Go Play!

The outdoors is our playground.

And it sure stimulates the senses when you have been in an office all week.

Go Play!

(photo taken from the 16th tee at Harewood Downs GC late on Sunday evening)

Swingin' In The Rain

I'm swinging in the rain
Just swinging in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the fairway
With a happy refrain
Just swingin',
Swingin' in the rain

What's Up Pussycat?

Golfers In Cambridgeshire look out!

Big cat spotted at golf club

A GOLFER has claimed he spotted a “puma” on a course near St Neots.

The animal, described as light beige in colour, ran past Eddie Smith at Abbotsley Hotel, Golf and Country Club at around 7.30am today.

Mr Smith, a member of the club, was walking down the 11th fairway of the Cromwell course when the unusual encounter took place.

The 62-year-old from Fen Stanton said: “I have never seen anything like this before. The animal that passed me – at great speed – was definitely a puma. It looked like it was chasing something and was bigger than a dog.

“The 11th fairway is right next to a thick copse of trees, so it is possible that it has made its home there.” He added: “This really is a story to tell the grandchildren.” Mr Smith said: “I was a bit concerned as there was no-one else on the course. But I carried on playing.”

Many remain sceptical about the existence of the so-called Fen Tiger but there have been numerous sightings of a creature, described as a puma or panther, in the area.

But Dr Rob Asher, a lecturer in zoology at Cambridge University, said: “Big cats do not exist in Britain in the wild. This animal has been recorded in remote areas of Scotland and in Europe but nowhere down here. It would have to be an escapee from a zoo if it were a wild cat.”

Rebecca Willers, animal collection manager at Shepreth Wildlife Park, said that without hard evidence it is impossible to say whether it was a big cat or not.

Nicky Briggs, general manager at the golf club at Abbotsley, said in February during heavy snow, she was out walking the course when she saw huge paw prints.

She followed the prints and found a trail of blood leading to a decapitated badger corpse, which had been half-eaten.

She said her immediate thought was there must have been a big cat nearby and added: “I hadn’t thought too much about my find in February until Eddie Smith came off the course this morning. My suspicions appear to have been confirmed.

“I am very keen to get an expert to the course to look into the possibility of a puma living nearby, so that all my members can continue to play golf without fear of encountering a puma.”

That Old Chestnut

Some of the big hitters at Beaconsfield golf club have been complaining their 350 yard drives down the middle are being stolen by the crows...

This got me thinking. What's the ruling if you see a crow fly off with your ball and none of the other players bear witness? I've had to go right to the top to get the answer.

The R&A came back to me with this. As expected it's not short...

'The bird is considered an outside agency and when a ball at rest is moved by an ouside agency, Rule 18-1 applies. Under the Rule, there is no penalty and ball must be replaced. If it is impossible to determine the spot on which to replace the ball, the player can drop the ball as near as possible to the place where it lay (Rule 20-3c). If the original ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

In order to apply this Rule, the player must know or be virtually certain that the bird has taken or moved the ball. If the player is certain and there could be no other reason for his ball to be missing (e.g. it could not be lost in another condition such as a bush or rough area), he is entitled to proceed under this Rule. Otherwise, if the ball is not found or there is no evidence that the bird took the ball, the player must proceed under the stroke and distance for a lost ball (Rule 27-1).'

I think this could be worth a try next time you hang one out to dry...

Summer Days

Played on Friday afternoon and Spring was definitely in the air!

Pic is the view from my drive on the par 5, 10th.

Bogeyed after hitting my 3rd over the back of the green.

Story of the round, but great to be out in some sunshine at last.

Driving In The Snow

I had my first visit of the year to the range last night, popped up there with Harry (pictured).

So Feb 9th marks the official start of the 2009 swing program.

Good session, but it was a bit snowy - so severe layering and merino hats all round.

Men's merino hats             Women's merino hats

Powder Hounds at Cold Ashby GC

I heard about this on 5Live.

When the snow comes Cold Ashby Golf Club (near Northampton) turn their golf course into a ski resort!

You can buy a ski pass for £15 and sessions run from 9:30 today - Friday 6th Feb.

What a great idea - time to get the K2s out of the loft!

More info here

New Tiger On The Block

Just been sent this picture of a three year old, who already has a better looking swing than anyone in the dressed to a tee stable! 

The stats look pretty handy as well. He has a handicap of 45 and can drive the ball 75yrds down the middle! In his latest comp he hit 82 on 2500 yard course. Tidy.

The game looks in good hands. Inspiring stuff.

Golf Is Cool

Golf has made it on to the cool hunter's website - so it's official then!

http://www.thecoolhunter.co.uk/architecture/Golf--Country-Club-Sempachersee/

Nice club house, wonder what the dress code is...

Mountain Top Golf

If only they'd taken a tin of lucky tees?!

Mountain Top Golfing Backfires - Watch more free videos