Heading to Long Island on Friday and managed to snag a 9am 2-ball at Bethpage Black. Doesn't look like the wife wants to play so have an opening.

Have played the Black and the Red once each previously last summer. Debating starting a full report with pics and a run up to 2025 Ryder Cup.

Heading to Rome next month and may play Marco Simone where 2023 Ryder cup is hosted but all the reviews seem to be mixed.

I'm a 5 handicap but will play middle tees at bethpage.

How did you manage to grab a tee time at Bethpage Black? I often check for tee times a week out as soon as they become available (for the heck of it) and they are gone immediately.

Just periodic refresh of the online tee sheet within the 5 day window for non-residents. Friday tee times opened this past Sunday and we're obviously booked immediately. I checked 8 or 9 times yesterday and one time a 9am popped up so I booked.

It's totally random when someone releases a time you have to be on the site to jump on it so that's why they only pop up for a few minutes when they do.

I'm tempted to join you

that's basically wishful thinking on my part. no chance i could actually pull it off.

All good! Will post a full report!

Would love a report on Rome.
Considering making the trip if I can get tickets.


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Here is my random observation from my round today. Hole 10 at my course is a straight/tight par 5, about 470 yards. I'm often 220ish out on right side after my drive. the routine then goes as follows: grab 3 wood, hit perfect cut (over greenside bunker, depending on pin position). and then the rest depends on my short game.

My point is, if golf was strictly hitting that cut 3 wood, on that hole, I swear I'd be on the PGA tour (exaggerating but you get my point). It's just nice to stand over a shot like that with 100% confidence.

there's nothing that feels quite like the stock shot with your favorite club

Been without a vehicle for 3 weeks, and been dealing with some physical ailments including a pinched nerve near the top of the thoracic vertebrae being the most recent reason keeping me from having any urges to swing clubs. This all means zero golf for me lately. Been popping in here skimming for 160 yard plus hole outs, miraculously lucky bounces, etc. Been a bit disappointed but maybe I missed something since bookers miracle off the stone wall.

Pretty good article that shows how out of touch with reality some of these Tour players are

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id...-just-one-year

Webber and Hoffman in particular show themselves as not being particularly bright

In fairness, I have always thought Webb was a fairly big douchebag

Anyone who uses the phrase "cancel culture" in regards to Phil can be disregarded. Phil cancelled himself! He could play this week if he wanted.

Yep. He popped off at the mouth and then ran for cover when people didn't like it.

Not very swashbuckling, is it?

Yeah there is no such thing as cancel culture. It's called being responsible for your actions in the past and living with the consequences.

I think there is such a thing as cancel culture but don't think it applies to what's happening to Phil at all

One thing I do find a bit disappointing is how much mockery Phil seems to be getting for his gambling losses. It seems to me Phil clearly has a gambling problem, and a big one. It's a legit addiction and a legit illness. If his problems were caused by alcoholism I don't think everyone would be making fun of his drinking.

That being said his comments about the Saudis were another matter and pretty indefensible. And as has been said, no one "cancelled" him over those comments. He could have come out to the Masters and taken the heat, apologized, and moved on. Americans are pretty forgiving to their heros if a person shows some contrition.

I have to wonder how many average fans even know about Phil's comments. Just apologize and go play dude. Unless you really want that sweet Saudi cash.

There's got to be some behind the scenes drama that caused Phil to cancel playing in multiple majors.

The two aren't unrelated though.

It's not about what his addiction is - I don't believe it would be any different if was about alcoholism or any other issue. (And if there is a difference, it would mainly be because someone who makes the kind of money Phil does can afford any drug/alcohol-related addiction, but not necessarily a gambling one.)

He's doubling down and refusing to admit he has any fault in this, keeping up his FIGJAM-image.

When he's admitting he's taking sa money even though he knows how shitty they are and what they've done and are doing, it is extremely hard to feel sorry for him, no matter what he might be struggling with.

I'm all for helping and supporting anyone who has issues and wants help for them, but when you're saying you're ok with a regime brutally torturing innocent people to death as long as they pay you enough to look the other way, it's extremely hard to feel for them.

Bingo!

man Nicklaus getting offered $100 million from the Saudis and declining - crazy

How is this seen as the crazy approach?

Why on earth would a 82 year old, with an excellent reputation and more money than both he and his family can reasonably spend in their lifetime, become a paid shill for a murderous regime that stands for everything any reasonable human would oppose?

Well another man 15 years his junior seemed to be thrilled to take that cash for the role..though he does not have an excellent rep to your point

Perhaps. I also think Phil needs to be the smartest and most loved guy in the room and when that doesn't happen he gets butt-hurt. The videos of him trying to be "funny" with the Wannamaker all through last summer were so cringe and yet so on brand for Phil.

I'm going to read the Shipnuck book I think though I rarely read those types of bios

Jack has designed one course in KSA - I think there is more in the pipeline. So he's down to take the money he's just smart and plenty wealthy enough to not need to be front and center with the LIV golf thing