The Yardage Book (or TYB) is an independent newsletter about all things golf in Tri-County HOI (generally, Peoria/Tazewell/Woodford counties in Central Illinois).
I’m what you would call a very amateur golfer. Love the game, just not very good. But I’m still young, not even 60, with at least 20 years of supple flexibility and power ahead, so there’s still time . . . <cough>. I think I just pulled something typing that.
Anyway, I played a lot back in the early to mid-90’s (funny, my scores seem to be stuck there, too), but got pulled away from the game, like many others, as kids and work and bills began to increase.
I’m back in the game recently, since my youngest began showing an interest (and more natural ability than me). I’m going to have to get better, or he’ll be taking even more of my money in just a few years . . .
We’re now a good 20 years into the Age of Information, and it’s amazing how much has changed since I rented Jack Nicklaus’ Swing My Way on VHS almost 30 years ago. As examples, there are countless high-quality instructors and golf-centered channels on YouTube and elsewhere; you can find any golf-related item you want online; and, you can carry a digital caddy with you in your smartphone for scorecard/GPS/etc to help you get around just about any course you visit.
As I look around the digital landscape locally, though, I’m frequently frustrated. Who are the really good instructors? Where and when will outings be? Where are the good membership/discount deals? What tournaments are upcoming, and afterwards, who won? There doesn’t seem to be a central spot where you can go to get 90% of the info you may want or need or be interested in that relates to golf in the Tri-County HOI area.
That’s why The Yardage Book exists. To keep you informed with things like public course lists and info; recommended instructors; outings/benefits info; tournament details, schedules, and results. Maybe some local golf history once in a while, and maybe some course reviews. Basically, TYB is an online information and news hub for golfers in our area.
I picked the name The Yardage Book after the notebook of the same name that serious amateurs and pros use to work their way around a tournament course. All the details about the course they will need is in their yardage book. Similarly, The Yardage Book will try to provide all the info you will need to enjoy golf and keep up with the golf scene here in the Tri-County HOI area.
The Yardage Book is subscription-based, but cheaper than one new golf ball per week, and you get to try before you buy for a full 7 days. All the newsletters on Substack are reader-supported, and there are no annoying ads (but then also no ad revenue). I hope you’ll find the content here useful and entertaining enough to subscribe!
Thanks, and may you always play from the short grass!
Traig Zeigler
