What do you LOVE about your golf club?

[Jim Colton]

Everything!

[Garland Bayley]

I can go out after 5 pm and play 18 holes during daylight savings time.

Pick up the pace Mac!

It is the closest course to my house.

It has lots of interesting terrain.

It has a par 4 with both a blind tee shot, and a blind approach.

My favorite 9 (the back) is left more open by all those that show up and play only 9 on the front.

I've had a 190 yard hole in one there.

There is a green that is better defended by gravity golf than you could defend it with any number of bunkers.

The 18th is a strategic tree gate very similar to Black Forest 10 that Tom discusses in his book that allows you to come away with a birdie after an otherwise disaster of a round.

I feel the best holes on the course are 13 to 18 where match play is usually decided.

[Eric Smith]

I forgot #7.  Sharing it with others.

Jim, seems to me this could be described as your go-to, can't miss shot!

[Brent Hutto]

I have to admit the only thing I would say I purely love about my club is the golf course itself. It suits my game very well and is generally in great playing condition. Very attractive course, as well, for a parkland course built among pine trees.

There are many other things I like about my club, including almost all of the other members and the fine group of staff we have in the pro shop and clubhouse. So I'd say I'm a member there as much because there are so many things I like as because of one or two things I love if that makes any sense. But honestly it's mostly about the course. I'm a golfer, not a socializer and all the other stuff wouldn't matter a bit if the course didn't suit me or was frequently in poor condition. Especially given the considerable total cost of membership (although at our club that is minimal by Northeast or California standards).

[Alex Miller]

I love that anyone can play it.

I love that I showed up at 7:20 this morning, was on the tee at 7:25, played nine with my buddy and was back at my dorm at 9:30.

I love that on most days I could show up early, be off in a half hour and play a U.S. Open track.

I love that I can see the ocean from almost every hole, and I love that it's sunny 80% of the time.

I love that it's a muni, but one of the best in the country. And I love that I get the resident rate  (Hopefully you've guessed my club by now!)

I loved the resident rate at Torrey Pines when I had it for two years.
What I dindn't love was the 3 hour wait on the singles list for the weekends or holidays!

I don't know if it's a change in the times, but I can tell you that 99% of the time the walk on list in the mornings is entirely on the course. As long as your'e there before 7 it's a breeze! Even the afternoons are easy too! I walked on the South in 10 minutes and played 18 holes while finishing at sunset. I here people say it's like Bethpage in that it's tough to get on, but I've found it to be easier than the muni I grew up on!

Though that was the second most played course in the world. Literally.

[Emil Weber]

The 15th hole, the team and my coach.

[Bill_McBride]

3-1/2 hour rounds

No tee times

Walk any time, Sun Mtn carts stored along with clubs in bag room

Great course, reasonably firm, no two holes alike, some classical elements

Right on the bay although only one hole is on the water.  But that one's pretty good...

[archie_struthers]

 



I play at Greate Bay in Somers Point ...right outside Ocean City/ AC


we play fast ...average round takes 3:30

golf course plays harder for low handicappers than high

we can play almost to Christmas with pretty good conditions

games at club where you can just show up monday wednesday friday satruday or sunday

food is good....beer is cold

people who work there are exceptionally nice

place is fun not stuffy

[D_Malley]

i love that you can check in at the Golf Shop
and then drive the cart to the trunk of your car
and put your own bag on your cart

[Steve Lang]

  I still get excited driving into the courses, the rituals getting out to the first tee with the pros, starter-marshalls, friends encountered,.. focusing on the first tee shot.. and off like a dirty shirt.. 4, 6, 9, 18 or how ever many holes happens.. after 18 years AND COUNTING..

[David_Elvins]

It's where my dad taught me to play golf

it is a beautiful natural setting for golf.

the green complexes are some of the most challenging I have played.

It pays respect to it's architect wit hthe original plan and tribute to the architect sitting proudly in the clubhouse.

The club and the course relies heavily on volunteer labour.

A groundstaff of 2.5 people keeps it in the condition of a top city course.



It costs me $350 a year in subs.

[mike_beene]

People don't hound me for autographs.

[Carl Johnson]

That it's just a golf club.  Nothing fancy, no pretences, not a "country club," basically just a golf course with a small club house with a snack bar and bar/grill (and because we're in the South, the obligatory swimming pool).  Also, as Billy Mayfair did today on CBS, easily confused with Charlotte Country Club.

[Dan Herrmann]

In no particular order:
...  Fantastic golf course architecture (Hanse)
...  Fantastic firm and fast conditioning
...  Our head greenkeeper works with the architect and his firm to be sure that his intents are manifested in the conditions
...  No tee times
...  We don't have any prima donna members
...  Gender equity tee times and nobody cares
...  Great staff, including golf professionals
...  No food minimums
...  Fast pace of play
...  No 1950's goofy era club rules
...  Families are encouraged to play
...  The architecture
...  The architecture
...  Oh yeah, the clubhouse architecture too

[Sam Morrow]

The fact that all but a few holes are very cool.
Awesome greensites.
Mexican Superman cooking.
They employ me and my check has never bounced.

[Bill_McBride]

The fact that all but a few holes are very cool.
Awesome greensites.
Mexican Superman cooking.
They employ me and my check has never bounced.

Which holes are not cool?  I thought they were all interesting.

[Matt Langan]

This is a great topic. My favorites (in no particular order):
-it's small enough to where I know almost everyone by their first name (but I'm not old enough to do that will all the guys just yet)
-no tee times are necessary
-a great chipping area that isn't very busy (so epic chipping and putting matches can take place)
-great competition in the member tournaments that bring out groups of people to watch the last few holes of the tourney
-eightsomes are kosher (occasionally)
-very few cart paths
-having the 18th green finish right next to the clubhouse

Simply put: I love clubs that have a small membership with golfers that have a lot of respect for the game.

[Sam Morrow]

The fact that all but a few holes are very cool.
Awesome greensites.
Mexican Superman cooking.
They employ me and my check has never bounced.

Which holes are not cool?  I thought they were all interesting.

I'm not a huge fan of 5 or 15.

[JNC Lyon]

My club in Rochester:

Two great Ross courses.  One is the championship course that is tough as hell.  One is the members' course that is fun as hell.

Great friends that I have known since I started playing.

I can play golf with my Dad at least once a week.

My club at school:

I can play whenver I want, and it is a five minute drive from my dorm.

It has a great set of RTJ greens.

It is a gorgeous course to play in the fall, the time of year when I play the course the most.

My club in the UK:

My first club where I feel like I am a member.  A club to call my own, I guess.

Golf on a seaside links that is the best possible getaway from London.

I have met tons of new people here, not to mention a few GCAers!

[Harvey Dickens]

I love the fact that I can decide to hit some balls at 6pm and be at the course at 6:08.                                   
I can hit a bag of balls and then decide to play 3 to 18 holes.
I can walk or ride.
I know just about everybody.
The course is probably average or below average design and conditioning wise, but it’s good enough.
Usually not very busy.
Only a couple of houses on the course and none come into play.
The greatest thing about my course is that I get to spend so much time with my kids there. I have pictures of us on the course when they were no bigger than a putter. We swim play golf and swim some more in the summer.
The emphasis is on “country” in Country Club.
P.S. You’re all  invited.

[Dan Herrmann]

JNC - if you're talking Oak Hill - don't forget the bowling alley!

[Joel Zuckerman]

1)  No Carts, other than two for temporary medical problems...everyone walks, with a caddie.
2)  Caddie requirement ends by 3 PM, so you can walk/carry in the later afternoon.
3)  The grip-tighteneing tee shot on the opening hole.
4)  Dorm rooms above the clubhouse for overnight stay

[Patrick Hodgdon]

What do you LOVE about your golf club?

I can't help but smile when thinking about the day I had today at the golf course.

Alarm clock went off at 3:45am
45 minutes later I hit the road
Stop for a huge cup of joe
Jam out for 2 hours on the drive to Knoxville
Meet GCAer Patrick Hodgden there
We putt a bit, the greens are phenomenal btw Ryan Blair!
We shoot the shit
Tee off at 8:10 as a twosome (second group out)
9:45 we each slam a long neck at the turn
11:30 we're back in the clubhouse eating lunch
12:00 we shake hands, I hit the road for home and Patrick hits the shower before making the 8 hr drive to Chicago

Now that was what happened.  But there's more and this is why I've started the thread. The rest of the story is the Club and what it brought to my day.

This is what I love about my club:

1. Golf professionals who care about you and your guests.  They start conversations with you and your guests. Chris and Sean make everyone feel welcome as soon as you walk in the golf shop.

2. A Superintendent who cares about you and your guests.  Our man is the best.  Ryan took time to talk to us on the putting green even though he was plenty busy getting the gc ready for our Invitational this weekend.  He has the gc is in tip top condition.

3. Members who make the first tee time, walk, play as a foursome and never look back.  We played at a brisk pace I thought, but we never got anywhere near them after the third hole.  I appreciate those guys.  And they were each likely 20 yrs older than me!  Awesome stuff.

4. Getting a big ole hug from the waitress in the restaurant at the turn.  Charlene and I have known each other for 20 years and she is as warm and personable as Aunt Betty.  She and April made my guest and I laugh a plenty, listened to our stories with sincere interest and sent us back out on the course laughing some more, along with ice cold long necks in hand.

5. Ice cold long necks on the 10th tee.  I'm a big fan of the ice cold long neck on 10.  We both stripe it.  Here's Patrick's drive.

 Ryan had his guy come measure Patrick's drive. (just kidding.)

6. A 288 yard P4, reachable P5, a stout 3 shot P5 finish.  We had a spirited match and though I couldn't catch Patrick in the end (he was pretty darn strong today), it wasn't because I didn't have the opportunity.  I love the finish at Holston Hills.  I love everything about my club.

What do you love about yours?  Let's hear it.

I love when rounds with me inspire great threads on GCA!

Honestly I have to say that Holston Hills is a GREAT course and a lot of fun to play. Add to that Eric as a host and there is no way you can not have the most enjoyable round you've had in a while!

I'll post more about the course in the HH thread but needless to say I've got a lot of positive things to write about it!

[Bill_McBride]

The fact that all but a few holes are very cool.
Awesome greensites.
Mexican Superman cooking.
They employ me and my check has never bounced.

Which holes are not cool?  I thought they were all interesting.

I'm not a huge fan of 5 or 15.

You're right, can't remember 5 or 15!  Or is 15 the second hole with the church pew bunker?

[Sam Morrow]

The fact that all but a few holes are very cool.
Awesome greensites.
Mexican Superman cooking.
They employ me and my check has never bounced.

Which holes are not cool?  I thought they were all interesting.

I'm not a huge fan of 5 or 15.

You're right, can't remember 5 or 15!  Or is 15 the second hole with the church pew bunker?

Yes, 5 is the second pew hole, long hole. The green looks flat but actually has a nice little slope but nothing in line with the rest of the course. 5 Is an okay par 3 that plays slightly uphill.