Discussion
Happy new year golfers.
Starting the year the same as last. Up bright and early this morning while everyone else was still asleep, so took myself off to the course.
The weather was brutal, very cold and very windy. But it blew the cobwebs away. There was a surprising number of people out there.
How many times do you have to do something before it becomes a tradition?
Starting the year the same as last. Up bright and early this morning while everyone else was still asleep, so took myself off to the course.
The weather was brutal, very cold and very windy. But it blew the cobwebs away. There was a surprising number of people out there.
How many times do you have to do something before it becomes a tradition?
2026 - Am going to pop to the club this afternoon with the daughter for a sausage butty and some putting practice.....may sneak out for 6 holes if it looks quiet enough
Goals for 2026 --
1) Make better choices and commit to them. Try and avoid the situation of hitting a bad shot and then realising that I hadn't fully committed / dismissed the negative outcomes. i.e. stop focussing on OOB left and practice visualising the right outcome!
2) Practice with purpose more regularly -- I enjoy practice, but only sporadically having elected to play more instead. I hardly went to the range last year and almost never went to the short game area -- I'm going to try and be more disciplined in carving out more regular putting & short game practice time.
3) Continue to think mostly about being in the moment and enjoying just "hitting nice shots" while playing nice courses with friendly people.
4) Decide whether to play more comps (probably no?)...
5) Multiple lessons - Had one last year and it was extremely valuable - Why I haven't had more, I've no idea....
Game is in a good shape with Christmas holiday scores off the purple tees going pretty well. Handicap starts at 18.2 but 9 of the next 10 scores to drop off are non-counting so it feels like I'm going in to 2026 with a real chance of getting it down a fair bit.
Goals for 2026 --
1) Make better choices and commit to them. Try and avoid the situation of hitting a bad shot and then realising that I hadn't fully committed / dismissed the negative outcomes. i.e. stop focussing on OOB left and practice visualising the right outcome!
2) Practice with purpose more regularly -- I enjoy practice, but only sporadically having elected to play more instead. I hardly went to the range last year and almost never went to the short game area -- I'm going to try and be more disciplined in carving out more regular putting & short game practice time.
3) Continue to think mostly about being in the moment and enjoying just "hitting nice shots" while playing nice courses with friendly people.
4) Decide whether to play more comps (probably no?)...
5) Multiple lessons - Had one last year and it was extremely valuable - Why I haven't had more, I've no idea....
Game is in a good shape with Christmas holiday scores off the purple tees going pretty well. Handicap starts at 18.2 but 9 of the next 10 scores to drop off are non-counting so it feels like I'm going in to 2026 with a real chance of getting it down a fair bit.
I played 173 rounds in 2025 at 39 courses. Lots of those were 9 holes at my home course so not as mad as it sounds!
Played 23 new courses including 8 in New Zealand on an amazing trip.
Think I’m getting better although my hcp is unchanged. I know it’s bad but I don’t really enjoy competitions, prefer playing casual competitive golf.
Will try and play a few more comps but hopefully more of the same in 2026 - playing as many courses as I can and lots of trips abroad. Always in good company with a few beers and chat when the golf is done.
Enjoy 2026 golf everyone.
Played 23 new courses including 8 in New Zealand on an amazing trip.
Think I’m getting better although my hcp is unchanged. I know it’s bad but I don’t really enjoy competitions, prefer playing casual competitive golf.
Will try and play a few more comps but hopefully more of the same in 2026 - playing as many courses as I can and lots of trips abroad. Always in good company with a few beers and chat when the golf is done.
Enjoy 2026 golf everyone.
According to Garmin Golf, I played 57 rounds in 2025, although think there were probably a few more I've either deleted or simply didn't record. Seems quite low, but didn't play as much mid week golf this year due to work/family.
Highlights of 2025 were playing some brilliant courses for the first time including;
1. Sunningdale Old Course - Simply wow. Pretty short course at around 6085 off the yellow tees, but in stunning condition and the greens were the best, and quickest, I've every played on. Can't wait to return in 2026 (booked on for the same charity day, and think we'll play the New Course the day prior this time)
2. North Berwick - Visually stunning and somewhere everyone should go play at least once. I think I also played the best 9 holes I have ever played on the back 9 there. Was 4 over par for them, but had a triple on the relatively easy 17th by hitting it out of bounds off the tee. Not sure I'll return to this one, but will certainly be heading back up there to sample other courses, with Kingsbarn being the top of the list I want to visit up there
3. Close House - Great great course. Maybe not as well known as the previous two, but I'd say its probably the most testing of them. The elevation change is considerable. Fantastic condition, and a proper challenge to people of all levers. Will definately be return to play this a few times, as reasonably priced (in comparison to many others), and son goes to Newcastle Uni, so often in the area
4. Royal Birkdale - Again, simply wow. 6400 yards of fantastic layout. One of a limited number of courses I've played where driver is rarely used (I think I hit it 3 or 4 times). You stand on every tee thinking how to avoid bunkers, as they are literally everywhere. Shocking start with a triple, but it is quite a daunting first hole being out of bounds right, and not great left. Driver was not the correct choice, and quickly learnt that lesson. Again, back 9 I played great, and will be hoping to return to this, and other courses in the area (including Formby) in the not distant future, albeit the cost is getting a bit silly IMO
5. Monte Rei - Windy. That probably the take away from my trip there. Again, not a long course at just over 6000 yards off the tees we played, but the elevation changes are ridiculous and raised tees into 40mph winds made it a massive challenge (to all handicaps). Again its once of those courses where you could likely go round without driver without too much issue, albeit its probably worth hitting 3 or 4 times. The level of service at the club is like nothing previously experienced, from them cleaning the clubs on arrival and departure, to having the driving range to ourselves for 30 minutes (group of 12). You rarely see another person on the course whilst playing it aside from those you are playing with, as each hole is in its own valley. It would be extremely easy to post a very high score at this course
6. Quinta (South & Laranjal) - Love them. Firstly Laranjal. Its a great course and was made better as drove the first green which is always great when your in a group of 12, teeing off first and absolutely nail a 300 yard drive onto the front edge. Walking off with a 5 is however quite grounding, but most of the others in the group didn't see that, nor the announcer. Its a great course, but was too busy and we were one of 4 groups waiting on a latter par 3 which is ridiculous, and ruined it really as you lose all flow. As for Quinta South, I could happily play this every day of my life. I think its nearly the perfect everyday course. Hard enough to challenge, but wide enough to allow golfers of most levels to play without putting them off (unlike Monte Rei). Quinta itself is a stunning place, and went to look for an apartment there this year, but wasn't to be (yet)
Plans for 2026;
Firstly I want to get my handicap down to single figures. I've been playing since late 2020 (started during covid like many) and currently at 13.2 (although Garmin has me at 12.2 due to a decent couple of rounds recently which haven't been able to register on MyEG). I started 2025 at 17.5 and the difference in my game is night and day. My iron play has become really solid, and if anything the driving has got a little worse due thats due to swing path changes to sort the irons. The real weakness in my game is my putting though, so recently bought myself a new (LAB Oz1i) putter and intend to put in some serious time on this over the next few months. Garmin current shows my performance stats at (0% being low and 100% being high) at 96% driver, 87% approach, 88% chipping, 89% driver distance and 38% putting. This figures are based on similar handicap golfers, so clearly shows what to work on. I genuinely think I can get to 7/8 by the end of 2026 without too much issue if I applied myself.
I was fortunate enough to build a home SIM in 2025 and bought a Garmin R50 around August time I think, so whilst I've already used it quite a bit, I indeed to use if more and more moving forward and especially at the moment when the weathers not great. I've been working on club path and angle of attack as was swinging way too much in to out (around 9 degrees) and have got that down massively to 2-4 degrees generally. As a result of the in to out path, I was generally swinging around my self too much, so angle of attach was marginal, where now its generally 5 degree up to 10 degree with wedges.
Another aim for 2026 is to play more new courses. We are heading back to Portugal in April to play Old Course, Quinta South & Monte Rei, and as mentioned are booked to play Sunningdale again, but want to try and play some new courses as well. I've looked at Ireland as a potention trip, but also Scotland, as well as Lisbon where there seems to be some great courses. I just find the UK costs be to so high though, as for example a trip to Scotland to play Kingsbarn and other, with then hotel costs, means its cheaper to go abroad for a few days, and I want where possible to play with the group I do now, and have to appreciate peoples limitations financially. Portugal with a group of 16 this year will likely be the last time as a venue for a main trip, as looking at Turkey next year. Have considered Dubai, but again, the costs once there just limit interest, whereas Turkey generally suits most peoples budgets and the courses look epic (as well as night golf). I've been invited to Barbados on a trip to a friends house, but not sure I can swing it with the other half yet.
Aside from that, its just to have fun on the course. I'm 50 now so appreciate I won't be able to get to a level I probably could have it started earlier, but still think I can get into serious single figures. I can hit the ball 270/280 off the tee, and don't have much distance issues with irons compared to people I play with off 4/5 handicaps, but seem to make stupid decisions and miss badly, which I then suddenly find a double appear, whilst they simply do not. That and putting. I've done the hardest thing which is to stop worrying, and hence my game improved massively, albeit maybe not my score to the same degree, but when you hit it further you simply need to be more accurate. A 200 yard drive never really got me in trouble, but led me to realise longer par 4's were not reachable for me, where I can now reach those holes with a driver and PW, or a 5 wood and 6/7 iron, so its now planning better and cutting out the stupid mistakes.
Tis a great game, and just happy to be in a positon to play it with good friends, and hope that continued for many many years.
Highlights of 2025 were playing some brilliant courses for the first time including;
1. Sunningdale Old Course - Simply wow. Pretty short course at around 6085 off the yellow tees, but in stunning condition and the greens were the best, and quickest, I've every played on. Can't wait to return in 2026 (booked on for the same charity day, and think we'll play the New Course the day prior this time)
2. North Berwick - Visually stunning and somewhere everyone should go play at least once. I think I also played the best 9 holes I have ever played on the back 9 there. Was 4 over par for them, but had a triple on the relatively easy 17th by hitting it out of bounds off the tee. Not sure I'll return to this one, but will certainly be heading back up there to sample other courses, with Kingsbarn being the top of the list I want to visit up there
3. Close House - Great great course. Maybe not as well known as the previous two, but I'd say its probably the most testing of them. The elevation change is considerable. Fantastic condition, and a proper challenge to people of all levers. Will definately be return to play this a few times, as reasonably priced (in comparison to many others), and son goes to Newcastle Uni, so often in the area
4. Royal Birkdale - Again, simply wow. 6400 yards of fantastic layout. One of a limited number of courses I've played where driver is rarely used (I think I hit it 3 or 4 times). You stand on every tee thinking how to avoid bunkers, as they are literally everywhere. Shocking start with a triple, but it is quite a daunting first hole being out of bounds right, and not great left. Driver was not the correct choice, and quickly learnt that lesson. Again, back 9 I played great, and will be hoping to return to this, and other courses in the area (including Formby) in the not distant future, albeit the cost is getting a bit silly IMO
5. Monte Rei - Windy. That probably the take away from my trip there. Again, not a long course at just over 6000 yards off the tees we played, but the elevation changes are ridiculous and raised tees into 40mph winds made it a massive challenge (to all handicaps). Again its once of those courses where you could likely go round without driver without too much issue, albeit its probably worth hitting 3 or 4 times. The level of service at the club is like nothing previously experienced, from them cleaning the clubs on arrival and departure, to having the driving range to ourselves for 30 minutes (group of 12). You rarely see another person on the course whilst playing it aside from those you are playing with, as each hole is in its own valley. It would be extremely easy to post a very high score at this course
6. Quinta (South & Laranjal) - Love them. Firstly Laranjal. Its a great course and was made better as drove the first green which is always great when your in a group of 12, teeing off first and absolutely nail a 300 yard drive onto the front edge. Walking off with a 5 is however quite grounding, but most of the others in the group didn't see that, nor the announcer. Its a great course, but was too busy and we were one of 4 groups waiting on a latter par 3 which is ridiculous, and ruined it really as you lose all flow. As for Quinta South, I could happily play this every day of my life. I think its nearly the perfect everyday course. Hard enough to challenge, but wide enough to allow golfers of most levels to play without putting them off (unlike Monte Rei). Quinta itself is a stunning place, and went to look for an apartment there this year, but wasn't to be (yet)
Plans for 2026;
Firstly I want to get my handicap down to single figures. I've been playing since late 2020 (started during covid like many) and currently at 13.2 (although Garmin has me at 12.2 due to a decent couple of rounds recently which haven't been able to register on MyEG). I started 2025 at 17.5 and the difference in my game is night and day. My iron play has become really solid, and if anything the driving has got a little worse due thats due to swing path changes to sort the irons. The real weakness in my game is my putting though, so recently bought myself a new (LAB Oz1i) putter and intend to put in some serious time on this over the next few months. Garmin current shows my performance stats at (0% being low and 100% being high) at 96% driver, 87% approach, 88% chipping, 89% driver distance and 38% putting. This figures are based on similar handicap golfers, so clearly shows what to work on. I genuinely think I can get to 7/8 by the end of 2026 without too much issue if I applied myself.
I was fortunate enough to build a home SIM in 2025 and bought a Garmin R50 around August time I think, so whilst I've already used it quite a bit, I indeed to use if more and more moving forward and especially at the moment when the weathers not great. I've been working on club path and angle of attack as was swinging way too much in to out (around 9 degrees) and have got that down massively to 2-4 degrees generally. As a result of the in to out path, I was generally swinging around my self too much, so angle of attach was marginal, where now its generally 5 degree up to 10 degree with wedges.
Another aim for 2026 is to play more new courses. We are heading back to Portugal in April to play Old Course, Quinta South & Monte Rei, and as mentioned are booked to play Sunningdale again, but want to try and play some new courses as well. I've looked at Ireland as a potention trip, but also Scotland, as well as Lisbon where there seems to be some great courses. I just find the UK costs be to so high though, as for example a trip to Scotland to play Kingsbarn and other, with then hotel costs, means its cheaper to go abroad for a few days, and I want where possible to play with the group I do now, and have to appreciate peoples limitations financially. Portugal with a group of 16 this year will likely be the last time as a venue for a main trip, as looking at Turkey next year. Have considered Dubai, but again, the costs once there just limit interest, whereas Turkey generally suits most peoples budgets and the courses look epic (as well as night golf). I've been invited to Barbados on a trip to a friends house, but not sure I can swing it with the other half yet.
Aside from that, its just to have fun on the course. I'm 50 now so appreciate I won't be able to get to a level I probably could have it started earlier, but still think I can get into serious single figures. I can hit the ball 270/280 off the tee, and don't have much distance issues with irons compared to people I play with off 4/5 handicaps, but seem to make stupid decisions and miss badly, which I then suddenly find a double appear, whilst they simply do not. That and putting. I've done the hardest thing which is to stop worrying, and hence my game improved massively, albeit maybe not my score to the same degree, but when you hit it further you simply need to be more accurate. A 200 yard drive never really got me in trouble, but led me to realise longer par 4's were not reachable for me, where I can now reach those holes with a driver and PW, or a 5 wood and 6/7 iron, so its now planning better and cutting out the stupid mistakes.
Tis a great game, and just happy to be in a positon to play it with good friends, and hope that continued for many many years.
Great work on getting out chaps. I agree, twice in a row & it’s a firm tradition!
Recap of 2025, didn’t play enough. Managed to dip into single figures though which I’m pleased of.
Goals for 26, keep working on the rebuild of swing. Speed training, with a goal of 180 ball speed. Play more. Get to ‘proper’ single digits - 6 sounds good to me. Get in the gym 3/4 times a week so walking 18 feels as easy as it used to!
Recap of 2025, didn’t play enough. Managed to dip into single figures though which I’m pleased of.
Goals for 26, keep working on the rebuild of swing. Speed training, with a goal of 180 ball speed. Play more. Get to ‘proper’ single digits - 6 sounds good to me. Get in the gym 3/4 times a week so walking 18 feels as easy as it used to!
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