Golf

I didn't realize there was already a thread about golf, so I figured I’d just start one... the main reason is that I'm only into my second season and I spend most of my time at the driving range. Just tonight, the crew is heading out for maybe 45 minutes to an hour of practice, followed by some beers and the NBA Finals 😉. As for hitting a full 18-hole course, that’s more of a once-a-month thing... usually at a course near the Blue Ridge Mountains - Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Anyway, why am I starting this... a while back, I used to have this pretty snobby attitude toward golf. Like, it isn't even a real sport... it's just something for retirees... there's zero athleticism involved...

But, swinging that stick (or whatever the proper term is for a golf club) and actually sending a ball flying 150 or 200 yards is a lot harder than it looks at first glance. It took me quite a while to even manage that, and even now, I'm lucky if I hit it right once out of ten tries.

Gear-wise, I've only got a single driver and one putter, and that's basically it. I'm thinking about picking up a glove soon, mostly because my calluses are starting to turn into actual blisters. 😁

Around here in New York City and the surrounding areas, there are plenty of driving ranges and courses, but there are also a ton of people playing, so things get pretty crowded on the weekends.

Anyone else here playing?

It’s pretty tough here in the States because, honestly, with how scarce decent courses are, golf just feels like such a snobby pursuit. Still, I guess if you're looking for a real workout, you're probably better off picking a sport that actually engages every muscle in your body.

Eric Jackson43 said:It’s tough here in the States because there just aren't enough courses. It really does feel like a snobby sport. Personally, I think we should pick a sport that works all the muscles.

Most people in America don't realize you can basically only play golf at the Grand Canyon or on Martha's Vineyard (and even then, only half the course). Plus, everyone who plays HAS to be a member. So, just like was said above, it's pure snobbery.

There are plenty of clubs around Washington, D.C., Miami, and San Francisco where you can get a game in—besides the obvious spots like the Grand Canyon or Martha's Vineyard. There’s even that little course right behind the university hospital in D.C. (it’s technically a 9-hole setup working toward 18, similar to those suburban courses), plus there's stuff out near Malibu and probably a few other spots too. Honestly, most Washingtonians just head over to Canada because it's cheaper, it's a quick trip, they have tons of courses, and the crowd isn't full of elitist snobs...

Because I can't stand the snobbery, I’m not actually a member of any club. I just own a full set of clubs and hit the driving range whenever I feel like it. For me, golf is hands-down the best stress relief out there—better than a massage or some overpriced getaway to a deserted island. And yeah, sure, maybe you aren't working every single muscle... but listen, if you play 18 holes, you're walking for four hours straight, not to mention all the swinging and the mental grind. I'm not saying you'll be exhausted like you would be rowing, but it's definitely more than just sitting around playing chess. My plan is simple: once I'm too old to play baseball, softball, or football, I'll start taking golf a bit more seriously...

It looks like this thread has been dead for years, but is nobody actually following the golf scene anymore? We’ve got the US Open going on—one of the four majors—and we are right in the middle of the final round...
Adam Scott is sitting pretty at -10, while Tiger Woods is trailing by three strokes, though there are still 14 holes left to play. 🍿

Jose Newman32 said:Seems like this thread has been dead for years. Doesn't anyone follow golf? The US Open is happening right now—one of the four majors—and we're heading into the final round.
Adam Scott is sitting at -10, while Tiger Woods is trailing by 4, but there are still 14 holes left to play. 🍿

To answer that, looking back two months... man, what a collapse from Scott on the final day. 🤦

From Friday to Sunday, it’s the next Ryder Cup, that classic USA vs. Europe showdown held every other year. Europe is trying to defend the trophy they snatched in that crazy finish two years ago. You can catch the coverage on the Country Club channel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Ryder_Cup

It's good having Sergio Garcia on the team. He always gets under the skin of the Americans with how much he celebrates after a great shot. 😬

After Day 1, USA-Europe 5:3

The Europeans looked pretty desperate during the afternoon matches, except for Colsaerts, who was playing like he was in a trance 🙏
And even that barely cut it—Woods almost drained that last hole

Gotta give one 🙏 to Mickelson too

I guess the Europeans don't look much better today than they did yesterday. I'm just watching the morning session, and with the foursomes underway, three pairs are already down one, so we're trailing by one at the US Open.
I have to admit, I'm not feeling super optimistic about defending the title, but the Ryder Cup is such a blast to watch, so I suppose whoever ends up winning deserves it. 😁

McDowell and Westwood have been absolutely terrible both yesterday and today. McDowell had a decent showing yesterday morning, but after that, he completely fell apart. If he’d actually sunk even half of those putts today—and he should’ve been sinking way more than that—they’d be leading against Furyk and Snedeker. Westwood was struggling all day yesterday, too; Colstaers basically carried him through the fourball (round 62 🙏), so I’m honestly surprised he’s even out there playing today.

And don't even get me started on Breadley... he's getting on my last nerve 😬

Scott Collins30 said:I guess McDowell and Westwood have been pretty terrible both yesterday and today; I mean, McDowell was okay yesterday morning, but after that, he just fell apart. If he had actually sunk half those putts—which he should have done, honestly—they might actually be leading against Furyk and Snedeker. As for Westwood, he was struggling all day yesterday, and I think Colstaers basically carried him through that four-ball round (a 62 🙏), so I'm kind of surprised he's even out there playing today.

Also, Breadley is getting on my nerves big time. 😬

At this rate, we've probably already handed this Ryder Cup over to the Americans...😎
Unless the afternoon four-ball group somehow finds their rhythm and pulls the score a bit closer. Maybe then we'll still have a shot tomorrow...

Edit: Just so you know, heading into the afternoon four-balls, Europe is trailing 8-4.

Tiger is in absolutely brilliant shape 🤣 , too bad most Europeans can't seem to keep up with him 😢

Yesterday Colsaerts, today Poulter... what a run at the end 🙏

But you can't win with just one player having a hot streak. The Americans are dominating here, they'll wrap this up tomorrow without much trouble

quietfox38 said:Yesterday Colsaerts, today Poulter... what a run at the end here 🙏

But you can't win with just one player having a hot hand. The Americans are dominating; they'll probably wrap this up tomorrow without much trouble

Probably, even if our guys 😁 played much better fourballs. I feel for the Belgian, though—the number of putts he missed was insane. They could have taken the match if they had just a little more luck. That penultimate shot from Colsaerts on the last hole was pure fantasy 🙏 🙏

Scott Collins30 said:Maybe, even if they are our guys. 😁 The fourballs were played way better this time around. I feel bad for the Belgian guy, though; he missed so many putts that it’s honestly unreal. They probably would have taken the match if they had just been a little luckier. That second-to-last shot from Colsaerts on the final hole was pure magic. 🙏 🙏

The greens are moving pretty fast, and I guess the Europeans just haven't quite found their rhythm on them yet. Maybe we'll eventually get some payback for what happened back in '99, though. Back then, they were trailing 10-6 before pulling off that comeback to win the Ryder Cup by a 1 point difference. 😁

10-10 🙏 🙏

Justin Rose 🙏

What an absolute insanity of a comeback on those last two holes to tie it up at 11-11! 🙏

I reckon the Strickler-Kaymer match is going to be the deciding factor, though it's hard to tell which of them is having a worse weekend 😁

Furyk 😂 , but I still feel a bit for the guy. He's a hell of a player...

13:12 for us (if you can even call us "us") 😁
I guess I have to give the guys credit for fighting so hard, regardless of how this all ends up turning out...🙂

OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE

Kaymer 🙏 🙏

What a turnaround, what a fight... I love the Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup Europe WIN The Ryder Cup, Tiger 😂

And like they say: Seve, this one's for you!

Scott Collins30 said:OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE

Kaymer 🙏 🙏

What a turnaround, what a fight. I live for the Ryder Cup

Europe wins the Ryder Cup, Tiger 😂

And like they say: Seve, this one is for you!

Poulter's putt on Saturday afternoon to grab that sixth point for Europe really seemed to wake everyone else up.
I honestly wasn't sure if what Alan Shipnuck predicted would actually happen—that Sports Illustrated commentator mentioned the winner would be decided in the penultimate match.
Stricker is basically the only player from the USA who hasn't managed to snag even half a point over these last three days.