Golf!!!2!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Got the email last week about Kananaskis bookings this year, and their solution to the debacles of the last few years is to spread out the booking openings. So it'll be...

March 21, 9am - Book for all of May
March 22, 9am - Book for all of June
March 28, 9am - Book for all of July
March 29, 9am - Book for all of August
March 30, 9am - Book for all of Sept/Oct

I guess that's a bit better and will hopefully avoid thousands of people trying to book all at once. But I didn't even play last year based off what everyone here said about the state of the course (I had a time, but cancelled). So not sure I'll even try and book it this year.

[Weitz]

If you like slow expensive rounds play kananaski. I’m not sure there’s real value there anymore.

[DoubleK]

K country needs to go walking only for a couple years. If that hurts them on tournaments, so be it.

It's been two full seasons since the renos. The fairways are complete dogsh*t.

Time to bite the bullet.

[kcin]

I essentially boycotted them last year after that complete disaster. Just not interested in even trying this year. If a friend or family member gets a decent time and invites me I'm sure I'll go but otherwise not interested. It's a shame.

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Got the email last week about Kananaskis bookings this year, and their solution to the debacles of the last few years is to spread out the booking openings. So it'll be...

March 21, 9am - Book for all of May
March 22, 9am - Book for all of June
March 28, 9am - Book for all of July
March 29, 9am - Book for all of August
March 30, 9am - Book for all of Sept/Oct

I guess that's a bit better and will hopefully avoid thousands of people trying to book all at once. But I didn't even play last year based off what everyone here said about the state of the course (I had a time, but cancelled). So not sure I'll even try and book it this year.

[Rutuu]

I had an overseas friend asking me about kananaskis the other day. Played it last year and it was fantastic as always.

It really is a gem.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Weitz

If you like slow expensive rounds play kananaski. I’m not sure there’s real value there anymore.

Expensive? Where do you normally play? Kananaskis may just be the best golf course for the money I've played at aside from shoulder season in Scottsdale, when the fees were 50%.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Expensive? Where do you normally play? Kananaskis may just be the best golf course for the money I've played at aside from shoulder season in Scottsdale, when the fees were 50%.

I assume we’re talking about Alberta courses…

It’s $139 with cart, I’d call that expensive for the area.

It’s not $600 to play pebble but i didn’t think we were talking about places like that.

[chedder]

Don't know why Kananaskis feels the need to reinvent the wheel on booking. Just use a 14 day advance or similar like everyone else. I guess they want to create urgency and try get as much of the season booked as they can all at once.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by chedder

Don't know why Kananaskis feels the need to reinvent the wheel on booking. Just use a 14 day advance or similar like everyone else. I guess they want to create urgency and try get as much of the season booked as they can all at once.

Well in that regard they're correct in opening up bookings as they're a mountain destination course. Same reason Banff or any course that people plan weekend trips/vacations around allow season long bookings.

They suck at it and it sells out quick, but it's not wrong to do it. Someone coming to Alberta in July from the UK or US, or somewhere else in Canada doesn't want to book a hotel and flight with the intention of playing a certain course and then just hope that they can get a tee time a week or two out.

Destination bookings are completely different than city/town course bookings. You can argue you don't think Kananaskis is good anymore, but they definitely go the destination booking route as does every destination course around the world.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Well in that regard they're correct in opening up bookings as they're a mountain destination course. Same reason Banff or any course that people plan weekend trips/vacations around allow season long bookings.

They suck at it and it sells out quick, but it's not wrong to do it. Someone coming to Alberta in July from the UK or US, or somewhere else in Canada doesn't want to book a hotel and flight with the intention of playing a certain course and then just hope that they can get a tee time a week or two out.

Destination bookings are completely different than city/town course bookings. You can argue you don't think Kananaskis is good anymore, but they definitely go the destination booking route as does every destination course around the world.

And while "we" locals might think it's not as good as it was, the truth is people from elsewhere just can't believe how incredible that course is. I played there last summer with some guys from Toronto who hadn't been here before, and the way Mt. Kidd looms over the course just blew their mind. One of them had been to Banff before and he was saying that while you're in the mountains there, it's just not quite the same.

Honestly, we kind of get jaded and accustomed to it because it's more readily available, I think. I think that there are some changes that they could and should make there, but it's a gem. And for $100 to walk (and a pretty easy walk to be fair), compared to some of the other $100 courses around, it's a complete steal.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I assume we’re talking about Alberta courses…

It’s $139 with cart, I’d call that expensive for the area.

It’s not $600 to play pebble but i didn’t think we were talking about places like that.

i played country hills last year on a friday and walked and it was $120'ish. compared to that kaninaskis is reasonable.

And i'd say the comparators for kaninaskis would be the canmore courses and banff. Golden is $95 with a cart

[Slava]

So, let’s talk putters. I’m going to get a new one and used the Ping app to help me with that. I came to the conclusion that I should be looking at a blade as opposed to a mallet and I’m totally good with that. So, now I’m going to try out a bunch and make a decision from there.

But, here’s my question, or discussion. Everything online says if money is no object, the Scotty Cameron Newport Select 2 is the best. I can understand this, and I also know at least some of that cost is you’re paying for the name. So, what’s the tangible difference between say the Kirkland and Scotty? Is it feel, or is there something else? I’m just using those as an example, but you could have a similar issue between a Ping/Bettinardi and Taylormade.

Thoughts?

[malcolmk14]

I have the Newport 2.5 - It is awesome and I'll likely never need another putter in my life. I paid $187 for it in 2014 though. They're like $500 now. I think I'd still recommend it.

[DoubleK]

Nothing feels like a Scotty.

[Dion]

I use a Ping Sigma 2 putter. Bought it 2 years ago and really like it.

[Winsor_Pilates]

I use the Evnroll ER2. Tried the Scotty Newport when buying and it just felt better for me.
Putters are very specific to the individual though.

[Slava]

Wel I see that there are new Scotty’s that come out next month also. I don’t know if I should wait or just get a putter and putt in the basement sooner.

[iggypop]

Putters these days are wild IMO. I worked at golf town way back in 2005-2006, and most odyssey, ping, and taylormade putters were around $180 and Scottys around $400. Today, these brand’s high end putters are over $500, similar in price to Scottys. Just seems like a ton for a putter. At least Scottys seem to hold their value in the resale market, I doubt that’s the case for any other brand.

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by Slava

Wel I see that there are new Scotty’s that come out next month also. I don’t know if I should wait or just get a putter and putt in the basement sooner.

Have you considered going somewhere like Modern Golf or TXG where they can use technology to assess your stroke and putter performance? There are so many good options out there now.

Everyone says nothing feels like a Scotty however for me, I have never found one that felt best for me (in over 20 years of trying to buy one!)

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

Have you considered going somewhere like Modern Golf or TXG where they can use technology to assess your stroke and putter performance? There are so many good options out there now.

Everyone says nothing feels like a Scotty however for me, I have never found one that felt best for me (in over 20 years of trying to buy one!)

I did a thing with a pro this week, so I know all the specifics, but now it’s a question of finding a good fit for that data. I guess I’m cheap and make it into a bigger decision than it probably needs to be. After all, I can three putt with anything!