I know the season is pretty much over (depending where you live) but maybe we can talk about something productive and interesting. Personally, I have gotten really into golf over the past few years. I am improving slowly. I don't hit a driver very well but can hit my clubs fairly long so its not a huge handicap to leave it in the trunk, which I do. My main problem revolves around consistent contact. I am working on it.

Anyone played any incredible courses and want to share experiences?

Anyone follow professional golf? If so, I expect you're as big a Graham DeLaet fan as I am.

I've played at Torrey Pines, and St. Andrews (Jubilee Course). Other than that just a few random ones around where I live and in some resorts on vacations.

And the long ball doesn't really matter that much. Perfect putting and pitching and you'll win most matches.

I walk around short-cut grass and swing a club at a small ball, but I'd hardly call myself a golfer.

My favorite "course" is on this farmer's back yard. I guess he had some land that wasn't good for crops, so he set up a small shed and charges a few bucks to play golf on it. Some of the holes are in woods/swamps, but it's actually quite fun.

My short and mid game is OK, but my long game is pretty atrocious.

Yeah I love being around the green. Honestly, I play to bogey golf as a goal so for me I want to be near the green in two on a par four. Up and two put for the bogey and I tend to be happy. It's mostly the first two shots that will cause me problems.

Last summer I played a course called Heritage Hills in Kentucky (thank you Tru Ninja for the recommendation). It was one of the nicest I have played, makes me super jealous of year-round golf in some places. My course closes after this weekend which kind of sucks.

Other courses I have played that are nice are Taboo (mike Weir's home course) and Grey Silo (home of the LPGA Canadian open). Likely nobody knows these, but they are nice. I want to play more great courses.

When playing a new course, do you always play the tips? (Under the reasoning that you've paid to play the whole course, you might as well)

I really want to play Congressional before I leave DC. Its hard to get onto, but I think it would be worthwhile. There's tons of nice ones along the water in Maryland. That being said, I hate water holes. Any hole that has a nice scenery that a tee shot would look great coming off of I do abysmally in.

It's all in the head.....

And those are the nicest holes to be on the tee for, the ones where a nice drive feels the best.

Golf: destroying the earth so rich people can hit a little ball since 1400.

Can you explain how a golf course is worse than any given public park space?

No. Please don't explain. Let's just have a fun conversation for once.

Polluting water supplies with pesticides & fertilizers, some of which have been banned from household use for years. They suck up huge amounts of water in general.

Yeah, don't want to ruin your 'fun'.

Good point abgemacht, I am fine ignoring him. The truth is, golf courses aren't great for the environment but they certainly aren't bad for them either. They do make a habitat for wildlife that is much better than any subdivision and they also, when a city is planned correctly, connect park systems and waterways.

What does a membership at a reasonable course cost south of the border?

And lastly, who in their right mind does not enjoy walking around a beautiful outdoor space on a nice day, taking a swing at a ball in between. I mean, even without the golf its nice. And even with one good shot, golf can be pretty damn satisfying.

"They do make a habitat for wildlife that is much better than any subdivision and they also"

The Bald Eagles disagree.

Anyone ever played a Stableford format before?

No, but I just looked it up on Wikipedia. It seems like it wouldn't make much of a difference unless you were playing with someone at a vastly different skill level.

Yeah, its a good handicapper. Not sure if the format I've played is different, but you start with your handicap and go up from there (or stay the same, no negatives stays at nil). So, for instance when I play at my club as a 20, it gives me a reasonable chance against a 10 or a 2. It's actually quite fun.

Although scramble tournaments (best ball) are the most fun.

Obligatory Mark Twain quote:
"Golf is a good walk spoiled."

Just really got back in to it this year, because my daughters now play -- both are on the High School JV team. Today is the year-end Parent-Daughter Scramble and Banquet...gonna be a *chilly* one!!!

Golf Truth: "Drive for Show, Putt for Dough"...'nuff said.

See krellin, you can contribute positively to a conversation!

Enjoy the golf. Did it snow overnight in your area? We got a dusting, I'm still gonna try and play after work.

I'd advise against it. Playing in really cold temps is no fun at all. Especially if its windy.

I live in Canada I'll be fine I'm used to it.