Oregon Golf, Good And Bad

About two months ago, I was given the opportunity to blend two of my passions together: Golf and the Oregon State Beavers. Granted, I had already done so in the past when I purchased an OSU golf bag to hold my golf clubs.

So when my old boss from Golf Etc. (now at Tualatin Island Greens) asked me what kind of new grips I wanted on my clubs, it was a no-brainer. Multi-compound grips by Golf Pride was the obvious choice. What gives on the grips? They are basically half cord and half regular grip with the ‘tacky’ portion near the top giving the non-slip feel. And the best part? You choose the color. Again, the clear choice was orange and black. Along with the new Oregon State divot tool, I’m good to go.

While the summer season is upon us all, and the Beavers (all sports) look toward the upcoming year, it is time for golf, full throttle. Despite that Alamo Bowl debacle still ringing in my head, I take the good baseball vibes into the sports offseason and in to my everyday golf swing. Looking at the prospects, I consider all that is good and bad golfing in Oregon.

I’ll start with the bad. Yes, slow play. I get it. Slow play is everywhere, but it seems more epidemic here. Or perhaps the problem seems larger because it is in front of you.  Despite everyone talking about it, this plague still persists. If you have ever driven in traffic here in Oregon, you will know the issue is quite similar. Slow car driver, slow golf player. Not necessarily the same people, but the same trait: no one thinks it is them. Oh my goodness, if one more person takes ten practice swings and another twenty seconds before swinging, put me on homicide watch. Golf is about feel, so please, just swing.

My next bone of contention is drive carts. This is why I like Bandon Dunes so much is because they don’t use them. Unless the two people in the same cart have similar handicaps, they should not ride together. It takes up far too much time diving back and forth. Attention: Carts do not mean you get done faster. Au contraire, it takes longer. Go ahead, time it, you‘ll see. And why not walk with a pull cart? It is healthier and you stay looser. Chances are, your game will improve.

Finally, I wish courses would make fairways like cement during the summer months. Why? It rains here enough putting golfers at a disadvantage from almost anywhere. Why not make it more enjoyable by rewarding good drives, not to mention increase speed of play by getting players closer to the green on tee shots?

On the plus side, golf in Oregon is relatively inexpensive. You can play The Reserve for less than $50 bucks on the twilight rate. During the offseason, in-state residents can play Bandon Dunes for less than $100. For one of the best courses in the world, that is a dream come true.

Furthermore, in the 20+ rounds I have played this year, only one has taken longer than four hours. Whether it just appears this way or not, Portland area courses seem to have swayed away from always pairing people up to complete foursomes. Smaller groups, faster play, good call.

Now, with nicer weather around on a consistent basis, I’ll feed the passion. Although those earlier issues can bring down a golfer, I remember the positive and believe in the greatest game ever played.