People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy Anton Chekhov Let’s face it, to even consider scheduling golf in the bleak midwinter is an act of hope, at best. We might pretend that this time we’ll work hard in the off-season; rebuild our swings and shattered golfing nerves like pre-’87 Faldo, shovelling aside the snow to make room for practice. But what we end up practising is perhaps the muscle we need most to keep playing, the one that maintains the sort of blind optimism that this game demands. We sharpen the delusional mindset that got us here in the first place.
Richard, such a heartfelt description of how tough the winter can be. Happily, I have missed such challenges recently, having struck a rich vein of calm, sunlit days in East Lothian this weekend; Gullane 2, Luffness New where the anemometer showed 0 mph for the first time in my experience, and Dunbar. Oh, and a trip to Murrayfield on Saturday for golf in the morning and a special rugby match in the afternoon. The views from the top of the Murrayfield golf course looking East down the Firth of Forth are fantastic. Put it on your list…….
Oh you intrepid Golfers from across the pond. Our winter golf here in the States differs greatly. Carts (buggies in your parlance) with covers, and propane heaters in the cup holders. Unzip, leap out and hit your shot 'cross frozen ground, and get back into the warmth. For the courses that are open here, this is the only time that they'll play firm and fast. No slow play tolerated!
Brilliant as usual Richard. I must admit that I rarely play golf on very cold days and would far rather go for a walk, still wrapped up, but at least I don’t have to take my hands out my goretex mitts to hit shots in the freezing cold and struggle to warm them up a bit. I do love a wee snifter though and that brings back memories of when my hands didn’t feel the cold. Roll on summer.
Your loved ones at least accept you are a better person for having been to the golf club. At Notts it is so difficult to walk past the fires in the clubhouse after the first three holes that many a half has been agreed on those awful days, and a shared bottle seems the most sensible idea.
Your loved ones at least accept you are a better person for having been to the golf club. At Notts it is so difficult to walk past the fires in the clubhouse after the first three holes that many a half has been agreed on those awful days, and a shared bottle seems the most sensible idea.
I already know that golf today with our’ fledglings’ is cancelled. But we will meet them all in the clubhouse at Limpsfield Chart for a rules quiz and I will read them this wonderful price of writing.
Richard, such a heartfelt description of how tough the winter can be. Happily, I have missed such challenges recently, having struck a rich vein of calm, sunlit days in East Lothian this weekend; Gullane 2, Luffness New where the anemometer showed 0 mph for the first time in my experience, and Dunbar. Oh, and a trip to Murrayfield on Saturday for golf in the morning and a special rugby match in the afternoon. The views from the top of the Murrayfield golf course looking East down the Firth of Forth are fantastic. Put it on your list…….
Brrrr🥶
Oh you intrepid Golfers from across the pond. Our winter golf here in the States differs greatly. Carts (buggies in your parlance) with covers, and propane heaters in the cup holders. Unzip, leap out and hit your shot 'cross frozen ground, and get back into the warmth. For the courses that are open here, this is the only time that they'll play firm and fast. No slow play tolerated!
Brilliant as usual Richard. I must admit that I rarely play golf on very cold days and would far rather go for a walk, still wrapped up, but at least I don’t have to take my hands out my goretex mitts to hit shots in the freezing cold and struggle to warm them up a bit. I do love a wee snifter though and that brings back memories of when my hands didn’t feel the cold. Roll on summer.
Can’t even get in the course most weeks!
Your loved ones at least accept you are a better person for having been to the golf club. At Notts it is so difficult to walk past the fires in the clubhouse after the first three holes that many a half has been agreed on those awful days, and a shared bottle seems the most sensible idea.
Your loved ones at least accept you are a better person for having been to the golf club. At Notts it is so difficult to walk past the fires in the clubhouse after the first three holes that many a half has been agreed on those awful days, and a shared bottle seems the most sensible idea.
Absolutely right in every detail - beautifully described. Just one tiny thing. While you may well “scold” your throat; I tend to “scald” mine….
I already know that golf today with our’ fledglings’ is cancelled. But we will meet them all in the clubhouse at Limpsfield Chart for a rules quiz and I will read them this wonderful price of writing.
A wonderful read on this very crisp Sunday morning, while I wait to hear if my golf today is cancelled ⛳️🥶
Beautifully descriptive, perfect winter morning!