It Is The Game of Golf-Darn

 Yes, golf is a game that can humble the heart.  It is also a game that can take you to new heights.  In my case, it can also take you to new lows as well.  These things are very true, especially if you have experienced "the wheels coming off" in a round.  We all know that golf is a game of a collection of shots and sometimes those shots are not our best.  We love the game, it is a challenge and is never the same each time we go out. No matter how great we play or on the other hand how bad we play, we always ask that age old question after our round, When is our next tee time.

I don't know how many of you experienced watching the end of the 2024 Byron Nelson Golf Classic?  It was certainly an exciting finish between the two top competitors in the tournament.  Tyler Pendraith won by one shot over Ben Knowles.  There are a couple of things I have to say about the finish of this tournament. 

First off, congratulations to Tyler Pendraith for winning what I believe was his first PGA tournament. This player from Canada was solid throughout the tournament.  However, I don't know at the end of the day that he didn't win the tournament so much as Knowles lost the tournament on the last hole.  Let me explain. 

Two questions have to be answered. The first question is why did Knowles try to go for the green with a hybrid on hole number 18 which is a short par 5 and supposedly the easiest hole on the course?  Why did you do that when you are leading the tournament by a stroke and all you had to do is lay up, take an easy pitch shot from off the green, make the putt for birdie and walk away with the trophy and  $1.7?  

And that my friend is not the end of it.  How could you chunk a wedge out of that thick rough? All he had to do is get the ball on the green and two putt for at least a par and a share of the lead leading to at least a playoff.  He could have put that wedge shot for a makeable birdie and a win.  For pitty sake, I could have taken out my 60 degree and blasted it out of that rough. I realize that the pressure was on, but come on. Such is the game of golf, I guess.  Disaster was snatched from the jaws of victory.  

I don't feel sorry for Ben Knowles.  That little missed pitch from out of the rough by the green cost him about $700,000.  Oh well, he still pocketed over a cool $1000000 so I don't feel sorry for him.  I have to publish a lot of blog posts and book for a million dollars.  One thing he did prove though.  It is truly a difficult and humbling game. But, we golfers already know that.       

  

Ryder Cup Thoughts

     I don't know how I feel about this year's Ryder Cup.  I have been incredibly busy with all I am doing right now that I haven't had the time to pay much attention to it even though I call myself a golf writer. Quite frankly, tournament reporting is not my cup of tea.  I write mostly about travel and golf courses and I feel that is where my stories are. I suppose I should pay more attention, but it is more convenient when the venue is here in the United States.  After all, it's 6:00 AM here in California and the coverage is on.
     I'm off to the TV to watch.
     By the way, my video on Catalina Island Golf Course is up on You Tube and on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  Check it out, it is a great course in a unique setting.  The course also has a very important history as it is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi.  Take a look at the video at http://youtu.be/5QIxV0Oj8dw.  Enjoy the Ryder Cup coverage and don't forget to hit 'em long and straight. Please don't leave that birdie putt short.  I made two at Catalina Island, YAHOO!!!

What a great place for a golf course. The course is located in the canyon above the city of Avalon.

Coke v. Pepsi...The Controversy of the Ages

     As you know, it is always my intention to stay on the cusp of controversy. Today is no different. I am compelled to comment on the Coke vs. Pepsi wars which are dividing our country and the world today. This is serious stuff folks. Families have been torn apart by this war, all because of a couple of stupid soft drinks.
     By the way, to add fuel to the fire, let's get our terminology straight and correct.  It is not soda, soda pop pop or even tonic.  The correct terminology is soft drink, and if you really want to get technical the generic term is flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage.  So please, if you are going to join this discussion use the correct term of either soft drink or flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage.
     I will go on record here saying that I prefer Coke, and prefer Coke Zero over the sugar of regular Coke. There can be a controversy over that as well as my wife prefers Diet Coke over Coke Zero.  I think that she's wrong, but that is between us and I would never tell her that as I don't want to anger her. She's still wrong though. I will leave the Coke Zero-Diet Coke controversy alone for the time being.
     Coke has the better flavor.  It is not quite as sweet and the carbonation doesn't hide the flavor of the non-alcoholic beverage.  To me, Pepsi's flavor is not based on the recipe of the syrup, but on the amount of sugar and carbonation that is put into the soft drink. Don't get me wrong, if I were stranded on a desert island and the only thing I had to drink would be an endless supply of Pepsi, I would drink it.  I don't think I would bathe in it though.  That would depend if I was the only one on the island or if Denise were along.  Come to think of it, she would have to drink Pepsi as well. Whether or not she would bathe in it, I will just have to ask her.
     I'm not a big cola drinker anyway.  If I am drinking a caffeinated flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage, I prefer Dr. Pepper.  I guess Dr.  Pepper is now owned by the 7-up company, which is the old Royal Crown Cola Company. Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse the issue but facts are facts. As a matter of fact, I think I prefer Royal Crown to Coke, but it is almost impossible to get Royal Crown anywhere but a small liquor store in remote Manitoba, Canada.  I guess Coke and Pepsi had a hand in that, and that is too bad. R.C. was one of the first casualties of the cola wars. RIP Royal Crown.
     I have a confession to make.  I really don't drink that many flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, especially after my last surgery. I had a bad case of acid reflux, so I had my DES valve repaired in my stomach.  I don't get the heartburn anymore, but the surgery has caused some unexpected consequences.  If I have gas, that gas has to go somewhere and not up through the esophagus. It goes out the back in the form of a "fart".  Yes, I use the word "fart" even though the correct medical term is flatulence. I thought that I would just give it to you as it is and not pull any punches. Not being able to use the word "fart" really stinks.
The bottom line is, I drink a lot of Crystal Light Fruit Punch now. Denise really appreciates that.
     So, for me it is Coke by a safety--two points.  Excuse me now, I just made a new pitcher of Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

Fruit is better for you than Coke or Pepsi

I have another confession to make.  I posted this to the wrong blog.  This was supposed to go to my DavidRallisWrites blog, but what the heck.













  

All This, and She Plays Golf Too...Wow!

     To many, this may be a touchy subject, but I am going to explore it anyway.  Does your wife, girlfriend or significant other play golf? My wife plays, and I am very happy about that.
     Before I get run out of town on a rail by a lot of women who play golf out there, let me explain.  Most male and female golfers know what I am talking about and understand what I am trying to say, but some don't.  Some will take offense to even asking the question, but I will suck it up and summon the courage to ask the question. Once again does your, girlfriend or significant other play golf? Do you enjoy playing golf together?
     I enjoy playing golf together with my wife.  I also enjoy playing without her as well. The same can be said for her.  Her and I don't always have to play together in order to enjoy the experience of a good, or bad, round of golf.  We do enjoy each other very much and I enjoy watching just how much she gets into the game.  For me, that adds to the fun of it. But, we don't always have to be together to play golf.
     There are times when she wants to play with her friends in a women only outing. I respect that, just as she respects when I go out with my buddies. The bottom line is that we both love the game of golf. Being able to play together and enjoy the game even more is a plus. She's good, too.  I know because I have lost a lot of bets with her. Its still a lot of fun and I don't mind a bit.
     Some men feel that it is an infringement on their space when their wife or significant other wants to come along on the golf outing.  To a certain extent, this may be true but I think that it depends on the context of the situation. A guy, or gal, needs their space.  If that means letting him, or her, off by themselves to go play with their friends so be it. It works both ways.
     Golf is a game that can be played by almost everyone, male or female. Spending time together with your wife, girlfriend or significant other is important as is personal space.  Try playing golf together.  It doesn't have to be all the time or exclusively, but you are spending some quality time together. Its a lot of fun too.

I'm ready for this.  Let's get going!

Yes!  Sunk that birdie putt.

That drive was BIG! It went 20 yards past you, Dave.

 

Courses: Love Hate Relationship

     There are a few courses that we all play that strike fear in our hearts.  We play them only because someone has invited us to play there or our stubborn self says we should so that we can conquer that particular link.  Sometimes it happens, most often we finish our round on that particular course and say, "Why did we do that again.  I know how much I hate that course." We are creatures of habit I guess. I have a couple of courses that fit that criteria for me.  At some time, I will reveal that list, but not today.
    There are a couple of courses that I have said that I didn't like, but have changed my mind after playing them and not giving up on them.  Two come to mind and they are in the Monterey Bay area. One is Bayonet of Bayonet/Blackhorse and the other is DeLaveaga located in the hills above Santa Cruz.
     Both courses at the Bayonet/Blackhorse facility have been redesigned.  Before the redesign I played both courses and I hated Bayonet but kept playing it.  It is very hilly and I even walked it several times. I remember thinking each time walking up the 18th fairway why did I put myself through this misery again? That also goes to my stable set of mind in that if I kept having such a bad experience there each time I played         there, why did I keep playing there?  I have been told that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. I preferred Blackhorse as it was what I thought a fairer layout. Both courses were redesigned, though slightly just a few years ago. Now, I think they did an outstanding job on Bayonet but liking Blackhorse is taking a bit of getting used to.
     Bayonet was the tougher of the two courses.  It is well known that the designer of Bayonet was the commanding general of the old Fort Ord and Bayonet/Blackhorse is located on the former army base. The general was left handed and had a viscious left-hand slice.  All the doglegs go at a severe angle to the left so that his slice wouldn't hurt him.  It is certainly pure hell for the right handed player because you run out of fairway on the right and you wind up with a wicked shot our of tall cypress trees lining the fairways.
     All that has been change.  The greens are still tough to putt but the doglegs have been softened.  Don't get me wrong, the course is still a challenge, but it is a reasonable challenge. Blackhorse, on the other hand is a different story.  They made it tougher by adding traps and redesigning the greens, which are undulating.  I hated the course changes at first, but I am beginning to like the course. I used to prefer Blackhorse, but now I like Bayonet.

     I highly suggest you play both courses.  Both courses are impeccably maintained and the greens, although difficult, putt fast and true.  The views from the course are magnificent because the courses are built in the hills above Monterey.  I will say that both courses are demanding and you will be exhausted after you finish your round, but the courses and the views are well worth it. Oh, and stop by the restaurant after your round for drinks or a meal.  The food is very good and the staff is very friendly.  What a great place to soothe your scars, but I must say you will feel satisfied but tired after playing the courses.
 

Dear Johnny Miller

Dear Mr. Miller
     Thank you for providing some of the best moments in golf history, both on the course and in the broadcast booth.  I admire you very much. You are a man of many talents, including designing golf courses.
     I have had the pleasure of playing two of the golf courses that you have designed.  First, I have played your course at what used to be called Brighton Crest, now Eagle Springs, in Friant California.  I live in Fresno, which is close to Friant and get to play the course often. I have also played Eagle Ridge in Gilroy California. Both courses are very beautiful in their settings, but difficult to play for the average golfer.
     As I played the courses, many questions cropped up in my head.  First, what is the foundation for your love of boulders and where they are placed on the course?  Next, it has been said that your putting skills were not as good as they probably could be.  I don't fault you for this, my putting skills are not that good as well.  However, in many cases the greens on the courses you design are undulating and almost impossible to putt.  Is this in retribution and meant as a slap in the face of the golf gods?
    I am going to cut to the bottom line here.  Keep in mind that I have met you a couple of times and have talked to you.  I very much enjoyed those brief talks, even though your end of the conversation most of the time was "I don't have time for you now." You are a multimillionaire with successes in the golf business, including the design of many courses.  I am just a poor, starving writer that plays golf. You have earned the right to design golf courses, even though my opinion is not that high of them. They are in beautiful settings, and it doesn't mean a thing that I never play them well. My opinion of them doesn't count much and is not going to contribute to the  outbreak of  the "Great Apocalypse", otherwise known as the end of the world. Peace in the world is not going to break out, given my opinions on how you design a golf course. I just don't play them well, and truth is I don't care for them much. I still play Eagle Springs occasionally.
     Mr. Miller, I truly admire you.  I still hate number nine at Eagle Springs.  What were you thinking when you designed that hole?

Yours
Dave

This is a real level green.

Number 18 at Eagle Springs.  This green has more ups and downs than the wooden roller coaster at Santa  Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

Nice hole and I don't have a criticism of it other than the green is a bit  large and  can be tricky.

I actually liked this hole which is very pretty. I wasn't exactly  happy about the placement of the second shot and the narrow slot of trees to go through to get to your approach shot.

   

Get Fit And Play Better Golf--Part 3

     I just got back from the gym a few minutes ago and am now enjoying my first cup of coffee of the day.  I feel great and I have lost four pounds since Monday.  I know the weight loss is prob ably just water, but it feels good.  My blood pressure is also down and I haven't taken my medications this morning.  That will come later after breakfast. Life is good and the quality of my life is getting better. My game should improve.
     My workout routing as I said before includes cardio, a stretching routine which includes loosening my bad back, crunches and leg lifts with the whole thing finishing up with a circuit training weight lifting component. Later, to reward myself for the work that I am doing I will spend some time in the sauna and the jacuzzi. This works very well for me, and the key is being consistent.  I loose weight quickly.  The funny thing is that when I work out, I'm not as hungry either, so I do shed the pounds.
     How does all of this effect my game. I know what the experts would say, but I want to tell it from my point of view but the experts are very much right.  My game improves when I work out.
     In my case, I see a marked improvement in my game in four areas.  Today I will talk briefly about two of those areas.  Remember now, this is a sharing of my experience although I am sure that others have had similar results.  I can generate more club speed and have more strength. These two are related in that I can hit the ball farther. I can also say that my stamina improves and my attitude becomes more positive which I will talk about in a later blog.
     I can tell that I am becoming a bit more flexible.  This translates to swinging the club with more speed without exerting more energy.  As my weight goes down and my muscles tone, I don't have as much bulk to move. The energy that I am expending is more efficient and translates into moving the club, not excess weight. Believe me, taking away thirty pounds of  "dead weight" fat and replacing it with muscle creates a definitely more powerful swing. The ball goes farther because the club is traveling faster with the energy of the swing being more efficient to the task at hand, that of striking the ball, not clumsily moving dead weight in order to swing the club.
     With the toning of muscles comes added strength. The mere fact that you are able to do more because your muscles are working better is very important. You become stronger because you are working your muscles, not sitting at a computer writing a blog or a book all day. I picked up at least 15 yards on my drives and about one club distance in my game after I started working out. You become stronger and the club becomes easier to swing and feels lighter. Since you are stronger and a bit lighter, you can control the club much better. Simple, isn't it?
     In Part 4 I will cover the other two aspects of my quest for conditioning. In the meantime, don't forget to visit the sites of my sponsors, they are all good people. GolfSmith has some great deals going on now and you can't go wrong using TripAdvisor. I you could also click on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com, there is a lot going on there too. I am including one of my videos here http://youtu.be/_Kx3Qrv18IE about Stevinson Ranch in Stevinson, California. It is about the tournament I played in using the TaylorMade 15 inch cups. So, hit 'em long and straight.  Remember that it is embarrassing to leave a perfectly good birdie putt short.  I have on many occasions.

Weight loss, strength and greater flexibility would allow me to have a better follow through and weight transfer to my front foot. Hey, I'm working on it.

Money, Money, Money--Part 3

     Yes, I am a couple of days late with this post.  I took my time and thought about what I was going to write.  Do you believe that?  Actually, I got caught with some personal business that took a bit more time than I thought.  If you can forgive me for that, I would appreciate that. Come on now, I came clean and told the truth.  I could have told you that I was abducted by aliens and was studied and operated on in their mother ship, but I was truthful with you so cut me some slack please. Enough fun for the day, let's cut to the chase.
     The decline in the number of golfers playing golf is simple economics.  Two things have happened.  First, supply had outpaced demand and secondly the economic situation throughout the world has changed. With a shortage of courses and demand high, green fees skyrocketed.  Put very simply, the boom times of a strong economy are over and they built too many golf courses. With demand high, supply low and a booming economy, people were willing to pay the price to play. The economy goes bust people make choices and golf was a luxury that they could cut out. The same is true for overpriced equipment.  To sum it up, not enough money and too many choices for the consumer as to places to play or spend their money on other things in many cases more important.
     Where do we go from here as to growing the game again? First, we have to realize that "water seeks its own level". There has been a downturn and I don't know if we have seen the bottom of it.  However, I am an optimist and it will come back and grow again. I see some changes being made in the industry that will stop the trend.
     Real estate was a problem.  Developers saw the growth of golf and the rosy projection as to how the game and economy were going to grow and built developments around golf courses. The bust of 2008 came and there was no money to invest in lands or upscale homes. Buyers for their homes evaporated because of not having the money to purchase. The courses were private and memberships were not sold to support the course and development. In many cases, the house of cards the developers built fell down and the courses closed. This is sad I have to admit, but it is necessary to return golf to health. Just like you prune a tree of limbs for the good of the tree, some courses that can't make it have to close.
     I am getting a bit wordy and long here so I think I will stop and continue this in my next post. We haven't explored green fees and the cost of equipment so I will leave that to the next post. I do have a lot to say about that.
     One of my favorite things to do is to travel. In most cases, golf is included in those travels. I would like to put together a golf trip to a location in California that is affordable. It won't be Pebble Beach, but it will be a great golf location.  I was thinking perhaps the San Diego area, The Monterey area to play a couple of the little known courses such as DeLaveaga or Crazy Horse. We could even include Bayonet/Blackhorse.  We could also do San Francisco or some other area.  I don't know, what are your thoughts. I would like to center this trip around courses that are not that well known, but are a treat to play. Costs will be kept down. PLEASE give me some feedback on this.  I should have more information on this on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  Check out my You-Tube videos as well. They are on the site as well. I have launched a newsletter to go along with the website so watch out for that.
     Hit 'em long and straight and don't leave that birdie putt short.

The seventh hole at Stevinson Ranch. They have some great par threes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

My "Top Ten Favorite Courses I Have Played" List

     You really have backed me into a corner. Many of you have asked me to commit to writing about my favorite ten courses. Let me get one thing straight. All the courses I have played are my favorite. If they have green grass, good greens, a good layout that is fair and some good fairways and I am playing them at the moment, it is my favorite. I know that that is very noncommittal, but sorry I love golf and the courses I play. So, if you ask me what my favorite course is, I would say the one I am playing right now.
     I promised you a list of ten.  Now remember, these are not in any particular order. Please also keep in mind that these are the courses I am thinking about that come to mind off the top of my head. The list is not comprehensive either.  Here  is my list.

1.  Trump National Los Angeles:  The layout of the course and the views of the Pacific Ocean will truly take your breath away. You can see more of this beautiful course by going to my website and reading about it as well as viewing the video. I want to go back and play it, even though the green fee is over $200. Check it out on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.

2.  Pacific Grove, Pacific Grove, Ca.:  Yep, this really is a poor man't Pebble Beach. It is short, but can give you a headache if you can't make some shots. Views of the Pacific from the back nine will make you stop in mid round and take in all the beauty.  The Pacific Ocean is right across the street and you can literally see and hear the waves crashing on the rocks.  The course isn't anything to gripe about as well. It is a lot of fun and challenging.

3.  Bayonet/Blackhorse, Seaside, Ca. (Monterey Area):  It seems as though many of my favorite courses happen to be in Monterey.  I'm sorry for that, but if you have ever been to Monterey and played golf, you know what I'm talking about. These tow courses are located on the former Fort Ord Army Base in the hills above Monterey which has been closed for a long time. The courses are now owned by The City Of Seaside and are open to the public. Both courses have been renovated and offer some great vistas of Monterey Bay.  The courses aren't too shabby as well with some lush fairways which are lined by Monterey Cyprus trees and some great greens.

4.  Monterey Pines, Monterey, Ca.: Shhhhh!!!!!Don't tell anyone about this one. This course is very well known to golfers who live in Monterey. They know this great track as "The Navy Course" as it is owned by The U.S. Navy and is located above the fairgrounds on the grounds of The Naval Post Graduate School. It is a short course, but very well maintained and tricky.  The greens are always in great shape and the fairways are narrow. This course is truly Monterey's best kept golf secret.

5.  Moro Bay Golf Course, Morro Bay, Ca.:  I really love this course, not because of the beautiful views of Morro Bay and the fact that it is a kick to play but because I have decided that I am a very crazy person. With that said, if you are already crazy this case will not take you there because you already are crazy. It is a great layout, set in the pines above Morro Bay and Morro Bay State Park. I am not sure that there is a level lie on the course but the greens are what sets this course apart. You will be saying things like, "I swear that putt was uphill!" as you ball rolls ten feet past the hole on what was originally a two footer. How about, "Did that break right two feet?  There's no way, just look at that.  It has to break left.". Prepare for a lot of fun when you play Morro Bay.

6.  Metro West, Orlando, Florida: I got to play this course when I was on vacation in Florida.  The kids wanted to go to Disney World and I didn't because they wanted to go to a different kingdom than I did. I played golf here instead.  I found it by accident. The course had some great greens, which were Bermuda by the way. It is an adventure putting on Bermuda Grass. I enjoyed this course very much and found out that grass grows very quickly in Florida and 85 degrees isn't necessarily 85 degrees.

7.  Stevinson Ranch, Stevinson, Ca.: Out in what seems to be the middle of nowhere admidst the farmland, dairies and cattle ranches of the western Central Valley of California lies the little town of Stevinson.  Who would of thought one of the best public golf courses in the United States would be located here.  It is. Stevinson Ranch is a "links style" course which is a lot of fun to play. Although it is basically flat, there is a lot of areas you can get yourself into a ton of trouble. The greens here are large and undulating.  What a kick in the pants.  You can see more of Stevinson in pictures and work by going to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com where you can watch the video I shot there.

8.  Ridge Creek, Dinuba, Ca.:  Many of you will ask where in the world is Dinuba, Ca? It is a few miles south of Reedley out in the peach orchards. Is there a golf course there?  Yes, there is and it is a good wone.  It is owned by the City of Dinuba and you just wouldn't think that a smalltown would have such a great course.  It does.  This is a "links style" course which has the feel of a course in Scotland. Keep the ball on the fairway, and don't get into any of the fairway or greenside bunkers Laddie, or your score will certainly soar. The pro shop staff is very friendly and helpful.  Hi Rosa, I'm going to come and take pictures of your course soon and do a video.

9.  Sherwood Forest, Reedley, Ca.:  Who would of thought that Reedley would have a course, let alone Dinuba. Whereas Ridge Creek is just out side of Dinuba, Sherwood Forest is out of town about 10 miles and set on the Kings River.  The River runs though this course which is one of the most picturesque courses in the Central Valley. They built this course in a grove of 100 plus year old oak trees with the river running through the course and in play on several holes. The fifteenth is my favorite.  What a beautiful and natural place for a golf course not on the ocean.

10.  Riverside Golf Course, Fresno, Ca.:  Home, what can I say. When E.T. says, "E.T. phone home." he means another planet.  When I phone home, I call Riverside for a tee time. That's not true Denise, but it sounded good. At any rate, Riverside has been my home course for a long time except when I had my membership at River Bend in Madera.  I grew up in golf on Riverside, and it is a great "Old Parkland Style Course".  You can see more of Riverside at my website in my U-Tube page.  Yes it was 108 degrees, but we loved every minute of playing this classic course.

     That's basically it for now. You know I can't boil down all the courses I have played to my ten favorite, that is impossible.  I haven't even scratched the surface.  Stay tuned.
     As I have mentioned, these courses are on my website. Some of the courses have videos, so go to my website and take a look.  Got to http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and take a look. Until next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Of course, don't you dare leave that birdie putt short.

The short par four  8th at Stevinson Ranch. And the hits just keep on comin'. 

    


















 

Women Golfers

     I don't know if I like that term "Woman Golfer" or even "Lady Golfer".  Aren't we who play the sport just that, golfers?  I hope to think so. This should be an egalitarian sport, not one defined by a person's gender. In order to grow the sport, I think that attitudes have to change. Why am I kind of charged up about this?  I saw a U-tube video. Attitudes men have toward women playing the game have to change.
     I have to admit that the video was humorous. I did chuckle.  It shows three guys sitting down in the posh members lounge in an obviously posh English Country Club. They are watching two quite curvaceous, good looking women play golf.  Of course their golf outfits are quite brief, tight and low cut in the bodice. There were the natural snide remarks from the three gentlemen about the ladies, but then they hit some shots. The shots they hit were very good, one going into the cup from off the green.  It was clear that these ladies could play the game.
     My daughter plays golf, as does my wife. Both are very capable of playing from the men's tees and whipping anyone's butt. Both hit long and my daughter played on state championship teams in high school and junior college. My wife played competitive softball and can play any sport with the best of them. You ought to see her play poker. Believe me, they both don't mid beating up on lesser foes, be they male of female.
     I had a family membership at a local golf course and would play often with my daughter. We picked up another twosome one Saturday afternoon and were ready to tee off.  The twosome that joined us would play from the men's back tees and I would on occasion. I stepped up to the back tees as well, and the twosome teed off and then I teed off. My daughter kind of waited until we teed off and then I asked her which set of teed she would like to tee from. She said, "I'll go ahead and play the blues with you guys, if you don't mind."
     She proceeded to go to the back tees with us. One of the guys in the twosome saw this and said,"Are you sure you want to do that, little lady?"
     My daughter's response was, "Yes, I don't want to hold anything up."
     "Are you sure?" was the sort of patronizing reply from the male golfer.
     "I'll be OK." was my daughter's reply.
     These two guys were fairly big hitters who would hit their drives about 240 yards.  My daughter hit her drive and it sailed passed theirs about twenty yards. After she hit her drive, she just picked up her tee, smiled at them and returned to our cart.  I still remember the looks on their faces as the ball flew passed their drives. They could have caught a swarm of flies with the way their jaws dropped. Needless to say, she waxed their tails when the scores were finally tallied at the end of the round.
     Check out some of my U-tube videos on my website.  I am very proud of them. Watch them and enjoy the courses which I hope you get to play some day.  These are some great courses. Go to my website http:the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and take a look.  There is much more on the site as well.  In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight.  And please, don't leave that birdie putt short.

Ho-hum, another 250 yard drive.  I don't think I caught it all. My daughter, I'm proud of her.

The 15 Inch Cup Revisited

     What do I think of the fifteen inch cup as marketed to golf by Taylor Made?  My thoughts have changed on the subject after playing a round with them in a tournament at Stevinson Ranch on Fourth Of July. It was a lot of fun to play them.  I wouldn't want a steady diet of them, as I am a golf purist.
     Stevinson Ranch, I am told, is the first golf course in Northern California to have the fifteen inch cup. It seems as though they will put the fifteen inch holes out in addition to the regular holes and pins, giving golfers a choice of which pins they want to play. Stevinson is to be congratulated for their innovation and wanting to try new ideas for the good of the game.
     The idea is two-fold. The larger cup is supposed to make the game go faster.  Time on the green is lessened because with the larger hole you don't really need a degree in advanced trigonometry or advanced calculus to get the read on a putt. It doesn't take as long to read a putt.  However, the greens still do break and speed is critical.  You must get the ball to the hole, even though that hole is a LOT bigger. Believe me, you can still come up short on a birdie putt.  I know, I did three times.  How can you miss with a cup the size of a hub cap? It is possible.
     The second idea behind the larger cup is that it gets new golfers on the course sooner and gives them a sense of  success in the game, at least when they get on the green. Instead of taking six or seven putts on the green and having to card a 12 or thirteen because of a misread of the the speed or break of a putt, the ball gets into the hole quicker. This actually moves the game along for the beginner and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
     The concept behind the bigger cup is kind of like that in baseball. First when you are just starting out in the game you play tee-ball and then graduate up the steps and levels until you are able to play in the major leagues. Eventually, you graduate from the driving range to the par three course to the big course playing the 15 inch cup to the regulation cup. I think that this is a great idea. At first I didn't, but we have to get creative to get more people into the game, especially now.
     I don't think that the intention is for the fifteen inch cup replace the regulation four and a half inch cup. I'm sixty years old and still a purist. The game requires a lot of skill, and reading a green is a big part of that skill. The fifteen inch cup is there for the growth of the game.
     I have a video that is about the Fourth Of July Tournament at Stevinson.  Take a look at it, I think that you will enjoy it. Here's the link: http://youtu.be/_Kx3Qrv18IE, or you can go to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and see it there. By the way, stop by and visit my website. I am always  updating it and listing new courses and such as well as new golf tips and places to play. Take a look.  In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short, even with a fifteen inch cup.

How can you leave a birdie putt short with a fifteen inch cup?  I did, three times. SNAP!

 

My "I Want To Play That Course Someday" List That I Did Play Finally

     One of my earlier posts was about the 10 courses on the way somewhere that I want to play. We all have that kind of list. These are courses that we say we want to play and most of the time don't get around to playing.  Mine is still pretty long, but I did get to play some of these courses.
      I recently took some of them off my "I Will Play Someday" to my "I Have Played" list because I did get the opportunity to play them. Some I even went back to play again on another trip.  My "I Will Play Someday" list keeps growing, but at some point I will play the ones on that list and I will replace those courses.  You know what? My "I Have Played" list off that "I Will Play" list keeps growing as well. We all know that there enough courses to keep us going for a very long time.
     I know that all that sounded a bit confusing. That's OK, I guess I am a bit confused by it too. At any rate, here is the list of  5 courses that I said I really wanted to play because I would pass by them or be near to them and finally decided to play.  More will be added to that list soon.:

1.  Coronodo Golf Course, Coronado, California: I have been to San Diego many times and there it was, right underneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. I kept saying on the Harbor Cruise and when we went to the beach in Coronado "I have to play that someday."  Someday came and it was a treat.  This is one great course that has scenery all around it and is fun to play. Coronodo is always in great shape as well. I like it so much that I did a feature article on in for West Coast Golfer Magazine. When you are in the San Diego area, make sure to put it on your list.  Plan ahead and make a tee time because as you can imagine, the course is very busy.

2.  Balboa Park (The 18 Hole Course), San Diego, California: Yes, it is located in Balboa Park in San Diego.  You turn left to go to the zoo, and right to go to the course. I wasn't sure about this one because it was completely redone in the 90's I think.  I did want to play it though. It is hilly and has some great holes on it.  I do remember one thing about the course.  I was playing with a couple of ladies and I asked about how to play my second shot.  They said just don't hit the ball to the right, there is a baranca there.  So I made sure to hit my ball to the left.  Guess what, there was a baranca on the left as well and I lost my ball. I asked the ladies why they didn't tell me about the baranca on the left and their reply was, you didn't ask. It is a fun course and was in pretty good shape.

3.  Lake Tahoe Golf Course, South Lake Tahoe, California:  As you drive into the South Lake Tahoe Basin you pass a large flat meadow and discover that there is a golf course built in it. You wold think that a golf course built in the mountains would have some hills on it. Not at this course.  It is flat. I drove by it several time as I went to Lake Tahoe the many times I have been there but wondered if I wanted to play it.  It was flat.  It couldn't possibly have any character to it. I was wrong.  What I didn't know until I played it is that the Truckee River runs through the property and cuts across the course in some very strange places. It is a fun course to play and very beautiful with the high mountains of the Sierra and around Lake Tahoe as a backdrop. It is a fun golf course and well worth it.  I never have hit a 5 iron 200 yards or a wedge 140 yards before.

4.  Manteca Park Golf Course, Manteca, California:  I was told so many times when I lived in Fresno that I should play Manteca Park. I finally did and I was glad.  The course is a kick to play and it was in very good condition even though we played it just soon after a heavy rainstorm.  It is short, but I was a bit confused by the high slope. It can't be that tough, why is it rated so high? It was tough.  The fairways are tight and the greens are small. I want to go again soon.

5.  Lake Chabot, Oakland, California:  A par six, are you kidding me.  Nope, the eighteenth hole is a par six and you kind of wonder when you haven't played there why it is a par six. OK, it is 633 yard of pure downhill bliss. The City of Oakland brings in snow and lets people ski down it during the winter. The cart path snakes back and forth through the fairway because if you went straight down the middle of the fairway it is so steep that you probably would turn the cart over.  Needless to say, the rest of the course is hilly as well. It is a fun course and not punitive but the greens are small and the course does get some getting used to. Ask the marshals for some local knowledge, they will help.  Listen to them, they know.

     I have many more courses that can go on this list and I will probably revisit this soon and talk about those courses. But for now, that's it. Don't forget to check out my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com to see some of the courses I played. Take a look at some of my course U-Tube videos and the instruction pages. Until next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't forget to not leave that birdie putt short.

Number eighteen at Lake Chabot.  It looks like Lombard Street in San Francisco.

The First Tee at Coronado.

     

Index And Handicap Part 3--Equitable Stroke Control

     "What did you have on that par four?" he asked.
     "I stopped counting at 12.  Just put down my maximum, a seven." the second golfer replied. The question can be asked, Is this second golfer cheating on their score.
     Outwardly, it appears so. Why did he do that? It doesn't make much sense and the whole thing seems to be all wrong. But it may not be the case. Let's take a closer look.
     Golfer A and B have established handicaps.  Both play in handicapped and flighted tournament events are based on those indexes and course handicaps. When that index is inflated, it is not fair to the rest of the field entered in that particular tournament. The golfer with the artificially inflated index enters that tournament, they enter it with an unfair advantage of having more handicap strokes. We call this what?...Sandbagging.
     What did golf do about this problem?  It established a procedure by which the golfer with a handicap would adjust their score on a given hole to a maximum number of strokes. The procedure is called called Equitable Stroke Control. For example, I carry an eighteen handicap and can only post a maximum of seven strokes. Believe me, many times I have gotten down on my knees and thanked "The Golf Gods" for implementing this. It is a way to keep the game honest. However, the golfer is still on their honor to post all scores, not just the high scores and this posting of just high scores can still lead to some serious sandbagging.
     I use equitable stroke control when I post. It is in the rules and is a fair way to level the playing field when it comes to club tournament and amateur golf. I can honestly say that my handicap is accurate. The scores that I post are adjusted to reflect equitable stroke control.  I am totally OK with that. If my handicap was not accurate, then when I do play in a tournament there would be a huge discrepancy between my regular play scores against my handicap and what my tournament scores would be with my handicap. There isn't. My tournament scores are generally within one of two strokes, plus or minus, of what my course handicap should be depending on whether or not I had a good or bad day on the course.
    Does equitable stroke control stop sandbagging? My answer to that is of course not.  It is not the cure all because you still are on your honor to post all your scores, high or low. I post all of my scores. I do that because I want to have an honest handicap. In tournaments, I want to do my best and accept the challenge of accurately competing. I feel great when I do well and place in a tournament, my scores are what they should be.
     At any rate, equitable stroke control is a good thing. Don't forget to check out my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  I am continually updating it to keep you up to date on courses and other things related to golf.  I am really proud of the videos on the site about the courses I have played. If you haven't taken a look yet, please do so. In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short.

The leaderboard at the end of the tournament.

 
   

Index And Handicap--Part 2 The "Vanity" Handicap

     The other night, I went over to a good buddy of mine's house to play cards and talked golf, of course. He had played that day with anothe good friend of ours who plays to a twelve handicap. Oh really, he's a twelve handicap?  That handicap is what I call a "vanity" handicap.
     Let me define what a "vanity" handicap is.  You may kind of know, but for the sake of this post I will define it, and it differs from the handicap of a sandbagger.  A sandbagger posts only his or her highest scores inflating artificially their handicaps so that when they play in tournaments they are given more strokes or put in a different play flight. In effect, this is a very bad form of cheating.  having a "vanity" handicap really isn't cheating but you are hurting yourself. The "vanity handicap" golfer wants to appear to others as a better player than they really are, so they only post their lowest scores.
     "Vanity handicappers" only hurt themselves, and the people that they normally play with know that the players handicap should be higher.  Even people that they don't play with on a regular basis will guess that their handicap is not right, by the way they play. Let's face it, you can tell a twelve handicapper from a twenty handicapper once you have played with them. In a handicapped event, you wouldn't want them as your partner because you give up too many strokes to the field.
     There is one very important rule in golf that most golfers abide by.  That rule is, count every stroke.  This includes penalty strokes. Along that lines, there is another important rule and that is play the ball where it lies. Yes, there is taking relief and dropping your ball and the rules of golf are very specific when you can do that. But, if you don't like where your ball comes to rest, you can't generally move it. A true golfer takes their penalty strokes and plays the ball where it lies.
      What about "The Vanity Handicapper"? That issue can also be debated.  Some take their penalties and play their ball where it lies. At the end of the round, if their score is higher than usual, they don't post. At least when they post, the score is accurate and all strokes, including penalty strokes, are counted. At least they are hurting themselves legally. There is no hint of "cheating".
     I will say this bluntly.  some "vanity handicappers" flat out cheat. They don't count penalty strokes and improve their lies.  When they miss a short twelve inch putt, they don't count it.  If it goes into the water, they either hit the ball again and not count the "water ball" or drop and not count the penalty stroke.  Should the ball go out of bounds, either hit it again or play it from where it went out and not count the strokes.  This is not golf, folks, this is out and out cheating. Into the computer goes a low number, or if it is a high number it doesn't get posted even though the golfer wasn't exactly honest about their score.
     I post everything.  Yes, when my index goes up, I cry. When the index goes down, I jump for joy.  At least, my numbers are accurate and I post everything according to the way they are supposed to be posted.
     That';s it for today.  Have you checked out the new U-tube videos I have posted on my website.  Take a look. Go to http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and see.  I'm very proud of them and more are coming. Until the next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short.

Left side outside of the fence is out of bounds.  Two stroke penalty.

         

Index and Handicap

     What's your handicap index? Some people don't worry about establishing a handicap at a local golf course or associate organization, and I can understand many of the reasons why.  I won't go into that at this point, it is not important.  However, it is good to know how you stack up as far as your game goes with the rest of the golfing public.
     I admit that I have let mine lapse.  One simple reason is that I am not playing as much golf today as I was five years ago. Another reason is my move from Fresno to Merced.  At this point, I haven't joined a club here although I will sometime this year or maybe next. I very much miss competing in tournaments on the local club level and want to return to doing that.  First, I have to re-establish my handicap and then I will play tournaments again.
     Do you know what your handicap index means and how you arrive at a particular course handicap.  Many golfers don't, they just establish a number. I will try to explain it as briefly as I can.  You post your score to an organization called GHIN on the course computer. I have never found out  what GHIN stands for, I just know that they are the handicap people.  It's not that important. After 20 rounds the computer takes the scores of those twenty rounds and calculates, using a devised formula your golf index. My last one was 18.4, I think.
     The area or state golf associations are responsible for what is known as rating the golf courses.  Our organization in this part of California is as many know The Northern California Golf Association.  They send out a team of golfers to play a given course to establish that course's rating depending on how hard the course is to play. After they play the course, they go over the course hole by hole and agree on a degree of difficulty of the course and then what is known as a "slope" is calculated for that course.
    Sometimes I find this "slope" number a bit arbitrary and subjective because I have played courses in  Northern California and courses in Southern California which are similar in difficulty, but the slopes are very different.  It seems that courses are rated easier than they truly are in the south than they are in the north. That's only my opinion, however. The ratings depend on the raters and what they agree to, so the numbers are different and may differ from one rating session to the next a few years later. Different raters using the same criteria may rate a course differently.
    Slopes are assigned to the different courses and slope numbers can range between 50 to 150 depending on the rating given by the ratings committee. From there it is simple.  The golfer finds the slope chart for that course and the tees that he or she played, looks up their index and there is your course handicap.
    For example let's take my 18.4 index.  I go to the course slope chart for the white tees and find that the slope of the course is 123.  I go down the chart to find the range of my index where 18.4 lies to find my course handicap.  I find that is is 19 for that particular course. That's my course handicap.  That was simple, wasn't it?
     That's all I have for today. I hope that I haven't insulted anyone's intelligence by this simple expla
nation of the index/handicap system. Many of you do know it. In the meantime, visit my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  I have put up a couple of new U-tube videos that I am quite proud of. Take a look. so, for now hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short.

OK, how would you rate this hole?  A par 6, downhill to a slightly elevated green.  Yep, it's number 18 at Lake Chabot in Oakland. 

My " Ten Golf Courses I have Driven By On My Way To Somewhere But Couldn't Stop To Play" List Part 2

     I hope you enjoyed my list.  Have you played any of them.  There are a couple of courses I forgot after thinking about it all night.

1.  San Juan Oaks, San Juan Bautista, Ca.: I'm going to play this one, I really am.

2.  Black Lake, Nippomo, Ca.:  How could I have missed this one all these years.  I drive by it a lot.  Maybe I will just have to suck it up and play it.  I can justify playing it and reward myself afterward by going to Jocko's and having a good steak.

3. Rio Vista, Rio Vista, Ca.:  this one is truly almost out in the middle of nowhere.  There is a town there, but the course kind of sneaks up on you as does the town.  Reviews on this course are pretty good, and I hope to play it and review it on my website.

4.  Prim Valley, Nipton, Ca.:  This one is on Interstate 15 on the California/Nevada state border. You guessed it. It is on the road to Las Vegas.  I have played in Las Vegas.  Sometime I promise I wil stop for a day and play here.  Maybe, I will be on my way to Las Vegas you know.

5.  Mare Island, Vallejo, Ca.:  This is supposedly one of the oldest golf courses west of the Misissippi. It used to be a military course, but has been redone and is now open for public play.   I have heard that the views from the course of San Francisco/San Pablo Bay are breathtaking.

6.  Catalina Golf Course, Avalon, Ca.: I wanted to make it official and this one tops my list.

7.  Dryden Park, Modesto, Ca.:  As you are driving north on Ca. Highway 99 through Mosesto you cross the Stanislaus River and to your left on the bluff you see a golf course. This course is actually Modesto Muni, which is a 9 hole tract but down the street is Dryden Park, the 18 hole venue.  My future son-in-law, who is a golf pro, grew up playing that course. I'm going to get there soon as I live 40 miles south.

8.  The Presidio, San Francisco, Ca.:  Someday.

9.  Harding Park, San Francisco, Ca.:  It doesn't hurt to dream, does it.

10.  Sunnyvale Golf Course, Sunnyvale (where else), Ca.:  I have driven by this course on my way to San Francisco or wherever I am going in the South Bay or Penninsula for years.  I am torn as to which way to turn my head, to see the blimp hangars at Moffat Field on one side of US 101, or Sunnyvale Golf Course on the other side. I have been wanting to stop and play this course for a long time.  Its on my bucket list.

     As I travel, I'm sure I will pass many more golf courses and make a mental note that I should come back and play the course some day. I don't know if I will or not, but I hope so. there are so many course and so little time.
       I have a couple of new videos on my website.  One is of Bajamar in Ensenada, Mexico and the other is of historic Sharp Park in Pacifica, California. Go to my website and click on the U-tube Video page and take a look at them. I'm getting better at making them and I am very proud of these two. My website can be found at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com. Watch them and let me know what you think. In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight.  Remember, don't leave that birdie putt short.

This was Tanglewood, in Felton, Missouri.  That was a long drive.

 

My " Ten Golf Courses I have Driven By On My Way To Somewhere But Couldn't Stop To Play" List

     I travel a lot, as I have shared.  How many times have you, like I have, been on a trip with a definite purpose and driven by a beautiful golf course next to the road and said, "That looks like a great course and going to play it someday."? I do that all the time.  The course doesn't have to be by the roadside.  It can be in a city I pass through, but can't stop. It happens all the time and I have prepared a list of those courses I have thought about playing but haven't.  At some point in my life, I will make a special trip if I have to.

Here's the list and they are not in any particular order:

1.  Coyote Creek, San Jose, Ca.: There are two courses here, The Tournament and The Valley Courses and I want to play them both. Every time I drive to San Jose or somewhere south of San Francisco I pass this venue and vow to play them.

2.  Edgewood Tahoe, South Late Tahoe, Nevada:  Of all the "Drive By" courses this is probably the one I most want to play.  I don't get up to Lake Tahoe much anymore, but I have to play this course at some time in my life.

3.  Metropolitan, Oakland, Ca.:  This course has an interesting history.  It started out as a golf course and then it closed because the Port of Oakland needed somewhere to dump the toxic dredging when they deepened the Port.  After a while golfers became angry and wanted their golf course back, and finally they did.  The course was completely redone and is now Metropolitan.  I understand that you want to play this one in the morning, because it tend to get very windy in the afternoon.

4.  Tulare Golf Course, Tulare, Ca.:  I have a lot of friends who have played this course.  They say it is nothing special, but I would like to judge for myself.  I was hesitant to play Rancho Del Rey, but I am glad that I found that course.

5.  Mace Meadows, Pioneer, Ca.:  This course is located on Hiway 88 on the way to Carson Pass and Reno beyond. I have passed by it many times and have heard some great things about the course.  It is there just waiting for me.

6. Lockeford Springs, Lodi, Ca.:  Before you get to Mace Meadows, a long way before, you have to pass Lockeford Springs just out of Lodi. I have heard a lot about this course and it has been featured on the "hooked On Golf" golf program.  It looks very inviting and I can't wait to make a special trip up there.

7.  Shoreline, Mountain View, Ca.:  This one is not really right on the road, but I want to play it. My daughter played the course a couple of times in junior tournaments and I had to walk along lusting at the course wanting to play it.  She got all the fun, I got the sore muscles. 

8.  Poplar Creek, San Mateo, Ca.:  Growing up and in later years I have fond memories of driving to Candlestick Park and freezing at a San Francisco Giants game.  In order to get to "The Stick" you have to pass Poplar Creek just off of US 101. I wanna play this course!

9.  Crystal Springs, Burlingame, Ca.:  This is another course my daughter has played and I haven't. It lise just over the hills of the San Francisco Penninsula in a small valley between the Pacific Ocean and The San Francisco Bay. Once again, she played it and I walked it watching her play.  This was true torture. I plan to go back there and vindicate this injustice some day. It will probably take a special trip and time set aside to play it, but it is well worth it.

10.  All The Los Angeles Courses, Los Angeles, Ca.:  I don't travel south very often, and when I do it is normally to board a ship for a cruise out of Long Beach.  We don't stay.  There are several great courses down there, and someday I will get down there to play golf.

     Yes, I know these courses are in California and Nevada. California is a huge state and there are a lot of highways that go by golf courses. I live in California as many of you know so I do most of my traveling within the state.  Sorry but I am a bit biased but there are many courses around the state to explore and play. I have played in Canada, Mexico, Florida and Missouri so I have played in other states and countries.  I won't mention some of the courses I have driven by in those places.
     If you have a course that you drive by and want to play, let me know. In the meantime I have to run.  Don't forget to check out my website, http://golfisforeveryonemd.com.  Remember, hit 'em long and straight and by all means don't leave that birdie putt short.

 


  

My Monterey 10 List--Not In Any Order

     I want to start today's entry with a very sincere THANK YOU to all of you who are reading this golf blog.  I passed a milestone today in that I went passed the 2000 view mark. I have had this blog now for a couple of years, but I haven't been posting to it that often, concentrating on my other blog David Rallis Writes.  Now, I am doing both and plan on posting much more on this blog.  Again, THANK YOU, and I hope you will continue to visit and read.  Don't forget to tell three of your friends about this blog, I can use the help.
     My last post was on California golf and I mentioned golf paradise, Monterey.  When people think of Monterey, they generally think of Pebble Beach and the great courses on The Seventeen Mile Drive. These are very beautiful courses, but there is more to the Monterey golf scene than just Pebble Beach, Spyglass or Cyprus Point. Here is a list of ten courses in the area I have played and enjoyed. Most were not that expensive to play and you can play them when and if you go to Monterey.  Be sure to check out their websites andbook your tee time by clicking the advertisement for Tee-Off.com here on my blog.
      These are all course within a ten mile radius of Monterey and I have played them all.. There are many other courses to the east and north of the area, but I am focusing here on just the Monterey area. I have a list of other courses within a 50 mile radius another time.  Here they are and not in any order of favorites, because I loved them all.

1. Bayonet:  I used to really hate this course and always thought that I would beat it some day.  Even though I keep playing it, they have softened it and it is a lot more player friendly and fun but I still haven't beaten it.  It is still a tough course, but I enjoy it more since they redesigned it.  However, in the redesign they retained most of the courses flavor and fun.

2.  Blackhorse:  I used to love to play this course especially after being beaten up by Bayonet. It is Bayonet's sister course and they are located on the same property, the old Fort Ord.  They redesigned Blackhorse as well and made it harder. Life changes I guess, and there is no perfect world. I still like the course though, its still fun to play, but it is a lot harder with more bunkers and undulating greens.

3.  Pacific Grove Golf Course:  When they say that this is "The Poor Man's Pebble Beach" they really mean it.  I recommend this course highly.  The view of The Pacific Ocean from the holes on the ocean are well worth it as you play the back nine in the dunes above the ocean and below the Pt. Pinos lighthouse. My advice for this course is don't underestimate its short length as it can be tough. I was also told of it being unique in that you start with two par threes, then two par fours and then two par fives.

4.  Monterey Pines (Know locally as "The Navy Course"):  I am in the process of writing a book called, "Have You Played...The Hidden Gems of West Coast Golf" and of all the courses I could write about, this is probably the most hidden or at least unknown.  It is on the campus of The Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey and is owned by the Navy so most people think you can't play it. Let me let you in on a little secret.  It is owned by the Navy but is very much open to the public. This is a sporty course and pretty short, but tricky and challenging.  The course is always in great condition and has some nice views of Monterey.

5.  Poppy Hills:  OK, this one is on The Seventeen Mile Drive.  What's wrong with that?  It is the members course of The Northern California Golf Association and I'm not going to explain who they are. The course was in the rotation of courses for The AT&T Pro-Am but was taken out. Recently, it underwent a complete renovation and I haven't played it since the renovation. I like the course, although I never play it well. It is hard to get on because there seems to always be an N.C.G.A. tournament going on, but well worth the effort of trying to get on.  If you can't get on, try Monterey Pines.

6.  Old Del Monte:  This is one of the oldest courses west of the Mississippi in continuous operation.  That fact is debated by several other courses, but does it matter?  I haven't played here in a very long time because I don't think it warrants the expense. The course is a lot of fun and has a few great holes, but it is very similar to Monterey Pines and I would rather spend less money and play Monterey Pines. Don't call me cheap, just value orientated.

7.  Laguna Seca:  Yes, there is a golf course at Laguna Seca, not just a race track.  The course is located about five miles out of Monterey on Highway 68, the road to Salinas.  Generally, when Monterey is foggy, Laguna Seca is warm and sunny. The course is fun to play and has some memorable holes on it, but I would say it is not that exciting. That is not to say that I don't recommend it.  Play it, it is very reasonable as far as green fees, and decide for yourself.

8.  Spanish Bay:  Thank you Tom Watson for taking this old sans quarry and transforming into a golf work of art. My only question is, why did you make it such a hard work of art. This is one tough golf course. It will really beat you up. However, and this is a big however, it is so pretty you don't mind the beating.  There are ocean holes and forest holes, all told a beautiful setting. This is one that you play, do your best and sit back and enjoy. I have played it several times, never scored on it and got beat up each time. It was well worth the experience. Make sure to be here at sunset to hear the piper.  That experience alone soothes the wounds after your round.

9.  Quail Lodge:  This is a resort course located in Carmel Valley.  Like Laguna Seca, the climate here is warmer and most of the time it is sunny here when it is cloudy in Monterey. You won't see any ocean here as you are a few miles inland.  This course is fun to play but tight. The fairways are tight and the greens are small so the course puts a premium on accuracy. The Lodge has golf packages available and it is not hard to get on. Green fees are a bit pricey, but check the internet for specials.

10.  Tehama Country Club:  I confess that I have not played this one.  I was supposed to, but the offer fell through. I know that a journalist's credibility is sacred and if you feel that I have betrayed you, I'm truly sorry. This is Clint Eastwoood's private course and if you are not a member you better know Clint or Dina or Clint's new girlfriend. This course is ultra exclusive and is Clint's private domain.

     Should you travel to Monterey, I highly recommend playing. It truly is golf paradise.  You can get clearer idea of these courses and see some pictures taken on some of them by going to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.
     Thanks for reading my blog and hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short!

The eighteenth green at Bayonet.  Always a welcomed sight.

     







       

California Golf. What's Your Pleasure?

     I feel very fortunate to live in California.  Most of us complain about the taxes and other problems.  Many of us are thinking of leaving, but I prefer to stay and complain, although I do speak with my vote. At any rate, we are blessed with a very pleasant climate and a rage of things to see and do.
     Golf, of course, is no exception. There are so many courses, every one different and fun to play not to mention the settings.  The question is, what do you want in golf? If you want a desert course, you can find it.  How about a traditional parkland course? If you want to play a mountain course, you can do that. The Pacific Ocean provides the backdrop for a number of great ocean courses.  We have that too.  Take your pick, and some of these courses have a little of everything I mentioned.  It is truly a golfer's paradise.
     Living in California's Central Valley and right in the middle of that valley in a city called Merced, I am close to just about everything that is California golf.  We are two and a half hours away from the Monterey area, and you know that that is the home of some great courses like Pebble Beach and Bayonet/Blackhorse designed by famous golf architects like William Bell Sr. and Alistair MacKenzie who designed Au
gusta National.. The mountains are close and in less than an hour I can be at Saddleback in Copperopolis or at Greenhorn Creek in Angel's Camp. San Francisco is a couple of hours away where I can play The Presidio or whichever of the fine courses that are in that area. I've been to Palm Springs and played a couple of outstanding desert courses. Whatever you want is here in California, even a dreary windswept links style course right on the ocean.
     If you live here in California, you know what I am talking about.  If you don't live here, come to California and bring your sticks. I'll be waiting for you, just let me know where you want to play.

     Don't forget to visit my golf website.  It is ever evolving and I have made some changes.  Soon you will be able to read about and see some of the hidden gem courses around the state.  I have also put some golf tips from some of golf's best instructors including tips specifically for women and left handed golfers. In the near future my store will be up and running so keep checking back.  I'm excited about how it is evolving and I am proud to share it with you.  Remember, I have played all of the courses that I include in the directory and write about.  Take a look at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight. Don't hit that birdie putt short.

Sharp Park in Pacifica, California.