funky_nomad

Had my first game since August 20th today, comfortably the longest period I've ever gone without teeing it up since I began playing 40-odd years ago. I'm not sure whether it was the soft-ish conditions or muscle wastage, but I must've lost at least 20 yards off the tee in the last 7 months; and the less said about the quality of my short game the better. But I didn't care, it was just so glorious to be back out playing again, and making at least a few decent connections in amongst my (many) swings

What kind of pitch and putt course are they playing the World Tour event in SA this week??? 19 first round scores of -7 or better, 4 tied for lead on -10.

I hear you can't book a caddy there, but if you ask nicely they'll find you a sherpa...

There was certainly a case for that when most seniors were only paying half fees. I suspect most clubs have binned seniors' discounts (and if they haven't their balance sheets must be pretty damned healthy...), which makes that argument a bit tougher to make. Although I agree with the contempt for the dinosaur attitudes being shown re letting singles through. When I used to receive the "no standing on the golf course" line, I'd always hit back with the "keep up with the game in front, not ahead of the game behind then, ya crinkly auld b*****ds" line...

Denis and his scarf are legends.

Aye, I'm hoping using a trolley is a temporary thing - my "usual" Saturday involves carrying for 36 holes, which will definitely be beyond me for a period, so I'm thinking if adopting a hybrid approach this coming season while I build my strength back up.

Picked up the sticks for the first time since August at the weekend, albeit indoors on a simulator at the golf club playing one of those fake American courses. Sitting down between shots was required after about an hour (particularly by my mates, who were giving it laldy on the fizz, jammy bassas...). Driver was fine, but I couldn't hit an iron to save myself - we were on auto-putt and I still finished 20-odd over par... Hopefully things will be better when I finally get some turf under my feet, whenever that is. Anyway, I'm now thinking seriously about using a trolley for the first time in my life. I don't think I'm psychologically ready for an electronic version, so any tips on a good value pull trolley? I like the look of the Druids kit, which usually retails around £120 including accessories (cooler bag, brolly holder kinda things). All thoughts welcome (other than "buy an electric trolley" - it's no' happenin'!)

Joint 8th...

Bandit - clearly needs his handicap cut...

He's run out of birds.

Sub-60 klaxon! Patrick Cantlay (oh yes he can!!!) turned in 29 and is currently -9 thru 12 holes.

He's still struggling to get over the leg injury he had at the end of last year which was initially caused by an insect bite. Cheers - that's the sort of easily-researchable information that would've been useful info to have before I selected him for my Fantasy team...

I notice Callum Hill isn't teeing it up this week...

It's funny 'cos it's true...

If you haven't played Montrose before, get in there before it disappears into the sea.

Blimey, @Kima Greggs could work out the line on a 60ft putt on the Himalayas with this level of imagination and vision - top work!!!

TSi 2. It's a lovely bit of kit.

I've been a single-figure handicapper all my adult life, and I was using the R7 right until I got fitted for a full set last year - it's a terrific, reliable driver, and still looks great. I'm keeping a hold of mine just in case the new Titleist TSi starts to let me down at any stage! Your pro will probably have a spare tool on the workshop if you need a quick adjustment. You're probably losing a wee bit of distance due to the age of the shaft, but reliability/trust trumps distance at club level anyway. If you intend spending any decent money, a fitting is pretty much essential - but don't be afraid of getting a basic set-up fitting and buying pre-owned.

Here goes nothing: Justin Thomas (c) Jordan Spieth Patrick Reed Cam Smith Tyrell Hatton Bernd Weisberger Scottie Scheffler Cameron Champ Jim/Marc Leishman Lucas Herbert Garrick Higgo Callum Hill

My Top 20 rundown: 20: Idles - Crawler 19: GY!BE - God's Pee etc 18: Rival Consoles - Overflow 17: Low - Hey What 16: Mogwai - As The Love Continues 15: Veryan - Here 14: Jon Hopkins - Music For Psychedelic Therapy 13: The Notwist - Vertigo Days 12: A Winged Victory For The Sullen - Invisible Cities 11: Loscil - Clara 10: Human Concept - The Machine That Made Eternity 9: Arab Strap - As Days Get Dark 8: Floating Points, etc - Promises 7: worriedaboutsatan - Providence 6: Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks Of God 5: Cult48 - Underground Signals From An Unknown Place 4: Marconi Union - Signals 3: Loscil - LUX Refractions 2: Pye Corner Audio - Untangled Routes 1: God Is An Astronaut - Ghost Tapes #10 Discovery of the year was definitely Cue Dot Records - a great aesthetic with some superb releases (see numbers 10 and 15 above) - like a high quality version of the old Picket Fence series that Fence used to put out. Didn't get to many live shows (), but highlights were 65daysofstatic at Summerhall, Working Men's Club at Stag & Dagger and BEAK at The Great Eastern.

PARKLAND!!!

Everyone was a beginner sometime, and we all remember how it feels, so don't worry about anyone "judging" you. Re letting groups through, the old adage of "keep up with the game in front, not ahead of the game behind" is as good a golfing credo as there is (although I do think a lot of the "art" of playing through has been lost in that most people don't play up with the group they're letting through any more, which can causes things to stack up behind). If you think you're beginning to hold another a group up, have a quiet word with one of them to say "we're just learning, give us a shout when you're ready to play through" - you'll soon get a reputation as someone who knows their etiquette, which will hold you in good stead at your club. Most importantly, welcome to the game. You'll love it!!! And hate it. And love it!!!

Ooof, a move to Gullane, that's living the dream! Get yourself on the waiting list for Gullane pronto... Royal Musselburgh is pleasant enough, but you pay over the odds for the name (that grand old clubhouse is really only there for the pictures, it's soooooo not fit for purpose...), and the parkland course is closed due to the weather more than anywhere else in the area. Craigielaw often comes across as trying too hard, but it's a lovely stretch of land and the practice facilities are good. If Longniddry was a full 18 holes of links it'd be a no-brainer, but it might well be a coin-toss.

I'm rubbish at pretty much any sports Fantasy stuff, but will be all over this like a rash - shame there's not a booby/Boaby prize for us fantasy hackers as I'd fancy my chances there...

That particular bribe pre-dated Boris, although the principle stands: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-dup-deal-brexit-legal-mps-parliament-vote-a8226056.html