Seeing that Hall hoops has me depressed, my go to is writing to divert my focus. Having a golf trip coming up, I sat down and penned a piece about how golf buddy trips stay with you for life. Not sure how many here are golfers but it applies to any buddy activities. Love to hear about your golf buddy trip experiences. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/golf-buddy-trips-stay-you-life-bill-field
Golf Buddy Trips Piece
- Thread starter CT Pirate
- Start date
CT, this is a great piece that summarizes the experience and level of friendship of a Buddies Golf Trip. This year will be the 15th year I will make the fall trip with three ex-colleagues. (we worked together for six years and developed a bond because we had to endure a psychopathic CEO). The company was sold and we went our separate ways but the golf trip became an annual rite and each year it has checked all the boxes in your piece.
We started by going to different destinations. Pinehurst, Williamsburg, Atlantic City, etc., but for the last several years, we have settled in to several courses in Pinehurst.
- We have played The Pit, Tobacco Road and Royal New Kent…three of the most challenging experiences.
- Bucket list ones like Pinehurst #2, Golden Horse Shoe, Kings Mill, Saucon Valley.
- Started with a four day 18/36/36/18 schedule until one of our group passed out at The Carolina Grill after playing 36 in 95 degree heat. Now we only do one 36 and extended a day.
- The lineup now includes Mid-South, Pine Needles, Mid-Pines and two other Pinehurst courses.
- Dinner is either take-out pizza from So Pines, or the Pinehurst Brew Pub or Hickory Grill. Jamison’s and good cigars cap each day.
- The courses and scores are emblazoned with a sharpie on a Pinehurst flag each year with our signatures (we are on the second flag).
- There is always a game going on, and the joking is non stop.
- Our evening conversations cover every topic best friends would cover… they are like brothers and no topic is taboo.
- Fittingly, the only hole in one I’ve managed was with them at Legacy in NC. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- We are all now all over 65 and decided to hit from the golds last year (which made us all feel better as our distance has diminished a bit).
I could go on, but thank you for the post. Keep on writing and hit ‘em straight.
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Wow - you would fit in with the guys that I play with (two groups) Been to Pinehurst many, many times. We stay at the Pine Crest, one of their cottages and now rent homes in the village. Played all the courses many times. (Love Tobacco Road and all the Ross tracks). Talamore is underated as it Mid-South. Pinehurst is a magical place on many levels. I hit 67 this year and many of my buddies are close in age or a little older. We play up and enjoy the game more. Especially in new locations not knowing courses. Checking your ego has merits. L
Love the flag signing bit. I may "borrow" that idea. We have some many stories that get recycled but never get old.
When did you graduate? Class of 78. Glad you enjoyed the piece. I was in the ad business for decades, including running a couple. Tough biz - lots of stress. I write to keep my mind sharp - the creative has to come out.
You made my day as I don't write for monetary gain. Just like to tell a story. Thanks. Now if you could only do something with the portal/recruiting.
We have played Talamore a couple of times, most of the Pinehurst courses, Dormey Club and last year, one of the Pinewild courses. Tobacco Road just eats me up. Just when you feel great sinking a birdie, you can take a max on the next hole. We have been staying at the Lodges at Mid-South most recently.
Graduated undergrad in 79 and Stillman in 85, so I’m right behind you! I assume the photos you posted are from your group. I had to do a double take as one of the guys look just like one of our group. He is the guy that has all the creative ideas like the flag signing. And he is a CFO, so go figure… lol. The other thing we do is that instead of betting, we play for “signed dollars”. We rotate a lot of two V2 matches and at the end of the week, losers sign a dollar to the winners for each game. Write the Date, course, signature and a little note (usually ball busting), I have a binder of those dollars that is another way to commemorate the trips.
Loved the article and it made me feel like you have been in a foursome right behind us. We have it down to a science and each of us has delegated responsibilities. We book the following year dates as we finish the trip. Pinehurst again this year and the plan for 2024 is Scotland.
CBB is a mess right now, but this too shall pass. The game will never be the same, but I have faith SHU will survive and find a way in the new normal.
Keep writing!
Great article, really hits home for me as 2 weeks ago I completed my first golf buddy weekend.
3 of us flew down from Trenton Airport and met up with another friend who lives in Lithia, FL (between Orlando and Tampa.) We stayed at his house. I wasn't sure I really wanted to stay there but it turned out just fine.
We played a few tougher courses for me. I thought the golf would be the best part but not even close. The general camaraderie of being together basically 24/7 for 5 days was just fantastic.
A few of our idiosyncrasies:
1) This was started by a guy named Bob so we call it Bobapalooza. This is the 6th year it's been done but the first year I was able to make it. This year was known as, naturally, Bobapalooza VI.
2) Maybe this is normal, I don't know, but someone always had a bottle of whiskey in their pocket. Any time someone made a birdie, we all had to take a shot. I did my part on the last day on a 168 yard par 3.
Can't wait for next year!!
3 of us flew down from Trenton Airport and met up with another friend who lives in Lithia, FL (between Orlando and Tampa.) We stayed at his house. I wasn't sure I really wanted to stay there but it turned out just fine.
We played a few tougher courses for me. I thought the golf would be the best part but not even close. The general camaraderie of being together basically 24/7 for 5 days was just fantastic.
A few of our idiosyncrasies:
1) This was started by a guy named Bob so we call it Bobapalooza. This is the 6th year it's been done but the first year I was able to make it. This year was known as, naturally, Bobapalooza VI.
2) Maybe this is normal, I don't know, but someone always had a bottle of whiskey in their pocket. Any time someone made a birdie, we all had to take a shot. I did my part on the last day on a 168 yard par 3.
Can't wait for next year!!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Plus the fact that you've discovered the pure joy of a golf buddy trip. Love how each trip has it's own uniqueness. Love the birdie tradition. There is something special about being together on golf trips that I wanted to bring to light. They're not for everyone but for those that enjoy - there is nothing better. I go on trips with two sets of friends - all are close to 50 years friends now. We do two Northeastern trips - summer and fall. No shortage of places to play (went to AC last fall - great tracks) These are called Golf 1.0 and up. We're up to Golf 20.0. Want to get to 40.0. The only issue is these guys are UCONN grads (I grew up and live in CT). I have to put up with the constant natty talk - loved it so much better when they were in the AAC. Guess I'll take some crap this summer when we play in Ocean City. Thanks for all your contribution to the board - nice to put a personality to the name SPK after all of these years of reading your posts. I get to three to four games a year at the Rock. Have to be afternoon tips on Sat or Sun. Too damn hard to drive back to CT at night at 66 going on 67. Hazard Zet Forward - on the course and Setonia hoops.
My buddies and I started an annual trip in high school. Different state every year. Got a sweet pewter bowl that the winner gets engraved and then hangs onto until the next trip. After 18 straight losing years, I’m proud to say I got off the schnide 2 years ago and have back-to-back wins under my belt..
But it’s been an awesome tradition. Seeing places like Bandon, Sawgrass, Arcadia Bluffs, etc all with the same core group of buddies. Also a PRO move that we all grandfathered this trip in before getting married and getting shit from our wives..
This year we’re actually coming up to CT in Sept for our tournament. Would love any tips on good courses for us to add to the itinerary.
But it’s been an awesome tradition. Seeing places like Bandon, Sawgrass, Arcadia Bluffs, etc all with the same core group of buddies. Also a PRO move that we all grandfathered this trip in before getting married and getting shit from our wives..
This year we’re actually coming up to CT in Sept for our tournament. Would love any tips on good courses for us to add to the itinerary.
I will provide a complete run down on courses to play in different areas of the state so you can plan accordingly. Glad to help. I plan two to three trips a year so I am the go to person with my two respective buddy groups. I have plenty of time to think this through as no new players are coming through to divert my 66 year old focus. Look for this in the next couple of days.
Here are my thoughts on a trip to CT. CT is the land of great private courses (most notably in Fairfield County). Public courses are spread out and lack character. If you want a central place to play in CT with great courses I would chose the New London area (where the casinos are). The Foxwoods (North) course is spectacular and the Mohegan Sun track is very good. You could also play a public course Shennecossett in Groton. Old Donald Ross design that has great bones. Couple of holes along the Thames River. You could drive 45 minutes or so and play Newport National in Rhode Island. There are other good tracks in Rhode Island. Great restaurants in Mystic/Stonington. Being "central" in this area makes for the best buddy trip - golf/meals/entertainment. Get an AirBNB or VRBO house on the water in Sept in the area. This would be my recommendation.
Have not but we are investigating it for a future date.
On another golf topic, I watched 30 minutes of the LIV tournament last week and thought it was awful. I felt like I was sitting in the chair line on 18 watching guys finishing up at our club. Music, crowd noise, the whole shorts thing, poor camera angles, the NASCAR graphics on the screen. Terrible. Thoughts?
Agreed. I have tried to watch. Feels fake and manufactured. Feherty has been reduced to a cheerleader - losing credibility. The shotgun starts adds to the confusion with "leaders" finishing on different holes. Seeing the guys in shorts takes some getting used to. The team format has no allure for me. Can't get into Torque or Majesticks. The one tournament I did watch had a four man playoff which was interesting even if it was Brendan Steele, Louey O, Carlos Ortiz and the winner Danny Lee. (felt like any other PGA event) Being a retired branding guy that writes to keep my mind sharp and occupied, I am going to the LIV event at Bedminster to see it with my own eyes. I'm going to write a piece about the "branding" of LIV - hit or miss. I'll post it here.
Awesome intel - greatly appreciate it. CT Pirate I’d love to pick your brain further if you mind sharing your email address-
To some of the other comments: Bandon is pretty damn fantastic. Closest thing to Scotland that I’ve come across in the US. That said, it is impossible to get to and unbelievably expensive in the summer. Only way we could afford it was to go in January. Got real lucky with the weather but you’re really rolling the dice in the off-season unless you don’t mind the rain. Temps never really get too low there.
RTJ Trail was fun but a ton of car time between the different pockets of courses. Great deal, though - I think you could replay any course on the trail for free so we played an incredible amount of golf that trip to get the bang for the buck. We scored Masters practice round tickets and went to Augusta to wrap up that trip (not a far drive). Couldn’t feel my legs by the end of that one
Also highly recommend Northern Michigan. Arcadia Bluffs is fantastic and we had a blast at Forest Dunes as well. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but they have a track that you can play clockwise one day and then counterclockwise the next day. Very cool concept
To some of the other comments: Bandon is pretty damn fantastic. Closest thing to Scotland that I’ve come across in the US. That said, it is impossible to get to and unbelievably expensive in the summer. Only way we could afford it was to go in January. Got real lucky with the weather but you’re really rolling the dice in the off-season unless you don’t mind the rain. Temps never really get too low there.
RTJ Trail was fun but a ton of car time between the different pockets of courses. Great deal, though - I think you could replay any course on the trail for free so we played an incredible amount of golf that trip to get the bang for the buck. We scored Masters practice round tickets and went to Augusta to wrap up that trip (not a far drive). Couldn’t feel my legs by the end of that one
Also highly recommend Northern Michigan. Arcadia Bluffs is fantastic and we had a blast at Forest Dunes as well. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but they have a track that you can play clockwise one day and then counterclockwise the next day. Very cool concept
Thanks on Bandon Dunes. I spoke to someone that went in off-season and he said the lodge there has shoe trees that are like hair dryers to dry out shoes every night
.Glad to provide some insight on CT and any of the NE States. Played golf all across the region on multiple outings. Many private ones - great tracks as I was in the ad agency business which meant many invites. My email is fieldactivate@gmail.com. Shout when you want to reach out.
Back when I owned a property in fort Myers we used to go down for 4 days or so. Always squeezed in a day of golf fishing and then brought the cash back and cooked at the house.
I had great reciprocal rates and could play a bunch of courses down there in addition to my home course at Pelican Preserve.
I had great reciprocal rates and could play a bunch of courses down there in addition to my home course at Pelican Preserve.
