My Background: I am a 19 handicap, scoring typically in the 90’s, and I own and run a local golf website. My typical ball flight with a driver is a fade (not a banana slice), as a result, this adjustable technology is perfect to help straighten out my drives.
Innovation: The Nike STR8-Fit driver has eight (8) different positions to adjust the head of the club. Nike STR8-Fit Driver Head Positions: three (3) open to produce a fade, two (2) neutral, and three (3) closed to produce a draw. The TaylorMade R9 driver has eight (8) different positions to adjust the head of the club and three (3) adjustable weighted screws which can be repositioned to alter ball flight. TaylorMade R9 Driver Head Positions: three (3) open to produce a fade, two (2) neutral, and three (3) closed to produce a draw, with the 8 head positions and the three movable weighted screws, that gives the golfer 24 different configurations to fine tune your swing. I found the torque wrench provided with the Nike STR8-Fit driver was easy to use and with the light and sound indicator which alerts the user when the head is tighten correctly, you can not over torque the club head while adjusting head positions. The TaylorMade R9 driver utilizes the same tool they provide for the screws and for adjusting the club head, there is not an indicator alerting the user to stop trying to tighten the club head. Changing the head positions on the Nike STR8-Fit driver was easy and quick, where the TaylorMade R9 driver took more time changing the head positions and additional time changing positions of the weighted screws. In addition, the Nike STR8-Fit driver has the adjusting tool located in the club head cover which is a great idea, you always have it close when you need adjusting.
Look / Sound / Feel: Looking at each club from a golfer’s stance, both clubs have a tradition driver shape and look. Looking at the bottom of the club head, the Nike STR8-Fit driver again looks like a traditional driver head, where the TaylorMade R9 driver has numerous lines and three core like indentation locations for the adjustable weighted screws. When I picked up the Nike STR8-Fit driver, the first thing that came to mind was that the head was heavier than the TaylorMade R9 driver. But, as you set up and perform your golf swing, it felt light as a feather, the presumed weight was nonexistent. The Nike STR8-Fit driver has the same feel while performing a golf swing no matter which position I changed the club head. The TaylorMade R9 driver with the adjustable weighted screws gave you a slightly different feel after moving the screws in certain positions. Both clubs has a typical driver sound when striking the ball off the tee.
Performance: I hit both drivers in the open position first, then in the closed position. The Nike STR8-Fit driver, with the club head in the 2 degree open position, I pushed the ball out to the right further than usual. I then adjusted the head to 2 degrees closed and hit most of the balls relatively straight with a few balls pushed right but playable. With the TaylorMade R9 driver head in the 2 degree open position and the weighted screws adjusted for a fade, I pushed the balls right much further than expected. I then adjusted the head to 2 degrees closed and moved the adjustable weighted screws to the draw position and hit about half the balls relatively straight, the other half of the balls pushed right, a few to the right were unplayable.
In summary, after hitting balls with both clubs, the Nike STR8-Fit driver for me was straighter and long off the tee giving me a consistent feel with each swing. I also hit the ball on a lower angle than usual so the ball got some additional yardage from roll, it is very easy and quick to adjust the head as well. The TaylorMade R9 driver was not as consistent off the tee, but long off the tee when I hit it straight. It also has 16 additional adjustments over the Nike STR8-Fit driver to fine tune your swing, which seemed a bit cumbersome trying to change positions of the head and then adjusting the weighted screws while hitting balls.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
8>9 Challenge
I just received the new NIKE SQ DYMO STR8-FIT driver.
I will be participating in the 8>9 Challenge evaluating the NIKE SQ DYMO STR8-FIT driver against the TaylorMade R9 driver.
Keep an eye out for the results, coming soon!!
I will be participating in the 8>9 Challenge evaluating the NIKE SQ DYMO STR8-FIT driver against the TaylorMade R9 driver.
Keep an eye out for the results, coming soon!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Rough Day w/ Wayne Player @ Merion Golf Club
Merion Golf Club – East Course
450 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
Yards: 6,103, Par 70 (Middle Tees)
Course Architect: Hugh Wilson
Built/Open: 1896
Website: http://www.meriongolfclub.com/
Course Ranking: 7th – America’s 100 Greatest (Golf Digest Rankings 2009-2010)
Course Ranking: 2nd in Pennsylvania (Golf Digest State Rankings 2009-2010)
Score: 112 (59 out – 53 in)
Date: May 20, 2009
I had the great privilege of playing at Merion Golf Club, the East course, an ultra-private golf club with over 100+ years of golf history. I played with three nice guys, one being Wayne Player, Gary Player’s son. I headed out to Merion with intentions to just have fun and enjoy this historic course, walking the same fairways as the golfing greats. With a goal of posting a score under 120 and to par at least one hole, I achieved my goal. After playing a few rounds before arriving at the 7th ranked course in the country, I was feeling pretty good about my game until the second hole, (See below). I shot an 18 hole score of 112 on a picture perfect, warm sunny day in the low 80’s with 3 pars, hitting 5 fairways, 1 green in regulation and lost 4 balls. My driving was average, I hit 5 fairways out of 14, which means 9 of the drives ended up in the 4 to 5 inch rough. It was so thick, I hit the ball as hard as I possibly could and advancing it only 10 or so yards at a time. I tried everything, sand wedge, 8 or 9 iron and my rescue clubs to get it out of the rough with no real positive outcome. I asked the caddie, ‘What do you suggest?’, ‘Hit it in the fairway!’, he said, smart ass. My mid and short iron game was average as well hitting only one green in regulation, I was not hitting the ball real clean since I was hitting out of the rough most of the time. My chipping was awful, I was off on all my distances, chipping it short most of the time with a few chunks as well. My putting was pretty good only three - 3 putts, the fast greens keep the ball rolling to the hole and not short as usual. I really liked the basket pin ‘flags’ a signature symbol at Merion Golf Club – East Course. The idea behind the baskets pins was to make golfers think about wind directions without help from a traditional pin flag.
The Wayne Player experience: Before the round, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Wayne, as you sit and talk, you instantly recognize he is a great person, very friendly, good spirited and has great passion for the game. Playing golf with Wayne was a great thrill, he is very friendly, helps you with your game, has lots and lots of jokes and told some great stores about his and his father’s travels around the world. One of the most interesting topics of the day was how Wayne tees his ball. On the first tee, he pulled out a broken off iron handle with a tee in the end of the handle and stuck it in the ground. He placed his ball on top of this 12 to 14 inch high ‘tee’ and crushed his tee shot, he used this technique on every hole he hit driver. I thought it was an ice breaker on the first hole, but that is how he tees his ball every time. He said it makes for a flatter more consistent swing and it works for Wayne. On the 18th hole, after hacking my way out of the jungle like rough, I stood just behind the Ben Hogan plaque in the fairway where he hit his famous 1 iron at the 1950 US Open, Wayne was standing by his tee shot which was about 75 yards further down the fairway then Ben’s shot. Check out Wayne’s website at: http://www.wayneplayer.com/. Great person, great golfer, great experience!
450 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
Yards: 6,103, Par 70 (Middle Tees)
Course Architect: Hugh Wilson
Built/Open: 1896
Website: http://www.meriongolfclub.com/
Course Ranking: 7th – America’s 100 Greatest (Golf Digest Rankings 2009-2010)
Course Ranking: 2nd in Pennsylvania (Golf Digest State Rankings 2009-2010)
Score: 112 (59 out – 53 in)
Date: May 20, 2009
I had the great privilege of playing at Merion Golf Club, the East course, an ultra-private golf club with over 100+ years of golf history. I played with three nice guys, one being Wayne Player, Gary Player’s son. I headed out to Merion with intentions to just have fun and enjoy this historic course, walking the same fairways as the golfing greats. With a goal of posting a score under 120 and to par at least one hole, I achieved my goal. After playing a few rounds before arriving at the 7th ranked course in the country, I was feeling pretty good about my game until the second hole, (See below). I shot an 18 hole score of 112 on a picture perfect, warm sunny day in the low 80’s with 3 pars, hitting 5 fairways, 1 green in regulation and lost 4 balls. My driving was average, I hit 5 fairways out of 14, which means 9 of the drives ended up in the 4 to 5 inch rough. It was so thick, I hit the ball as hard as I possibly could and advancing it only 10 or so yards at a time. I tried everything, sand wedge, 8 or 9 iron and my rescue clubs to get it out of the rough with no real positive outcome. I asked the caddie, ‘What do you suggest?’, ‘Hit it in the fairway!’, he said, smart ass. My mid and short iron game was average as well hitting only one green in regulation, I was not hitting the ball real clean since I was hitting out of the rough most of the time. My chipping was awful, I was off on all my distances, chipping it short most of the time with a few chunks as well. My putting was pretty good only three - 3 putts, the fast greens keep the ball rolling to the hole and not short as usual. I really liked the basket pin ‘flags’ a signature symbol at Merion Golf Club – East Course. The idea behind the baskets pins was to make golfers think about wind directions without help from a traditional pin flag.
The Wayne Player experience: Before the round, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Wayne, as you sit and talk, you instantly recognize he is a great person, very friendly, good spirited and has great passion for the game. Playing golf with Wayne was a great thrill, he is very friendly, helps you with your game, has lots and lots of jokes and told some great stores about his and his father’s travels around the world. One of the most interesting topics of the day was how Wayne tees his ball. On the first tee, he pulled out a broken off iron handle with a tee in the end of the handle and stuck it in the ground. He placed his ball on top of this 12 to 14 inch high ‘tee’ and crushed his tee shot, he used this technique on every hole he hit driver. I thought it was an ice breaker on the first hole, but that is how he tees his ball every time. He said it makes for a flatter more consistent swing and it works for Wayne. On the 18th hole, after hacking my way out of the jungle like rough, I stood just behind the Ben Hogan plaque in the fairway where he hit his famous 1 iron at the 1950 US Open, Wayne was standing by his tee shot which was about 75 yards further down the fairway then Ben’s shot. Check out Wayne’s website at: http://www.wayneplayer.com/. Great person, great golfer, great experience!
FROM THE WEB SITE: Championship golf and champion golfers have long been intertwined with the mystique of Merion Golf Club’s East and West Courses. Designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion’s East Course has played host to more USGA Championships than any course in America and is home to some of its greatest moments. From Robert Tyre Jones, Jr.'s completion of golf’s elusive Grand Slam at the 1930 U.S. Amateur held at Merion to Ben Hogan’s awe inspiring performance and now legendary one-iron on the 72nd hole during the 1950 U.S. Open, the sculpted greens, fairways, and treacherous bunkers of Merion have shaped the game. Merion continues to not only challenge the world’s best, but identify them as well.
COURSE CONDITION: The course is playing in championship caliber condition, every square inch of the course. The teeing areas were lush green, the fairways were cut short which made the ball get a little extra roll. The rough on the other hand was 4 to 5 inches high, which I seemed to be playing out of a lot. The undulating greens were cut tight and rolling fast and slippery. The course is ready to host the Walker Cup and the US Open now.
FACILITIES: Top notch practice facilities (driving range, putting and chipping greens), dinning, pro shop and staff.
SHOT (HOLE) OF THE DAY: Hole 1, Par 4, 333 Yards. Before the round, having lunch with my playing partners, they asked me my handicap. I told them I was a high handicapper and was here for the experience, to have fun and I wouldn’t slow them down. With that said, the club house is a 100+ year old farm house with a huge outside dinning area overlooking the course. The first tee is directly adjacent to the main dinning area, the back tees are next to the dinning area, literally 3 to 4 feet away. Luckily the middle tees are about 10 feet past the main dinning area but in clear view of everyone eating. There was a women’s outing that just finished and both outside dinning areas were full with a few 100 people. Standing on the tee, the first player pushes his tee shot way off line in the right rough, the second player pulls his tee shot in to the left rough. The third player hits his shot down the middle, watching the first two shots end up in the rough, and one from a golf pro, my nerves calmed down slightly. I loaded up and smoked one down the middle of the fairway past the other ball in the fairway. My second shot was a 9 iron onto the green then a 20 foot lag putt to about 14 inches. Short putt for PAR! I pared the first hole at Merion!! Everyone looked at me with the sandbagger look, and then I proceeded to shot a 10, 7 and 9 on the next three holes.
SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: This course is tight and preparing for the Walker Cup in the fall, so the rough is 4 to 5 inches high. The ball nestles down deep in the dense rough and if you don’t watch where it goes, you will never find it. Don’t EVER pass on an opportunity to play here! Check out the facilities and if you have time, have lunch or dinner on the outdoor patio over looking this gorgeous course.
SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: This course is tight and preparing for the Walker Cup in the fall, so the rough is 4 to 5 inches high. The ball nestles down deep in the dense rough and if you don’t watch where it goes, you will never find it. Don’t EVER pass on an opportunity to play here! Check out the facilities and if you have time, have lunch or dinner on the outdoor patio over looking this gorgeous course.
GOLFNERDNESS: This place is awesome, I hope to get another chance to play the East Course and maybe the West Course!
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the 4 to 5 inch rough and watch where it goes into the rough! I played Bethpage last fall, this course is much harder for the high handicapper.
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
Kresson - A Good Value?
Kresson Golf Course
Kresson-Gibbsboro Road
Kresson (Voorhees), New Jersey
Yards: 4800, Par 68 (Out 2705, In 2095 – Men’s Tees)
Course Architect:
Built/Open:
Website: None
Score: 90 (46 out, 44 in)
Date: May 18, 2009
I played Kresson Golf Club as a warm up and practice round before my golf outing at Merion Golf Club – East Course. We played the men’s tees which at any other golf course would be the kids’ tees, measuring a total of 4800. First off, way over priced for the conditions of the course, the score cards have not been updated in over 15 years, all the yardages are incorrect on the score card, the teeing areas and fairways are typical grass and the greens are like a thick carpet with huge aeration holes. With all that said, I shot a round of 90 on a beautiful sunny day. My driving was good, only spraying a few tee shots off line. My approach shots are getting better, I am slowly hitting the ball a little better each time out. Chipping was average and my putting completely sucked due to the piss poor greens, the ball was hopping all over the place and super slow which cost me a few strokes.
Kresson-Gibbsboro Road
Kresson (Voorhees), New Jersey
Yards: 4800, Par 68 (Out 2705, In 2095 – Men’s Tees)
Course Architect:
Built/Open:
Website: None
Score: 90 (46 out, 44 in)
Date: May 18, 2009
I played Kresson Golf Club as a warm up and practice round before my golf outing at Merion Golf Club – East Course. We played the men’s tees which at any other golf course would be the kids’ tees, measuring a total of 4800. First off, way over priced for the conditions of the course, the score cards have not been updated in over 15 years, all the yardages are incorrect on the score card, the teeing areas and fairways are typical grass and the greens are like a thick carpet with huge aeration holes. With all that said, I shot a round of 90 on a beautiful sunny day. My driving was good, only spraying a few tee shots off line. My approach shots are getting better, I am slowly hitting the ball a little better each time out. Chipping was average and my putting completely sucked due to the piss poor greens, the ball was hopping all over the place and super slow which cost me a few strokes.
FROM THE WEB SITE: Yea right, website.
COURSE CONDITION: Course maintenance is weak, my lawn at home is nicer. As stated above… the teeing areas and fairways are typical grass and the greens are like a thick carpet and are very slow with almost no break. There are no diagrams of the holes (except for stick figure like diagrams on scorecard), no yardage markers anywhere, yardages are incorrect on the score card, leaves you wondering about yardages on most of the holes.
FACILITIES: They have a so called club house, no amenities really at all just a small putting green. This is an easy course to walk, 90% of the golfers walk this course.
SHOT OF THE DAY: First hole, drove it within 20 yards of the green.
SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS: Good course for beginners, kids and really slow players. That’s about it, not much else to say. Take your little kids there to play, they will see lots of cool wildlife.
GOLFNERDNESS: It is called weed killer, buy some.
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Play a different course.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Good Day @ Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970
Yards: 6377, Par 72 (Kodiak [3187] / Black Bear [3190] - Back Tees)
Course Architect: Rick Jacobson
Built/Open: 1999
Website: http://www.beartrapdunes.com/
Score: 92 (45 out, 47 in)
Date: May 9, 2009
For all your local golf information, check out http://www.twooverpar.com./
7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970
Yards: 6377, Par 72 (Kodiak [3187] / Black Bear [3190] - Back Tees)
Course Architect: Rick Jacobson
Built/Open: 1999
Website: http://www.beartrapdunes.com/
Score: 92 (45 out, 47 in)
Date: May 9, 2009
I played Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club over Mother’s day weekend without picking up a club since playing The Peninsula a few weeks ago. My playing partners wanted to play the back tees today which play 600+ yards further than the usual club (white) tees we usually play. Not expecting to play that well from the longer tees, I shot a round of 92 on a beautiful sunny, calm breezy day. My driving was good, only spraying two tee shots way off line. My short game is coming around, I didn’t blow any approach shots over the green but hit them short of the green. Chipping was average and my putting improved, only two 3 putts and 7 one putts.
FROM THE WEB SITE: 'Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club offers one of the area’s most unique and memorable golf experiences on the Eastern Shore. Winding bent grass fairways lined with native wetland grasses drift into natural sand dunes. Impeccably groomed oversized greens and four strategically placed sets of tees beckon golfers of every skill level.'
COURSE CONDITION: The course was in great shape, the fairways and teeing areas were lush and green. The greens were in excellent shape and rolling super quick, just how I like it.
FACILITIES: Really didn’t utilize the facilities this time around (no time). The chipping and putting greens are adjacent to the driving range.
SHOT OF THE DAY: None really, just a solid day of golf.
SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS: If you are playing here early, bring drinks and a snack, the refreshment cart starts late.
GOLFNERDNESS: All golfers should know their limits…Back Tees, I don’t think so!
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the water and you will score!
For all your local golf information, check out http://www.twooverpar.com./
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pine Valley Golf Club Course Profile
Check out the full course profile for the No. 2 golf course in the country - Pine Valley Golf Club!
Cut and paste the link below.
http://www.twooverpar.com/FindaCourse/GolfCoursesinNewJersey/CamdenCountyNJGolfCourses/PineValleyGolfClub/tabid/806/Default.aspx
For all your local golf information, check out http://www.twooverpar.com./
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Cut and paste the link below.
http://www.twooverpar.com/FindaCourse/GolfCoursesinNewJersey/CamdenCountyNJGolfCourses/PineValleyGolfClub/tabid/806/Default.aspx
For all your local golf information, check out http://www.twooverpar.com./
For personal golf course reviews and comments, check out http://twooverpar.blogspot.com/!
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Friday, April 17, 2009
A beautiful day @ The Peninsula
The Peninsula Golf and Country Club
32981 Peninsula Esplanade, Millsboro, Delaware 19966
Yards: 6,248, Par 72 (Silver Tees)
Course Architect: The Great Jack Nicklaus
Management Company: Troon Golf
Built/Open: 2006
Website: http://www.peninsuladelaware.com
Course Ranking: 2nd in Delaware (Golf Digest State Rankings 2009-2010)
Score: 99
Date: April 10, 2009
I was invited to play at The Peninsula Golf and Country Club (thanks to Carmen and Walt!), an ultra-private country club with every luxury amenity you can thing of, pro shop, fitness center, grill room, formal dinning room (members only), tennis facilities, two pools (one with real sand beach), nature trails. Not expecting miracles my first 18 hole round of the year with no practice before showing up, I shot an 18 hole round of 99 on a brisk, high 40’s, but real windy day. My driving was average, I hit about half of the fairways, more towards the end of the round. When my tee shot was not in the fairway, it was just off the fairway in play, a few of my approach shots were long, over shooting the green a few times. My mid and short iron game is still off since I tweaked my swing, I am hitting the ball further with my irons and have to adjust my distances and aim. My chipping was good and my putting was better since the hard/fast greens keep the ball moving past the hole.
FROM the WEB SITE: The finest Delaware resort has teamed with one of the most skilled golfers in the history of the game to deliver the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Delaware. This highly esteemed course design does not disappoint and is the highlight for many of The Peninsula members.
The private 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Golf Course opened in April 2006. Seven holes of the Delaware golf course are set dramatically along the Indian River Bay and Lingo Creek, and set the tone for the special feel of the Troon Golf Experience at The Peninsula. With four sets of tees, the course offers an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. This past summer The Peninsula partnered with the PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf and installed two sets of "Family Friendly" tees. By adding two sets of tee locations (Blue Level 1 - 1100 yards and Gold Level 2 tees - 1900 yards) all family members are able to enjoy the round.
COURSE CONDITION: The course was in excellent shape, every inch of the course. The greens were fast and slippery, little difficult holding the greens with a low iron shot.
FACILITIES: Excellent practice facilities, grill room food was good, and well equipped pro shop.
SHOT of the DAY #1: Hole 9, Par 3, 180 Yards. Due to the windy conditions and water on the entire right side of the fairway, I aimed 50 yards left of the entire green, at a tree half way up the fairway. I hit a high 2 iron, the wind grabbed it and pushed it to the right, hit the green and rolled to 2 feet, basic tap in for BIRDIE! The other three players, first player – low liner 5 yards off the fairway rolled onto the green, Par. Next two players, wet.
SHOT of the DAY #2: Hole 13, Par 3, 148 Yards island style green. Due to the windy conditions, I hit an 8 iron figuring the wind would push the ball toward the green since I aimed right and short (usually a 7 iron). The pin was in the middle of the green, the wind pushed the ball way left, bounced on the green twice and rolled down the 10’+/- embankment into the water. Taking my drop at the edge of the water, looking up this steep slope, I opened my 9 iron, aimed left of the hole and took a swing. After hitting the ball, I watched the ball hit the green and start rolling toward the pin, watching this at eye level with the green. The ball, tracking toward the pin just disappeared into the hole, PAR! I looked at my playing partners and said, “that is a hard way to make a par”. In the mean time, my father-in-law hit the front of the embankment and rolled into the water. He took his drop next to the water as well, hit his ball from the opposite side of the green from where I hit my shot. He hit an open lop wedge, rolled it straight into the hole, PAR. He looked at me and said, “that is a hard way to make a par!”. No way could that be done again.
SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS: This course is adjacent to the bay, winds are common and change direction at the blink of an eye. Don’t pass on an opportunity to play here! Check out the facilities and the monster houses that line some of the fairways! Have a few million, build your dream home on your dream course, just remember me, I’ll be waiting for an invite to play.
GOLFNERDNESS: Golf Etiquette, might be good to use here!
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the water, sand and waste areas and the course is easy. LOL
For all your local golf information, check out http://www.twooverpar.com./
For personal golf course reviews and comments, check out http://twooverpar.blogspot.com/!
Follow us on Facebook, search “wheresthegolf.com”. Post your course experiences, shot of the day, course reviews, etc… you get the point.
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32981 Peninsula Esplanade, Millsboro, Delaware 19966
Yards: 6,248, Par 72 (Silver Tees)
Course Architect: The Great Jack Nicklaus
Management Company: Troon Golf
Built/Open: 2006
Website: http://www.peninsuladelaware.com
Course Ranking: 2nd in Delaware (Golf Digest State Rankings 2009-2010)
Score: 99
Date: April 10, 2009
I was invited to play at The Peninsula Golf and Country Club (thanks to Carmen and Walt!), an ultra-private country club with every luxury amenity you can thing of, pro shop, fitness center, grill room, formal dinning room (members only), tennis facilities, two pools (one with real sand beach), nature trails. Not expecting miracles my first 18 hole round of the year with no practice before showing up, I shot an 18 hole round of 99 on a brisk, high 40’s, but real windy day. My driving was average, I hit about half of the fairways, more towards the end of the round. When my tee shot was not in the fairway, it was just off the fairway in play, a few of my approach shots were long, over shooting the green a few times. My mid and short iron game is still off since I tweaked my swing, I am hitting the ball further with my irons and have to adjust my distances and aim. My chipping was good and my putting was better since the hard/fast greens keep the ball moving past the hole.FROM the WEB SITE: The finest Delaware resort has teamed with one of the most skilled golfers in the history of the game to deliver the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Delaware. This highly esteemed course design does not disappoint and is the highlight for many of The Peninsula members.
The private 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Design Golf Course opened in April 2006. Seven holes of the Delaware golf course are set dramatically along the Indian River Bay and Lingo Creek, and set the tone for the special feel of the Troon Golf Experience at The Peninsula. With four sets of tees, the course offers an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. This past summer The Peninsula partnered with the PGA of America and U.S. Kids Golf and installed two sets of "Family Friendly" tees. By adding two sets of tee locations (Blue Level 1 - 1100 yards and Gold Level 2 tees - 1900 yards) all family members are able to enjoy the round.
COURSE CONDITION: The course was in excellent shape, every inch of the course. The greens were fast and slippery, little difficult holding the greens with a low iron shot.
FACILITIES: Excellent practice facilities, grill room food was good, and well equipped pro shop.
SHOT of the DAY #1: Hole 9, Par 3, 180 Yards. Due to the windy conditions and water on the entire right side of the fairway, I aimed 50 yards left of the entire green, at a tree half way up the fairway. I hit a high 2 iron, the wind grabbed it and pushed it to the right, hit the green and rolled to 2 feet, basic tap in for BIRDIE! The other three players, first player – low liner 5 yards off the fairway rolled onto the green, Par. Next two players, wet.
SHOT of the DAY #2: Hole 13, Par 3, 148 Yards island style green. Due to the windy conditions, I hit an 8 iron figuring the wind would push the ball toward the green since I aimed right and short (usually a 7 iron). The pin was in the middle of the green, the wind pushed the ball way left, bounced on the green twice and rolled down the 10’+/- embankment into the water. Taking my drop at the edge of the water, looking up this steep slope, I opened my 9 iron, aimed left of the hole and took a swing. After hitting the ball, I watched the ball hit the green and start rolling toward the pin, watching this at eye level with the green. The ball, tracking toward the pin just disappeared into the hole, PAR! I looked at my playing partners and said, “that is a hard way to make a par”. In the mean time, my father-in-law hit the front of the embankment and rolled into the water. He took his drop next to the water as well, hit his ball from the opposite side of the green from where I hit my shot. He hit an open lop wedge, rolled it straight into the hole, PAR. He looked at me and said, “that is a hard way to make a par!”. No way could that be done again.
SUGGESTIONS and COMMENTS: This course is adjacent to the bay, winds are common and change direction at the blink of an eye. Don’t pass on an opportunity to play here! Check out the facilities and the monster houses that line some of the fairways! Have a few million, build your dream home on your dream course, just remember me, I’ll be waiting for an invite to play.
GOLFNERDNESS: Golf Etiquette, might be good to use here!
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT: Keep the ball out of the water, sand and waste areas and the course is easy. LOL
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