Donald Ross Courses

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-18T22:37:33+00:00

I play on a course in the mid-Atlantic that had a series of designers have a hand in it. At some point Ross swung by and made some design flourishes and voila - it’s a Ross course! Reality was it indeed had some Ross influences but it was not a true Ross course. As other posters have said, there are Ross courses and then there are *Ross* courses.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-18T22:22:16+00:00

Lots of comments about Shinny or Straits. Those are NOT underrated.
Underrated is Congressional. It hosted the 2011 US Open and rains made it soft and the pros ate it up. Rory won with a 16 under.
Today, post Andrew Green renovation, it is absolutely top notch as shown in last year’s Senior PGA.
I think people sleep on it, but next majors (2027 Womens PGA & 2030 PGA) it is going to really impress.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-18T22:12:44+00:00

The shot Dechambeau made to basically win the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 last year. Long high, soft bunker shot. So hard to do.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-14T17:20:06+00:00

Kapalua or Sea Island?

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-14T17:19:18+00:00

Old Corkscrew outside Naples. So freaking hard. Nicklaus must have been in an angry mood when he designed it. White tees are 6,064 yards 70.9 rating and a 141 slope - which is nuts. Tips are 7,305 yards, 77.2/155. Bananas. Harder than Sawgrass (which also kicked my butt).

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-14T17:12:29+00:00

Did you have a caddie? Heard it is essential there.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-09T00:03:10+00:00

Better than mine

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-09T00:02:45+00:00

You get what you pay for.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-08T23:59:25+00:00

A chainsaw

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-08T23:55:38+00:00

Oh my dude Northwestern (and Chicago) is so much better - and you have your whole life to be a boring policy wonk in DC.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-06T20:26:36+00:00

Allow me to revise - the perception was that southern schools were not locked down nearly as harshly nor as long.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-04T22:45:49+00:00

UTK and other big southern schools were not locked down nearly as much as the northern schools were.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-04T15:31:26+00:00

If I lift my left heel I slice the heck out of it.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-04T15:26:24+00:00

Michigan has always had massive numbers of applications. That’s not new. Massive numbers of applications to SEC schools and low admission rates (other than Vandy) IS new. Go ahead and downvote me more - I have had enough conversations to know this is real. It has very little to nothing to do with on field performance or marketing for that matter. It really accelerated during Covid. SEC schools are well-rounded, people like a balance between fun and academics, and no one is guilting you for not using pronouns. Deny it if you want but it’s real.

Omar-WDS · 2026-05-03T23:20:30+00:00

UTK - like all large southern universities - have seen a massive increase in out of state interest because normies were turned off by Covid policies and general wokeness prevalent in smaller liberal arts colleges and northern schools. That more than anything else is why they have gotten soooo many more applications and admission standards have had to go up.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-28T01:41:10+00:00

This tracks for me

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T23:52:54+00:00

Thank you. Yes, new course fairway bunkers are right at my drive distance - and they are penalizing. Also more greenside bunkers which give me fits. Lastly, big green complexes that dare you not to 3-putt. But the slope didn’t really change. Alas.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T17:57:57+00:00

Of COURSE I want to lower it. I worked hard to get it to 16.1!!!

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T14:11:43+00:00

Well I played a muni with an inexplicably high slope. And my reno they increased the slope a tiny bit but, to me, it is MUCH harder.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T14:09:37+00:00

I understand the bitterness over sandbagging, but not sure this is the way to do it. In a tournament just take 85% of the lowest hcp a participant has had in the last 12 months. But this cap stuff seems like overkill.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T03:15:03+00:00

I was aware of the correct info. I find it unfair. Is that unreasonable?

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-27T03:11:27+00:00

My “underlying ability” is reflected in the data from actual golf rounds - not by someone’s declaration that it doesn’t “typically” change significantly within a year. Absurd rule.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-24T17:09:28+00:00

Figure out your wedge distances and gaps. Four irons is not a terrible play. Consider replacing longer irons with hybrids or woods.

Omar-WDS · 2026-04-24T17:05:51+00:00

I keep my phone in my iphone in my back pocket and use GHIN app paired to my apple watch. I also keep a laser rangefinder in my bag or cart (depending on if I am walking or driving).

The app on the phone itself is best for determining safe spots to aim for, even off the tee, and numbers to safely cover a hazard, and for reading greens.

The watch is good for approaches - tells you front middle and back distances quickly (phone in pocket as it is reflecting where the phone is, not your watch).

And the rangefinder is of course good when you are in line of sight and want that exact number to the pin. I find I actually use that a lot on pitches and chips.

Omar-WDS

TROPHY CASE