Crooked Stick

[Nick Pozaric]

I had the honor of playing Crooked Stick yesterday and wanted to hear some other peoples views who have been there.  I loved the course, the fairway design and green complexes were awesome.  The aesthetics off the fairways  I dont know what to think.  On some of the holes outside there fairway its just flat rough that seemed like it went on and looked like a field, no long rough, trees or what not.  There were a couple holes on the front that had a huge lake around them with monsterous houses that reminded me of florida.   I would love to hear your opinions.  I loved the course it was awesome, I had a great round and very speedy also.  One reason I might have a negative about all the areas off the fairway because they have had a very dry summer and it was very brown, am  I  just too picky?  The fairways and greens could not have been in better shape, some of the best greens I have putted on all year!

[Jim Franklin]

Nick -

I have not played there, but my old pro is there, Tony Pancake. Did you meet him? He is a great guy.

[John Nixon]

Yep, it's been very very dry in central Indiana for a while. I'm getting some good roll on the dry, dry, dry, fast and firm muni fairways around town.

[Nick Pozaric]

I talked with someone today who had played there in the past and said they used ot have long grass between the holes and it looked much better then.  He said they started mowing the long grass in preparations for the Solheim Cup next yr.  

Where you at BCC, or elsewhere to know Tony? I know him also, super great guy!

[Chris_Clouser]

I haven't played the Stick in a couple of years, but the last time I was there they were doing some minor work, or perhaps Pete was just experimenting.  

I love golf in Indiana in late summer, early fall.  Firm and fast at almost any course.  I usually play my best then as well.  I just hope I get another chance to play before the October and November rains really start kicking in.

[Jonathan Cummings]

I'm going to play with Tony Pancake and John Clough (5 Farms guy) at The Stick tomorrow.  Never played Crooked Stick and am quite interested in seeing it.  JC

[Nick Pozaric]

Have fun, you should have a great time.  It will be really nice to play with someone who has some local knowledge getting around the place.  You wont be blown away by the course , but walking it and just taking it in little by little you will greatly appreciate it.  Pay special attention to the design of the greens also, they can have some extremely challenging, but fair, hole locations!  Walking up 18 fairway all I could thiink of was John Daly walking up and fist pumping, mullet at all

[Rob_Waldron]

I am scheduled to play Crooked Stick next Friday and based on these comments, I am really looking forward to it. I spoke to Tony last week and I understand That he and Justin, the Assistant he brought from BCC absolutely love Indy. I am also playing Smyers' Wolf Run on Thursday. Anyone have any comments about it???

[Jim Franklin]

Jonathan -

Have fun, John Clough is a great guy. Tell him I said "hi".

Nick -

I am a BCC guy.

Rob -

Wolf Run is awesome, I bet you like it more than Crooked Stick.

[cary lichtenstein]

You will love Wolf Run, and will like it a whole lot better than Crooked Stick. To be fair, the topography is way better at Wolf Run.

Try to play Victoria National, also an Indiana treat

[Mark Brown]

I don't particularly like Crooked Stick. Dye kept tinkering with it in the 80s and it became one of the examples of the penal courses built in the 80s. Too many sharp edges and deep bunkers and railroad ties. Wolf Run is tons better, one of my top 25 in the world.

[Jim Franklin]

As Cary said, VN is the best of the bunch.

[Jonathan Cummings]

It was a beautiful day yesterday!  We played CS after a member shotgun and were the only people on the course.  Pete was on the range hitting balls by himself.

My read on CS is that it starts off quietly building rhythm, culminating with the magnificent 6th and 8th holes.  The frontside is a fairly ordinary piece of property - flatter and nondescript.  The second nine surveys a more rolling and interesting plot and really hasn't a bad hole on it.  All green complexes have murderous recovery requirements if you miss the putting surfaces.  Once on, putting is no picnic either as these were fast and subtle.  

Off to Wolf Run this morning if it doesn't start snowing!    It's in the mid-30s.

JC