CharlieRymerGC

Oakmont is the poster child of penal golf. Miss a shot anywhere and it will bury you. This is how hard the place is...they don't even have air conditioning in the locker room. They want you sweating before you even get on the course. The course hits you hard and it hits you early. The first hole is the toughest starting hole on the planet. In the last three US Opens it's only yielded 58 birdies. That's 58 TOTAL. For ALL three of those US Opens. The only place you even have an opportunity for birdie is the reachable 8th hole. It measures 288 yards. Oh wait. I forgot. That's a par 3! You gotta be kidding me. It's an amazing golf course. But it's also the hardest golf course I've ever seen. Expect to shoot a minimum of 10 shots over your handicap...if you are having a good day. And figure out a way to make that fun. Which it is. But not every day.

Chambers Bay is a unique golf course. And golfers that have never played true links golf will be blown away by it. Even though the dunes on the property aren't "natural" they certainly feel as if they are. And this combined with the fescue mix of grasses produces an authentic Irish links experience. But keep in mind, this isn't an experience that is enjoyed by all golfers. It's a tough walk, can be VERY windy, highly challenging, and golfers will face shots they have never seen before. Those that like a more predictable and comfortable form of golf will be intimidated and uncomfortable. But the right attitude can yield one of the most memorable golf days in your life.

I'm not sure what reaction Chambers Bay will receive from the pros in the U.S. Open #I'm guessing mixed#. Chambers Bay is a bold selection by the USGA. It won't look or feel like a U.S. Open. The setup will be critical. It's a golf course that could quickly get away from officials and "cross the line." I hope it doesn't. Regardless of the U.S. Open outcome this is a bucket list golf course for avid golfers.

Chambers Bay is a walk on the wild side. It will challenge you mentally and physically. It's relentless. While a caddie is not required, it is a wise investment. Kemper Sports managed facilities have phenomenal caddies. And you need their expert advice for at least the first couple of times you play this course. And I'm not talking about just reading the greens. There are blind tee shots and hidden sideboards around the greens that caddies will point out.

Here are a few pointers. Fescue grass is not perfect. The greens are inconsistent in speed and firmness. You will be fooled by putts. You will miss some short putts that "bump." Don't take it personally.Although the fairways are wide, your ball will run out into the rough. Be careful walking in the rough. It's very east to twist an ankle. Embrace the ground aspect of links golf. Put the ball on the ground quickly and watch it run out. You may find that you like the creativity involved in this style of play.

PLAY THE PROPER TEES FOR YOUR SKILL LEVEL. Leave your ego at home.

Bring Advil. After 7 and a half miles on uneven ground you will need it.

Try the clam chowder and fish and chips in the restaurant. I'd suggest a little Tabasco on both.

And finally. Bring a camera!

Recently got my 1st round in at Valhalla. The course was in great shape and I received Rock Star treatment. But to be fair, I was in a televised grudge match with Gary Williams and we were playing Ted Bishop and Kenny Perry. And we drilled them ! The staff was amazing and the caddies were very experienced. It's hard to beat good old fashioned southern hospitality mixed in with equal parts passion and knowledge. The golf course is a bit challenging for higher handicap golfers(especially the 6th hole) but this ballpark was built for Major Championships and Big Time events so that it is a sacrifice that had to be made. If you are higher than a 10 handicap you can still enjoy the day, but don't plan on playing the back tees and finishing out on every hole. Better players will be challenged and they can measure their games against the best in the world. My favorite hole is 18. It's got huge potential to create drama. And I did the day I played. (I made birdie to shut out Ted and Kenny...but Gary was right there to make his birdie if it was needed). If you get a chance to tee it up at Valhalla then GO FOR IT! You 'll have a great day. But don't forget to take one of their caddies. Those guys are well worth their fee.

Dubsdread has been around since 1924 and playing there is a bit like going back in time. And for me thats a good thing. It has an old Florida look and feel even though you are in close proximity to downtown Orlando. Mature oaks with Spanish moss hanging from the limbs always get me fired up about a golf course. I took a cart which was mistake. This golf course lays out essentially like a city park and everybody knows parks are for walking. Dubsdread is characterized by smallish greens that are well bunkered, but also allow for the run up. It can provide a challenge for better players but also be enjoyable for beginners. Don't be intimidated by the practice area....you hit floaters out into a lake. It's actually a lot of fun to hit balls into a lake on purpose. The practice area is a hang out for locals and tourists alike late in the day. After play make sure you check out the Taproom which is right behind the 18th green. Not that I know about such things, but it's rumored to serve the best cheeseburger in Orlando. Make your own game or show up and discover new friends. Either way, you'll be pleasantly pleased with a day at Dubsdread.

The really cool thing about playing Bay Hill is that you have a reasonable chance of seeing The King himself when you are there. Today I was out for lunch and got to say hello. Warning....don't wear your hat in the clubhouse. Mr. Palmer is not a fan of that. Years ago Bay Hill had a reputation of not being well conditioned except around tournament time. That is certainly not the case now. I play the course quite frequently and the conditioning is always excellent. The opening three holes are among the toughest on tour and the closing three are among the most exciting. And the middle 12, well no slackers there. Bay Hill is a challenging course that is well worth playing especially if you have been a fan of the Arnold Palmer Invitational over the years. In so many ways television just doesn't do it justice. Two tips for you....don't bite off too much of the lake at number 6. Bring a camera.

Let me qualify my experience at Trump National Doral by saying that I had the pleasure of playing with the owner. As you may imagine, golf with the "Big Boss" has it's advantages. The service was impressive and the golfers on the course ahead of us just "got out of the way." I learned later that everyone we played through got drinks on the house. Donald Trump is very proud of the New Blue. And he should be. Gil Hanse has done a fabulous job of taking a golf course that had one hole you would remember, preserving that 18th hole, and adding 17 more you will remember for a lifetime. The Old Blue was dated, faded, and somewhat boring. The New Blue is an instant classic. The work done here is not simply a new coat of paint. Hanse told me he cut down to the bones and rebuilt the all important parts of the course you can't see. Drainage and conditioning will be dramatically improved. As for the parts you can see, improvements are delightful. Significant elevation changes, large undulating greens, classic bunkering, and strategic design all come together to make this a visually interesting and very challenging golf course. We won't know how the scoring will play out for New Blue until there are couple of Cadillac Championships in the books. My intuition is that scoring will be more difficult than Old Blue but not dramatically so. While New Blue is longer, the greens are more generous and misses on the proper side provide an opportunity to save par. Wind will always be the biggest factor in scoring on this property.

Please note that I rated conditioning as 4 rather than 5. This is due to the fact that grow-in was not quite complete when I played. I think conditioning will be a bit of an issue for the 2014 Cadillac Championship. The greens will likely be inconsistent in speed and firmness. And a few fairways on the back nine are not 100% covered. Apparently, not even Donald Trump can make grass grow quicker. But getting this course to where it is in the short time available is nothing short of miraculous. And long term, conditioning will be outstanding.

When all construction is complete, Trump National Doral will be a true golf destination resort. Serious golfers will appreciate the thought and effort that has gone in to revitalizing this iconic property. Certainly Donald Trump is a divisive character that has more than his fair share of detractors. But even his harshest critics will have to admit that what he has accomplished here is very impressive. Mark my words. Before all is said and done, Donald Trump will be known and respected as a "golf guy." After spending a day with him at Trump National Doral his love of the game is evident.

If you are a Donald Ross fan and have an invitation to play Country Club of Orlando then by all means take up the offer.  My son and I recently played on an ideal day. We love to walk with trolleys and in Orlando, CCO is one of the few courses where that is an option. Sad...because that's my favorite way to play.  CCO can be set up to challenge, but on most days it's all about fun. You better be sharp on and around the greens as you'll be faced with pitches from flat lies on tightly mown areas to raised greens.  This is a golf course that rewards thoughtful play.  Conditioning, tree  management, beauty, staff, walk in park, all get A plus from me."

The main feature that stands about Copperhead is that you forget you are in Florida. The elevation changes and the pines make you feel like you are in North Carolina. If you like North Carolina as I do then that's a good thing. This is a big time golf course that tests every part of your game. And the only style of play that it favors is good play. Distance helps but you gotta have control. My favorite hole is the par 4 16th. Challenge the pond up the right side off the tee and you are well rewarded with a shorter approach and a better angle. Bail out to the left in the rough and you may have a play but the green slopes away so you likely won't hold the green. If you have a bucket list of the top courses to play in Florida then the Copperhead should be on it.