Each time I take a first time visitor to Dismal, I always send them an email with a few suggestions that I think are helpful. I thought I would share them here for those making their first visit to Dismal for the 5th Major. Feel free to completely ignore them as you see fit.
Travel: Chose your route wisely. Google maps tends to default to the route heading north from Ogallala on Hwy 61/92. Beware. That route traverses several unmarked dirt roads with loose cattle and a "paved" one lane/two way road for a significant stretch of the trip. I discourage anyone from taking that route their first trip because it can be confusing at times. Part of the problem is also the lack of data/cell coverage. If you get turned around, your cell phone isn't going to be of much use. I suggest taking the route north from North Platte on Hwy 97. It is a little longer, but it is paved the entire way with signs to the club and the risk of getting lost is much lower. Regardless, FILL UP YOUR CAR IN NORTH PLATTE/OGALLALA. Its a long way out to the club and back. More than one person has run out of gas in a rental car heading out/coming back to Dismal.
Clothing: To each their own, but I strongly prefer to wear light weight pants for several reasons. First, it provides some sun protection. Your cart is the only source of shade. The sun can be brutal at times. Second, the native has lots of little plants that like to stick and scratch. Its a comment on the state of my game that I spend more time in the native than I would prefer, but I feel that pants provide me some protection there as well. Third, playing golf in the sandhills is like being at the beach. You get sand in places you can't explain. Wearing pants lets me wear long socks without looking like a bigger dork than I am and keeps me from having to dump sand out of my shoes every 6 holes.
Speaking of sand, the gas powered carts are going to be your primary source of transportation out there, even if you walk the courses. The carts kick up a rooster tail of sand on the dirt roads, not to mention all the other carts kicking up dust. That brand new bag you bought for the season is going to come back with a nice layer of Nebraska terra firma everywhere. I take an old golf bag that is now my designated Dismal bag.
Water, Sunscreen, and Bug Repellant. Drink plenty of water, wear plenty of sunscreen, and have the bug repellant handy down by the river.
Thanks as always to Eric, CJ, and the Dismal team for putting this together. I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
A little something...
