Ben Denison
I was lucky to win one of the bags at the event, so not entirely sure what model it is, but I really enjoy it. I mostly use a push-cast at home, but when I travel every caddie I've had said they love to carry it compared to standard stand bags so a-plus review there.
Link to commentEthan Fisher
Denver, Colorado: Common Ground
East Georgia: Arrowhead Pointe
Houston, Texas: Cypresswood
Lexington, Kentucky: Gibson Bay
Louisville, Kentucky: Nevel Meade
Upstate South Carolina: Furman
All of these have some architecual interest and are walkable. I'm not breaking news on Common Ground, but I adore each of the other courses listed. Arrowhead Pointe is the best hidden gem I've played anywhere in the country. Both courses at Cypresswood are solid, but the Traditions course really makes me feel things. Gibson Bay gets lost in the limelight of Kearney Hill and with it being in Richmond, but is a stout test with some greay holes. Nevel Meade is a beacon of light in the otherwise sad scene that is public golf in Louisville. Furman has some of the best greens complexes I've ever seen and makes me understand why Brad Faxon is such a putting guru.
Link to commentBenjamin Malach
I have the stand model. It’s a very well designed bag. Pockets are perfectly sized and positioned. The fit and finish of the bag is great. However my stand stopped deploying after 5 rounds and the straps broke within a month and I had to replace the clasp and closure system. Other than these issues. I really enjoy the bag and am only swapping to a more minimal bag due to my want to walk more than 36 holes a day regularly.
Link to commentEthan Fisher
I really want to check this place out next time I go to Kauai, God willing. The Makai course at Princeville was great but the charm at Wailua was evident just from driving by it on the main road. Forget Poipu Bay, give me Wailua!
Link to commentPearce Barringer
I've got one of the older models of the Rye, and I love it. One of the shoulder straps on it broke after two seasons of pretty heavy use playing and carrying my bag, but they offer free replacements. I'd consider it a "no frills" bag, but they look great, are well made, and you're supporting a small business. If something happened to mine, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
Link to commentBenjamin Williams
SE Mich: Living in Detroit seems like most of what I view as great value courses are clustered around Ann Arbor but I'd say Calderone, Leslie Park (at the walking rate), and Washtenaw are all good value courses (not factoring pace of play since I've had wildly varying results depending on time of year). U of M at the affiliate rate is also great bang for buck, another win for university courses.
Link to commentOliver Sutter
32, married, no kids (yet)
New to the FEGC. Grew up in northwest Indiana where I've put many balls into the waters of the infamous Lost Marsh golf course during that time. Lived downtown for about 10 years but I just moved back to northwest Indiana. I'm a member at Briar Ridge in Dyer, happy to host anyone who wants to get a game in! Would love to meet some guys in the FE community.
Link to commentTyler Rosser
My club is in this weird middle ground you mention. Very basic, member-owned course built in the 1960's. The course and membership were dying in the late 2010's but were totally revitalized by the COVID golf boom, which enabled them to hire a new super who saved the greens with a larger budget. We had bentgrass that are 30+ years old and were on their last leg. With the COVID boom, the board began entertaining a renovation that is now underway. Through some lucky connections, Beau Welling took on the project. We're redesigning 6 holes, moving the driving range, and then renovating the other 12 holes that'll follow mostly the original corridors. All that to say, the leadership is actively trying to upgrade the amenities into a more luxurious country club. Before we were mostly golf course with a dining room.
We're building a fancy entrance, comfort stations, and a manned bag drop hut in the parking lot. Our initiation fee has gone up 6x and dues increased as well with the debt service for the renovation. I'm very concerned we're out over our skis if the golf craze recedes at all, but we'll see over the next few years.
Link to commentDouglas Rarick
It was and enjoyable day for sure. The greens were recently resurfaced with Mach 1
Link to commentNathan Carr
Dallas, Tx - Cedar Crest. Tillinghast
South Bend, In - Warren GC. C&C
Grand Rapids-ish, Mi - Diamond Springs. DeVries. (My MVP)
Link to commentBen Denison
I was having fun trying to guess the courses that were being referenced obliquely.
Link to commentBen Denison
Warren Course - Notre Dame, IN. Public C&C under a hundred bucks
Up here, Hooper in NH, Rutland in VT are both Stiles and Van Kleek gems for affordable rate.
Neshobe in VT is in the middle of nowhere and if put near Boston would be 200 dollar round minimum. Can walk for 50.
Algonquin right across the border from Maine in New Brunswick might be the best answer though. While attached to hotel, affordable rate and a back 9 that rivals Cabot.
Link to commentPearce Barringer
If you play quota, you can also make the non-golfers "wildcards." They have no set quota to reach, so any points they make are just gravy. Quota games are friendly to beginners, but having to make bogey or better on like 5 holes can still be intimidating and not hitting a very low quota sucks.
Even the worst golfer out there has the potential to par or birdie a hole or two if everything lines up perfectly. If the beginner knows they can only help the team, it could make their rounds more enjoyable.
Link to commentPearce Barringer
If you can make a weekday tee time work with your schedule and are willing to walk, Park Mammoth is a fantastic deal. $65 during peak season. All day play, which gives you access to their par 3 course (very fun) and cart, is $130.
Sewanee is another great deal. Weekday walking rate is $55 to play a Gil Hanse restoration of a golden age course. Great views, too.
Hard to beat that within a 90 minute radius of Nashville.
Link to commentMatt Marquart
Not unfamiliar to The Fried Egg, but it has to be Diamond Springs in MI for me
Link to commentJames Zamjahn
Giants Ridge has one of the best 36 hole deals. 18 at The Quarry, 18 at The Legend and lunch at the resort for $230. And I agree.. Vi's is soooo good.
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