The OS Golfer's Thread!

[pietasterp]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Forest Dunes is great; can't recommend it enough. It's almost like a super-discounted Bandon, although I probably need to stop talking about it because I don't want a bunch of people showing up there making it hard for me to get on.

In fact, scratch everything I said, ignore BDK's pics, and never go there. It sucks and is the worst golf experience you will ever have. No one goes there.

(opens new browser window to book late October off-peak round)

[jb12780]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

So last week I played the Champions Course at the TPC Scottsdale, the Piipaash Course at Talking Stick, Kierlands, and We-Ko-Pa.












Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pietasterp]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Awesome trip, jb! Which did you like the best?

I've done one of the courses at We-Ko-Pa and TPC. But Scottsdale is golf wonderland. My only complaint is that everything is kinda far away from everything else, but outside of a few super-golf-dense areas, that is always sort of an issue with golf trips.

[BDKiiing]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

So last week

TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN!!!!!!

[jb12780]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN!!!!!!

That was not me. I always tuck my shirts in.

Awesome trip, jb! Which did you like the best?

I've done one of the courses at We-Ko-Pa and TPC. But Scottsdale is golf wonderland. My only complaint is that everything is kinda far away from everything else, but outside of a few super-golf-dense areas, that is always sort of an issue with golf trips.

I liked Talking Stick the best.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pietasterp]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I never tuck my shirts in either. They always end up coming out after a few swings anyway, so I sort of figure what's the point? I have been 'spoken to' once in my life at a not-particularly-exclusive club about tucking in my shirt, though (many years ago), which I thought was mildly amusing. (yes, I complied without issue - it's no big deal, ultimately)

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Just booked an October 2025 trip to Sand Valley! Will be playing all courses on property, including Lido and Tom Doak's new Sedge Valley, which opens this July.

The process of getting reservations was kind of nuts...the person I talked with on the phone said they had gotten over 8,000 phone calls for 2025 reservations between when the spots opened last Tuesday, and this past Saturday...8,000 calls in just 4 days for reservations 16-20 months from now!

That doesn't take into account all the online inquiries, either...just bonkers.

[pietasterp]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Just booked an October 2025 trip to Sand Valley! Will be playing all courses on property, including Lido and Tom Doak's new Sedge Valley, which opens this July.

The process of getting reservations was kind of nuts...the person I talked with on the phone said they had gotten over 8,000 phone calls for 2025 reservations between when the spots opened last Tuesday, and this past Saturday...8,000 calls in just 4 days for reservations 16-20 months from now!

That doesn't take into account all the online inquiries, either...just bonkers.

Congrats. But that is ridiculous. Bandon is sort of similar; it's bordering on not worth it at this point. But I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip!

[BDKiiing]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Speaking of. Just made it back tonight from the pilgrimage to the Pacific Northwest. Two years ago we had incredible weather, but this time around we got the full elements of Bandon.

We got in Super Bowl Sunday just in time for kick off, hung out at the Bunker Bar for the game. Absolutely recommend if anyone goes.

Day one. Sheep Ranch. Some of the best views on the property. Incredibly playable. Incredibly enjoyable. We had good weather, but the greens on this one were a little rough, given all the recent rain out there. Fired an 84, which I’ll take, having not played golf in 3 months.

Day two was the best weather of the trip, which made it a great day for 36. However, I got my *** beat by Old Mac, fired a 91. Found just about every bunker that I could. Just mentally beat me up and couldn’t recover. Thankfully we got back a little to it with an 87 on Bandon in the afternoon. Weather was flawless for that afternoon round.

Day three. We knew dicey weather was coming, thankfully the rain was pretty minimal. But the 40-45 mph wind gusts did not make Pacific Dunes an easy track. I went out in 45, but somehow found something on the back nine and came in with 38. Same magic started to click on the back despite some early carnage. What a flawless golf course though.

Day four. Last time we did not play Trails, which we’re all glad we did this time. Despite it raining for the first 13 holes, the wind stayed relatively calm. The course definitely gives the “up north” vibes in the middle portion of it. But the beginning and end being cut through the dunes is unreal. Such a great track too. Finished up the trip with an 84. Game feels good despite the long layoff, and kicking off the year with some of the hardest golf courses, but it was a great trip. Highly recommend to anyone. Easily the best golf trip you can take in this country.


Some views.

Spoiler

[BDKiiing]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

Got it all dialed in early, not many changes.




BDKiiing's 2024 WITB

Driver:
Callaway AI Smoke Max D 9° (+1° at 44.5") Graphite Design UB 6s

Fairway Woods:
TaylorMade SIM2 Max 3HL 16.5° Graphite Design Tour AD HD7s
Ping G430 7w (+3/4") Oban Kiyoshi Purple 75s

Rescue:
Ping G430 4 hybrid Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 8s

Irons:
TaylorMade P790 24 5-7 Project X IO 6.0
TaylorMade P770 23 8-PW Project X IO 6.0

Wedges:
Titleist Vokey SM10 46° F Grind (bent to 48°) AMT Black Oynx S300
Titleist Vokey SM10 54° D Grind (M Grind for firmer courses) AMT Black Oynx S300
TaylorMade MyHiToe Blacked out 60° KBS $Taper 120 Black (Might be switching to an SM10 60D/60M)

Putter:
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Champions Choice Button Back w/ LA Golf 135 Ryder Cup Team USA Edition shaft 34"

Grip:
Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360

Golf Pride Pro Only Cord Green Star

Ball:
Pro V1 #34

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

BDKiiing (or anyone else here), you ever been to Sand Valley? If so, any pro tips or things to know? Never been before, and want to get the most out of our time there. I plan on eating as many of the $1 tacos at Craig's Porch as I can, that's for sure!

We've already got our tee times set:

Arrival day: The Sandbox (17 hole par-3 course)
Full Day 1: 36 Holes - Mammoth Dunes in the a.m., Sand Valley in the p.m.
Full Day 2: Lido
Departure Day: Sedge Valley

Hoping to maybe get a couple more rounds at The Sandbox on the days we have just 18 holes planned, depending on how sore we are...haha.

[BDKiiing]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I played Sand Valley the first year it was open, and just 15 or 16 holes on Mammoth before it fully opened, so I haven't done the whole stay and play there yet. But good call starting with the short course. Good introduction to the facility. Enjoy the walk.


The complex is set up pretty similar to Bandon. They have shuttles to take you everywhere you're going on the facility, which is great and convenient. For courses like that, I do recommend a caddie. They make the experience so much better.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I played Sand Valley the first year it was open, and just 15 or 16 holes on Mammoth before it fully opened, so I haven't done the whole stay and play there yet. But good call starting with the short course. Good introduction to the facility. Enjoy the walk.


The complex is set up pretty similar to Bandon. They have shuttles to take you everywhere you're going on the facility, which is great and convenient. For courses like that, I do recommend a caddie. They make the experience so much better.

Thanks!

You are required to take caddies on Lido, which I am actually glad that's the case, as that course sounds quite demanding and disorienting.

[pietasterp]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I recognize that 'aiming' tree from Old Mac...Someone in my group actually hit the darned thing, and I just barely whistled by it...the caddies did say to try to hit it (!).

[BDKiiing]

Re: The OS Golfer's Thread!

I recognize that 'aiming' tree from Old Mac...Someone in my group actually hit the darned thing, and I just barely whistled by it...the caddies did say to try to hit it (!).

That's impressive. The Ghost Tree is a beauty. It has cables holding it up now after some strong winds last year. Truly is one of the best target sight lines on any golf hole.