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.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Happy Birthday Blog!
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.
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.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Monty gets hitched
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!)
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!)
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Progress Report
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!
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!
Friday, 4 April 2008
Girls and Golf Monthly
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!
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?
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.
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.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Old ball, new ball?
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!
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!
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