Oh yes, oh yes! There was always going to be someone who decided to play golf in Loch Lomond rather than at Loch Lomond, but two of them - and at once! Despite having nothing against either Westwood (top of the leader board at the time) or Thomas Bjorn, it definitely made my day to get in from a mediocre round (fifteen holes actually, thanks to a traffic jam on my way to the course) and see the two of them rolling up their trousers and paddling in a manner to more than rival our old and much-derided friend Jean Van der Veld.
Boys, boys, what were you thinking of? Presumably a place in the history books more than a sensible score, since Thomas whipped his water ball across the green and Lee splashed onto the bank, but only just. Neither made par, though Peter Aliss and the rest of us enjoyed it no end and you can already view the entire episode courtesy of the Beeb.
I'll leave you with a quote that may never before have been used in the context of tour golf:
'I grow old ...I grow old
I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled.'
(T.S. Eliot, just in case you didn't know).
Happy viewing.
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Looking forward to Loch Lomond
I’ve decided to take a rest until the Scottish Open gets under way. I’ve given up on the high road and the low road and am planning my TV dinners already, so thanks to Golf in London for posting the schedules as well as his predictions. I’d completely forgotten Edfors who had a great run last summer but seems to have disappeared off the radar (or mine, anyway). Something I have heard is that Ernie Els is going to use a square driver of some kind, an item even uglier than the aforementioned belly putter. Seems like a desperate measure to me. (Though on my present form this probably means he will play a blinder).
So, may the best man win (but preferably a Brit) and 'haste ye back'.
So, may the best man win (but preferably a Brit) and 'haste ye back'.
Montgomerie Wins (and size matters)
The Principal’s Nose is highly disparaging this week not just about the European Open in general but the K club in particular, but someone who’s probably impervious to any of it is Monty, who (despite my previous pessimism) chalked up a win there last week after a long drought. Good on him, I say. Naturally this will put him back in the spotlight for the big one at Carnoustie. Will he live up to it? Maybe I should say 'no', just to bring him luck. But the main thing is, he’s got that win under his belt. It may be the first of a second coming, it may be the last. Either way, it’s a win and no one can take it away from him.
As to size, well, it’s nothing to do with Monty's girth (or anything more personal). I refer, of course, to his putter, which he has now replaced with a belly putter, possibly the most ungainly item in any golf bag. I must say I have never seen a regular club golfer with one of those contraptions, but the new blog at Golf for Women is right in pointing out that the putter is the club most readily thrown out by pros under pressure, and also the club most invested with superstition/reverence/disdain, depending on the last round. You’ve seen it yourself, the guy with a set of shiny new Callaways or Pings who swears by the ancient blade bequeathed by his granddad because of a good round two years ago. Like the lady says, (check out Putter Voodoo) putting is as much a matter of belief as technology.
BTW my own putter is an Odyssey White Hot, about two years old now. I think it’s a nice compromise between a traditional and a modern look and I can’t imagine giving it up for any of those frying pan models. If you want to know about the technology of all the new putters, check the putter guide on Great Value Golf.
As to size, well, it’s nothing to do with Monty's girth (or anything more personal). I refer, of course, to his putter, which he has now replaced with a belly putter, possibly the most ungainly item in any golf bag. I must say I have never seen a regular club golfer with one of those contraptions, but the new blog at Golf for Women is right in pointing out that the putter is the club most readily thrown out by pros under pressure, and also the club most invested with superstition/reverence/disdain, depending on the last round. You’ve seen it yourself, the guy with a set of shiny new Callaways or Pings who swears by the ancient blade bequeathed by his granddad because of a good round two years ago. Like the lady says, (check out Putter Voodoo) putting is as much a matter of belief as technology.
BTW my own putter is an Odyssey White Hot, about two years old now. I think it’s a nice compromise between a traditional and a modern look and I can’t imagine giving it up for any of those frying pan models. If you want to know about the technology of all the new putters, check the putter guide on Great Value Golf.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Golfing in France
It’s the season for holidays as well as tournaments and Golf Girl prompts me to tell of my own experiences of golf a la francais. The first of these was some years ago when we stayed in a gite owned by friends in the Loire Valley. Maybe not the biggest golfing venue in the world ,but the local course at Golf de Bauge was a gem and very quiet indeed which suited us as we hadn’t been golfing long at the time. John and Ali have expanded their business at Loire Life and are now doing golf breaks, so maybe we'll give it another try soon.
Since then we have tried out Le Touquet and other courses in the Pas de Calais, but despite it’s popularity with Brits, found the area a bit disappointing. Le Touquet courses were uninspiring and Belle Dune a bit too tough for us on the day. Worst of all, all of those courses broke the Green Goddess’s most serious commandment of golf: ‘Thou shalt provide sustenance for weary golfers.’ Day after day we staggered back to the clubhouse to find the restaurant closed for the afternoon. Sacre bleu!
Would did exclude one course from the general thumbs down. Hardelot les Pins was a totally pleasant experience despite some pretty unpleasant golf on my part. I have to say we didn’t have the best of weather for the trip and only got in our last round at the Cygnes course by dint of a lucky break between rains storms of Wimbledonian intensity. The course was built on a marsh, so all in all, a watery experience.
Our friends have golfed in Brittany using Formula Golf and were really impressed: sociable atmosphere and excellent off-course catering. Somewhat perversely (and because it’s cheaper!) we’ve chosen Belgium for this year’s golfing jaunt in August. Golf? Belgium? I hear a thunderous silence. I’ll let you know if it’s deserved or not, but the pictures on golfbreaks.com look good to me.
Since then we have tried out Le Touquet and other courses in the Pas de Calais, but despite it’s popularity with Brits, found the area a bit disappointing. Le Touquet courses were uninspiring and Belle Dune a bit too tough for us on the day. Worst of all, all of those courses broke the Green Goddess’s most serious commandment of golf: ‘Thou shalt provide sustenance for weary golfers.’ Day after day we staggered back to the clubhouse to find the restaurant closed for the afternoon. Sacre bleu!
Would did exclude one course from the general thumbs down. Hardelot les Pins was a totally pleasant experience despite some pretty unpleasant golf on my part. I have to say we didn’t have the best of weather for the trip and only got in our last round at the Cygnes course by dint of a lucky break between rains storms of Wimbledonian intensity. The course was built on a marsh, so all in all, a watery experience.
Our friends have golfed in Brittany using Formula Golf and were really impressed: sociable atmosphere and excellent off-course catering. Somewhat perversely (and because it’s cheaper!) we’ve chosen Belgium for this year’s golfing jaunt in August. Golf? Belgium? I hear a thunderous silence. I’ll let you know if it’s deserved or not, but the pictures on golfbreaks.com look good to me.
Happy Birthday ...
... this week, to Penny, my weekend golfing buddy and all round best mate.
May she one day shake off the trammels of being a full-time wage slave and join me for more sunny days on the golf course (and may the girls be victorious yet again!)
May she one day shake off the trammels of being a full-time wage slave and join me for more sunny days on the golf course (and may the girls be victorious yet again!)
Graeme Storm and his Mum
Until last weekend, Graeme’s rise has been far from meteoric, but I think that’s a good thing and gives hope to those of us who have to rely on perspiration than inspiration in turning in a decent round. To support his career, Graeme famously went to work in a cake factory, which is a testimony to his determination. I hope Mr Kipling sends him a something to celebrate the outcome.
On the European tour site his biography also recounts that at the Masters (which year?) ‘he and his mother became the first player/caddie combination in the tournament’s history’.
I like it! And why didn’t I think of this before? To get a ticket to a tour event I don’t have to lose twenty years and as many shots off my handicap, I just have to get my kids to be golf stars! On second thoughts, there are problems with this.
1. My kids think golf is for old people.
2. If they did change their minds about 1. and make it into the big time, would they want their mother telling them which club to use?
As if!
On the European tour site his biography also recounts that at the Masters (which year?) ‘he and his mother became the first player/caddie combination in the tournament’s history’.
I like it! And why didn’t I think of this before? To get a ticket to a tour event I don’t have to lose twenty years and as many shots off my handicap, I just have to get my kids to be golf stars! On second thoughts, there are problems with this.
1. My kids think golf is for old people.
2. If they did change their minds about 1. and make it into the big time, would they want their mother telling them which club to use?
As if!
French Open, Scottish Open
Tournament season in sunny Europe and the Brits are off to a great start with Graeme Storm’s win in Paris. Great performances too from Monty, Ian Poulter and Simon Khan, all in the top ten. Golf Girl was there and experienced the full force of Monty’s ill-temper, although according to the Daily Telegraph Colin had calmed down by the last day and is in confident mood for the weeks ahead. ‘I can win’ he is telling us.
Colin, we know that, and no one would like you to do so more than me, but why does this ebullience worry me? I think I’d be more comfortable if he were saying ‘Let’s face it, I haven’t a cat’s chance in hell.’ Then he could give us – and himself – the kind of surprise we’re waiting for.
Meanwhile I’ve just remembered that any day now we’ll have the Scottish Open on one of the most spectacularly beautiful golf courses in the country and possibly the world. Ticket prices are a snip at £25 and I’ve have been diverted from the task in hand into investigating hotels around Loch Lomond. Fat chance, I fear. If only I’d thought of it earlier. For photos of the location I can do no better than show you those taken last year and moon about saying ‘my heart’s in the highlands.’ Golf Girl should pack her bag again and try this side of the channel. It doesn’t always rain (honest).
Colin, we know that, and no one would like you to do so more than me, but why does this ebullience worry me? I think I’d be more comfortable if he were saying ‘Let’s face it, I haven’t a cat’s chance in hell.’ Then he could give us – and himself – the kind of surprise we’re waiting for.
Meanwhile I’ve just remembered that any day now we’ll have the Scottish Open on one of the most spectacularly beautiful golf courses in the country and possibly the world. Ticket prices are a snip at £25 and I’ve have been diverted from the task in hand into investigating hotels around Loch Lomond. Fat chance, I fear. If only I’d thought of it earlier. For photos of the location I can do no better than show you those taken last year and moon about saying ‘my heart’s in the highlands.’ Golf Girl should pack her bag again and try this side of the channel. It doesn’t always rain (honest).
More photos by John1710 on Flikr or or see Monty last year on a previous post.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
