All That Glitters

The problem with popular destinations is that they are crowded. This is even more true of golf courses near popular destinations. Las Vegas, where hubby and I went recently, is probably one of the country's most popular destinations. Frankly, I've never been drawn to Vegas because I don't gamble, but lately I've been hearing about how great the food is in Vegas, and I definitely eat, so we took the plunge and booked a trip. Aside from food, Vegas also has some good golf. And when the weather is cold elsewhere, the Vegas climate can be warm to quite hot. It was unusually warm when we went in late April, but at least it was dry. Unfortunately, it was really crowded both times we golfed.

Our round at TPC Las Vegas took more than 5 hours, longer than a routine colonoscopy including waiting time for the anesthesia to wear off. Those who know me know that slow play is the kiss of death for my game. It's like sitting in an armchair and getting up to take a shot every 15 minutes. After awhile, your muscles get stiff. Torpor sets in. And all you can do is watch the slow OMGs in the group ahead as they shuffle feebly toward their ball. Think slugs slithering toward a dewdrop.

The ranger was unapologetic, but of course they must cater to their local clientele, their bread and butter. Why should they care whether a couple of out-of-towners are slowly sprouting new gray hairs over the course of 18 holes?

As always, I tried to look at the bright side. The sun was shining and I had time to take lots of pictures.

TPC Las Vegas is an undeniably pretty course.

Conditions were impeccable, with greens super-fast and true, which is to be expected at a PGA Tour venue.

Of course there are some tough holes. Here's one of the signature holes, a par 3 called "Canyon." I made a par, but only because it's just 110 yards from the forward tees. From the tips, it's almost a 200-yard carry.

The finishing hole is in view of the clubhouse terrace. I flew my approach to the rear of the green and had to take the walk of shame. Oh well, it wasn't the first time.

Bali Hai Golf Club was the second course we played. It is also a really pretty course. It was faster round, even though we had a group of 8 women playing in front of us on what seemed to be some kind of girls' trip. I noticed they drank a lot of beer. They had a forecaddie and I think he had them picking up their balls a lot to keep the pace of play. One benefit of having a group of women in front of me is I can see where their balls land and adjust accordingly. On a long par 3, for example, I saw two women hit into a huge bunker. It drew attention to the fact that the hole sloped steeply uphill, so even though the scorecard gave the yardage as 160, it played longer. On my turn, I clubbed up to driver and made it on the green.

For a desert course, Bali Hai has some surprisingly picturesque water features.

It's on the Vegas Strip, so you can see casino hotels from the fairways.

The famous Vegas sign is across the street. On one of the holes, you get a view of it over the fence.

Because it's Vegas, there's a little gambling built in. On one of the par 3 holes, you can place a bet for any amount of money. If you make the green on your tee shot, you win double the amount to spend in the pro shop. If you miss, you still get the amount you bet to spend in the pro shop. I wagered $10 and missed the green. I bought a $10 ball marker and clip in the pro shop. I would have bought this as a souvenir anyway, so it was a win-win for me.

At Bali Hai, the 16th hole (a par-3 island green) is in view of the clubhouse patio. Even though no one was on the patio watching, I made a mess of this hole. First, I hit my tee shot into the bunker. Then I hit all ball out of the bunker and rolled off the edge of the green into the water on the other side. Then I had to take a drop and chip up. Then I three-putted and carded a 7. At least no one was watching.

After the round, hubby and I sat on the patio facing this green so we could watch others coming up. Finally, I saw a golfer make the exact same error that I did. Vindication at last.

Between the two courses, I would play Bali Hai again. I liked the way the fairways tended to slope inward, bringing the ball toward the middle, even on wayward shots. With the way my game has been going lately, it's always nice when the odds are a little in my favor.

Spring Hopes, Eternal

Ah, the first rounds of spring bring the joys of sights not lately seen. In the pond by the 3rd hole, I spotted the giant koi fish usually obscured by overgrown thrushes and the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. It was a sunny day, and in the blue sky, there were clouds that looked like angel wings.

Signs of the long, wet winter lingered: Soggy patches of muddy grass. A raccoon tail with a weathered skeleton attached (probably eaten by a fox).

Hubby and I played as a twosome, stuck between 2 foursomes. It was a slow round, but we always feel grateful when we can play just the two of us. It’s like a four-hour date night during the day. We incorporated some of the new rules, such as leaving the flag in when putting and dropping from knee height when taking a drop. Leaving the flagstick in came in handy during one rare instance when the stick's shadow created a perfect line from my ball to the hole. I made that putt.

I've been golfing for over 10 years now, so starting up my swing in the spring is not like reinventing the wheel anymore. But the problem with the swing thoughts turning into pure muscle memory is that it leaves too much space in my brain for other thoughts to creep in. Thoughts from the stresses of life off the course. Demons from the past rising when I thought they were long dead. I look to the sky but the angel clouds are powerless against these demons, the ones deep inside. So all I can do is swing, swing them away.

Golf Resolutions for 2019

We're a week into the new year and I haven't posted my annual golf resolutions. Sorry for procrastinating. First, how did I do with last year's resolutions?

Resolution #1: Continue to stay fit for golf.  So far, so good on this one. Even with the addition of ballroom dancing (aka "dancesport") to my fitness repertoire, I have maintained overall health. As I resolved last year, I've added regular foot care to my routine. I bought a battery-operated scrub brush with a pumice stone attachment to keep my feet callous-free.

Resolution #2: Break 80. Nope, not yet. In fact, I didn't even keep my handicap in 2018 (gasp!). As any East Coaster knows, it was an unusually rainy spring, summer and fall. Golf-wise, it was kind of a lost season. Due to muddy conditions and fairways that couldn't be mowed due to rain, I mainly shot rounds in the mid-90s. I couldn't bring myself to record scores, since they'd drop my glorious 14.5 handicap from 2017. Most of my 2018 season looked like this:

My errant pink ball, in jail. The flag is somewhere behind those trees.

I didn't start scoring in the upper 80s till November, when the weather dried out, but by then the handicap season was over. 

Resolution #3: Grow the game. I've been continuing to encourage the young golfers in my life to enjoy the game. My 10-year-old goddaughter has started playing tournaments and last summer I had the pleasure of playing another par-3 course with her. My oldest nephew continues to play golf with his friends. And my two youngest nephews, who are 5 and 7, now incorporate golf activities into their playtime. When they visit my house, they like to create putting practice surfaces using my yoga mats with hand weights propped underneath to simulate undulating greens. How cute is that!

Okay, so how about 2019?

Resolution #1: Continue to stay fit for golf.  I think this will be a permanent resolution. I see golfers out there walking with pull-carts or carrying bags well into their 70s and even 80s. If I want to be one of them someday, I need to take care of my health.

Resolution #2: Break 80. This is going to a resolution until I just finally do it. My all-time lowest score was 83, so it's just a matter of time on this one.

Resolution #3: Maintain a handicap. So much of golf depends on the weather. And though I can blame the rain for not making progress in 2018, I realize I could learn to play better in adverse conditions. Of course, it's easier when conditions are good. This winter, I've had a few stolen days when the weather was warm and dry enough to go out. Yesterday, we had a day with temps in the 50s, and I shot an 87. So things are looking up for 2019. Stay tuned!

The Other Dance Floor

Winter seemed to last forever. Hubby and I were so tired waiting for spring to actually spring, we decided to take up an off-season hobby that didn’t depend on the weather: ballroom dancing. After a few lessons learning basic steps in swing, chacha and fox trot, we were hooked. Once the weather actually did warm up, we decided to continue with dancing lessons throughout the golf season. I've found that dancing is a great complement to golf. My feet have become stronger from dancing, which has actually helped out my golf game. And both activities are not dissimilar. Here are:

6 Things Ballroom Dancing and Golf Have in Common

- They are both sports. Did you know ballroom dancing is a sport? It’s called dancesport. Forget Arthur Murray. No more "dancing like no one's watching." These days, thanks to shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” you have to dance like three judges are watching. And colleges have competitive ballroom dance teams, just like golf and other sports.

- They’re a lot harder than it looks. Professional golfers swing fast and smooth. Professional dancers step quickly and lightly. They make it look so easy. But it’s not. Both require technique, and you can feel like a beginner for years before you get the hang of it.

- Both require special shoes. Golf shoes have cleats and are built for comfort. But it was a revelation to me that ballroom dance shoes, which have steel shanks and sueded soles, are actually flexible and comfortable, even in a 2.5-inch heel. I mean, a sport that requires me to buy cute shoes? Yes, please!

- Both require good posture and a strong core. Who knew the chacha, which is all about the hip motion, would translate to a faster swing speed when you fire the hips in a golf shot?

- They both have a dance floor. Literally, in the case of ballroom dancing. And figuratively, in the case of golf, where “You’re on the dance floor” is what people say when your approach shot lands anywhere on the green.

- They are both sports that can last a lifetime. And if the day comes when hubby and I are so old we can no longer swing a golf club, I think we’ll at least be able to manage a waltz box step.

Now that spring has officially sprung, hubby and I have been golfing every weekend. But this past week, we’ve had rain every day. And this weekend looks like another soaker. Usually I’d be down about the weather, but now this just gives me an excuse to make hubby take me out to cut a rug. And if the rain keeps up, I just might have to switch the topic of this blog to ballroom dancing!

Ersatz Golf

So hubby and I finally got to play Pebble Beach last week. Wish I could say it was at the real course in California, but it was just a simulator round at a course in a neighboring county. With temps in the teens and no golf trips in sight, we decided to try a couple of golf substitutes to see if they even come close to the real thing.

The simulator round involved bringing our real golf bags to a real golf course. Out on an enclosed patio with space heaters, they'd set up a computer and hitting bay with a screen. It cost $45 an hour, which was enough time to play 9 holes. Using the computer, you pick a famous course you'd like to play -- we picked Pebble Beach. Before each shot, you drag a pointer in the direction you're aiming, and the screen view adjusts so it looks like you're facing that way.

The big projector screen reflects whatever is shown on the computer. Then, it's up to you to take a swing at a real ball with your real club. There's a lighted box area on the turf where you can tee up your ball or hit it off the mat and a camera device will register your swing. After you take your shot, the computer will show you some stats like your clubhead speed, yardage, etc. Both hubby and my shots were tracking about 20-50 yards shorter than normal, but this could have been due to the fact that it was about 30 degrees on the covered patio, even with space heaters around.

If you hit a bad shot, like I did when I was still getting used to the whole set up, you can end up off in the deep rough. But fortunately there aren't any bugs.

The computer will even show you the break on the green. On one shot, I had to hit out of a bunker. It's much easier when the sand isn't real. Once on the green, it's virtually impossible to make a decent putt. We were advised to set the game so that putts within 10 feet were gimmies. Otherwise, it might take a half hour to get through one hole.

Hubby and I got through 10 holes in the allotted hour, and we didn't do half bad. Hubby made a birdie and I made a few pars. Overall, it was fun, but I don't think I'd make a regular habit out of it. The projected screen didn't have high enough resolution to transport me to Pebble Beach in any way. While it was enjoyable to watch the computer-generated flyovers between holes on the screen, the rest of the scenery was uninspiring. There's nothing like looking out at the real ocean and feeling the warmth of real sun when you're playing in real life. 

The other golf substitute we tried was Top Golf. The outpost we went to was in a modern building with an industrial vibe.

You have to pay $5 to become a member, then you get charged by the hour for up to 6 people in one hitting bay. At the location we went to, it was $35 per hour.

A guest attendant brings you and your party to a covered hitting bay, where they have men's and ladies' clubs to use. You can also bring your own clubs. There's a computer screen where you can try a variety of target games and keep score. There's also a big coffee table surrounded by comfy sectional furniture, and you can order from a bar menu of things to eat and drink. Top Golf seems to be more of a social activity, like bowling, where even novices can enjoy themselves without pressure.

Of course, I was there to get my swing on. I wasn't impressed with the stock clubs, but even if I had brought my own, the balls they make you use are limited-flight balls, which really takes the air out of the whole venture. The farthest target was around 180 yards, and the net behind it was about 200, so the focus was more on taking aim at a flag and hitting straight. The hitting bay is completely open in the front, so even with heat on the other sides, you can feel the chill on a cold winter day.

The Top Golf tab was about $105 for 2 hours with food and drink, so it was pricier than the simulator round. Would I do either again? Well, I'm glad I tried these substitutes and I did have fun. But I'd rather wait for a spring thaw since neither was as good as the real thing.

Golf Resolutions for 2018

Happy New Year. Again. Can you believe I've been writing this golf blog for 6 years? And once again, I begin the year with a look back at my golf resolutions and a look forward to new ones.

Last year, I kept it simple with:

#1: Stay fit for golf. Well, I made it through the year without any major injuries. My gluteal pseudo-sciatica pain seems to be under control and I've been able to survive 5-hour plane rides and even 8-hour car drives without a relapse. I still stretch like crazy, do Pilates every week, and do at least 30 minutes of low-impact cardio every day, with hand-weight and upper-body exercises a few times a week. I was fit enough to play at least 50 rounds this past year, so I think I did okay with this resolution.

Now how about 2018?

Resolution #1: Continue to stay fit for golf.  Since I started golfing, I have avoided riding golf carts and walk with my pull-cart instead. As a result, I routinely develop minor foot issues such as black toenails and calluses. Toward the end of the 2017 season, I developed a rather persistent corn on my left pinky-toe, which is taking more than a week to heal. So, foot care is something I will need to work into my overall fitness routine. (Sorry if that's TMI, but on the other hand, if you have a foot fetish, maybe that paragraph turned you on in a weird way.)

Resolution #2: Break 80. I broke 100 in 2011, I broke 90 in 2012. Theoretically, I should have broken 80 in 2013. But, as most amateur golfers know, it just ain't that easy. However, in late-August, I shot my personal best of 83. And thanks to a bunch of other rounds in the low-to-mid 80s this past year, I ended the season with a 14.5 handicap. If all goes well, in 2018, I may just shave off 4 more strokes off my all-time low and break 80.

Resolution #3: Grow the game. I've always been kind of a golf evangelist among my family and friends. Ever since I started playing, I've made an effort to take my young nephews out to the putting green or the driving range just for fun. I've taken several of them to their first golf lesson or their first round on a real golf course. When my oldest nephew was 12, I let him drive a golf cart by himself for the first time. Now, he's 25 and has rekindled his interest in golf. He said he likes golf because "It's a gentleman's game, but you still get dirty and stuff." He also likes that he can hit balls really far. Hubby and I have taken him out golfing a few times and we really enjoy watching his game develop. I have 7 nephews, so if all of them end up being golfers, I think I will have done a decent job growing the game.

I can also take credit for introducing my goddaughter to golf. I gave her a Snoopy set of plastic golf clubs when she was a toddler, so I started the brainwashing early. Now she's 8 and has been taking lessons for less than a year, but her mother says she's ready to play tournaments soon. Hubby and I took her to her first round on a par-3 course. We look forward to taking her out to an 18-hole course this summer.

If I knew when I was young that golf was this much fun, I would have started at a much younger age. But watching these young people fall in love with the game is the next best thing.

That's it for now. I better stop making resolutions before the year has even begun. The weather is in the teens around here, and all the local golf courses are closed. In a week or so, temps might edge back into the 30s, so I might manage to get out for a winter round. Stay tuned.

End-of-Season Update

The bad news is the handicap season ended two weeks ago in my neck of the woods. The good news is my handicap ended at an all-time low of...

The bad news is that until March 15, none of my scores can count toward my handicap, so the 88 from the gold tees I shot yesterday won't count, even though it would have helped my handicap. The good news is that since I get emailed my handicap update every two weeks, I will be seeing the number 14.5 steadily till spring. It will be a great reminder of what I've accomplished this past season with my humble amateur sports hobby, the great game of golf.

The bad news is yesterday may have been the last round I play till next year. The weather was in the mid-50s and sunny with little wind. At 1pm, I was sweating in my thick, knitted visor hat plus my base layer turtleneck and felted cashmere sweater. Did I ever mention that the warmest clothing for golf could quite possibly be a cashmere sweater that you accidentally washed and put in the dryer? Cashmere is eight times warmer than sheep's wool and the felted fibers form a compact knit that blocks wind but still allows movement. I felt so warm it could have a springtime round. I actually shot just 5 over on the front nine and started having serious visions of breaking 80. But then the afternoon chill set in, and my brain and fingers stopped working properly. 

The good news is that as long as there isn't snow on the ground, I can still make it out to play golf. Might be time to accidentally leave another cashmere sweater in the dryer.