Thank the Wrath of God the weather is warming up this week! Today, made my 2nd round of golf this year with low temps and fast strong winds (38°F 20mph very cold winds). The pro shop manager questioned me, "You're going to play in this?" "Look, Chumley (Not his name), if the Army can slap me in a tent at -35° F in Fort Drum, NY., I think I got this. Besides, that's what Under Armor is made for." Since this is my 2nd round with new irons, I didn't bother with score considering I had the entire course to myself. (1st round score of 87 the weather conditions were similar to 2nd round.) I turned that course into a complete practice ensemble of every aspect of the game. (An advantage of having a country club/golf course membership provided I'm not creating slow play or interrupting other golfer's game.)By the way, I actually used Saguto's method of greenside bunker sand play. Holy crap! I got out everytime! (I was accustomed to the clubhead at 1-2:00 o'clock position, 2 inches behind ball. Aim left of target.. Dig in feet,, etc etc. Blah blah blah) The scary part is judging how much of a swing you need to play out. Who cares? It's golf! Dialed in my new hybrid. Of course, the weather would not have me reach my distance potential. I had to go up 2 clubs (wind/cold) Today, was a workout. The greens were slow and sloppy. After all, the snow just melted a week ago. If you had ever hit a frozen green, instant superball! Boing! I can only imagine what my game would be like in descent golf weather. As long as there is no snow on the ground, I'll play golf in any weather! Except...lightning. Yeah, I don't care to be a mobile lightning rod. Tom, any tips on playing in adverse golf conditions? Wet fairways/rough, rain, wind, cold, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc.
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Love the photo and the music influences!! Thanks for sharing that!
I've heard about Red Rocks and it sounds like a phenomenal experience. Perhaps some day...
@Tom Saguto Wow! That would be awesome! Touring and golfing on the stomping grounds of my katana weilding golf sensei. When I'm ready to go down there, maybe you can give your family friend a heads up. That would be fun. Gettysburg is my favorite area to visit. I'd live down there if the company I work for had a plant there. Caddyshack is such a classic along with Happy Gilmore. Love those flicks and a hockey classic, Slapshot (I play ice hockey but I hung my skates for clubs long time ago. Sweaters for polos). I'm not originally from PA. I was born in North Carolina, grew up mostly in Minnesota, graduated from Arizona and part of my young midlife adulthood in Colorado. (Played bass guitar in several bands along the way, too. Played in a band whom we opened up for Molly Hatchet in Pueblo, Co. I still jam on my guitars once in awhile) I've also been all over the world. Primarily, military. Picked up an electrical degree. I hope there is never a golf rehab for my addiction to the sport. I know you're a busy man with many students. You're doing a great thing in helping us play better golf. 👍⛳🏌️♂️
LOL! A classic scene from an epic movie!!
My elementary/middle school was in New Oxford, which is the next town east of Gettysburg on US-30, so field trips to the town and the battlefield were no-brainers. That view of Devil's Den sure stirs up some memories...
Yes - The Bridges is a great course with plenty of variety from one hole to the next. I hope you get to play it sometime soon! I have a great family friend who plays there all the time; I'm sure he wouldn't mind including you in his group if you'd like a course guide and someone to play with. He's likely to share some stories as well since I grew up across the street from his house, golfed with him regularly, and was good friends with his son.
Tom
PS: @johnpfistnerjr - As for Mr. Fatty, try the 90% Weight Forward/Arms Straight drill. Even though it's in the anti-slicing section, this drill has become a magic elixir for a host of issues.
@johnpfistnerjr - There are some nice tracks in the Gettysburg vicinity. Here is the YT video you referenced where I featured hole #10 at The Bridges Golf Club in Abbottstown, PA. I highly recommend it, and they have on-site lodging should you ever wish to do a stay-and-play.
With regard to the Civil War/Gettysburg - or "The War of Northern Aggression" as they refer to it down here 😂 - I was fully immersed in all of that history as a youth and still enjoy referring back to it from time to time.
By the way, did you ever read Newt Gingrich's novel "Gettysburg"? I found it to paint a very interesting "what if" scenario had Lee decided to listen to Longstreet and not engage there, electing instead to push his army south, cutting the Union army off from DC and moving in on the city. Growing up in the area and being familiar with the terrain and the roads really brought it to life for me.
@Tom Saguto Wow...small world. Schuylkill CC in Orwigsburg I believe the course is next to the highway I pass everytime I head to Philly. Nice looking course, too. I have all kinds of literature, videos/movies and memorabilia of the Civil War. Little Round Top is my personal favorite hang out overlooking Devil's Den. I could spend hours there. I've yet to play any of the links in and around Gettysburg. Not sure what title of vid tip with the course you had recommended, I'm sure it was in PA. I'll find it. Right now, I'm checking out hitting fat shots (I was Mr. Behind the Ball Fatty yesterday, ugh! Fell off my swing somehow) and power distance golf swings.
LOL @johnpfistnerjr!! Living in South Carolina my best advice on playing in adverse conditions is simply "don't"....😎
However, growing up in PA I understand that the desire to just get out there and play in less-than-ideal conditions after a long winter's layoff can trump comfort and common sense. As such, my only recommendation is that you dress appropriately so as to prevent the onset of hypothermia, but also in a manner that allows you to properly 1) keep your connections intact, 2) execute the swing motions in unimpeded fashion, and 3) maintain a good grip on the club. Beyond that, as you convey with regard to frozen greens, play your approaches one club short where possible as most of the time there's less trouble chipping on from in front of a green than there is when trying to recover from flying (or bouncing off) it.
BTW, nice job on the bunker play - I'm glad that technique worked well for you!!
Enjoy the thaw!
Tom