Golf

ChrisC · 09-02-2008, 12:28 PM

This March I was introduced to a new hobby....golf. I have had numerous invitations over the last 20 years to try it, but never tried it until this Spring. I wish now that I had taken those people up on their invites now.

Anyway, I haven't been in the shop much this Spring and Summer, but intend on doing when the colder weather gets here. I have several honey-do's that I have been putting off.

Anyway, any other golfers outhere. If so, what are some good courses in the Raleigh area. I did a google search, and found some that appear to "private" country clubs. Do Wakefield and Northridge allow non-members to play. I play public courses in my area, and am not a member of any clubs.

Also, any good golfing equipment stores in the Raliegh area you can recommend. I have been to Golf Galaxy in Cary. I felt like I do in Woodcraft, Klingspor, etc.

Douglas Robinson · 09-02-2008, 01:26 PM

I am NOT a golfer. My theory is: since the object of the game is to hit the ball as few times as possible, I am perfect if I never pick up a club. Having said that check out Golfsmith http://www.golfsmith.com/retail_stor...ore_number=087 It is near the Raleigh Woodcraft store. I live in Wakefield and there is a TPC course there. I believe you do have to be a member to play there. Brier Creek has an Arnold Palmer course. I think Pinecrest or Pinehurst does too.

Doug

ACobra289 · 09-02-2008, 02:46 PM

Chris,

I'm not from the Raleigh area so I can't recommend any courses, but I do have a suggestion for ya. Take a few golf lessons. I think it would be money well spent. I have played off and on for 20 years and wish I had taken a few lessons in the beginning.

Have fun!
Bill M.

McRabbet · 09-02-2008, 03:44 PM

Christopher,

I've been playing for about 20 years, so chances are I started at an age older than you are now. Excpet for six months earlier this year when I had shoulder surgery, I try to play once a week with a group of guys that are all retired like me at public courses here in the mountains and in the upstate of SC.

There are loads of public access courses in the Raleigh-Durham area -- I lived in Durham until I retired in 2003 and we played several very good ones. A real handy tool to find courses in any area is to use some options from the Weather Channel. This URL gives the weather conditions and shows the location of public, private and municipal golf courses in the area around zipcode 2771 (Durham): http://www.weather.com/outlook/recre...lf/local/27713 You can simply change the zipcode for your own or any other area. Clicking on a golf flag on the map gives you info about that course.

sawduster · 09-02-2008, 04:15 PM

Golf ...tried it once . Easy enough to hit the ball , even got a home run my first time , but by the time I had run all 18 bases I was too tired to play any more

Canuck · 09-02-2008, 04:31 PM

Played about three times and averaged losing about 3 dozen balls around 18 holes!!!

(Course I an a lefty and used my father in laws club hand_me_downs. Hows that for an excuse!!!!

)

I "played" at Knight's Play at US1 and 1010 Rd in Apex.

Had a lot of fun BUT, playing golf on a regular basis, I would have to give up woodworking to fund it!!!

Wayne

jerrye · 09-02-2008, 05:39 PM

I play. Been at it for a while now. I live in Raleigh. Not many options for public access golf. Cheviot closed over a year ago. Wake Forest CC closed late last year. Still have RGA; Hedingham; Wil-Mar (though rumors are it's on the way out too); Brevofield (avoid-DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!! RUN!!!!); Heritage (semi-private); Wildwood Green (semi-private); I believe TPC is also semi, but it may be fully private. Unless I've missed something all of the other Raleigh options are private. Near Durham on 98 is Falls Village-really nice! Just down the road from there is the Crossings-good. In Bunn is the River, decent enough. in Louisburg there is Bull Creek, a fun layout usually in OK shape.

I agree with Bill. Lessons are the best spent money in the beginning. I also build clubs, and have for years. In the beginning I always recommend placing your driver in the closet for at leat the first 2 years. You'll find that you hit the 3 wood further and straighter. I've even gone so far as to not build a driver for certain customers. It's for their own good!

woodlaker2 · 09-02-2008, 07:00 PM

I play. Live in the Sandhills and there are any number of courses you can play here in Moore county. The ride down Rt 1 is pretty good and takes about an hour. We get lots of Raleigh folks coming down here. I'd suggest you try some on-line stores such as Rockbottom Golf; the Golf Warehouse; and a host of others. If you know what you are looking for (and even if you don't) you can get some pretty good prices shopping around. If you ever get to Myrtle Beach there are several discount golf stores there including Martin's which I think has an on-line store too. Keep em in play and good luck.

gator · 09-02-2008, 07:15 PM

Since I don't live in Raleigh, most of the courses I play are north and east of Raleigh. I have played Brevofield (outside Wake Forest), Pascal (in almost downtown Wake Forest - Arnold Palmer's home course when he was in college), Kerr Lake CC in Henderson, Bull Creek in Louisburg, Thorndale in Oxford (a nine hole course), River Ridge if it is still open in Bracy VA (another nine hole course) and Kinderton CC in Clarksville, VA. They all have their pros and cons. Brevofield is kinda open and inexpensive, Thorndale has a Monday special of $12 for 18 with a cart, River Ridge is/was a semi challenging course for a nine holer, Kerr Lake has some challenging holes and some easy holes.

George

PS: I have found golf to be less expense for me than others because I get to hit the ball a lot more for the same amount of money. That's why I say I flog (golf spelled backwards) instead of I golf.

Bas · 09-02-2008, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisC

I have been to Golf Galaxy in Cary. I felt like I do in Woodcraft, Klingspor, etc.

Golf's nice. You get to be outside, walk around in the fresh air. Pretty nature stuff. But you know how many clamps you can buy if you don't spend money on clubs & green fees?!

Trent Mason · 09-02-2008, 07:50 PM

I was playing between once and three times a week before I got laid off. It is a fun sport and definitely challenging. I agree with the 3 wood advice. I can't hit a driver to save my life, but I can nail a 3 wood. Another piece of advice would be, don't drink too much when you play (if you care about how you play and want to get better).

DaveO · 09-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Trent Mason

Another piece of advice would be, don't drink too much when you play (if you care about how you play and want to get better).

I have always considered golf to be an excuse to drink beer and ride around in cool carts. Just like I consider fishing to be an excuse to sit in a boat and drink beer.
Hmmm

maybe I like to drink beer too much. Oh well you can't excel at everything.
Dave

Trent Mason · 09-02-2008, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

I have always considered golf to be an excuse to drink beer and ride around in cool carts. Just like I consider fishing to be an excuse to sit in a boat and drink beer.
Hmmm maybe I like to drink beer too much. Oh well you can't excel at everything.
Dave

Yeah, me too. That's why I don't play golf that much anymore.

TracyP · 09-02-2008, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

I have always considered golf to be an excuse to drink beer and ride around in cool carts. Just like I consider fishing to be an excuse to sit in a boat and drink beer.
Hmmm maybe I like to drink beer too much. Oh well you can't excel at everything.
Dave

Haven't touched my clubs in 10 years. Haven't fished in about as long.
Haven't drank beer in

, ok never mind the last statement

. I am fine with no golf or fishing

.

NCPete · 09-03-2008, 01:02 AM

Having grown up way up North, it never (okay, almost never) gets too cold for me to play, and don't forget, if you want to escape the rain, it NEVER rains on the golf course. My friends up home are about to have to quit for the year, as the golf courses will shut down, or at least pull the pins and stop maintaining things for winter, in a few weeks. I tease them that I will be golfing in December and January, and they remind that I have a 5 hour drive to find skiing!

I find, that if I am prepared for it, it won't happen. Have several sleeves of expensive golf balls in the bag, and I won't lose one! have rain gear and umbrella, and it won't. Have sunblocker??? (then I might get rain) have sweater??? you get the idea. I pretty much have to play the odds, because my cart would need a trailer to carry all the stuff!!!

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