Rather be Golfing?

Choosing a club to join (4) - decision time

2012-01-29T15:15:00.002Z

All this looking at clubs had proved quite time consuming, and by September that year, with my current membership about to run out, I had left myself seriously short of time. There was nothing for it but to pitch up at Club C. I already knew the clubhouse was being rebuilt and the bar in temporary accommodation. Was I going to fork out the annual sub (highest so far) for coffee in a Portakabin?
Knowing the course quite well, I didn't ask to go out, but the Director of Golf (ie senior pro) took me round in a buggy to remind me of the rather gorgeous views from the top of the newer of two courses.
Yes, two full eighteens. I reminded myself I need never worry about getting a tee-time even at weekends, and on a week day I'd probably have a choice between sheltered tree-lined fairways or the more rugged scenic option.
My resolve to do my homework properly was dissolving, but when I mutttered an enquiry about the ladies section I was immediately given the phone number of the captain. I rang with a feeling of resignation but her reaction was so positive 'We'd love to have you - I do hope you'll join!' I was sold straight away. When I turned up at my first ladies morning the rest were as friendly as the captain, and from day one I was included in every golf and social occasion. Since roll-up sessions are managed so that all names go in a draw (regardless of handicap or 'friendship groups') I soon knew all the regular golfers and had joined in weekend comps both ladies and mixed.
I realise that to a great extent I was lucky. My research was hardly scientific and I might easily have joined Clubs A or B which if rumours are anything to go by are less inclusive in their arrangements. But with hindsight, what would I say to any other single ladies (or I suppose men) looking for a new home?

if you're after social golf, try to find out who you'll be socialising with
check out the arrangements for 'roll-up' days. Are groupings decided in advance or on the day?
how many diary clashes were htere the previous year between ladies' and men's events adn what was the outcome?

And a final note to club managers or membership secretaries. If you want us to make up our minds, give us a fair chance to meet and play with fellow members. A welcoming atmosphere isn't something you can take on trust, you have to suck it and see.

As for the Portakabin, I'm afraid it's still there. But the coffee is fresh and the company is good. Who could ask for more?

Don't forget to check out the apres golf

Foursomes match and putting woes

2012-01-25T09:01:00.000Z

Foursomes – the very word can strike a chill. It sounds likefun, it can be fun, but striking every other ball makes it so much harder tosettle into your game. And as for putting, you can go a large part of the roundwithout having to make one ( hole conceded when they hit out of bounds or youtake three from a bunker) then find yourself facing a testing ten-footer withno feel for your stroke or the state of the greens. Let’s just say that in ourWinter Foursomes semi-final a warm-up on the range helped, but I wished I’dspent that time and a bit more besides on the practice green.

Afterwards I found this really useful post on short putts.It contains a useful drill, but what hit home was the statement (backed up bytour stats) the player that putts the best inside 8-10 feetduring the tournament usually wins. Ergo (like that touch of logic?) getting onthe green inside that range is crucial. Equally so is sinking the shortputt. Translating this for a highhandicapper who is realistically happy to be on the green in regulation ratherthan near the hole, I’d say that you don’t expect to hole a long first putt(although sometimes you will) but it has to be in the ‘golden circle’ – or evencloser - to make sure of holing thesecond.

I think itwas Nick Faldo who first recommended putting into the radius of a dustbin lidrather than aiming at the hole. It’s a theory that has been derided (FFS just aimfor the hole!) but it does make some sense. Yes, of course you aim for thehole, but don’t expect it to go in. Anywhere close (I’d prefer a dainty dustbinmyself ) will do. If every now and then it does go in (and it will) that’s abonus, the icing on the cake.

In the end,despite my putting ineptitude, we won that match, but maybe it would have beenbetter (for my golfing soul) if we had lost.

Then insteadof sitting here theorizing, I might be out on the green getting in somepractice.

Choosing a club to join: are we there yet?

2012-01-22T11:50:00.000Z

So, on to the next step of my find-a-golf-club project (previous episodes here and here.)

When I arrived at Club B, all the omens were good. Having rung upabout membership I’d been treated politely and invited to play a few holes witha committee member. That sounded fine tome. As icing on the cake, the weather was absolutely glorious and the course,newly trimmed, raked and rolled, looked as good as a golf course can on a sunnyday.

Okay, I was slightly disconcerted when the committee memberturned out to be the club membership secretary – yes, a man. Hmm, mixed golf isfine, just not what I was expecting. But nothing ventured, so off we went down thefirst.

I have to say because of some slight apprehension, mygolf was ~~rubbish~~ less than splendid, but we put in a friendly enough nine holes,capped by my partner bringing off a pretty astonishing chip in. (I bet he remembersit too!)

So, the course was good, the native friendly. I don’t thinkI disgraced myself too badly. As I recall bought me a cup of coffee beforehurrying off on club business. Membership, I sensed, was on offer.

But where were the ladies?

I’m pretty sure if I’d gone round with a lady that day and wehad had some fun, my money would have been on the table. A follow-up phone call fromthe lady captain might even have done the trick.

So what? I don't suppose they've missed me, and since then I've heard a few things to suggest the ladies section might not have been for me. But the fact remains, if they were looking torecruit a lady player that day, they got the sales pitch wrong.

Well-behaved lady golfer needs good home.

To find out if I ever did find a club, check in for the next instalment. It could be the last!

Choosing a club to join (2)

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000Z

So there I was, off to find a golf club to join. Even then, beforethe recession had started to bite, I knew most clubs were desperate formembers, surely I’d be welcomed with open arms?

Location, location, location

Club A was already ahead in my mind. It was reasonably closeto home and had a lovely location with gorgeous views. Generally well managed,with a programme of planned maintenance and improvement the greens were morethan fast enough for me. As a visitor I’dalways had a friendly reception: next step was to suss out the members.

Enquiring in the pro shop, I expected to be invited to theregular ladies day and was disappointed when it was suggested I come along fortea after the event, which turned out to be an awkward affair. Don’t get mewrong, the ladies were friendly and seemed eager for me to join, but it washard for me – and possibly them - torelax. Who was sizing up whom? Whatever my official handicap, how could they judge how we might get ontogether on the course - and how could I? When I was shown the locker room alarm bells started toring. I have nothing against chintz perse, but the signing up sheets for ladies mornings went up six weeks ahead – six weeks of planning for a friendly rollup? I left without making a decision, disappointedthat what had seemed like a no-brainer suddenly didn’t feel quite right.

And so it was on to Course B. Although lacking the ruralpanoramas, I knew the course was beautifully kept and the clubhouse newly revamped.I’d also been lucky enough to sample the excellent catering.

What could possibly go wrong?

Pre-shot routine? I close my eyes.

2012-01-15T11:46:00.000Z

This week I’ve been getting out and about – on the course?Well yes, despite the weather, but also on Twitter (where I am now following amongst others mygolfing heroine Catriona Matthew) and looking around the golf blogs. One postthat has caught my eye is by Andy Roberts writing on Golf Magic about the importance of pre-shotroutine– that series of actions we do before each shot that gets us in themindset to hit (we hope) an absolute cracker. I was particularly taken with the photo of Aaron Baddely with his eyes closed.

This cheered me up a lot, because after I’d been playinggolf for a couple of years, my regular partners asked me why I closed my eyeson my back-swing, and didn’t it make hitting the ball that much more difficult? Now until this was pointed out to me, I hadn’t really beingaware I was doing it, and so I can’t honestly call it a pre-shot routine butmore of an unconscious habit. (And I’m guessing Mr. Baddely does it beforeaddressing the ball rather than afterwards!) But if it doesn’t help me hit theball better I don’t think it does any harm. For a while Idid make an effort to keep my eyes open, but I find it’s something I fall backinto and haven’t noticed any ill effects in terms of ball-striking.

So why do I do it?

Eyes wide open for a chip

Well there’s an element of concentration. It’s not so longsince I was a beginner and prey to many swing-thoughts. If you’re set a hardexam question what do you do? You close your eyes to think about it. So that’smaybe where it came from. But reading Andy’s article made me think that maybeif anything it’s the opposite. Addressing the ball I usually still have aswing-thought of some kind – maybe the aspect I was working on inthe last lesson, and I think that in closing my eyes I might actually blot outwhat’s going on in my head and let the body take over. Which must be a goodthing.

Yesterday for instance in cold conditions and with anincipient back-ache I wasn’t swinging too well and was trying on each shot to improve my body movement. Noneof which worked particularly well. But as it got towards the end of the round Imade a conscious effort to relax and not think about it. I caught myselfclosing my eyes on the back swing – and hitting some much better tee-shots.

But going back to that old pre-shot routine, I think minedoes need some attention. Long shots are fine, but I have particular problemswith bunker shots and putting where the set -up is quite different. Maybe Ineed a set routine for those occasions.

Or I could try just closing my eyes!

Choosing a golf club to join (1)

2012-01-11T16:56:00.003Z

What do you look for in a golf club? A lot will depend onyour level of play and your experience. But for those who have gripes abouttheir current club, or for ‘nomads’ thinking the need a golfing home, thewinter months are a good time to research the possibilities. Two years ago, withfive or six years golfing experience behind me and a handicap that was approachingsomething respectable, I was in this position and thought it would be easy. AllI needed was

a well-kept course in pleasant surroundings
decent clubhouse facilities
and subs that wouldn’t break the bank

Simples?

Too bleak in winter?

Being on my own, I was also looking for somewhere with awelcoming atmosphere where I would soon feel at home and be playing lots ofgolf. But if courses and prices wereeasy to investigate, how could I find a club where I knew I would fit in,especially as I’m one of that great golfing minority – women!

At least living near a major conurbation, I am lucky to havea good half-dozen courses within easy reach, all with ladies sections, but ofthese half were quickly dismissed (too expensive, too busy, too bleak in wintermonths) which left me with three.

Of these, the first two (let’s call them A and B) werewell-respected member clubs with nice courses and reasonable subs. The third (C)was privately owned, more expensive, and due to ongoing refurbishment, had its clubhousein “temporary accommodation”, but it did boast 36 rather nice holes, some withspectacular views, and so I kept it on my list, albeit on the back burner.

On the back burner

Which came out on top? That would be telling. Check backsoon for the rest of my golfing odyssey!

Weekend tip: mud glorious mud?

2012-01-08T10:49:00.003Z

After yesterday’s round in conditions that could be described at best as soggy, I’m following up Jonty’s cold-weather tips with a few thoughts on playing in the wet wet wet.

I’m not talking rain so much as that as that clagginess under foot that lowers the spirit as well as the performance. Here are a few things I find helpful.

Leave the trolley at home. Okay, it’s more effort to carry, but you’ll be laughing when your partner is bogged down on that low-lying path or taking a lengthy detour while you’re happily picking your way along the high road of dry tussocks.
This means you might well want to cut down on what you carry. In the off season I take only my 3 wood, two hybrids and a small selection of irons and make sure I’m wearing the right clothes. As a result I can use just a light-weight carry bag. My practice bag even has a dinky stand to keep it off the mud. It’s surprising how much easier club choice becomes when the choice is limited, and if I occasionally crave that missing nine iron, I rarely feel at the end of the round that it would have made a difference to my score. When I win, I feel particularly smug at taking the money with a half-set of clubs!

Wear waterproof trousers, regardless of whether it’s raining or not. They keep the wind off and mean you can go back in the clubhouse with relatively clean pair of strides. Maybe keep an old pair for this purpose as they will need frequent washing.

Pack extra socks. Even shoes that are normally waterproof may succumb to the insidious attack of mud. The joy of victory could be seriously diminished if you receive your winnings with damp feet.

In that lightweight bag make sure you have some wet gloves so that even if it rains en route your grip on the club isn’t affected. Mine are MacWets by Glenmuir, but there are quite a few brands on the market. Most are pricier than a normal driving glove, but if it really rains, they are game-savers.

If your own course is seriously afflicted, why not book a round somewhere else?Anywhere with a high position and good drainage should fit the bill and most clubs have discounted green fees in winter. Check before you go for course conditions and the possibility of temporary greens. If you don't play your best golf, as least you've had a day out.

And finally!

If the going is soft and your golf prefers a firm lie, remember that somewhere in the world there is summer. You could stay at home and watch golf on the telly.

Weekend Tip: 10 Tips on How to Play Better Golf in the Cold

2012-01-06T12:05:00.000Z

It’s a beautiful day outside, the sun is shining and it’s 5 degrees. Still nice enough to play golf and have a good time, but I am thinking to myself how can I prepare better for my game, especially as it gets colder through January. So after a bit of research gleaned from other sources, here are a few tips which I hope will help you maximise your potential out on the course this weekend.

Photo Thanks to Michael Bonhert

1. Get some thermal underwear. Trust me, good thermals will keep you toasty in a variety of cold conditions. Galvin Green offer a great range. They fit skin tight and allow you to dress in layers over them.

2. Warm your feet up too. Wear an extra pair of socks, I find thin socks to be better to keep the bulk down.

3. Buy some dry-chemical hand warmers. Put them in your golf bag then before your round, open and shake them, then put one in each pocket. Keep your hands in your pockets between shots when you are playing and open a new pair somewhere in the middles so they don't get numb on the last few holes.

4. Do some stretching while you're still at home. Take a hot shower or ride an exercise bike first to get warm and flexible. Stretching on a cold practice range or at the first tee won't cut it when it's really chilly.

5. Wear a ski cap or good thick hat. Most of your body heat disappears through your head. Keeping your head warm will help you stay warm.

6. Invest in a pair of cart gloves. I prefer cart gloves to winter golf gloves, because you can continue to wear your normal gloves and just wip them off to hit your shots.

7. Keep walking instead of riding round the course. This will help keep the blood flowing so you stay warm. If you have to ride, perhaps bring an extra coat--even an overcoat--and put it over you when you're in the cart.

8. Alternate golf balls on each hole. Keep the ball you're not playing in your pocket against your hand warmer so it stays warm. It's even worth keeping the balls you are going to play with inside the house overnight so they don't get cold sitting in your car or garage.

9. Remember to take more club. The colder air temperatures will reduce the length of your shots by at least 10 percent. It's better to be a little long than a little short for most approaches.

10. Finally, save the booze until after your round. Drinking a shot or two of brandy might make you feel warmer but that's only an illusion. It might cause you to think you're playing better, too. Well maybe that might not be too bad!

Winter golf: the range

2012-01-03T12:39:00.000Z

January – don’t you just love it? Last year it was snow,this year torrential rain and gale force winds. Even before Christmas ourcourse was totally sodden so today there was nothing for it but to head to the localrange especially as it’s Tuesday when for a mere fiver you can hit asmany balls as you like and get some decent swing advice from the friendly pro. What's more, I have a shiny new hybrid to try out, (thank you, Santa!) so there was no stopping me.

Until I found the entrance road to the golf range under several feet of water. I might be keen, but I have my ailing suspension to consider!

Still, I’ve been going on and off to this roll-up class for the last year and myswing really has improved so that while I may still be playing off a ladylike 23, I’mout-hitting the 16-20 handicappers I go out with on a regular basis.

But am I taking the money? Well I have had my moments, buttruth to tell, I’ve never looked like getting below my current handicap,because as Jonty says, at the end of the day it’s the short game that counts.Getting close to the green in two is no good if it takes another three (atleast!) to get the wee white ball in the cup.

The range is fine for sorting out the swing but thetemptation is to keep on wellying it as far as the eye can see, ignoring the bitthat will really lower your score. There are things you can do, like playingconsecutive shots with different clubs (there wood, six-iron, pitching wedge)to replicate the experience of being on a course, but chips and pitches don’t feel the same off themanicured mats of the range. The club’s practice area is much better forgetting the feel of the shorter shots, except that practising outside in winterleaves me cold in more ways than one!

So it looks like it’s back to putting on the carpet for me,and maybe some of these drills will stand me in good stead for when I nextbrave the elements.

The Green Goddess in warmer weather!

Meanwhile I might do some virtual golfing, so if youhave a golf blog and interesting things to say, leave a comment so that we cancheck you out.

Happy practising!

How To Choose A Golf Club - Beginners Guide Part 2/10

2011-12-12T14:25:00.000Z

In part 1 we talked about the merits of starting with a traditional golf set. So what does a typical golf set include? A set is collection of no more than 14 clubs, and what you put in your bag depends on your choices - for example, substituting long irons for hybrids.

A set of irons will include a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9-iron, plus a pitching wedge (PW). It will probably also include a driver (1-wood), and a 3-wood and 5-wood, and a putter. On top of these will be able to 2 more clubs, and you might for example decide to carry a sand-wedge (SW) for getting out of bunkers, or a hybrid, which is an iron made with wood technology, and easier to hit with than either a driver or a long-iron.

As a beginner you'll probably find that you rely mostly on your 7-iron and pitching wedge at first, and as you get more confident you will reach for the longer clubs, tackling the longer shots with hyrbids which are excellent for this kind of thing. To begin with it's worth putting a good deal of time into your short game as most shots are lost here, and you will use your putter two or three times as often as your driver!

How To Choose A Golf Club - Beginners Guide Part 1/10

2011-12-05T12:41:00.001Z

A golf club is for playing with, not sitting in! Although I do rather like the design of this club in Sempachersee, Switzerland

To a beginner, making head or tail of what's needed in a set of golf clubs can prove a real obstacle to getting on with learning the game. There are so many different club options - a golf driver, irons, fairway woods, hybrids, wedges and putters. Some golfers prefer to play nearly all their fairway shots with fairway woods or hybrids instead of irons, and in fact you can now get entire hybrid iron sets! Then there are lofts to choose, and shaft flexes to decide upon and numerous other things to think about. It can be bewildering! So it may come as no suprise that my advice to beginners would be "keep it simple". What does simple look like, you may ask?Well I think a golf set is a very good place for a beginner to get started. A golf set will provide a good combination of clubs to get you going and as you begin to develop your playing allow you to work out what you really need. Try starting with a set that includes a couple of fairway woods and at least one hybrid, and ideally a mallet putter. Good examples include the:

Masters MC Z540
Wilson Staff X31 Club Set

Time to get trollied!

2011-07-15T17:19:00.005+01:00

One thing has come clear to me over my extensive golfing and drinking career - it is not natural for a human being to lug a big heavy bag of golf clubs around a golf course, particularly the hilly variety without some kind of electrical assistance. It could just be that I'm getting that little bit older but when the weather is as hot as it has been, the sweat patches under my arms do not get any less embarrassing. For this reason I have been scouring the malls virtual and worldly for some golfing wheels and have decided that I like the look of the Powakaddy Sport Trolley. Now I have to admit being an Big IPAD fan, I can't help but be pulled into the orbit of any bit of kit that has dials and flashing lights - but I think you might agree this particular trolley does seem to have everything but the kitchen sink thrown in, or more importantly does anybody know if a booze cabinet is provided?

Nike VR STR8-FIT Tour Driver - Nice!

2011-05-20T16:09:00.002+01:00

The VR Tour is a great blend of engineering precision and sleek design excellence. The Nike VR STR8-FIT Tour Driver has an assured and classic style which helps to provide a low spin rate and therefore greater penetrating ball flight.The new Compression Channel tied to high moment of inertia, means you won't lose any distance with off centre hits. Allowing you to shape the ball a little easier, by adjusting the loft and lie with 32 different positions is the true value of this driver.

Nike has designed the VR STR8 Tour with a 440cc head, which is also a more conventional 'pear' shape. This is a marginally smaller head than Nike's previous drivers, but once you start hitting balls you certainly won't notice the difference. With red, black and 'chrome' styling this driver follows on the classic but contemporary design of the VR range. The most noticeable feature of the club head is the hollow red channel on the sole, this is the Compression Channel. The Compression Channel is what drives this club. It acts like a catapult and springs the ball forward once the channel compresses. Found on all Nike drivers, the reconfigured face technology produces improved ball speeds.

If the Compression Channel propels the club, then the STR8-FIT technology provides the guidance. There are 32 different positions to play with, 15 draw setups, 2 neutral, and 15 fade setups. Close the face and see the ball draw, then open the face up and the ball will fade. All 32 positions lie between 2 degrees open and 2 degrees closed. The Nike Victory Red STR8-FIT Driver allows the golfer a chance to play with the same quality clubs used by the pros.

Gadgets for the Golf-Mad

2011-05-06T10:43:00.002+01:00

Men are notoriously more swayed by gadgets than women, and most sports offer plentiful opportunity to satisfy that itch for a new piece of hardware or software that claims to go where no gadget has gone before… so here is our selection of new golfing gadgets. Purely for the fun of it, you understand. (And you can add them to your birthday wish-list…).

1. The Bushnell Tour V2 Slope Laser Rangefinder. This handy gadget not only gauges distance for you, it will also compensate distance measurements based on the degree of incline on a slope, while the PinSeeker technology will pick up the flag without capturing other background targets. Its range is 5 to 1,000 yards, and promises +/- one yard accuracy. All it doesn’t do is make the tea...

2. Lost your pencil, dropped your score card? The Digital Golf Scorecard keeps track of your strokes, calculates scores and even saves your best round. It conveniently attaches to your golf bag or belt and is shock and water-resistant. What more do you want?

3. Fed up of practicing putting because you spend most of your time bending down to pick up golf balls? Look no further. The RoboCup Golf Ball Return Robot makes practicing quick, fun, and painless, sending the ball back to you over distances of 14 feet or more, with each battery taking care of up to 12,000 returns. There’s even a caddy-cord to gather up your mis-hits and send them back where they came from…

4. Psst! Fancy a drink? The Deluxe Electronic Golf Club Kooler Caddie is the perfectly discreet way to enjoy hot or cold drinks right from your golf bag. It looks like a regulation driver – haha! – but its secret is the one-button dispensing pump. Designed to sit unobtrusively in a side pocket so it doesn’t take up space inside, you can fill it with hot or cold beverages, and they’ll stay at the right temperature for hours. (And no, it’s not a good idea to take your favourite wine, beer or cider around with you. Just to be perfectly clear.)

5. And finally, the most gadget-tastic of all, for the pure golf perfectionist, the hands-free Golf Swing Video Recorder. This allows you to correct your swing while you're on the course as it mounts to your golf bag, push, or golf cart. With one button recording and frame-by-frame playback, it captures your entire body and swing from six feet away. Play back through the built-in screen, your TV, or computer… you’ll be playing like a Pro in no time.

Note to our dear readers: This piece has been unashamedly aimed at the guys. This is because most of the women golfers I know – and I’m one – would prefer a week in the sun with a little golf thrown it. It’s that simple!

Summer Golfing - 5 Tips For Playing in the Sun

2011-05-06T10:35:00.004+01:00

This Easter we’ve already seen temperatures in the 20s, with plenty of sunshine to go round. Here are my top five tips for being prepared for the summer…

1. It may sound blindingly obvious, but don’t forget your hat, shades and sunblock. Your skin hasn’t seen the sun all winter, and without a hat you’ll find yourself squinting into the void, unable to hit the ball straight. Your usual shades may be fine, but it needn’t cost the earth to get some glasses especially designed for sport – lightweight and with obstruction-free peripheral vision.

2. Don’t forget to drink lots of water… the beer comes afterwards!

3. Summer golf shoes are a lot more comfy than the mega-waterproof solid boots you trudged around the course in all winter. If you are looking for new shoes, there are plenty on the market which are light, breathable and look more like trainers. You can even get cool golf sandals which look like Tevas…but come with spikes. (As an added bonus, you get to avoid that unattractive white sock line!)

4. Make the most of the long evenings. Don’t forget to pack your pencil bag for a quick nine after work. It’s good for you.

5. It’s worth investing in summer golf shirts. These days they have Factor 50 UV protection, as well as wicking unwanted moisture away (that’s sweat, to you and me) – are stain-resistant, and don’t even need ironing.

Nike Golf Shirts

2011-03-04T15:12:00.003Z

The all new 2011 Nike Golf Shirts range is now available. Incoporating Nike's performance optimising Dri Fit technology, this range of polo shirts are engineered to the same precise specifications that athletes across all sports know and trust. The main features are great moisture management, superior comfort and ultra lightweight flexibility, allowing for a greater gofling performance out on the green. Current golf hot shots wearing this range of Nike golf clothing include Tiger Woods, Jhonattan Vegas, Pablo Martin, Charl Schwartzel and Paul Casey.

Nike Storm Fit Waterproofs

2011-01-31T11:16:00.002Z

The range of Nike Storm Fit Waterproofs are engineered to be ultra comfortable and ultra light. The seam-sealed fabrics used in these products will keep you dry whatever the weather and of course the lightweight and breathable laminate materials mean that both wind and rain is blocked, keeping your golf game comfortable throughout. Other features of the range include 4-way stretch for added range of motion, and they can packed away into a zippered pocket.

Nike Slingshot Irons

2011-01-21T17:12:00.006Z

A set for high handicappers - providing forgiveness in a set of irons begins with weight management. Moving the weight deeper and lower gives a larger sweet spot and a deeper center of gravity that acutally exists in air behind the face. The benefit is a mixed set of hybrids and irons that are more foregiving and and can get the ball airborne. If that's what you are looking for the Nike Slingshot Irons are definitely a set worth trying.

One of Scotlands greatest - Ladybank

2010-08-23T18:26:00.002+01:00

On a fine summer’s day, it can be hard to imagine a lovelier spot for a round of golf. With abundant pine and silver birch trees, Ladybank offers rare beauty as well as a top-notch golfing challenge. Ladybank is a Par 71 Championships course, formed of two nine-hole loops, with a total length of 6,754 yards – though there is the shorter 6,299 yard Blue Course, most usually enjoyed by visitors.

An Open Qualifying course, Ladybank’s original course, of just six holes, was designed by ‘Old’ Tom Morris back in 1879. It has, as you can imagine, changed a great deal since then, but if you stray off line, you can still expect to be punished!

An uplifting experience for all golfers, Ladybank has played host to a galaxy of stars since it was accepted for Final Qualifying in 1978. While undoubtedly challenging, the course can be described as a fair test of golf – and is also fairly flat, so relatively easy on the legs.

We love it!

Click here for more informationon about Ladybank golf course

Time to consider a better brands?

2010-08-03T17:37:00.004+01:00

Many golfers new to the sport will probably be playing with clubs that were part of a packaged set or look similar to brand leading products – not necessarily clones but products that appear to offer similar technology – but do they?

Package sets, which include woods, irons, a putter and a bag, tend to be built down to an attractive price point with the result their manufacturers usually have to cut some corners. Possibly one of the weakest points in their specification may be found in the quality of their shafts. Now to a beginner one shaft looks very much like another, so do they matter? The answer is very much yes, they do! The shaft connects the club to the golfer and transmits the power generated through the club face to the ball. Now shafts bend or flex in a variety of ways during the swing so it’s important to have one that is ideal for a beginner. The better they are the more expensive they become, so unfortunately they are less likely to be in a budget set.

Heads too can look very similar but the devil is in the detail. Most of us only view a club from their outside appearance, particularly their graphics, but today with the use of computer aided design, the inside becomes equally important. Small amounts of material can be taken away from one part of the head to another, where they will be more effective in helping the beginner or higher handicap golfer to avoid a slice – when the ball, for a right handed golfer, veers off to the right probable landing in the rough, worst still in a hedge or out of bounds!

So you decided to take up the sport, you are enjoying the fresh air, exercise and company but you would like to improve your performance and lower your handicap. Possibly this is the time to evaluate your golf irons to see if an upgrade would add to your enjoyment of the sport.

The time has possibly come to consider buying clubs from a well known manufacturer. Their brand names are important to them and so the good ones are not going to cut corners. Their products have been developed over a number of years using the best in computer aided design and while you may not be able to see the differences trust the name: Callaway, Ping and TalorMade for example.

Ping‘s G15 are great examples of what you should be looking for. They have been designed with high launch angles and maximum forgiveness sought after by the majority of golfers. The stainless steel heads feature a new Custom Tuning Port (CTP) design that saves 7 grams which has been moved to the perimeter further enhancing the MOI. The heads also feature thinner club faces that release weight to be re-positioned at the toe - a great benefit on miss hit shots. Finally the wider sole moves weight further away from the face helping to create higher flying, longer launch shots.

Are you the average golfer?

2010-07-26T16:14:00.002+01:00

Well first what is the average golfer – does any body knows? We all have different heights, glove sizes and swing speed, to mention but three elements that will effect how your clubs and ball will react when they come into contact with each other.

Each manufacture has their own view what is average too, so it is fairly unlikely that all the standard clubs in a shop will be the ideal for you. To overcome this you need to consider custom fitting. This is important no matter your handicap and it should cost you no more.

The elements that will be taken into account during custom fitting will include shaft length and flex, lie angle and grip size. Visit this custom fit site for more information.

Putting plays key role at 2010 Open

2010-07-19T14:12:00.002+01:00

We forecasted that putting and putters would play a big part at the Open this year owing to the vast size of the greens at St Andrews – the largest being about an acre. Poulter commented that much of his game had been on form but his putting had been “abysmal”. Similarly for Woods, who tried out a new putter the first for 11 years, he too had little luck with few balls dropping. This resulted in him changing his putter for the final round.

Louis Oosthuizen, on the other hand, smiled his way around the course with a putter that performed all week. And the logo on his hat - Ping - gave it all away. He has been using Redwood Anser, a series that includes D66, Piper, Zing, ZB. The range is named after Redwood City, Pings birthplace. They are 100% milled from 303 stainless steel and offered in two finishes: Black Nickel or Black Satin. They are putters for those looking for classic lines and great performance.

Check out the Ping putter range – there will be one for you from as little as £59.99!

Thinking of taking up golf?

2010-07-18T07:32:00.004+01:00

The Open at St Andrews this week, and what a week it’s been - high winds, heavy squally showers then sunshine, will once again stimulate many a potential golfer to consider taking up the sport. And why not, golf unlike many other sports has a lot of unique factors going for it. Although Mark Twain once famously said that golf was a good walk spoilt, there must be something more that attracts both young and old into the sport.

Yes, it certainly gets you out in the fresh air for a walk of about three miles, which can vary from flat meadowland to steep rugged terrain. Now if that seem as a bit daunting then of late golfers of all ages have taken to using an electric trolley. This gives them the advantages of the walk but without the strain of carrying a heavy bag. But which ever way you choose its good exercise, all year round in lovely countryside – just what the doctor ordered!

Possibly one of its unique features is that people of all ages, genders and abilities can compete against each other, owing to the handicap system. This enables friends and colleagues to get the excitement of competition but on equal terms. This aside, age is by no means a barrier, clearly demonstrated by Tom Watson, now sixty, as runner up in last years Open Championship at Turnberry. A wise old head accounts for a lot!

The game, courses and equipment are always evolving too. A decade or two ago the ball tended to be hit along the ground, unlike to day where the ball is more frequently in the air, leading to the spectacular drives seen on the Tour. The courses themselves have also had to change their spots in order to maintain their challenge. The modification to the world famous Road Hole at St Andrews being a typical example where an extra 40 yards have been added to sharpen its teeth. Many of these changes result from the massive investment in technology made by the major golfing brands such as Ping, TaylorMade and Titleist. These have not only made Tour player performance more spectacular but have also made the game far more interesting and less demanding for the beginner in their early stages.

If you are a beginner or know someone that would like to take up the sport, Greatvaluegolf's Golf Guides are a usefull link for you to follow up.

Just Launches - Powakaddy TOUCH n GO

2010-07-14T15:13:00.002+01:00

TOUCH ‘n’ GO is Powakaddy’s innovative method for speed control. It has no buttons or knobs, like other electric golf trolleys on the market, simply a touch sensitive handle, which slide forwards and backwards to control speed.

Read on for more information on the Powakaddy TOUCH

The 2010 Open

2010-07-12T17:16:00.002+01:00

Whoever wins, at St Andrews perhaps more than on other championship courses, the old adage that you drive for show but putt for dough is truer than ever. The trusty putter is the most used club in all golfers’ bags, and the Old Course contains some of the largest greens in the world, with seven shared between holes – the shared green covering the 5th and the 13th is actually estimated to be THE largest in the world, at over 100 yards from front to back. At more than an acre in total size, it would take the average greenkeeper an hour and a half to trim into to shape with a mower! To help both pros and club golfers alike there is a great choice of putters to help cut down on putts and for the Open avoid long walks!

Read on for more information on the Open

Top tip

2010-07-12T16:53:00.002+01:00

Problem:
Ball flies left to right, a slice – created by not releasing or rolling the hands over on impact and during the follow through.

Tip:
Practice swinging with your feet and knees together to encourage your shoulders and hips to rotate. A movement that help close the club face at impact.

Alternatively if the problem is with your drive you may benefit from draw weighting or for irons greater offset.

Need a new golf driver

2010-07-04T07:16:00.004+01:00

Here's part of a great article - its recommended reading!
When choosing a golf driver there’s so much more to think about than the latest clubhead design - ‘hot’ faces and on-the-legal-limit head sizes; multi-material heads and moveable weights. Less glamorous aspects such as getting the right loft, shaft flex and grip are just as important in matching a driver to your game - enabling you to gain extra yards off the tee, without sacrificing accuracy.

Read on for more information on golf drivers

Stromberg Golf Trousers

2010-03-30T12:20:00.002+01:00

Stromberg are a premium brand with great heritage, creating classic and contemporary golf trousers that will help you stand apart from the crowd. The trouser collection consists of the Stromberg Classic Collection. A large range range of quality, visually appealing Stromberg golf trousers including designed checks and fabrics that bring style performance and cmfort to your golf game. The Stromberg Funky Collection is a range of highly fashionable Stromberg V hem golf trousers and shorts Again with no compromise on comfort and performance. The golf trousers are a must have item for any fashion conscious golfer. Stromberg Golf Trousers

Galvin Green Christmas

2009-12-14T14:51:00.004Z

In case you hadn't thought about it already, how about layering up for the Christmas season? If you want to stay warm and dry on the golf course then there's no better way than layering garments. When they work well each layer performs a different function whilst working seamlessly together, enabling the golfer to fully concentrate on his or her game no matter the weather.

Galvin Green Bedford

2009-11-23T15:40:00.003Z

If you are looking for a lightweight windstopper then check out the Galvin Green Bedford Windstopper Jacket. It's a half zip jacket in lightweight WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell fabric, great as an outer layer on those cooler days offering you wind proofing and warmth thanks to its laminated membrane. Galvin Green Bedford Winstopper jacket is trully breathable and helps to aid excess moisture escape from underneath.

World's Most Dangerous Golf Course?

2009-11-17T09:44:00.004Z

Hitting your ball into the rough on this Korean golf course is a minefield, literally...

Worlds Most Dangerous Golf Club

A golf course larger than Britain?

2009-11-16T17:41:00.002Z

If you're a fan of large golf courses, this takes the biscuit. Australia's Nullarbor Links opened in August and crosses two time zones and is a staggering 848 miles in length. The course also boasts the world's largest green at 28,000 square feet. According to the owners you can tee off in 18 towns over desert highway and outback terrain and a round will take you in the region of 4 days to complete...don't forget to pack your toothbrush!

http://www.nullarborlinks.com/

Galvin Green Ashford - Makes the Perfect Christmas Present

2009-11-11T10:04:00.005Z

I don't know about you but I'm starting to get a bit nervous about Christmas and have a made a pact with myself to do all my shopping online this year to avoid the last minute meltdown at my local town centre. The problem with shopping online is that I always get so easily distracted and end up seeing stuff that I want for myself rather than for my loved ones. I'm thinking about getting a golf waterproof and was considering the Galvin Green Ashford . The thing I love about this jacket is that I think I can get away with wearing it off the golf course too, it's almost got a bit of an urban feel about it, and the orange version could be useful when crossing the road late at night? Can anyone help me on this decision? Perhaps I could try it out by buying it as a gift for my younger brother who's a keen cyclist.

New concept in electric golf trolley purchasing and maintenance

2009-10-14T16:01:00.005+01:00

The Masters Golf Company is little known by many golfers, yet it is the most purchased brand in Europe. Their product range covers a whole host of items: bags, trolleys, tees, and accessories that are essential to the game but are not brand sensitive.

Their philosophy is simple - excellent product quality and outstanding value, to make golfers’ money go further. This is achieved by not sponsoring expensive players on the tour, enabling them to offer you lower prices – leaving change in your pocket that could be better spent with your local pro, getting some valuable advice on how to improve your swing!

Masters have built their enviable reputation with Golf Pros by offering great customer service. Now they are offering a similar service to golfers with their electric trolley programme. Not only does it give you the option to spec your own electric trolley but it also provides direct services second to none.

Not all golfers are the same
What Masters has recognised is that not all golfers and courses are the same, so what’s right for one golfer may not be right for another. Take courses for example, some are flat meadowland while others are really hilly and that’s going to affect your battery requirements. A 17 amp/hr battery is fine on a course where the topography is not to demanding, while a 24 amp/hr battery would be better suited to hillier conditions. And a 36 amp/hr would be best for those wanting to play 36 holes in a day.

The batteries are a bit special too and come with a carry bag, two phase charger and Torberry connector which help insure they are connected correctly. They are guaranteed to be less than a month old and are in peak condition. This is unlike many other brands that may have spent weeks on the water coming from the Far East and then be held even longer in a shop. How is this done? Well the batteries are made in Wales.

So their answer is to offer you the Masters Evo RS as a basic frame, wheels and controls, without battery, for £149.99 which enables you to choose the right battery for you and still have enough cash to add on some accessories that are going to make your round even more enjoyable. Choose from GPS/phone or umbrella holders, transit bags, to mention but a few. Once ordered your own trolley spec will be delivered direct from Masters warehouse on the next working day – need we say more.

Direct warranty and service programme
But if that's not enough they are also giving you a much needed choice of warranty and service programme as you order. Now you may be wondering why service is important. Well trolleys get a very hard life running long distances, often in heavy rough and regularly soaked in large puddles or heavy rain. This means that all brands are subject to failures. These can mount up to 9% in the first year - more as time goes by. So getting a guaranteed speedy service is critical.

The basic level of cover included in the above pricing, requires you to return the product to Masters who will repair and return it to you within 5 working days. You will need to package it, so it’s best to keep your original boxing, although you can buy a transit box! But wait for it; they have a Platinum 12 and 24 month upgrade too. Both include free pick up from your home or office, completed repair and a comprehensive clean. Additionally you are entitled to an annual service, which needs to be taken in months 11 or 12 from the date of purchase.

Conclusion
Experience shows that getting true value for money from your electric golf trolley is all about a quality product with quality back up. Ensure you check out both before you make your purchase!

PIng G15 Set to Impress

2009-09-21T11:28:00.006+01:00

Ping has made a habit of launching its next season’s clubs well before its competitors. So additions to its range for 2010 were eagerly awaited in August this year. Expectations were that a G15 launch could be on the cards.

G10 clubs, launched in September 2007, already had an illustrious pedigree which included the G2 and G5. They are ideal for a wide range of golfers: established players looking for forgiveness, higher handicap golfers looking for game improvement clubs or beginners. This had made them an award winning range, featuring for two years running as “Gold” in Golf Digest’s “Hot List”. So could they be improved?

The surprise was that the Ping launch for 2010 not only a G15 but also an i15, each being developed for different player types. The ranging for both was comprehensive too, offering irons, drivers, fairways and hybrids. The G15 series is targeted to appeal to the majority of golfers seeking the most forgiving and easy to use clubs available. While the i15 series are designed to offer forgiveness but also the workability and control sought by lower handicap golfers. Mark Calcavecchia is already playing with one of the drivers and has already set a PGA Tour record of nine consecutive birdies in the RBC Canadian Open.

So let’s see what the Ping G15 driver range has to offer.

Golfers - Protect Yourselves

2009-08-04T19:37:00.003+01:00

We are all constantly being told by doctors to cover up from the harm full effects of the sun. A theme that some golf clothing manufactures have taken to heart, producing shirt ranges that are designed to give us added UV protection.

So is this all we should be thinking about? Are there other factors that we experience as golfers without us thinking about them? The answer of course is yes!

Golf is a physical sport – driving the ball towards the green, lifting a heavy bags, which can weight in excess of 20 kilograms, 50 times or more per round and carrying the bag for 2 or 3 miles, even further for high handicappers!

Every time we exercise like this we run the danger of creating micro tears in our muscles. These create pain and hinder performance not only for golfers but players of all sports: rugby, football, cricketers and swimmers for example. Now you may have noticed that many have tight fitting garments that often peaking out from under their clothing or in the case of swimmers almost completely encase them. Well these are known as compression garments that have the benefit of reducing muscle vibration and micro tearing, which is a key factor in energy loss. They assisting blood returning to the heart which increases the flow of oxygen to muscles for greater energy and faster healing.

The obvious last thing to consider is cutting out the lifting and carrying. This is best done with the help of an electric golf trolley like the Motocaddy S1. These also have the advantage over pull trolleys of reducing the need to twist the back. In the past these were the preserve of older golfers but this stigma is long past. Younger players now recognise the benefits on offer – after all Tour players use caddies!

Titleist Stand Bags get Thumbs Up

2009-07-28T17:24:00.003+01:00

Full apparel and ball pockets, foam padded strap, beverage sleeve and a quick action roller bottom stand mechanism make the Titleist X-91 Stand Bag the perfect choice for golfers looking for a lightweight stand bag without sacrificing on space. There's also a full length 2 way club divider for easy access to your clubs, and detachable, zipped rainhood, all in a stand bag that weighs a mere 1.5Kg.

Was Turnberry The Open Winner?

2009-07-22T11:23:00.008+01:00

Are majors getting too easy for the Tour? Should the world’s best players be regularly carding ten, twelve or even fifteen under par? Are the courses less of a test than they should be? Should the courses be set up to give final scores within +or- 5 from par?

In an attempt to Tour-proof some of our greatest courses, holes have been redesigned, with dog-legs introduced into the fairways and the rough and semi-rough brought closer and grown higher - the narrowest fairway at Turnberry is under ten feet wide. The 10th has also been redesigned to bring the coastline into play. It now requires at least a 200-yard carry over the rocks from a tee perched on an outcrop by the lighthouse – while the course is almost 250 yards longer overall. This mitigates against the power game, ensuring a real test of skill, and hopefully reigning in the absurdly low scores we sometimes see. (Interestingly the joint lowest score ever posted in Major championship history was 63 scored at Turnberry in 1986 by Greg Norman, another ‘old timer’ still gracing the Tour today.

The weather will perhaps deal the cruelest hand of all at links courses like Turnberry. Wind and rain set in on day 2, and of the first 54 golfers out on the course that day, only four were under par as the breeze increasingly picked up off the Firth of Clyde and light rain began to make the rough soggy. Its just these conditions when you need a good golf waterproof.

With all this in mind is The Open the greatest test of skill and should other follow the example?

Taylormade Burner Driver 2009

2009-07-08T11:57:00.003+01:00

The Taylormade Burner Driver 2009 has been one of the hostest products this year. The golf driver is excellent for improving distance whilst keeping a firm hand on where the ball ends up. This kind of performance typically means you may find you are reaching the fairway in fewer strokes than before.

The Burner driver was first launched back in 1983. Since then the company has used technological advances to design drivers, irons and other clubs that can push the ball with a greater degree of accuracy and send it the extra distance. TaylorMade golf clubs are used by some of the game's best players, including Christian Cevaer, the newest winner of the European Open. More information on the Taylormade Burner driver can be found here.

Sunderland Golf Clothing

2009-06-29T16:05:00.003+01:00

Sunderland golf clothing was established in 1966 and is recognised as one of the world’s top golfwear brands for technical performance. The choice of many golf tournament professionals, Sunderland has been selected in recent years for the Ryder Engineered to the very highest specifications. Their golfwear will help you combat the most severe playing conditions, by combining revolutionary fabric with leading edge manufacturing technology to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. In addition to golf waterproofs and weatherwear, Sunderland also offers a summer range of golf shirts and trousers offering exclusive protection from UV rays. More info can be found at Sunderland Golf Clothing

Orr wins Scottish PGA Championship

2009-06-29T12:28:00.003+01:00

The 35-year-old East Renfrewshire pro closed with a five-under-par 67 over the PGA Centenary course for a 10-under aggregate of 278 to ease to a three shot victory over long-time leader Craig Lee.

Orr, runner-up in the national championship in 2002 and with three other top-five finishes in the event in recent years, had slipped four shots off the pace when Lee holed his second shot at the first for an eagle but the chamionship unravelled on the inward half as the destination of the crown changed dramatically.

http://www.pga.info/News/40878942.htm

US Open Winner 2009 - Lessons Learned

2009-06-24T10:13:00.004+01:00

Trevor Gliwski thinks that the PGA tour winner 2009, Lucas Glover won on the basis of his driving game. He explains the mysterious mechanics of spine tilt, for those of you who thought it was just about a good straight back and a bit of bend from the hips....

The Golf Drivers

Powakaddy goes soft

2009-06-24T09:44:00.003+01:00

Powakaddy unveils the stylish new state-of-the-art Freeway II
to replace the highly popular Freeway.

The new Freeway features includes a number of improvements including fully integrated LCD display, soft touch ergonomic hand grip and multi function control. The multi function screen includes a Distance Measuring Facility that can measure both how far the ball has been hit and the distance travelled during the whole round in yards or meters. The distance function enables golfers to set the trolley moving forward for a defined distance before stopping eg 10, 20 or 30 metres. The screen also indicates battery power; actual travelling speed and time.

Powakaddy Electric Golf Trolleys

Galvin Green Waterproofs - multi layering in action

2009-06-23T13:49:00.003+01:00

Galvin Green waterproofs recognise that a number of layered garments are needed to keep the golfer dry and warm and each of these needs to perform a different function whilst at the same time working seamlessly together in the background, enabling the golfer to fully concentrate on his or her game whatever the weather.

Galvin Green Waterproofs

Hands up for Open Glover

2009-06-23T11:11:00.002+01:00

American Lucas Glover to clinches the rain-hit 109th US Open.

Glover claimed his first major by two shots from world number two Mickelson, former world number one Duval and third-round leader Ricky Barnes.

The UK's Ross Fisher was hot on their heals for most of the final round but ended three back for his best major finish.

519th - Barnes Takes Lead in US Open

2009-06-22T17:08:00.000+01:00

With 16 of the 60-strong field yet to start, play was delayed by a further four-and-a-half hours on Sunday because of overnight downpours, but on the resumption Barnes quickly stretched his lead to three over Glover after a birdie at the 2nd.

Hit me with those laser beams!

2009-04-01T10:57:00.006+01:00

For those of you the hadn't heard already, the golf course has just become a lot more exciting with the availability of hand held laser guided rangefinders.

Golf range finders deploy an invisible Class 1 laser beam which is bounced off a target at the press of a button and is safe to the eye. The rangefinder's internal digital clock measures the time taken for the outward and return journey of the laser and then immediately calculates and displays the distance.

Typical uses or targets for the rangefinder include the flag on top of the pin, trees and other hazards.

The greater advantage in this type of system is that you can go to any course, any time, take the unit out of your bag and get measuring. The only disadvantage is that the target has to be within line of sight. So it couldn't be used from the tee to a hidden green for example. Having said this their are plenty of situations where it will give you valuable information and an edge on your game. For more information click on Golf Rangefinders.

New Range in From Galvin Green

2009-02-13T14:01:00.004Z

The new 2009 Galvin Green range is in and includes many exciting new products including the Ashford. According to Galvin Green, Ashford is a new anorak made completely
from stretch Gore-Tex® Performance Shell fabric.
Because the stretch material is applied in different
directions on different parts of the item, players
can be sure of optimal freedom of movement
throughout their swing, making it ideal for golfers who are looking for comfort.

What's in store for 2009?

2009-02-11T10:25:00.004Z

Don't get depression from recession - Hireko golf blog takes a glimpse into the crystal ball out to reveal that all will be well in 2009.

Which golf waterproof

2008-11-12T12:13:00.003Z

It's got to that time of year when the weather becomes a major concern for us golfers. There is nothing more miserable than being out on the course when the wind begins to howl and the rain starts to fall and you can feel the water trickling in and the bones chilling. The trick to me seems to be buying the right waterproof which gives you the flexibility to put layers underneath if needed and won't mean that every time the season changes you'll have to head down to the shop again to buy yet another bit of golf clothing. So what are the things to look out for when buying a waterproof?

First off I would say make sure it's breathable, staying dry on the oustside is one goal but no good if you end up drowning in your own perspiration on the inside. Also make sure it doesn't make any noise when you swing, there's nothing more uncouth and distracting than the sound of a large tarpaulin unfurling itself every time you take a swing.

Make sure you get adjustable cuffs that stay in the same place on your arm, the long cold trickle of rain water down your arm will dilute the best of games. Look for adjustable toggels around the neck line for the same reason. Check any pocket come with protective flaps and appear sturdy and well sealed.

Galvin Green Waterproofs are not necessarily cheap but if you want a quality top then check them out. Good luck in your quest and remmber it's very important that you stay warm, dry, cool and comfortable, although a flask of whisky will provide a welcome back up should you get caught out!

Galvin Green 2008 Range - Wrap Up for winter

2008-10-03T13:49:00.003+01:00

The Galvin Green range of golf clothing offers the very latest in comfort and protection by combining different layers to give ultimate flexibility enabling garments to match and function to suit all types of weather and golfing environments.

The Gore Tex performance shell guaranteed to keep you dry even when sitting or leaning towards wet surfaces but at the same time allows for maximum breathability, say goodbye to hot and sweaty wet days on the golf course! Check out Galvin Green.

Powakaddy Trolleys

2008-09-30T14:34:00.003+01:00

So buying a golf trolley may make sense for you, but what should you be looking for when you buy? Golf trolleys vary from one brand to another, both in appearance and in the way they drive and handle. Each has its own merits and that makes it important for you to determine in advance how you intend to use your trolley. Browse through the range of Powakaddy electric trolleys here and you are very likely to find the one that works best for you.

Ping G10

2008-09-29T16:19:00.005+01:00

I've spent years frustrated with my short game, and then my wife gave me a set of Ping G10 irons for my birthday. I loved the feel of the clubs in my hands, and the swing felt natural (I had been using a set of old hand-me-downs of various brands, most of which felt heavy compared to other golfers' clubs). I've never been a good golfer, previously golfing only a few times a month. But now I have more time and am entering tournaments with a handicap of 9, and I needed something to help me reduce my stroke count. The Ping G10 was the answer!

Golf Head Covers

2008-07-30T11:17:00.004+01:00

Not so long ago the humble golf head cover was a rather drab and functional thing – usually in black and mostly made from man made materials. They certainly served their purpose of protecting club heads but little else. In the main they were supplied with golf drivers and fairway woods but as time progressed iron and putter covers gained greater popularity. Functionally they have also developed, first with longer socks to make them more graphite friendly, then with many forms of closure including zips, velcro and most recently magnets.

Now however it’s a completely different story. Yes the functionality is there but so to are many funky fashion statements. So if you are not satisfied with the ever increasing range of traditional head covers and want to personalise your bag, the range of options now available is immense.

Animal golf head covers The choice includes animals like Bears, Lions, Labradors, Cats and Foxes. Some are stylised while others are really life-like. Prices for individual covers range from £7 to £20.

Girlie Moment

2008-05-01T20:56:00.005+01:00

Not on my part (the 'moment' that is) but the Daily Telegraph stands accused. Launching a new golf page in the Sport section today (sorry, no sign in the online edition) they just happen to give the most space to a photo of Jodie Kidd. Not that I have any problem with Jodie who plays a good game , comes acrosss well in Pro-Am tournaments and takes a lovely photo (well, she is a model I suppose!) I just hope the Telegraph is going to take heed of the equality lobby and give us girls a picture of some gorgeous hunk in a future issue, though since the tour is lamentably short IMO of truly delectable men-folk, perhaps we'll be treated to some of those eager celebrity golfers (Ronan Keating? Hugh Grant? Meat Loaf???)

Talking of the male physique, I did get a bit of a shock seeing Monty step out in the Spanish Open today. Five weeks off golf and it looks like he's gained a pound for every day. If I were his wife I might be worried. On the other hand, he was playing some fine golf and turned in a more than respectable 2 under for the day.
Will try to remember this next time I'm offered a Danish pastry.
You can see Monty (in slimmer mode) and Jodie Kidd on an outing together here.

Happy Birthday Blog!

2008-05-01T20:40:00.004+01:00

I think it's actually belated birthday wishes as the blog began in April last year, though I'm not sure (without tedious research) which day it was.

I think I'll call yesterday the 'official birthday' as I had a great round. That would make today my first unbirthday - and yes, the round was to match!

Whenever it was, thank you to all the visitors who keep turning up to see what's going on.

Monty gets hitched

2008-04-22T20:04:00.004+01:00

Hardly a surprise that Monty took his wedding guests for a celebratory round of golf at Loch Lomond. I mean, why else get married next to a golf course? And at least he got the golf out of the way first, and has apparently promised to stay off the course for the duration of the honeymoon. (Hmm, is Gaynor wise? Dare she come between a man and his golf for that long?) Anyway, his pre-wedding golf is in contrast to a friend of mine who was woken at 5am on the day after the nuptials so that a certan game of golf could go ahead.
Yes, they are still married, honest!

BTW the above link is not to the club's own website which to my mind is an irritatingly Flashy piece of work, but it has at least reminded me of my ambition to visit the Barclay's Scottish Open coming up in July. Can't think of a better place to watch golf or a better time to try out my new swing north of the border (though possibly not on that partcular course!)

Progress Report

2008-04-09T22:22:00.002+01:00

Second lesson is now under my belt and I'm quietly pleased so far. A spell at the range and a couple of relaxed rounds and I feel I'm getting the hang of my new stance. Now I also have to add width to my swing and have a drill involving a club cover under my arm. I need some practice time to get it all together but in the meantime I'm managing some solid hits. The only problem is, that I have a sneaking feeling these two lessons could be the tip of an iceberg, i.e. the beginning of a chain of changes (and lot of lessons!)
I may have to 'consider my future' in this respect, but meanwhile I'm off on a non-golfing holiday. A contradiction in terms? Certainly sounds like it to me, and as well be out of range of the Beeb, we won't even have the Masters as consolation. I suppose it will be interesting to see what state I'm in after a week of cold turkey!

Girls and Golf Monthly

2008-04-04T09:57:00.003+01:00

I may be kidding myself, but my article in last month’s Golf Monthly deploring the low standing of women’s golf, seems to have borne fruit. As well as two responses on the letters page. (To Maurice of Didsbury, if only I lived nearer I'd be happy to experience your ladies’ facilities for myself!) I think I detect a slight increase in examples of the female form in this month’s mag (Ten great women golfers, Curtis Cup news, and a good sprinkling of girls in the junior section, not to mention a feature on Lorena Ochoa).
Keep up the good work boys, but did you have to print that letter about the pink golf clothes? Sometimes I think that women are their own worst enemies!

Pain or gain?

2008-04-04T09:52:00.001+01:00

You can probably guess from the title that I have just had the dreaded lesson, and not before time, according to my new lady pro, who thinks that with my set-up it’s a miracle that I’ve been getting the ball in the air at all. So, how does it balance out?
First of all, the pain factors
1. Although what she suggests might sound like a minor adjustment, to me it feels like a contortionist’s act, and one that plays havoc with my back (and that’s before I start moving the club).
2. We haven’t even looked at the backswing yet!
3. I am paying for this torture (a bit like the dentist, then!)

Gain factors
1. My teacher/torturer was very clear on the step-by-sep approach (only set-up this week, backswing next) which suits me. There’s only so much my brain or my body can do at once.
2. She keeps telling me I have talent (do they all say that?)
3. I did hit a couple of good balls, demonstrating the possible advantages of going through this process.
Best of all, she didn’t try comparing my swing to that of Ernie Els (as once attempted by another golf pro). Let’s face it, there are realistic targets and there is pure fantasy. I know which I’d rather attempt.

Old ball, new ball?

2008-03-25T15:54:00.004Z

Here's a question that came up recently on Golf Monthly forum that sorts out the 'men from the boys'.
When you hit over water, do you take your usual ball, or reach into the depths of your bag for some old ball that you regard as expendable, i.e. the all too aptly named water ball?
The majority favoured the positive mentality of sticking with the usual ball, and very few owned up to 'changing down', but I have to admit I'm with the scaredy cats here. In fact on some holes, usually where the water is right in front of the tee and I'm reasonably confident of hitting over, I don't even think of changing, but there's always that pesky second. Not a long hit, but just far enough for the wind to accentuate that slice ... you can guess the rest.
In fact, thinking about it, there's water in play on a lot of our course, but there's only one hole where I habitually change the ball, so maybe I'm not such a wimp as I thought, or as I used to be.
The other disadvantage is that on those days when I sail across the water on the second to land plumb on the green, I'm stuck with the old ball for putting. Not that I think I have ever sacrificed the hole for that reason!

Monty goes West

2008-03-14T09:11:00.004Z

Monty's exploits never fail to stir up comment, but where's the Principal's Nose these day? On holiday somewhere hot and sticky, I suspect, but Lewine Mair had a nice piece in theTelegraph about his desertion of Far East in favour of Florida and more points towards a Masters appearance. Ironically very few people think he's likely to do well at Augusta even if he gets there in the first place, although after his opening round at Bayhill even that's looking unlikely. More money might go on a surprise win on his home soil rather than in any U.S. major, though it's sad that any win is now seen as a surprise (to us if not to him!) A Golf Monthly Forum member recently asked if he or Sandy Lyle would be judged 'top Scottish golfer' of their generation, and although Monty in many people's eyes has done better over longer, I think in any popular vote, Lyle would win for his record in majors.
Interesting that the problem for most sportsmen of when to when to hang up the kit can be postponed almost indefinitely in golf, and for Monty the seniors tour will soon be beckoning.

Travel abroad - Excess baggage

2008-03-14T08:38:00.003Z

I was contacted this week by APH (Airport Hotels and Parking) who have a verty nifty price comparison sheet of charges for carrying golf clubs by air. There are clearly huge differences in how much extra it will cost you to take your clubs abroad and not surprisingly it's the budget lines who are more likely to levy extra charges, with Easyjet and BMI asking £15 on top of the flight price, whereas BA allow you to take '14 clubs, 12 balls and a pair of shoes' within your baggage limit. As with everything else in life, I guess that you get what you pay for.

However, I think there's something that APH has missed. I've been looking closely at the Easyjet site because they're the biggest operator from our local airport and if the flight is cheap, £15 for clubs doesn't seem too bad to me. However, on their page for baggage allowance, I found that each passenger is permitted one standard piece of hand luggage and 'up to 8 pieces of checked-in hold baggage (each bag charged at £3.99 online or £8 at the airport) to a maximum combined weight of 20kg'
I read this to mean that all hold baggage is charged extra on top of the flight price. Again, £3.99 isn't the earth, but if you hadn't picked this up in advance, and your party arrives at the airport to find it owes £8 per item added to £15 for clubs, I think it might be enough to dim the pleasure of taking off into the sun.
I'm still thinking a trip abroad might be tempting, so forewarned is forearmed. If I have unjustly accused Easyjet, I shall look forward to being corrected.

Winter golf - the reality

2008-03-07T21:08:00.004Z

Had a disappointment this week at St. Pierre Chepstow where we arrived to find one hole closed and several others shortened while a load of reconstruction is being done - all of which is great for the club members but a bit of a downer for visitors like us. I though they might have offered a discount on green fees, but I suppose winter rates are already cheaper than summer, on the basis that at any time in the off season (is there an off season in golf?) you 'takes your chance'. As it was they did throw in a course guide (which they will no doubt be throwing out come the summer when the changes come into effect!)

For me the biggest irritation was the reek of burned stubble on the front nine, not helped by my completely flunking the second despite an almost perfect drive - the smell if not the taste of defeat! After that things did get better for me and there was a certain interest in watching the new turf being rolled over remodelled bunkers. I particularly enjoyed the half-forgotten experience of teeing off on grass instead of the dreaded mats, not to mention parring the eighteenth - nothing like a good finish to round off the day.

All in all a pleasant day despite the disruption. It would be good to see how the course looks in sixth months time. A discount off our next visit would definitely have kept me sweet!

New baby!

2008-03-02T10:41:00.005Z

Quite a flurry of excitement this week as I got 2 new clubs. After much searching MOH had at last found me a five wood to match my Mizuno MP001 set. At almost the self-same moment I was offered a new 3 wood by the good people at Golf Monthly where my article on ladies' golf has just appeared, and I was too greedy to refuse. This one (pictured) is a Taylormade R7 CGB max (so many letters!) and as you can see looks very tasty. It feels nothing like my existing fairway woods, and I think I'm missing a bit of flex in the shaft, but it does feel good on the strike. Haven't quite decided which will stay in my bag, the old Mizuno (on which a friend already has designs) or the new Taylormade. I'm happy to report that both my new babies have blue as the main colour and blue headcovers, so neither looks out of place. (I've discovered this isn't just a girl thing, men also like matching kit!)

The main problem is that all this trying out of woods is doing nothing for my plan to improve my iron play!

Golf Gadgets: Swingyde

2008-02-26T19:54:00.005Z

Another week, another golf gizmo, this time the Swingyde which 'reduces incorrect wrist cocking and encourages correct radial deviation of the wrist.' Caught MOH havng a go with it in the garden and realised I really had forgotten about my propensity to roll my wrist over on the back swing. Attempting to correct this on the course certainly didn't result in a particularly good round, but I could feel the difference in my swing and think it might be worth a bit more practice.
In fact the Swing Factory (possibly the most detailed treatment of the takeaway and backswing you can find anywhere) is equally emphatic on this element of the backswing. I studied this two years ago, but recently have been concentrating on shoulder turn, so that the whole wrist thing had gone out of my mind. By the way, if the above description means nothing to you, try, 'identifies the correct hand and wrist position to achieve a square club face at impact'.
It does seem to help achieve bringing the club down in the right plane and also combats any tendency to overswing (not that I've ever had that probem!)
What exacty is it? In brief, a plastic thing you attach to the club, a bit pricey at £19, but if you're interested, shop around! I would think it's better value than the Swingsetter (£50+?) which didn't do much for me.

February Bookshelf

2008-02-18T17:07:00.004Z

MOH has just invested in Private Lessons, a collection of tips from Golf Magazine. I don't know the (U.S.) magazine but really love the presentation of this book. Each 'lesson' is a double-page spread with just the right balance of text and illustrations to make things crystal clear. The drawings, which give the book its distinctive look are all by Barry Ross, and I'm happy to say that almost 50% of them are of women golfers. (How refreshing!)
The only minor grumble is that the arrangement is a bit odd, with some topics covered in more than one section, but the contents and index make everything pretty easy to find.
Now the crucial question, is it any good? Well it looks like it should be, and if my golf has taken a distinct downturn of late, that's probably to be expected. Or, as someone quipped when MOH had a bad round, 'Have you been having lessons?'
Moral of the story: things get worse before they get better.

Talking of morals and stories (neat segue?), Tom Cox has found a golfing bonkbuster called Private Members which had got under my radar. It's about a golf club where, to quote Amazon, 'only the over-sexed, the over-rich and the over-beautiful need apply.'
I have to agree with Tom that this doesn't sound like any golf club I've ever seen. Clearly the book is the most arrant nonsense appealing only to sex-starved escapist fantasists. On the other hand there are reviewers who think it's a lot of fun. Maybe I'm just writing for the wrong market?
Review of Private Members pending - (if I dare.)

Summer Weather, Winter Tees

2008-02-11T18:46:00.000Z

On the other side of the world (climatically speaking) there's a new Star of India but here in the South West we are basking under the same sunny skies we enjoyed last month in Cornwall. On Saturday it was warm enough for shirt sleeves (pity I was wearing two sweaters!) and Sunday much the same. Sadly the summer weather doesn't seem to be helping my stubbornly winter style of golf (uninspired) and I'm feeling as cross as ever about the winter golfer's bugbear, the dreaded mats. If I'm off form (yes, you guessed) it really doesn't help to have to step up on a niggardly square of green astro-turf flung down at random on a strip of muddy and uneven grass. These particular mats have a 'choice' (LOL) of two tee-pegs (neither of them the height I'd like) and precious little room to take a practice swing or adjust my stance. They're also positioned in a completely haphazard direction which may or may not line you up with the fairway, the pin, or the nearest water hazard.
Recent visits to local courses show that around here mats are inevitable in the winter months, but that it's possible to provide a much better teeing surface than what we're having to put up with. Saltford Golf Club, for instance, has good size mats with slots for 'real' tee-pegs. The mats are set on larger bases of an open design that lets air travel between the two surfaces, a solution that should please the green-keepers as well as the winter golfer. Our club is mainly 'pay and play' and has little or no regard for the interests of the membership, but surely investing in some decent winter tees would be a good business decision. The course stays open in pretty much any weather and could attract players from a number of the local clubs that reguarly close after heavy rain, but if any self-respecting golfer turned up at the moment, they would take a look at our winter tees and probably run a mile.

Blood and Sand

2008-02-03T09:54:00.000Z

Some high jinks from Ian Poulter and the possibility of Tiger not winning has at last got me interested in the Dubai Desert Classic. I was glad to see Ian setting the record straight on his apparently misquoted remarks, though I don't think that a bit of self-belief is so much of a bad thing. Since then Tiger has dropped out of the lead with Els starting today at the top of the leader-board. Will he make it? Not being blessed with Sky I'll have to wait for the match reports. I think a lot of people would like Ernie to win but suspect fewer really believe he can do it. I myself wonder if some of the hunger has gone. At least from a distnace it looks like he has it all - happy home life, charitable interests, multi-million pound business, not to mention a sunny temperament. How much does winning matter? And this clearly begs the question - what keeps Tiger going?
Whoever wins I think it's not going to be Tiger, i.e. another shock-horror situation, a bit like the Australian Open Tennis where Federer failed in the semis. I'm ashamed to say that I had to go out checking blogs to find out who the winner was. I hope Dubai is remembered for its winner, not just as the time that Tiger failed.

Give me sunshine

2008-02-03T09:43:00.000Z

This prayer was answered last weekend when we decided at the last minute to join friends who had booked in at the gorgeous Carlyon Bay Hotel near St. Austell. The course (and a fine birdie!) is commemorated on my old golf blog but this year the weather proved, by comparison, blissfully fair and the course in excellent condition. At this time of year the joy of springy turf underfoot is hard to beat and I did play rather better golf than a year ago, twice managing a 6 on that evil uphill 13th - good enough for me.
One small complaint on Sunday when we were on winter greens for three or four holes. Obviously this can't be avoided from time to time, but on this occasion there was no warning and the so-called temporaries were completely undistinguishable from fairway. In fact we failed to even find the seventeenth green and were forced to abandon the hole! Still, I don't think that will be our abiding memory of such a lovely weekend.

A dark and stormy day

2008-01-24T08:38:00.001Z

It's not easy being a golf blogger right now; the skies are grey and the courses are boggy or closed, and try as I might I can't get excited by who said what in the Monty/Nick saga. There may be events taking place in glorious sun on the other side of the world, but frankly, am I bovvered?

But here's a story to gladden any winter golfer's heart.

Last week , four doughty Golf Monthly Forum members took on four GM staff in what turned out to be an epic encounter on a windswept (and apparently deserted) Jubilee Course at St. Andrews. Now that's what I call golf!

Reports suggest it was a great match generously sprinkled with birdies, and the result was a fair but memorable draw. Since the staff team had some inmpressively low handicaps, I think that's a moral victory to the forum lads, who may have been a bit more acclimatised to East Coast conditions, but could you play like this in front of an official photographer?

Please note these pictures belong to Golf Monthly and should not be reproduced, transmitted etc etc ... you know the score (i.e. hands off, you blagging bloggers!)

The full match report will be in April's Golf Monthly (next but one issue, which just happens to be the one where a certain blogger is also appearing in print!) and I'm ordering my copy now, but meanwhile a big thank you to Mike Harris the editor for letting me give you a sneak preview here.

Well done, boys, and roll on the next event on the GM challenge tour!

Inspiration, perspiration and mud

2008-01-13T14:21:00.000Z

Despite a deep-seated and entirely pagan attachment to the festival of New Year (or Ne'er Day as it's known in Scotland) I rarely make resolutions as such, but that's not to say it isn't a good time to make a few plans and set a few targets (especially as the weather is too foul to play much actual golf). If, like me, you're in search of inspiration, look no further than the career of Richard Johnson, documented in today's Telegraph. At 35, Richard has finally got himself a tour card in the U.S. despite previous attempts getting him no further than a job in the fast-food restaurant outside August National. When David Duval, an old college friend, dropped in for a burger, Richard decided he was in the wrong job, and got 'back on the bike' for another go. Let's hope the season sees him established on the tour and not dropping out yet again.
Persistence and determination doesn't always pay, but as any aspiring golfer (or writer knows) you won't get far without it. Tim Henman has always been a hero of mine not just for his scholboy charm (?) but for the fact that as a teenager he wasn't regarded as the most talented player of his age-group. He simply wanted it more and worked harder as a result. On the days I lack inspiration of any kind, it actually comforts me to think persipration might get me there anyway!
Meanwhile, what music do you use to practise or play golf to? Golf Girl alerts me to Ian Poulter's favourite tunes, listed on the PGA website, and I have found that getting a tune fixed in your head can keep evil swing-thoughts and general mental melt-down at bay.
On Wednesday, on what I knew would be my only round of the week, I started out in an evil temper (not entirely golf-related, but it soon got that way). While trying to think of somethng other than my flunked approach shot on the fourth, Kirsty MacColl's version of the old Kinks hit 'Days', (heard on the radio the day before) drifted into my head and stayed there for quite some time. Things didn't improve straight away, but I gradually relaxed and eventually made some pars, and my final score was 90, well within my handicap. Not bad for a bad (and muddy) day.
Of course if music doesn't do it for you, Golf in London reports that swing -thoughts are best kept countered by 'naughty thoughts'. Golf in a state of (sexual) arousal is someting I admit I haven't tried. But then mud wrestling never really was my thing.
If anyone fancies a musical nostalgia trip, here's Ray Davies doing the original 'Days'.

Good golf gift

2008-01-08T18:16:00.000Z

We all know about the bad ones, so here's one I liked. It's a print by Mark Denman called 'The Golfers'. This image doesn't do it justice but it shows a typical (if crowded!) golfing scene and around the margin (you definitely can't see this) is a hand-written account of the conversations that might be taking place e.g 'Side wind my foot! There was more wind out of that badger's bottom on the tenth!'

It's advertised as 'humorous' but it's also very easy on the eye, not in a 'cartoon' style at all. I'm look forward to having it framed and on the wall, and thanks to Mark for letting me use the digital image.

As soon as it was unwrapped, I was immediately reminded of Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, which has a similar landscape and clubhouse. Mark now lives in Dartmouth so maybe that's no coincidence. I'd like to say it's one of my favourite courses, but in Feb 2006 I had a three very bad rounds there. Maybe the picture will tempt us to have another go in better weather.

R&A Rules (again)

2008-01-05T16:05:00.000Z

The R&A, as you probably know, update the Rules of Golf every four years and have just published the new version. Granted it's never going to be book of the month, but it has an innovation that makes a lot of sense to me, namely a 'Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf ' that takes up less than 10 pages and precedes the 150 or so pages of full rules and appendices.
Apparently the 'Quick Guide' was available previously as a separate sheet, but putting it all together seems like a good move. As well as making it easier to find out basic information on the course, the Quick Guide would be an ideal introduction for beginners, as it covers all the main eventualities and is brief enough to be manageable.
So if you are harbouring a reluctance to get to grips with what's allowed and what's not, or what the penalties are for various infringements, here's a list of the rules in the Quick Guide.

Before and during the round (how many clubs, giving advice)
On the tee
Playing the ball
On the putting green
Ball at rest moved
Ball in motion deflected or stopped
Lifting, dropping and placing the ball
Ball assisting or interfering with play
Loose impediments
Movable obstructions
Immovable obstructions & abnormal ground conditions (with diagram!)
Water Hazards
Ball lost or out of bounds
Ball unplayable

Every section also directs the reader to the full version of the rule, should it be needed. And the book itself is free. We got one with Golf Monthly, but you'll also find them in golf clubs and pro shops.

Let's face it, there's no excuse for not getting to grips, though I have a tiny complaint. The type used for the main text is pale grey. I'm sitting here under a reading light to see it comfortably, so you may need your specs with you on the course! And as the book says, 'Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it. If you can't do either, play fair.'

Time Out

2007-12-30T11:49:00.001Z

No apologies for neglecting the blog over the last week. A holiday is a holiday after all, and as soon as that choir boy piped up in Cambridge on Christmas Eve, I decided it was time to down tools for a few days. If you have missed your blog fix since then, here are a few snippets from over the water, where they are much too industrious to have more than a day off and where glamoruos Golf Girl is still on the hunt for new clothes while Golf Blogger has found the silliest golf gift ever (and possibly the least tasteful!)

Most interesting (and encouraging?) post of the season is a report on the Golf Blog on the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge between an LPGA team and teams from the PGA and Seniors Tour - won by the women, I'm pleased to say!
Meanwhile I have ventured out on the course, so I'm relieved to discover that golf is a more serious addiction than blogging, and have got in some reasonable if not outstanding rounds in increasingly muddy conditions. I have also popped in to the Golf Monthly Forum once or twice which had the shortest of rest periods - barely long enough to get those presents opened and eat a turkey dinner - though I'm pleased to report that some members (you know who you are?) are conspicuous by their absence - a healthy sign, I should say.

Next we're off to Chepstow for our New Year round at St. Pierre. Here's a picture of last year's festivities. Does my bum loook big? Do I care?

Happy New Year!

A Happy Christmas to all golfers (please!)

2007-12-17T21:42:00.000Z

Not sure how much blogging I'll be doing between now and the New Year which we're spending at Chepstow St. Pierre (gala dinner followed by golf on the old course)which I hope will be as good as last year.
But as I celebrate my first Christmas on the blog, I thought it might do golfers a service to list all these things we really don't want to find in the Christmas stocking, but which it seems like we usually do (not just my own ideas but gleaned from other bloggers and golf afficionados!)

The wrong golf balls
Silly headcovers
Uselss gadgets (anything that works, we probably already have)
The wrong tees
Any clothes that can't be changed
Bargain clubs (unless tried and tested)

Yes, golfers are fussy, and what pleases one will rub another up the wrong way, so if in doubt, do your homework!

Meanwhile

A green and pleasant Christmas to all my readers.

Have fun, play golf (and try to smile when any of the above come your way!)

And finally, if you get really fed up, take a look at the Ross-on-Wye Christmas Eve Golf video, Part Two.
I censored Part One in case there are any ladies out there with a delicate constitution, but I'm looking forward to the 2007 episode!

Sunburn at the Dubai Ladies Masters

2007-12-17T21:22:00.001Z

Last week although the ladies of the European Tour were all sporting headgear, most of them seemed to be caught out by the heat in Dubai: pink arms and red faces all round. Seeing the TV coverage after a morning of frozen greens and keen winds, it was hard to imagine we were all on the same planet. It was an exciting competition, though, with Anika Sorenstam managing to post her first win in a while, and Laura Davies coming in joint second after some fantastic rounds.

Meanwhile we had our own prize-giving which brought its own memories of warmer days, so long ago I'd forgotten about winning the May monthly medal - amazing! - as well as two second places in Stablefords. This put me ahead of MOH in the 'prize money', though I'm proud to say we shared the Doubles championship and the two trophies have pride of place on our mantlepiece.

I was going to treat you to a seasonal photo of same, but unless Blogger's image upload system recovers, you'll have to imagine them for yourself, artistically placed among the Christmas cards.

Dress code for winter

2007-12-13T19:54:00.000Z

Twice this week I've forgotten to take my camera out on the course to record the frosty weather, including a disconcerted duck standing on a frozen lake, and other scenes that would grace any Christmas card.

Don't fancy sub-zero golf? As someone said recently on Golf Monthly Forum, there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing, so girls, here is my recipe for winter golf (without going out and spending a fortune).

Long vest - silk - from Patra (longer than is strictly necessary but perfect for bridging that sneaky gap between jumper and trousers!)

Roll neck sweater - wool & cashmere - from Next (bought many moons ago as a fashion item, now put to much better use).

V-neck sweater - Shetland wool, by Cross Creek - extravagant? From a Pro-shop discount rail - good buy!

Goose down duvet - oops - gilet - from Landsend, as shown above but in dangerously lurid pink. Might not pass muster with the Solheim Cup ladies, but perfectly adequate, with good deep pockets for balls, tees, and for the other occupational hazard, tissues for a runny nose

Woolly hat - from Pringle (Xmas gift from way back, still warmest)

Winter golf mitts - Masters - pop them on between shots and never have cold hands again - well worth the hassle.

Thus attired, I have learned to putt positively on frosty greens and shot two very respectable rounds (so far). What's your excuse?

Turkey (or not) Trot

2007-12-05T20:35:00.000Z

Like most clubs, ours has just had the annual Turkey Trot (or Trott as for some reason it says on the notice-board). However many T's it should be, the competition was played with three clubs only and followed by a chicken dinner. Owing to damp weather, there were quite a few no shows, and following a mishap in the kitchen, the chicken was commuted to ham, egg and chips. Despite these minor problems, all that the prizes were awarded, though sadly our house will be paying for its own turkey this year. I am absolved from all responsibility, being safely tucked up in the day job (yes I do have one) at the time.
Meanwhile, the bad weather has sent me on a bit of a blog tour and I was cheered by Golf in London's picture of crazy golf in Florida, which you can see for yourself if you visit Neil Martin's photostream on Fickr. We have done crazy golf in Florida, but it was some years before we discvoered the 'real thing'. Right now, who needs reality? A course comprising pink rocks and waterfalls woud suit me fine, especailly if bathed in warm sunshine.

Whatever happened to spiked wellies?

2007-12-05T20:08:00.000Z

Her we go again: mud, mud and more mud. We sneaked in a round last Friday at Henllys Hall, Anglesey, and even then things were pretty boggy. With another few days of torrential rain I don't see what there is to look forward to in the immediate future apart from course closures, or, at best, trolley bans and aching shoulders. And I still haven't worked out how best to dress in muddy conditions, the choices being:
(a) get on the wet gear and let the mud congeal on it for a few weeks
(b) tuck my trousers into my socks and hang the style statement
(c) invest in plus fours.
MOH says if I go for (c) I'll be playing alone, so looks like it's back to washing muddy trousers.
One thing that has me flummoxed is why it's well nigh impossible to get those winter golf boots that are designed for mud. My local shop claims Adidas Mudskippers are no longer available, and a bit of phoning around reveals that spiked wellies are no longer being manufactured, much to the despair of the pro at Aldersley Green who used to sell them. I could understand that last January all these boots and shoes shoes were sold out, but since there's obviously a market, isn't someone missing a trick here? Meanwhile I have persuaded the shop to get hold of some Hi-Tech boots, so fingers crossed for dry ankles, sooner or later.

Scotland win the World Cup of Golf

2007-11-27T21:06:00.000Z

Had to find a really big Scottish flag to make up for the fact that Scotland's win at Mission Hills in China almost passsed me by. I saw none of the live action and had to rely on Lewin Mair's report in Monday's Telegraph.
Huge congrats to Monty and Marc Waren for a great performance and a three-hole play off in which both of them played some fantastic shots.
Thanks too to the provider of this photo taken at a Scottish festival in the U.S. and posted on Fickr. (And to Blogger for sorting out the photo upload probem - at last!)

Golf in a Cold Climate

2007-11-25T10:29:00.000Z

Thanks to Golf Girl (how does she find time to make TV shows?) for alerting me to the news that Paul Creamer has won her first tournament using a pink ball. I have to say I have always had some deep-seated doubt as to the performance of a girly coloured ball, though I'm sure any underperformance on my part is actually caused by the deficiencies of my swing.
Meanwhile I have to report on a great contest this side of the pond. Last week two of the regular (and most vociferous) members of Golf Monthly Forum met face to face on a golf course near Edinburgh. Even that sounds brave to me (new take on internet dating?) but hearing that the temperature was minus 2, I take my hat off to the boys in question. I have been there (east of Scotland, I mean) and know how cold that feels.
As to my segue from the above, it's tenuous, but at the risk of being lewd, I'd like to suggest that at Craigielaw, blue was the colour. (Correct me if I'm wrong!)

Weird and wonderful

2007-11-24T14:10:00.000Z

On the Golf Monthly Forum members' blog, there's a fascinating account by David Paul of a golf course laid out on an Australian opal field. With the first tee in located in the back of a pick-up truck, and the ambient temperature 30C on a cool day, this is clearly a case of, 'golf, but not as we know it'. It did make me think of some of the strange couses reported in Preferred Lies and how there must be all kinds of places where people play golf in unusual circumstances (I mean unusual in the design or location of the course, rather than in any temporary situation like the sea of mud we endured 'at home' last winter).
Having asked members of the Forum for their ideas on must-see (if not must-play) course, here's a quick guide to some courses that sound either weird or wonderful, or in some cases both, and are all closer to home than Glengarry.
Starting with Scotland, there are several votes for Cullen Golf Club on the Moray Firth. Here's a short quote from their site, 'The unbridled thrill of the course lies in its par 3s. A quartet of short holes from the 11th to the 14th is the highlight of back nine and each features Cullen’s signature landmark - the 80ft. Boar Crag.The 12th and 13th are the most exiting, playingdirectly over this rusty red colossus, which completely blocks the greens from view'. Add views of dolphins and local cullen skink soup and that sounds well worth a visit.
Shiskine on Arran has been mentioned before but also gets a vote for its views and unusual 12 holes - not a bad idea for anyone short of time, a true 'hidden gem' of golf. And with its remote location it's unlikely to ever get overrun by tourists.
The only English course mentioned so far is Church Stretton, but it's on my list to visit if only because it's close to one of our regular routes to North Wales. Par 3's again put this one on the map. Miss the green and the ball might return to your feet - but judging by the photos, the views might be worth the pain.
Talking of Wales, I've had several reports of Nefyn on a spur of land on the Lleyn peninsula as being a must-play experience, with a particularly spectacular back nine. A final vote goes to Llanymynech , favourite of Ian Woosnam, and one of the few inland courses to figure in this mini gazetteer of golf.
Sadly I have played none of these, and some are probably off my map for a while, but so as to have a course from Ireland, I'm going to nominate Glenmalure in County Wicklow. Its hidden in a small valley and is pretty hard to find, but we spent a week there two summers ago. Our first round was a bit of a shock as the entire course is on the side of a hill and the slopes are very steep. Probably not particularly difficult or long by most standards, but plenty of blind hits over gorse bushes and greens that you reach only to see the ball disappear down the hill on the other side. Its saving grace, like most of the courses mentioned here, is that if the golf is bad, you can always look at the view.
I'm going to leave the round-up of weird and wonderful there for now, but I I'm sure there are more places I'll add in the future.
Finally, thanks to everyone on Golf Monthly Forum who sent in suggestions.

Leeches and larks

2007-11-16T20:47:00.000Z

A great week in the media following the Daily Telegraph's snippet of golfing news (on its front page no less), reporting that many clubs are being swamped by older members. These are described as 'leeches' for playing a disproportionate number of rounds in relation to their subs. Such was the response to this, that the paper followed next day with a whole page spread, mostly occupied by rabble rouser Tom Cox but also carrying comments from Mike Harris (editor of Golf Monthly) and a glamorous lady golfer I didn't recognise (but hey, at least they had one).
I always thought that reduced subs were only offered to members who played off-peak (e.g. week days only) but apparently in some clubs they get a discount on a full membership, and those with long service may become honorary members. It seems to me that if clubs are losing out financially because more seniors are playing, they would be right to rejig their subscription categories.
Still, the argument is still raging, with another article in today's Telegraph from Martin Johnson (More power to old men of the tee) and Golf Monthly forum members split over whether seniors are the salt of the earth (and reliable repairers of pitch marks) or annoying course-hogs who would be better employed holding up in the queue in the post-office.
What larks. And if this whole thing was engineered by the Telgraph in order to brighten up a no-news week, I applaud them for shoving politics and finance out of the way in favour of something really important ;)
It has also been a great opportunity to point out some of the really bad behaviour that takes place on the course, whether it's old fogeyism or plain bad manners. But for the record, here's the article in 'Golf Club Secretary' that started it all (it's actually about demographics!)

Golf: writing and playing

2007-11-11T13:13:00.000Z

The weather is still being kind to golfers at least in this area and I've played more golf in the dry since September than over the summer. Have to say things have been coming good too. On Friday MOH and I won the final of the club doubles matchplay competition. Well, to be honest MOH did most of the work, since I failed to hole some tempting putts and probably contributed to dragging it out until the eighteenth. We were also helped by the fact that one of our opponents was having a bad day on the golf course . Still, a win is a win, especially since MOH and I have managed only second in other comps this year. We decided to play again yesterday to enjoy a round with the pressure off, and I celebrated with an eighty five, my best round by a long chalk!
Meanwhile feel I have been neglecting the world of golf and golf blogs as I'm writing an article for Golf Monthly's Club House Chat feature. (That's as well as writing my new novel - and keeping an eye on my other website). Glad to say my 1100 words are now being polished up and normal service should be resumed soon.
Golf Monthly Forum is also discussing a Society Day or Weekend and we've indicated we're up for it. Can't decide if this will be totally scary or a blast. Hopefully both. If only I could be sure of hitting eighty five again!

Filton (Germans and careful drivers welcome)

2007-11-11T12:48:00.000Z

On Wednesday we had a day out at Filton Golf Club. We've lived or worked close to Filton all our married lives but have never seen the course, never mind played it. In fact I always wondered how they managed to tuck a golf course in between the BAe airfield and the housing estate, but it's there all right and we had a fine autumn day to see it; maybe not the most scenic course in the area, but with some fine views towards what I guess is Henbury.
By some trick of fate I had to tee off first with not only my clubmates looking on but also several of the local greenkeeping staff. Bit of a relief , then, when I got it off straight down the middle (and not many people saw the hash I made of the rest of the hole!) Despite playing steadily I only turned in 29 points, but I cheered up when I discovered they were enough for second place.
Filton has a reputation for being a bit fussy and hit the headlines not so long ago when a rule was found banning Germans. I have to say we saw little of this, although there was a nasty moment when we thought we might be banned for driving around the car-park the wrong way. Otherwise the hospitality (and particularly the steak pie) were more than adequate, though some of the signing could have been better (that includes the car-park).

Rose saves best for last

2007-11-04T16:18:00.001Z

Without Sky it's hard keeping track, but it looks like Justin Rose has just won the Volvo Masters after a really exciting last day finishing with a three-way play-off. I'm pleased for Rose who has advanced by leaps and bounds this year without taking a big title, so this should make up for all the near misses. He also tops the European tour Order of Merit, not the biggest prize in golf, but better than a kick in the pants. Harrington was pipped at the post, having dropped to third place behind Rose and Els. It's a pity that the first few days at Valderrama were overshadowed by Monty's criticism of Els and others for staying away, but I doubt that Justin Rose will be worrying about them tonight. A good end to the European season, and Harrington can console himself with the biggest prize of the year.

Fashion Round-up

2007-11-04T15:22:00.000Z

Since it's source of constant frustration that golf clothing for women is usually expensive and rarely stylish, I rushed off to check out Death to Argyle (catchy brand name!) as recommended recently by Golf Girl, but my excitement was short-lived, as the range is limited and I don't know that I want my polos with playing cards on (Queen of Clubs, get it?)

Our local golf range shop stocks a good selection, but prices for basic items like polo shirts strike me as over the top and I usually confine myself to the sale rail or head for a chain store. But even if we've been playing in glorious sunshine this week, winter is on its way and so is Christmas, so for all golfing girlies or even men-folk with golfers to buy for, here are my recommendations!

On the high street I find the best bet is Debenhams Maine collection. Although not strictly golf wear, there's a good range of sporty tops and trousers that are smarter than keep-fit or 'slouching' clothes. Right now there are long sleeved tops suitable for autumn or spring, not bad for £16, and I've also found some stretch trousers for £25 that feel smart enough to wear off the course and fit really well. Here are the pics, or of course you can see for yourself at Debenhams.

If you want something more obviously lady golfer, JRB and Daily Sports have good ranges that cost less than some of the more traditional golf 'fashion houses'. Both are stocked by Sport a la Mode where there's a good selection of brands, though some of the knitwear comes with the usual taste warning. Do I like these 'half-zip tops', or are they in the Death to Argyle category? Think the jury's still out!

Another name I didn't know is Moose clothing. Ladygolfer has several items on sale at the moment, though they are mostly summer range. I particularly like this one for £10, though I'm a bit worried about the headless woman!

Well, that completes my pre-Christmas round-up of golfing wear that doesn't make me cringe. Please let me know if you have other suggestions.

Oh Happy Day!

2007-10-26T20:53:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, that was, when on a dull and chilly afternoon, MOH and I took to the course rather later than usual and played a round of nice uncomplicated golf. Maybe it was being back on home turf (after Bryn Meadows) or maybe I was just due for some luck, but despite a poor start (first drive into the ditch requiring penalty drop) I started to get a good feeling about my game. This was confirmed by a birdie on the 9th and an unexpected chip in for par on the 12th. To cut a long story short, despite two more drops from a lake, I still shot my best round ever.
How did this happen? Well apart from the requisite amount of good fortune, I'd say it was due to some uncharacteristically good putting. Which just goes to show, it can be done. Anyway, great to get a good round in before winter sets in.

The Dredge connection

2007-10-26T20:24:00.000+01:00

Played two rounds last weekend at Bryn Meadows near Caerphilly. Great weather and a nice course, though wet rough was pretty punishing. It turns out that BM is the 'home' course of Bradley Dredge, as evidenced by a kind of scroll in the bar with a list of his achievements. On the other side of the bar was a framed newspaper cutting explaining how the course had been developed from a pig farm - maybe not as big a selling point as the Dredge connection!

Here's another Dredge connection. The Welsh pro writes an occasional blog for Golf Monthly who have invited me to write one of their 'Clubhouse Chat' pages on my experiences as a woman playing golf. I think it's great they have asked, since like all the mainstream golf magazines it seems to be aimed at a male readership. I looked back through six months of back issues and didn't find a letter from anyone identifiably female (unless I am doing 'Jackie' in July a disservice!) Not sure if that means there are no women reading, or if those that do simply aren't moved to write in, maybe dissuaded by the general lack of any page featuring women or women's golf! Anyway, if I can come up with the goods, maybe that's all set to change, so three cheers for the editor. I'll let you know when I get into print!

Trophies, do we need them?

2007-10-20T14:43:00.000+01:00

Roll on the club prize-giving evening. I think I'm in line for a moment of glory. I came second in a Stableford earlier in the season and on Thursday afternoon we won our doubles semi-final, which I reckon means we get at least second prize! I shall steel myself for an evening of soggy sausage rolls and public acclaim, accompanied by MOH (my doubles partner and winner of a few prizes of his own).
BUT, yes, there is always a but, I'm not looking forward to bringing home the 'trophies'. In our 'unpretentious' (i.e. unprestigious) club, these are usually shared from year to year amongst the same group of players, i.e. MOH already has quite a collection and I'm already struggling to find house room for them. Take a look below at our 7 tawdry looking 'silver' cups (c.2004), two relatively tasteful plaques (2006) and an assortment of memorabilia brought home from society days, all jostling for space on the bookcase.
I'd be interested to know how other golfers - and club committees - deal with this issue. I suppose in bigger clubs a permanent trophy would be engraved or names added to a roll of honour. Maybe we should go that way. Personally I'd rather have a box of balls or a voucher from the pro shop than add to our current collection!

Hugh Grant - where have I been?

2007-10-20T14:23:00.000+01:00

It's no good, I must keep up with society gossip. As it is I nearly missed the furore (or stushie as they say in Scotland) over Hugh Grant. Just when I was discussing the elegance of his swing on Golf Monthly Forum, he was living it up in St. Andrews with a bunch of students half his age which resulted, surprise surprise, in his being 'outed' on Facebook.

Still, while this kind of behaviour might explain why Shuggie (as Principal's Nose likes to call him) doesn't seem to hang on to any of his up-market girl friends for long, I hardly think it's a scandal. And who would blame the students for landing a bit of a coup? I imagine it's the most exciting thing to have happened there since Wills and Kate moved on. Of course in my day it was never like this. The biggest excitement I recall from my student days was the chip shop on South Street burning down. Those were the days!

Anyway, I am indebted to golf girl for bringing this to my attention all the way from New England and directing me to more pics in the Daily Mail.
And where was I when all this was going on? (On the golf course, actually.)

World Masters: the big men of golf

2007-10-14T15:33:00.000+01:00

As Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera battle it out at Wentworth, the BBC is struggling to fill in the gaps between shots. Let's face it they've been there all day with only one match to cover. As the players trudge up the fairway there are no other matches to cut to. Peter Aliss, as we know, can witter for Britain and Ken Brown is keeping him company by interviewing tongue-tied junior spectators, but there's only so much 'Swingmaster' analysis I can take. As for comparing a golf swing to a rugby kick - er- patriotism apart, I don't think so! I suppose I should be sympathetic. On a pleasant autumn day I certainly wouldn't turn down Maureen Madill's job, but I'm beginning to wish Ernie would just get it over with. Oops, Angel's hooked one. Maybe I won't have to wait much longer!
Thanks to Mike Davis for posting the photo on Flickr with a Creative Commons licence.

The serious nature of golf

2007-10-11T14:30:00.000+01:00

Following on from the addiction problem, there’s a discussion this week on the Golf Monthly forum on taking golf too seriously. I argue that golf just is serious, more so than other sports. I'm not sure why this is, except that it’s such a self-absorbed activity to hit a ball from a standing start and then have to hit it again from wherever it lands (which is quite probably the place you least wanted it to be!) No matter how laid back we try to be, a bad shot gets us down. It’s hard to get over it, even more so a bad hole, and as for a bad round … need I go on? We have only ourselves to 'blame' (however much we try to think of someone or something else!) and we need a lot of mental resilience to cope with the pressure.
But all is not lost. Hitting the ball takes up only a fraction of the time we’re out there; we are not alone, there’s someone to talk to, and plenty to see in terms of wildlife and scenery. The secret is to look up between shots, take notice and enjoy, especially this month with winter golf approaching. This photo was taken last February, but I can report that this morning the mist was beginning to fall …

Conforming Drivers: is yours legal?

2007-10-11T14:02:00.000+01:00

When the R&A decided some years ago to declare certain types of driver (or other woods) illegal, they allowed a long lead-in period for this to take effect, so that although professional tournaments have disallowed such clubs since 2005, it’s only in January 2008 that the decision becomes effective as a Rule of Golf. Bigger clubs and county Golf Unions have already implemented the rule in formal competitions, but it remains to be seen how clubs will enforce it on a day to day (or monthly comp to monthly comp) basis.
The R&A site has lists of clubs that have been officially ruled ‘conforming’ or ‘non-conforming’ and they also provide recommended wording to publicise the rule on club notices. But our club has no stewards nor an elected committee, and the shop staff are far too busy to check equipment. (Anyway, what happens when someone turns up with a club on neither the legal or illegal list?)
You could say that our competitions are informal and that no one is going to worry unduly, but I don’t know anyone out there who’s ever happy to lose, and I know how I would feel if my Saturday four ball was won by someone who’s driver I suspected of being illegal!
The same goes for all those society golf days when a group who are members of more than one club (or none at all) take to the fairways for a day of friendly rivalry. Could make for interesting times if the winner of the longest drive has to be told his favourite club is no longer allowed!
(Thanks to garthimage for posting this photo with a creative commons licence on flickr)

Addictions and Afflictions: three swings and you're out!

2007-10-05T22:47:00.000+01:00

It's generally agreed that golf is an affliction, or possibly an addiction. According to Golf Girl it's now referred to in China (where it's really taking off) as Green Opium (though I always thought opium would be a pleasant experience, unlike the torture of a bad round), and Golf in London has also been wondering why we put ourselves through it. But aside from the major disability of playing golf, there are lots of lesser symptoms suffered by golfers. Tom Cox lists a number of the more familiar ones, like Repetitive Waggle Syndrome or Burble's Disease.
I'm definitely not guilty on the waggling front (on the principle that the longer you think about a shot the worse it usually turns out) but confess I used to give in to the odd moment of burbling, i.e. treating my partner to an in depth anaysis of exactly why my shot drifted right/pulled left/never left the ground (and how I'll avoid it next time). I was cured (I think) after a round with our club's biggest burbler when I realised just how annoying it gets.
There's one more thing I think should be added to Tom's list of Lesser-Known Golfing Diseases and that's Persistent Set-Up Syndrome. It's just about bearable when someone takes a while swishing and waggling on the tee, but when they do it on every shot (including putting) it gets a bit much to bear.
Maybe there should be new rule - three practice swings and you're out!

Secret Golfer

2007-10-05T22:28:00.000+01:00

How did I miss the Secret golfer site? Looks like it's been around for a bit and has a refreshingly anti-establishment appeal. And I think I need to add Tom Cox, who has his blog here, to my list of golf writers (that's writers who play golf rather than golfers who write). Okay, I haven't actually read any of Tom's books, and they're obviously in a lighter vein than my current favourite Preferred Lies, but judging by Tom's blog, his latest book Bring me the Head of Sergio Garcia should be a good laugh. I'll give you my considered view when I've read it.
Secret golfer also has a link to Bunker Mentality, an off-beat golf clothing company who have some fun t-shirts (fun being a word not often associated with golf clothes!) I'm quite fancying a Queen of the Greens polo shirt, or maybe they'll take an order for Green Goddess?

Golf is a Good Walk ..

2007-10-02T21:07:00.000+01:00

And if you ask me, that's the end of the story. We've only twice used a buggy, most recently last week at the picturesque Alice Springs Golf Club near Usk, and although it's pretty steep in places, we've decided that if we go back there, we'll leg it. Apart from anything else these particular buggies, although fitted with the latest sat nav equipment, were under-powered to put it mildly so that even I could have walked faster up the hills. And sitting still for minutes at a time (it was a particualrly dreich and chilly day) doesn't keep you warm, no matter how many practice swings you take. But as well as the comfort and speed aspects, to me the game just has a different rhythm and feel if you're not walking from shot to shot. Andrew Greig (yes, him again!) agrees with me. He describes a round of golf as being like 'a length of knotted string'. In a buggy you only get the 'knots' and lose the pauses between shots that makes golf what it is.

Buggies are great for those who can't get around without one, but until then, I'll keep wearing out the shoe leather.

BTW, no prizes for guessing what happened when we asked Google Maps for a route to Alice Springs. Not sure how many pages the directions would have covered!

Perfect length update

2007-09-28T21:56:00.000+01:00

Interesting response to my question to Golf Monthly Forum on how many holes would be perfect for golf if eighteen weren't the norm. Although there were a few eighteen-or-bust die-hards, the majority were happy to curtail the round in favour of getting home earlier. More than one made the additional observation that some modern courses cram in more holes than they have space for. The result is holes that are not just less than satisfying, but often less than safe, with tees much too close for comfort, sometimes inviting nasty accidents.
There seems to be a lesson here somewhere. Golf is golf. Let's go for a fair challenge over the space available.
After all, that's how the game began.

Match Play Magic

2007-09-28T21:45:00.000+01:00

Up to now my experience of match play has been strictly limited, but I'm starting to come round to the idea. Playing yesterday in a doubles competition, it struck me as quite refreshing to focus on the competition (in every sense) rather than individual achievement. Okay, as said before, the individual thing is what makes golf what it is, but playing hole by hole means you can write off those lost holes a lot more easily than when the score (painful as it may be) goes down on the card.
BTW - we won - and on the 16th - this may have helped!

A quick PS: Although my round was less than spectacular, I do seem to be shaping up a lot better for those pressure putts. Thanks to everyone who helped with the yips problem!