***Official Bushwood Country Club Lounge***

[smittysbar]

Okay, here is a place for the Golfers to talk about tournaments, clubs, swing help or thoughts.

Today is the Players Championship, which I think ought to be the 5th Major. Largest pot in the PGA. The daunting 17th, which seems to bring excitement every year. At least we will get to see Sergio blow up yet again.

I am ready to see some water balls!

[kstater]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

My game has had a pretty interesting trajectory this year. I played really well after I got back from Scotland despite hitting the ball relatively poorly. Lately I've been striking the ball better, but my short game has been absolutely atrocious.

I went out tonight and just butchered the first two holes, doubling both without any penalty strokes or three putts. Hit a drive right next to a tree on 1 and bladed a bunker shot on 2. I played the next 7 holes two over, ****ing up excellent birdie opportunities on 4,5, and 7.

What kills me right now are shots inside of 50 yards.

I usually hit about half of the greens, but I'm still shooting right at 80-82, mainly because I can't get up and down from anywhere, and my lag and short putting is absolutely atrocious.

Last week I shot a couple of 81s with 40 ****ing putts both times.

What do you all do on slow, chewed up greens?

Not a whole lot you can do. Hit a bit firmer and take some break out.(Already mentioned I see). Most crews are doing all they can do just to keep them alive, playability a distant second.

[KC_Connection]

Clarke comes right back with an eagle of his own as the rain comes in.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

My game has had a pretty interesting trajectory this year. I played really well after I got back from Scotland despite hitting the ball relatively poorly. Lately I've been striking the ball better, but my short game has been absolutely atrocious.

I went out tonight and just butchered the first two holes, doubling both without any penalty strokes or three putts. Hit a drive right next to a tree on 1 and bladed a bunker shot on 2. I played the next 7 holes two over, ****ing up excellent birdie opportunities on 4,5, and 7.

What kills me right now are shots inside of 50 yards.

I usually hit about half of the greens, but I'm still shooting right at 80-82, mainly because I can't get up and down from anywhere, and my lag and short putting is absolutely atrocious.

Last week I shot a couple of 81s with 40 ****ing putts both times.

What do you all do on slow, chewed up greens?

What do you use around the greens (wedge wise)?

Slow greens, I go after the pin. Then try to ram it home, I don't play much break, as you know you hit through most of it on slow greens.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by kstater

Not a whole lot you can do. Hit a bit firmer and take some break out.(Already mentioned I see). Most crews are doing all they can do just to keep them alive, playability a distant second.

Easy cop out for laziness

[kstater]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Easy cop out for laziness

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I can assure you, the vast majority of Superintendents are neither lazy nor trying to make the greens slow and chewed up.

[kstater]

Hell of a break for Clarke there.

[kstater]

Yip

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by smittysbar

Easy cop out for laziness

Originally Posted by kstater

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I can assure you, the vast majority of Superintendents are neither lazy nor trying to make the greens slow and chewed up.

As an ex-Assistant Superintendent, I think I can speak on this.

It really depends on the resources you have at your disposal, mainly in terms of manpower.

I worked at one of the better semi-private clubs in the area, and we mowed greens every day, regardless of how hot it was going to get. But we also had a 17-man crew which allowed us to syringe the greens all day. From 11:00 on, we had 3 guys who were responsible for 6 greens each.

Most courses don't have that kind of manpower, so their next best option is to keep the greens longer.

I think a lot of public courses in my area are understaffed, because even the really good public courses are using this tactic to help "save" their greens - and they've never done so in the past.

[kstater]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

As an ex-Assistant Superintendent, I think I can speak on this.

It really depends on the resources you have at your disposal, mainly in terms of manpower.

I worked at one of the better semi-private clubs in the area, and we mowed greens every day, regardless of how hot it was going to get. But we also had a 17-man crew which allowed us to syringe the greens all day. From 11:00 on, we had 3 guys who were responsible for 6 greens each.

Most courses don't have that kind of manpower, so their next best option is to keep the greens longer.

I think a lot of public courses in my area are understaffed, because even the really good public courses are using this tactic to help "save" their greens - and they've never done so in the past.

Revenues are way down in golf. Budget here has been cut going on 4 years in a row now.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by kstater

Revenues are way down in golf. Budget here has been cut going on 4 years in a row now.

Can't speak to your course, but part of the problem here in STL is that greens fees are completely out of control.

The club I worked at was smart enough to realize that it's better to have every tee-time filled, even at a discount than to leave it empty because you refused to get the full fee for it.

There are quite a few course here where the twilight rate is still over $40. That's ****ing ridiculous. It's also why my rounds are way down this year. I usually play 30+ rounds a year, I've played 11 times.

[milkman]

Golf is a gentleman's sport, but some of thes guys dress like clowns.

[kstater]

We've opened up to the public, membership drives with massive discounts. Hard to compete when the club down the road has dues that are half of ours(never mind that the owner of that course subsidizes it with 300k/year).

[milkman]

Lefty fading.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by kstater

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I can assure you, the vast majority of Superintendents are neither lazy nor trying to make the greens slow and chewed up.

No I was stating that having slow greens means ALOT less work for the crew, hell if they can get away with it and keep the job, then why not. This is what I do, and rest assured I will have a hose in my hand every morning for the the next week hand watering, but we will still have the fastest greens around, stinting at 11 to 12 in these conditions, in the morning with moisture on. Cutting at .09 of an inch, and verticutting several times throughout the year.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by kstater

We've opened up to the public, membership drives with massive discounts. Hard to compete when the club down the road has dues that are half of ours(never mind that the owner of that course subsidizes it with 300k/year).

Most courses are really struggling. IMO people are just so busy anymore, and the economy. The course that I am at now is the only one I know of that is booming, and unfortunately I think the board takes it for granted in these tough times.