Golf!!!2!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone here have any suggestions on a pebble beach trip? Things like places to visit or things to do when not golfing. Caddies for sure?

Going this spring and playing:

Pebble x2
Spy Glass
Spanish bay

Staying at the resort.

I haven't been but friends rave about the Carmel & Monterey area. I think you'll find a number of good restaurants and things to view if you search around that area.
If you're up for a 2+ hour drive, Hearst Castle is further South.

[GomerPile]

It’s not hard to get off resort and I recommend it. Eat at the Sandbar & Grill (happy hour, sit at the bar) on Wharf 2 and add a round or two at Bayonet & Blackhorse. Such a great deal for the area. FWIW - I’ve played Pebble, Spanish Bay, Spy Glass, Del Monte and Poppy Hills. I play B&B every time I’m down there, aka when my wife goes for business.

[Weitz]

Thanks guys. I’m not adding any golf at this time due to timing. But will take the off course recommendations into consideration!

[malcolmk14]

Took the plunge and bought into a private club this year. Been a long-term goal of mine and I've been putting money away for the last ten years or so to buy it for myself for my 40th Birthday.

Not quite at 40 but the opportunity arose.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Took the plunge and bought into a private club this year. Been a long-term goal of mine and I've been putting money away for the last ten years or so to buy it for myself for my 40th Birthday.

Not quite at 40 but the opportunity arose.

Congratulations!
I did the same about 1.5 years back at 39.
Cost jumps up like crazy at 40+ here, so had to do it before my birthday.

One of the best decisions I've ever made. Got over 60 rounds in 2024, dropped my handicap by over 5 strokes, and met a lot of great people.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Anyone played Torrey Pines & have advice for getting a tee time?
Just thinking to potentially play as a single, as I'll be there next week with the family.

[GomerPile]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Anyone played Torrey Pines & have advice for getting a tee time?
Just thinking to potentially play as a single, as I'll be there next week with the family.

Unfortunately, I’d be surprised if it’s open, as The Farmers was just there and they have moved the Genesis Open there since the fires in LA. That starts the week of the 10th. North Course may be open…. Maybe.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Took the plunge and bought into a private club this year. Been a long-term goal of mine and I've been putting money away for the last ten years or so to buy it for myself for my 40th Birthday.

Not quite at 40 but the opportunity arose.

Not sharing where? I think it's such a great purchase though. Same as WP. One of the best things I've done!

[psyang]

Originally Posted by psyang

In the end, I went for the same set as in the second video above. They are made by Calong, which seems to be a legit club manufacturer. And having them play tested as in the youtube video gives me more confidence in them. And right now, they are on sale for $285 with free shipping. At that price, it seemed well worth the risk.

I expect they will arrive in a month or so, and will test them out at an indoor simulator. Here's hoping!

So, not a month, but just over a week to get my clubs. Placed the order on the 20th, got them this afternoon. I was a little worried what additional shipping fees there would be (ie. brokerage fees). They were shipped via UPS, but the extra fees ended up being $19 and change which included a mere $10 brokerage fee. I've had to pay $50+ brokerage fees in the past with ups, so this was a pleasant surprise. So all in, just under $305 for a set of p790 knockoffs, 4-pw.

They are very well packed, and come with iron covers which I'll probably end up discarding, but I'll leave them on for now. I got them with the nspro 950gh stiff shaft. The shafts may be fake, hard to tell. They are gorgeous - I got the black heads, and they look great. I'll have to upload some pictures later on.

I then booked an hour at kgolf in Beacon Hill. Their simulators aren't the most accurate, but they are nearby and have a deal at $25/hr from 2-5pm.

I hit between 5 and 10 balls with both my old and new clubs, so not a huge sample set but would give me an idea. I averaged 8yds more carry distance, 2mph ball speed, almost no change in spin rate. I'm not the longest hitter, but it was the first time I hit 200yds (188 carry) with my 4 iron.

I will say that they look and feel like the real p790s I hit a couple weeks back...with one big exception. On mi####s, the real p790s still feel really smooth. On toe/heel hits, you can tell you toed/heeled it, but almost no vibration. On the knockoffs, I still get good distance on mi####s, but definitely more vibrations. If I were to guess, the magic foam that TM injects is probably missing in the counterfeits.

Overall, really happy with my purchase, and can't wait to try them out on a real course.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Slava

Not sharing where? I think it's such a great purchase though. Same as WP. One of the best things I've done!

I don’t get out enough to justify it. But maybe when retired.

I like playing a variety of courses too so not sure if I will ever do it.

I’ve had memberships when I was way younger and do agree the convenience is nice.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I don’t get out enough to justify it. But maybe when retired.

I like playing a variety of courses too so not sure if I will ever do it.

I’ve had memberships when I was way younger and do agree the convenience is nice.

Yeah I don't expect to get value per round out of it - it's more about the place to call "home" and for the kids to grow up learning to golf with other like-minded kids. I wanted a place where I could fire off a few holes, have a shower, and go home or to work if I wanted. And somewhere close to home that I could pop out for 4-5 holes in the evening when the summer nights are long.

Also the fact that any rounds 4:15 and over are considered unacceptable and members are fined if they take too long to golf is absolutely sweet.

[Weitz]

What course? I’ve played 4:15+ rounds on probably all private courses in Calgary (not every round of course). Would be nice to hear some fine people.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by psyang

I will say that they look and feel like the real p790s I hit a couple weeks back...with one big exception. On mi####s, the real p790s still feel really smooth. On toe/heel hits, you can tell you toed/heeled it, but almost no vibration. On the knockoffs, I still get good distance on mi####s, but definitely more vibrations. If I were to guess, the magic foam that TM injects is probably missing in the counterfeits.

Overall, really happy with my purchase, and can't wait to try them out on a real course.

No comment other than I'm laughing over how this word was censored!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Yeah I don't expect to get value per round out of it - it's more about the place to call "home" and for the kids to grow up learning to golf with other like-minded kids. I wanted a place where I could fire off a few holes, have a shower, and go home or to work if I wanted. And somewhere close to home that I could pop out for 4-5 holes in the evening when the summer nights are long.

Also the fact that any rounds 4:15 and over are considered unacceptable and members are fined if they take too long to golf is absolutely sweet.

You nailed all the points I love about my club.

Regarding pace of play, I'm often back home within 4 hours of my tee time, even with the locker room stuff post round and drive home (15 min or so).
Have had a lot of sub 3 hr rounds.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

You nailed all the points I love about my club.

Regarding pace of play, I'm often back home within 4 hours of my tee time, even with the locker room stuff post round and drive home (15 min or so).
Have had a lot of sub 3 hr rounds.

Sub 3 is amazing. I've had those when I get out first thing in the morning (which is rare for me, as almost all of my rounds are after work in the early evening). The significant advantage of the membership is that you can book rounds easily. I understand wanting to play a variety of courses and I would do that more, but it's the opposite for me. I just think playing where I have the membership is far more convenient because my clubs are there, everything is all set, and all I have to do is show up.

[Weitz]

I’m definitely planning for later in life and in retirement to get a membership somewhere. For now I play way too many free rounds a year to make it worth while.

[3thirty]

Probably discussed prior, but where are your go to golf sims? Any preference and why?

[Weitz]

Anyone have a recommendation for who to go to for an iron fitting? Looking to order some new irons in the next couple weeks.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 3thirty

Probably discussed prior, but where are your go to golf sims? Any preference and why?

The one at Westhills by the Winners is decent. Cost is reasonable, they have refreshments and the course selection is good. The tracker is good.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Anyone have a recommendation for who to go to for an iron fitting? Looking to order some new irons in the next couple weeks.

Depends on the location & fitter but I had a good experience with Modern Golf when I fit my driver.

I did a Titleist fitting for irons and while I like them I regret going to a brand rep vs a place that will test many different brands.

Unless you're into a certain brand, go somewhere neutral like that.