My Golf Nerd Moment

[Keith OHalloran]

My wife thinks I am a golf nerd for caring as much as I do, but that is OK, as I don't listen too much anymore! The problem is that tonight I went to pick up dinner at a restaurant attached to a local public golf course. The fifth hole of this course is a 280 yard par 4 with a pond short left of a very sloped green. I have always thought that the severity of the green was in perfect harmony with the length of the hole. I met a very average, but frequent, golfer at the bar while I waited. He told me that he had played today and the 5th green was being flattend out. As I was about tell say  that I thought it was a bad idea because the slope of the green worked perfectly with the preferred angle of attack and the length of the hole, he said, "it is about time, I don't want to three putt all the time, I mean we are not pros". That is when I realized that I am a golf nerd and not everyone thinks the way I/we do.
Any other epipheny moments?

[Anthony Gray]

  That is why we are members on this site.Many of us are members at clubs where nobody has heard of golf course architecture and don't notice the little things that add creativity.

 

[Mac Plumart]

Keith...

I have these moments all the time.  However, I LOVE to listen to everyone's opinion and take on golf courses.  Like the guy you mentioned, that clearly illustrates the need for golfers not to get killed on a golf course and, therefore, the joy of scoring well.

I've heard people bag on the greens at Old Mac.  Why?  They put up BIG scores relative to their handicap.

I always ask people what is their favorite hole at any course I am playing for the first time as a guest.  After playing it, you can always get a feel for what the person's view on golf is.  Do they pick the hardest hole, the easiest hole, the most beautiful hole? 

Fascinating to me.

[Adam Clayman]

You may be a golf nerd but that story only exemplifies that the other guy is a golf putz. Why flatten when you could just raise the HOC?

[Keith OHalloran]

Mac,
I agree with you,but your post can illustrate my point as well. The best hole I have ever played (IMO) is the 7th at Sand Hills. Having read that, many on this site will have an idea of what I like and think I am crazy or not. When a majority of people off this site, that my favorite hole is in Nebraska, they think I am crazy to have gone to Nebraska to golf. My point is, sometimes it is easy to forget that the people on this site may not represent the majority of golfer's opinions.

[Mac Plumart]

Keith...of course you are right.

But golf in Nebraska (and surroundinga area) is so freakin' good it is unbelievable.  It must be seen to be believed.  I remember seeing all those pictures of the golf in Mullen...and yeah, they look neat.  Big bunkers, etc.  But it was NOTHING like the actually being there.

And my local friends scoff at making the trip (like your buddies do to, I'm sure), but that drive into Mullen is so incredible in and of itself.  Awesome, is the best word I can come up with to describe it.   The trip is part of the fun, I think.

But, yes, we are probably all sick in the head for making that trip.  But, alas, probably not as sick as someone who actually moves out to that part of the country (Nebraska/Colorado area) to live.  Good God...talk about a golf nut...that is taking it a step too far!!!    Right, Adam?

[Mark Pritchett]

"Golf Nerd" is redundant. 

[Billsteele]

Mark- Correction, "Golf Club Atlas nerd" is redundant.

[Adam Clayman]

 Mac, A step too far? Not just no, Hell no!

I pity all you stressed out urbanites. Especially those where the golf season isn't year round.

Imagine playing the type of golf you love the best, frequently.

[Kyle Harris]

My wife thinks I am a golf nerd for caring as much as I do, but that is OK, as I don't listen too much anymore! The problem is that tonight I went to pick up dinner at a restaurant attached to a local public golf course. The fifth hole of this course is a 280 yard par 4 with a pond short left of a very sloped green. I have always thought that the severity of the green was in perfect harmony with the length of the hole. I met a very average, but frequent, golfer at the bar while I waited. He told me that he had played today and the 5th green was being flattend out. As I was about tell say  that I thought it was a bad idea because the slope of the green worked perfectly with the preferred angle of attack and the length of the hole, he said, "it is about time, I don't want to three putt all the time, I mean we are not pros". That is when I realized that I am a golf nerd and not everyone thinks the way I/we do.
Any other epipheny moments?

Just now.

As my response would have been: "Then why do you expect to score like one?"

[Bill_McBride]

Mac, A step too far? Not just no, Hell no!

I pity all you stressed out urbanites. Especially those where the golf season isn't year round.

Imagine playing the type of golf you love the best, frequently.

Have you moved?

[jeffwarne]

Keith,

I grew up at a minor course in West Texas, but the 2nd hole was a fantastic challenge, very difficult at times, but there were smart ways to play it. In any event the members in power flattened the bunker in front and flattened the green so they got just what they deserved! As I just mentioned to some one rather than reaching for the divine, they reached for the vulgar.

I had a bit of a nerd moment last Sunday. I was visiting a club and played a round, had to borrow clubs. I was given the latest Callaway irons and the latest Taylormade Driver. You can't miss with those clubs! I play Hogan blades and an old Titlelist metal driver. The Callaway irons went straight, never failed, but never felt crisp like a blade, and the driver was right down the middle, no matter what swing I made, and I can tell my swing was not consistent, the ball went the same way every time. Obviously I should be pleased I hit the ball so well, but it all seemed fake. I came away thinking about all the bitching and moaning about how hard the game is and how we need to make all these changes to make it more accessible to people to grow the game. If you can't hit this new equipment then give it up, you obviously have little athletic ability because a blind, one armed monkey can hit this stuff well! Really, the equipment has made the game so easy.

Kelly,
No they can't.