Played quite a bit lately, had about 5 rounds last week. Got 4th place in my clubs senior open last Monday. Hopefully a good day for the club was a full tee sheet. Usual story 18th blew it out the park got a 5 for an 80 but got me a prize.

Saturday medal wasn't good had no idea where any club face was, putter the lot had an 85.

Sunday was a 2 man scramble played with an old school friend who plays of 24 so didn't expect much other than a good catch up especially after we doubled the first. I blew it OB and thankfully he got it in play but we made a right mess of it. It got better parring the rest till we birdied the 9th which is the toughest hole on the course. Checked the leaderboard and net 63 was winning (par 71) but we got off to a bad start on the back 9 bogeying 2 of the first 4 so thought it was kinda game over and was really encouraging the other pair who were doing a bit better than we were. They were both off about 11 and were getting 7 strokes we were getting 8  Anyway we birdied 3 of the last 5 including a lovely chip in at the last (bogeyed tough par 3 15) for a gross 72 and net 64 which got us 5th and another £50 each. Driver worked great and think it helped having a partner as i was basically telling him (and me) what I was trying to do on a lot of shots and it seemed to focus the mind a lot.

Played this morning and had a 79 which was quite surprising when the guy with the app told me I was on 74 on the 18th but usual hit it into an unplayable and took a drop (my 3rd of the day) and got a 5. Off to Canmore again on Thursday for the senior 4bb. Played there for the first time a couple of weeks ago for the first time. Short course no par 5's five par 3's but holes aren't short and all par 3's on back 9 are 180+ yds and very fast greens. So fancied another go now i know where i'm going so off with another guy at first tee time 7.30 (its in Dunfermline about 30 minutes away) I am meant to be working but should get round well under 3 hours hopefully 

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the weather, our course has dried out lovely and greens are getting into great nick. A month ago everything was sodden but its looking really nice now so just want to get out there most days unfortunately there is other nonsense like life and work 

 

I was horrendous on Saturday in the medal. Lost my swing completely and played absolutely clueless almost embarrassing golf. I am a bit of a tinkerer with my golf swing in the endless search for something close to perfection and sometimes the new swing ideas seem to erase a basic fundamental, as there's only room in my skull for so many swing thoughts, and on Saturday I was topping fairway woods which are usually my favourite clubs, and smothering all of my iron shots, even short irons - it was the stuff of nightmares and I couldn't figure out how to fix it at the time. Returned a 95 net 80 with breaking 100 the only bright spot.

I remembered the fundamental that had temporarily slipped my mind today and shot a soothing 85 off the yellows which included a few 3putts, but it came as a great relief to dispel Saturday's horror-show as I feared I might play like that for evermore in some kind of Greek mythological golfer's Hades.

A couple of days off now to do chores etc. then it's the first Senior Medal on Thursday.

I'm reading this Ralph and laughing. Not at you it was about exactly what I was going to post. Saturday medal started off fine again par first 4 (but really feeling I've not hit the ball well). Then it all kicked in tops, chunks the lot. It was really windy but was honestly standing over it with no idea what I was trying to do ended up with a 92. Played on Monday morning with a fresh head and again started ok birdie at first but it went sour again. Played some nice shots got another birdie and should have had at least one more but the bad ones are all doubles or triples. The ground is still quite wet and some dodgy lies when missing greens so hoping the nicer weather brings a bit firmer turf and grassier lies.

Kev, trip looked amazing seen all the pics and videos of FB was only slighlty jealous honest

Tony that's some shady behaviour, its a game for gentlemen don't you know. Thought I'd strayed back in to a poker thread there with the talk of odds and stories of angle shooting 

Sounds like a great break Kev hope your getting the weather, looking forward to the trip report.

First medal of the year today, been playing ok had a 78 & 79 of the yellows this week so was looking forward to it. Unfortunately I decided to stay up too late and take on too much wine last night so had to get a lift in for the 9.30 tee time. Started of amazing birdied first 2 holes then must have sobered up and made a mess of 3. Scrambled well next few then lost one on 8 and had to walk back to the tee. Then proceeded to probably get a bit unfortunate that anything that went offline ended up right behind a tree or I 3 putted. Greens are still really soft with all the rain, we've only recently got the full course on, and if the ball doesn't get there with enough speed it just drifts away . Don't think its badly cut think its probably just people walking round the hole leading to it crowning. Ended up with an 82, year ago would have been happy but guess its good that I feel disappointed tonight. Think it gets me 3rd in Div 1 so might get a few quid.   

Seasons up and running, now have about 8 people in my group chat where I put up the options from golf empire so we can go and play opens and just booked 10 days in Majorca where I'll be taking the clubs. Been there many times never played golf so if anyone has any knowledge of the courses please share.

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Hopefully a speedy recovery Tom.

Ha ha Eck, I did choose the small breakfast. Missing black pudding but very tasty.

Was told about Vinted just today, golfing buddy bought a ping putter with cover and new grip for £40. He played with it today but didn't get on with it. I had a putt with it before we played and liked it. Playing with it on Thursday and will buy it off him if I like it. At a discount obviously probably 3rd or 4th handed now. 🤣

Yeah Kev, I'm not sure of that I'd lose a friend if he stuck something like that in front of me

Ping putter for £40? That is some bargain! Hope it's the answer

Snap

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Bacon, sausage and egg look good. Beans looked congealed mushroom taking up the space for a nice bit of haggis or black pudding and toast looks about perfect. Decent effort 8/10.

Little pre golf breakfast.

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Fucking disgrace.

On the golf shoes front had an issue with a pair of Footjoys I bought last year so they took them back got myself a better pair but really only suited to summer. Missus is a Vinted addict, mentioned I could do with a pair for the winter and she found me a pair of Footjoy Hyperflex for £90 brand new in the box, bargain very comfy and 100% waterproof.

Hi Monda,

How does it feel not to get mentioned by Greekstein in Tikay's thread?

Gutted

Cheers lads, its not till late in the year but hopefully will remember and get a few good pics.

Agree Ralph can't think of one I've not really enjoyed and you can hardly move up here for Braid courses. My club is one and I know there is the association where you can get reduced fees but we generally are playing opens when we go somewhere else so have never used it to see if it works well.

Dunno about proper golfer but I'm getting a bit more consistent, doubt i'll repeat that on the full course but gonna enjoy trying.


In other golf news and in quite a bit of a contrast to Verndog's trip I've talked six of the morning game boys into a long weekend in the North.

Off to Muir of Ord for there seniors open stableford on the Friday. 3 hour drive to get there but hey what a drive    https://muirofordgolfclub.co.uk/   

Staying outside Elgin in a big converted farm building looks lovely. Not been out for a drink in Elgin since I played in the under 18 rugby sevens looking forward to it

Saturday is at Buckpool for a gents open and were are on to strokeplay (think some harsh realities will appear when some can't get a gimme).
Buckpool recently listed as one of the top 100 courses in Scotland, really linksy https://buckpoolgolf.com/

Sunday- Hopeman, just a delightful course to play, click on the link and there will be lots of shots of the 12th their signature hole which is a short par 3 where the green is 100 feet below you. Now I've played this course twice and we've had at least one buggy so I've had a Taxi all the way back up, at least there will be a nice view when i'm gasping for breath.


All this great golf, they are all cracking courses played them all before, for the ridiculous price of £65.  (plus accomodation £200). Gonna set up a travel business   "By Eck Travels"  'copyright Red Dog'

Thanks for that always wondered what an eclectic was when I see it on our HOWDIDO app. If you need a hand keeping it Tony I'm a plus handicap with excel just send me your card everyday and I'll send you a monthly automated update

Been getting out at least once or twice a week during all this depressing weather and playing a load of winter greens at times as it's raining so much up here. Been playing ok, Had a remarkable round couple of weeks ago. 13 normal greens 5 winters just in front of normal greens. Tees are up to the  front of yellows and a couple of the longer ones on the reds. Turns what is par 71 of white, 69 0f yellow to a fairly easy 68. Shot 70.

HNY to all hackers. Last year was a disaster hcp index moving from 21 to nearly 28 

So being fairly sure it can't get any worse, I've already entered 5 senior opens. Unfortunately more and more clubs are joining in on the imo sharp practice of opening entries in autumn '25 for opens in summer '26. So they have chunks of money in their bank account getting interest, but people pulling out close to the event. 

Where you playing? Been scanning the lists trying to plan out the year. Played quite a few new places last year and loved it.

If you ever have a space or you fancy a game I'm not that far and hate working. Would be nice to put a person to the name

Yeah, more than easy it's to be expected. Unless you are booking out a 4 ball time for a group obv. I have been doing this quite a few times now just myself and also a Week with my brother in law and we were nearly always paired up into a full 4 ball. sometimes you are joining a 3 ball sometimes a pair and another random. Language can sometimes be a problem but they get used to the swearing after a while   Seriously though even when they haven't got much English which is rare I have enjoyed all the company of people I've met. Its generally a lot of retired couples predominantly from Northern Europe and met some really interesting people and often stopped after the round for a few beers together.

Good to see you're back at it Kev and Tony is still a bandit..

Tiny trip report for anyone wanting to golf on holiday. Went to Gran Canaria for a fortnight. Stayed at a Lopesan hotel and played their 3 courses. Never been there before and although I booked a lot of golf wasn't expecting great things.

I've Played in Portugal, Spain and Tenerife lately and prices were more than Spain which I found great value in June but less than the the courses I played in Tenerife (which were probably the poorer ones on the island) and way behind Portugal.

These 3 courses were in fantastic condition. Yes they could do a better job making it a better experience, 8 minute gaps between 4 balls of retired couples makes for a slow round but hey your on holiday and a beer cart turns up. 3 different courses

Maspolamas everyone will love, totally flat has its traps but as a par 73 if you are going to get one this is it (here we go chirp - 79  ) .


Anfi Tauro is some kind of Disneyland of golf. feels like you are playing in the red rock desert, have a google quite nuts. Not sure if I love it or hate it, played with a couple of English guys and after 5 holes I think I was now called Rocky as that was all I hit . Second time we finished in near darkness and about 12 beers deep...

Meloneras, Standard first 9 like a lot of holiday courses but decently challenging lot more up and down and shape of holes. Then you hit the back 9 playing along the side of a cliff looking down on local ports hitting over huge drops into oblivion (if you can't hit it 150 then do what my partners didn't every time and move up a tee ffs).

All stunnning courses and the greens are as good as I have played on. Hardly used a pitch mark repairer, they were incredible. I've found a lot on holiday are really sandy and your ball makes a big hole but these took a ball, didn't run out like a links. Guys working like hell on every course and all the kit they were driving look out the box these are looked after so well, Seemingly Mr Lopesan loves golf.

Think I'll be back but think 12 games in a fortnight was maybe a couple too many, not that Mrs E ever showed signs of missing me

Sorry for the long post but these days the most fun I have is getting in a golf cart in a pair of ridiculous pair of shorts.

Thanks for posting that.

I was blissfully unaware of how the system has been so underfunded which is surprising as my wife is an NHS budget holder. I read the secret barristers book a couple of years ago and one of the things that jumped out was how the advice will be go to trial. Reason being that the system is so broken there's a good chance the prosecutor might not turn up given the mess of legal aid etc.

That looks cracking Boo! Nice job.