New to Golf, New to Toronto

[Waterisadrug]

Hello everyone. I began reading this site a few weeks ago when I found out I will be moving to Toronto. The movers are coming this week and I am excited.

I am new to golf; I played a little the past couple years with a set of hand-me-down clubs that are about thirty years old (Johnny Miller 1000's). I decided this year to get serious about golf and have been taking lessons and practicing about 3 times a week all winter. While I innitially assumed it would take 4 months of prctice to learn and be able to consistently apply the fundamentals of golf, it now seems it will take 4 years (at least!).

As well as taking lessons, on the advice of my instructor I bought some good quality used clubs (as opposed to new not-so-good clubs). I bought the following on sale at my local golf store;

Driver: Infinity Prototype 326 Ti
3-wood: Callaway Great Big Bertha II (easily my favourite of my new used clubs)
Irons: Taylormade 360's
Putter: Some MacGregor putter

I was able to put this together for less than $400. Apparently I will need a sand wedge though; if anyone can advise of a reputable store in Toronto that deals in used clubs, I would appreciate it.

My goal, before I knew I was going to move to Toronto, was to play at least 60 rounds this year and join a local club. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a club in Toronto for the $811, taxes included, it would have cost to join my local club. If anyone has advice for inexpensive golf in the GTA I would appreciate it. Also, if there is anyone interested in playing with an avid beginner, let me know. I hve to make some golf friends in Toronto.

[Gligster The Amatuer]

Ive got a clevland 56* CG10 used sand wedge.. Used for prolly 3/4 of a season. Has wear but still very useable. let me know if your interested..

Welcome to the site, Toronto & Golf Too!

[iyell4]

, there doesn't seem to be a club in Toronto for the $811, taxes included, it would have cost to join my local club.
H2O,
$811 all-in for golf membership??!?!?
what province (planet) are you coming to toronto from?

welcome to TGN and esp. the "T" of TGN.:)

[Waterisadrug]

H2O,
$811 all-in for golf membership??!?!?
what province (planet) are you coming to toronto from?Oops. A slight misquote on my part. It looks like the 2006 fee is $853.31 (tax might be extra) for Category "A" members;

http://www.hylandsgc.com

Gligster The Amatuer: PM sent.

[Pingnut]

Wiad - Welcome to the forum.

You should try to make it out to the season opening event at Copetown. It sounds like it will be the first time out for a lot of TGN's - myself included.

Are you a swimmer or something?

[Waterisadrug]

Wiad - Welcome to the forum.

You should try to make it out to the season opening event at Copetown. It sounds like it will be the first time out for a lot of TGN's - myself included.I saw that thread and am very interested. My only problem, and this is something that may be a problem for golf in general, is that I don't own a car.

Are you a swimmer or something?Naw. It is a semi-obscure pop-culture reference. If anyone "got it" I think they would be my new best interwebnet friend.

[beeker]

I saw that thread and am very interested. My only problem, and this is something that may be a problem for golf in general, is that I don't own a car.Don Valley is right on the subway line so you'd be able to get out there regularly. Haven't played the full 18 since they re-did it. Only problem is I suspect it's really busy...and welcome to the site...

[iyell4]

Don Valley is right on the subway line so you'd be able to get out there regularly. Haven't played the full 18 since they re-did it. Only problem is I suspect it's really busy...and welcome to the site...
Dentonia is also on the subway line. A good opp to get in 18 approach shots when you don't have much time and rely on The Rocket for transportation.

[Shake99]

Welcome to Toronto Water. As mentioned both Don Valeey and Dentonia are on the subway line and therefore the easiest to get to without wheels. Tam Oshanter is a municipla that is one bus from the subway and I think Flemington Park is accessable by bus. Green fees are a different story though without the government subsidy. LOL

Cheers hit them long and straight.

[iyell4]

. Green fees are a different story though without the government subsidy. LOL

.i for one am proud to have my tax-dollars invested on luxury benefits for our civil servants who chose to set aside selfish-ambition to serve and protect our country and the Canadian way of life.
http://forum.ottawagolf.com/images/smilies/canada.gif

[Royce Aube]

Hylandsgc look like a very nice place to nest, i lived in Toronto 20 years ago when it was small, Good Luck and welcome .I'am from a small city on the east coast ,our membership is about the same but we can only play from May15 to Oct 15 and the course is subpar till about mid June, but no traffic jams.Win some lose some. Welcome Again

[goshawk]

Welcome, Water!
My suggestion with your clubs it to look into another wedge besides the sandwedge. I suggest either a "gap" wedge or about 52-53 degrees or an "L" or lob wedge of at least 58 degrees. One will fill the yardage gap between your PW and the sand wedge. The other will be very useful close to the green.
As for a playing partner, I'd be happy to play with you (whenever someone gets rid of this darned white stuff on the fairways!). Give me a call or an e-mail.
Again, welcome to the group and the area.

[Waterisadrug]

I could be wrong, but I always thought no public funds (tax dollars) are expended in support of those facilities. I had a quick glance through the Canadian Forces Personnel SUpport Agency web-site (CFPSA (http://www.cfpsa.com/en/)) but couldn't really find out.

Anyhow, from my research, it seems the only downtown courses are the municipal ones or the "super-elite $50 000 initiation-fee" type private clubs which I couldn't join even if I had the money as I don't know four current members to recommend me.

The thing is I will only be in Toronto for a couple years so I obviously can't join any club with a significant initiation fee that is paid over several years. Is there any place where you can buy a membership by the year?

The transport isn't a huge issue as I'll have occasional access to a relative's car and hope to make friends with people with cars (:D).

[Big Shooter]

what part of the city are you in?

....hinting that some of us with cars might be able to help!;)

[beeker]

I could be wrong, but I always thought no public funds (tax dollars) are expended in support of those facilities. I had a quick glance through the Canadian Forces Personnel SUpport Agency web-site (CFPSA (http://www.cfpsa.com/en/)) but couldn't really find out.

Anyhow, from my research, it seems the only downtown courses are the municipal ones or the "super-elite $50 000 initiation-fee" type private clubs which I couldn't join even if I had the money as I don't know four current members to recommend me.

The thing is I will only be in Toronto for a couple years so I obviously can't join any club with a significant initiation fee that is paid over several years. Is there any place where you can buy a membership by the year?

The transport isn't a huge issue as I'll have occasional access to a relative's car and hope to make friends with people with cars (:D).
Check out the thread on Meadowbrook which is offering a trial membership for the year:

http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/showthread.php?t=5210

It's located a little north of the city in Gormley

[goshawk]

i for one am proud to have my tax-dollars invested on luxury benefits for our civil servants who chose to set aside selfish-ambition to serve and protect our country and the Canadian way of life.
http://forum.ottawagolf.com/images/smilies/canada.gif
I might be mistaken, but from what I understand, Don Valley, Dentonia, Humber Valley, Tam O'Shanter and another course (name escapes me) are all owned and operated by the City of Toronto. I'm not positive, but no golf course that I know of stays open running at a loss all year. So the money isn't being frivolously pent. It is turning a profit, and judging how Tam O'Shanter and Don Valley are ALWAYS crowded, quite a big one at that.

[Waterisadrug]

Gents, thanks for all the responses. I am now in Toronto. Not quite established yet though as I don't have a permanent residence. I think I am going to live in the Annex area. I will golf with anyone who is interested in putting up with an inexperienced beginner.

Went for a lesson at some golf superdome in the north outside the city. I'm not sure exactly where it was but we took a highway that seemed to peter out into farmer's fields. Got the lesson from a woman whose name escapes me but she was pretty good.

Gap wedges? Lob wedges? This wedge situation is getting complicated.

[xopt1js]

As others said, Welcome to TGN and the best city in Canada.

If I am able to make it, I would be more than happy to pick you up for the Copetown meeting. Also, if have a date in mind that you wanna play, make a post in the Playing partners forum and I'm sure you will find people to join you. :)

[goshawk]

Gents, thanks for all the responses. I am now in Toronto. Not quite established yet though as I don't have a permanent residence. I think I am going to live in the Annex area. I will golf with anyone who is interested in putting up with an inexperienced beginner.

Went for a lesson at some golf superdome in the north outside the city. I'm not sure exactly where it was but we took a highway that seemed to peter out into farmer's fields. Got the lesson from a woman whose name escapes me but she was pretty good.

Gap wedges? Lob wedges? This wedge situation is getting complicated.
Welcome to the area, Water. It sounds like the Dome you went to is the Ultimate Golf Center. That's the only one I can think of that's in a rural area.
The wedge situation isn't really complicated.;) These are the "scoring" clubs, used primarily for short shots to get close enough to the pin theoretically for a 1-putt. Gap wedges were meant to fill the "gap" between a 48-degree pitching wedge and a 56 degree sand wedge. Lob wedges are even more angled, usually at 58-64 degrees. Sand wedges were designed for exactly what the name implies....getting you out of sand traps. They have a larger flange (called the bounce) on the bottom of the blade that helps keep you from digging the club into the sand.

[iyell4]

I might be mistaken, but from what I understand, Don Valley, Dentonia, Humber Valley, Tam O'Shanter and another course (name escapes me) are all owned and operated by the City of Toronto. I'm not positive, but no golf course that I know of stays open running at a loss all year. So the money isn't being frivolously pent. It is turning a profit, and judging how Tam O'Shanter and Don Valley are ALWAYS crowded, quite a big one at that.this is probably true. even with their advance (7 day) booking policy it is REALLY hard to get a decent tee-time @ DV.