Well, look, I’m getting fitted for once and I’m open to whatever.
Speaking of which, anyone have any recommendations for fitting in the Twin Cities? I get the vibe Golftec and 2nd Swing will actually build custom sets while a Golf Galaxy or PGA Superstore will sell stock and they only do it to ward off showroomers that will buy online elsewhere.
Thinking I’ll just go with 16 courses this time. Anyone have any compelling arguments for another terrible course to include?
My Washington Generals like run remains intact
I’ve truthfully only played Bolstad once, I think, and I remember just thinking that I wish someone would buy it from the university and dump cash into it. Had some classic old school holes, just in dogshit condition. The frat bros out there didn’t help, either.
Just saw that Golfer’s Journal announced they’re doing a two man tourney at Hazeltine on Aug. 23rd. Having never been on Hazeltine before, you can bet your ass I just marked off that date on the calendar!
Exactly, it has potential IMO, to be similar to Keller with the old school layout, big trees, hilly etc. I know they have a lot of red-tape with being university owned, but it still baffles me it doesn’t have more self generated resources since both the course and range are always packed.
A few years ago the UMN almost had a deal with the USGA to become a partner as a turf grass testing facility, plus were also rough plans to test out turning the rates/course into 3, 6 hole loops to promote shorter, faster weekday rounds and increase play. But sadly it all fell through.
No idea if any of that would have worked or improved it in the end, but would have been interesting to at least see some effort at a change.
either this opportunity or the (i think its in the fall) chaska experience, town course in the morning and hazeltine after lunch. wonder what the price point difference is…
Stillwater Oaks is pretty bad. I went after getting a reccomendation from a friends dad that he preferred stillwater over Loggers. Needless to say I will not be taking his course reccomendations anymore.
Didn’t know about that event. I’d definitely be interested in that! I think golfers journal is announcing more info tomorrow, but I think it’s 36 holes. At least some of it is alt-shot, not sure if it’s the whole day. It’ll be interesting to see what the price point is. This is their marquee event, so could be steep, but with a lot of players traveling for it, I’m hoping it’s not like $1,000+ a team.
I’ve always been under the impression that the course is simply a classroom for the turf management program. And that is the explanation for the seemingly different conditions, one kid was an A student the other a C student. They just need some more A students.
I really wish you could rent time on the team practice facility behind the range, it looks amazing.
found the deets. hard to beat this price.
has any refugee participated in this event?
(2021 DATE IS TBD)
Haven’t participated but the price is fair. $150 accompanied guest fee at Hazeltine, $100 to play Chaska. Add in food and all the ancillary stuff it’s a solid price point
2nd Swing Minnetonka (Tour Van) is 1A. I’ve heard good things about Totally Driven in Edina but never been myself. Absolutely do not go to PGA Tour Superstore or GG.
I did it once and the value was pretty good for first time at Hazeltine. Only other time I played Hazeltine was at twilight for like $75 so that was a little better value! Good way to get on the course if you have never played but I personally don’t think Hazeltine is a life changing experience by any means. Couple times I played the course was in good condition but nowhere near what it looks like during the majors. Just a hard championship course that punches you in the face with well placed fairway bunkers. I would take our public champion the Quarry any day of the week over Hazeltine.
Solid take all around. The more I’ve gotten around to nice private courses the more Hazeltine moves down my ranking. There’s very little that I found “life altering” at Hazeltine, just simply a very nice course that can really kick you in the balls.
I’ll be road tripping back from camping and golfing at The Ope-in… Can I sell the idea of adding on time on the way home to do this TGJ event? 
Edit: yeah I might have to make this work if it actually is August 23.
100% agree with this. Doesn’t have much visually outside of #16 other than the history of the course. Is it great to say you’ve played there? For sure. Do I itch to go back? No.
These are all fair takes, and the exact thing I’ve heard from almost everyone who’s played there. It’s definitely not the most dramatic setting ever, but it’s one I haven’t been on and have been trying to. $400 for 36 holes between there and Chaska plus lunch and dinner? Not horrible. Not really great though, either.
The golfers journal one would probably be way more fun if it’s like fourball for the first round and then alt-shot in the afternoon, just cause alt-shot is so much damn fun. And I bet they’d have the course in killer shape.
Could play Quarry and Wilderness a total of 5 times and might not get to $400.
Don’t you say these things.