ladies' team now has one player that just got onto the LPGA tour this year.
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        • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
          What is FIT?

          I was recently chatting with a local high school girls golf coach at our local range one evening and he said that colleges are having trouble finding girl golfers to give scholarships too - not enough lady golfers. I found that interesting.

          The locals boys teams are loaded with talent. Young people can have such great swings if they start out young and don't get into weight lifting and eating like a pig (me).
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          • Posted by $ jbrenner 8 years, 4 months ago
            FIT = Florida Institute of Technology. We do have enough lady golfers, but the competition for those spots is not as stiff as it is for men's golf teams, consistent with your observations.
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      • Posted by Wnston 8 years, 4 months ago
        Ironically, after playing golf since age 20 (in the military too...Army) and now 72, I've broken only one club while playing (a seven iron) and replaced the graphite composite shaft. I had to quit playing with a friend in college because he couldn't control his anger and kept throwing clubs, striking them against trees, cursing, etc. He was a spoiled child and his adoptive parents gave him everything he wanted: private plane trips home for the holidays, new Porsche sports car which he wrecked while drunk, etc.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 4 months ago
    Soccer, judo, yes. Golf no. Too much time, too much $, not enough sweat!

    Taking up tennis at 48. How's that for late? Quite humbling, since my wife's family are all quite good, and fast doesn't cover for lack of skill there. I can hit it real hard though, and earned a hulk-colored t-shirt with "smash" on the front.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
      I took up boxing at 41. That's been an experience.
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      • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 4 months ago
        Now that is a sport! I used to spar all the time in HS and college. Heavy bag only now.
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        • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
          Yeah, I could only find guys half my age, or younger, to spar with. I've gotten pretty damned slow... Still have the power, and an iron jaw. But, I can't see the punches coming as well, anymore. Now, it's just bag work - maybe hitting the mitts. I famously split my coaches mitts on the seam one session. I had very little formal training as a kid. I was just a dumb ruffian... My brother was very gifted at judo. I wish he stuck with it. I really enjoyed wrestling when I was quite young, 10-14. Great sport.
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  • Posted by $ HeroWorship 8 years, 4 months ago
    I started playing in June. Talked my dad into playing. It's great fun and great company. San Francisco East Bay.
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    • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
      Great. Many years ago I played Chabot. Nice out there. I also played the NCGA course in the Livermore hills (Poppy Hills?) in a driving rain storm once. Fantastic, but windy course.

      Up in the Sacramento region they went on a course-building binge about when I started playing (same time Tiger Woods became a household name). So, we have a lot of good, affordable courses around here.
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      • Posted by $ HeroWorship 8 years, 4 months ago
        There seem to be a ton of courses up there. Do you have any favorites - or regulars?
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        • Posted by $ 8 years, 4 months ago
          The sleeper course that I love is Morgan Creek. It's tucked in the grasslands of west Roseville and almost nobody knows it's there. It's a very good layout. My wife (and I) love the mountainous beauty of Apple Mountain. I was almost struck by lightening on the 18th fairway there years ago. Came real close. Winchester is a very good course. I was told by a member (I've guested there a few times) that it was the only course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and Sr. It really is beautiful. Design sketches of it are in the Smithsonian, I understand.
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