The Pure Joy of Summer Golf

FixdePitchmark

Lads what a bizarre winter of golf.

This week has been a gift and a reminder of what golf can be like.

The heat , short sleeves, that roll on the course, the dirt no longer on the ball , the plugged lie gone, the sun cream, the shorts, the shades, the sun set, the sea, the sandals, the soft sand, the bright sky after sun set, the scoop after, the smell of summer , the softening sand.

The overuse of alliteration

So have been on the course near 10 pm last few times. The ball is getting to a place on the course you haven't been all year - the par 5s are suddenly a hope. A birdie chance, a flukey eagle hope.

I don't know if I'm mad ( well I am ) - but I can see the ball carry that little bit more in the air - the time the ball travels is noticeable. I hit an 8 iron today about 165 yards - and that is a good club longer.

It must be in the head golf - because in the nice weather I've played 3 - 9s and went 1 under , level and 1 over. I've had 3 eagle putts and suddenly after 9 months of muck you think you can play this bizarre brilliant game.

Anyone getting out enjoying it at present ?
Any reflection on the last year - weather wise - impact on course etc

I genuinely think the weather has been brutal for our golf - you were hitting May with basically no short game work done in real conditions

Anyway lads - enjoy , the days will be getting shorter in 23 days - (lol) :P

charlieIRL

I hit a 289 yard drive on Friday! Not sure how much carry and lots of roll!! Have had a lot well over the 250 mark the last 3 rounds. That and no muck on shoes or trousers. No balls lost under leaves, I love summer golf!!

backspin.

Yeah its great to be out in a t shirt and playing the full length of the course again.

Heading out the back nine on your own at about half 8 in the warm evenings is really nice too. Very relaxing.

mighty magpie

I've hit 312, 301 and 290 yards on drives this past few weeks. Mental stuff.

Scores are still shocking but can't complain when you're playing in shorts and t-shirt.

valoren

There is probably no better sight when playing golf than teeing off and watching the ball right on target against a cloudless , azure sky.

FixdePitchmark

Of course got an injury after writing a positive post.

Sick.

charlieIRL

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Of course got an injury after writing a positive post.

Sick.

no way? What happened?

Glebee

Been out every day for the last four days. Might chance a few holes later on.. This weather sure is brill. Courses are looking great as well. If we get the rain we are promised tomorrow the grass will burst up.

FixdePitchmark

charlieIRL wrote: »

no way? What happened?

neck shoulder

Using a saw awkwardly. I think .

charlieIRL

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

neck shoulder

Using a saw awkwardly. I think .

ouch,

you timed that well with having all your matchplay games done!!:D:D:P

ssbob

Fix - Sandals????? :'(
Thoughts on the course after the last 8 months of weather - Ophelia has really damaged some of the holes on my home place - trees that were over 100 years old were felled by that Storm.... The amount of rain that has fallen too the course really needed this week to get back to where it should be.
If only I could make more use of the good weather - it's hard to find the balance - work/career/family/home/pub/golf :D

slingerz

i actually think the poor weather has an impact on my mental health. Things are way more positive with the recent good weather and good golfing conditions!

charlieIRL

Am due to play at 5:34 today, glorious sunshine here at the moment but according to forecast - I think I'll be heading home instead. Fingers crossed its not too bad, I don't mind rain, it the lightening that would put me off.

benny79

charlieIRL wrote: »

Am due to play at 5:34 today, glorious sunshine here at the moment but according to forecast - I think I'll be heading home instead. Fingers crossed its not too bad, I don't mind rain, it the lightening that would put me off.

Me too in a 9 hole charity event that I play in every year, but I think its just going to be showers but if there's thunder it might be called off! Looking out the window at good weather all week! I'll snap.. Id even play in the thunder if I was allowed..

I dont know if its the lessons & work I put in over the winter but played a few holes last night and I was hitting the ball a mile! I played off the blues (which even though I think its frowned upon I always do when practising) I was hitting the ball way further then I do off the whites even running out of fairway on some holes :eek:

Playing the PGA in Naas Sunday in a open and cant wait! its of the back sticks as well (black Sunday) so will be a monster! Haven't played it in a few years so really looking forward to it! Meant to be in great shape! Open is €40 for visitors if anyone is interested..

charlieIRL

PGA is some beast off the back sticks, even off the silvers its tough!!

benny79

Ill be playing every hole as a par 5

ssbob

charlieIRL wrote: »

PGA is some beast off the back sticks, even off the silvers its tough!!

It's the walk between the holes is the toughest bit!! Great course though can't wait to get back there.
Benny watch out for the bunkers :D

Mantis Toboggan

benny79 wrote: »

Ill be playing every hole as a par 5

Any space on the time sheet left? I'm thinking of playing that.

finglashoop

Just back from st margarets.Cracking morning and ive never been happier to be caught in a shower for a few holes to cool.down

charlieIRL

No rain here yet thankfully.

benny79

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Any space on the time sheet left? I'm thinking of playing that.

Yeah as far as I know Im playing at 12.30 the Sunday just me & a mate if you want to stick your name down beside us.

spacecoyote

What is it, around 7,500 yards off the back tees? I know one of the guys on here was a member there for a year or two, when they re-opened & had the cheaper subs. He said that they pretty much never played club comps off the very back sticks because a lot of the members couldn't even reach the fairways on a number of holes

benny79

spacecoyote wrote: »

What is it, around 7,500 yards off the back tees? I know one of the guys on here was a member there for a year or two, when they re-opened & had the cheaper subs. He said that they pretty much never played club comps off the very back sticks because a lot of the members couldn't even reach the fairways on a number of holes

No pressure then I haven't a clue! been years since I played it.. Sure Ill report back next week after..

Mantis Toboggan

benny79 wrote: »

Yeah as far as I know Im playing at 12.30 the Sunday just me & a mate if you want to stick your name down beside us.

Cheers, just noticed you're playing Sunday, I'm gonna play the open in the morning. Will let you know how the course is stacking up. Never played it before, looking forward to it.

Mantis Toboggan

First time in palmerstown House today and what a fantastic course. Plenty of sand and water everywhere. Ended with 33 points off the whites, 20 on the back, just took on a few foolish shots on the front 9 and got punished. Course in great condition.

Benny, best of luck off the blacks tomorrow, it'll be tough going. If its any consolation the ball is absolutely flying through the air so shouldn't be too bad.

finglashoop

Played ashbourne this morning. Some great holes and tight pins.

The good weather must make golf twice as enjoyable.

benny79

Cheers Tyson can't wait for it!

mjsc1970

Woke up as usual time for work, grabbed a piece of fruit and out the door.

Golf course to myself in glorious sunshine.

Back home by 9.15.

Doesn't get better than this ðŸ˜

FixdePitchmark

mjsc1970 wrote: »

Woke up as usual time for work, grabbed a piece of fruit and out the door.

Golf course to myself in glorious sunshine.

Back home by 9.15.

Doesn't get better than this ðŸ˜

Cool

What day of week - obviously not today.

Yes golf before or after work - you can't beat.

mjsc1970

Yes, today. Just awake at stupid o' clock, as normal, but ran out and got there and back before the rest of the house decided to get in to full swing for Sunday, which is family day in my house.

Might escape at 8.30 tonight for another 9 too.

FixdePitchmark

mjsc1970 wrote: »

Yes, today. Just awake at stupid o' clock, as normal, but ran out and got there and back before the rest of the house decided to get in to full swing for Sunday, which is family day in my house.

Might escape at 8.30 tonight for another 9 too.

was just surprised you go the place to yourself on a Sunday

What time were you there :D

mjsc1970

Rarely a comp on in our place on a Sunday, so not that many play.

Was there about 7 chasing the greenkeeper from green to green.

charlieIRL

charlieIRL wrote: »

Am due to play at 5:34 today, glorious sunshine here at the moment but according to forecast - I think I'll be heading home instead. Fingers crossed its not too bad, I don't mind rain, it the lightening that would put me off.

Didn’t get to post about this yesterday. So much for summer golf!! We were only playing about 30 minutes when the thunder started and just as we were walking off the 9th the sky lit up with lightening. Not long after the heavens opened and that was the end of that for the day. ☹️

Going out tomorrow morning so hopefully the forecast is right again and it stays fine.

davegilly

On my holidays this week and played two opens eaely in the week at Killeen and Corballis before heading away with family. 23 points and 25 points (highest ever total!!) It was so nice to be able to enjoy the round in beautiful weather, walking around in shorts. Pity it can't be like this all the time.

I've played 5 qualifying comps in total since I started last summer, 16, 21, 20, 23 and now 25 points!

Looks like I must be getting better

Dero123

5th Saturday in a row to play in shorts don’t ever remember doing that in Ireland before. Makes a chance from playing with layers of clothes on

FixdePitchmark

"It was in the year of eighty-eight, in the lovely month of June,
When the gadflies were swarming and dogs howling at the moon"

What a day on the east coast - played St Anne's on Dollymount Strand. The sun has created that unique golden brown links color you rarely see - a sign of a great Irish summer, when you have it June.

The course was empty - the ball was flying in a warm wind from the north. The game is a dream in Ireland when you get one like that. The perfect conditions illustrated by the clear views of Howth Head and using your pinseaker you could see the mountains for as far as the earth's curvature would allow, to Wicklow.

I had a few flashbacks from the past looking at Howth - summer days when young - golf in Deer park - The long waits for a round with the Dad drinking a pint, admiring the stunning Dublin Bay ("this is like heaven here son" - he would say) and getting your first par or birdie - then a 10 straight after, in this horribly difficult game. You could feel brilliant and terrible in one day - but them days ingrained in the brain - a memory of joy in the past. Time.

So many rounds of golf since then - but the game still holds a surprise in store every time you go out. Will you be good, will you get a par , will you get a birdie and these days happily- is an eagle on ?

And the game was easy today - the ball getting to places you struggle to remember getting to before. 9 irons and 8 irons onto par 5s. Wind and heat and carry and time in the air. Time, Time, Time.

12 holes with 1 eagle putt and 8 birdie putts in there. Golf of dreams. But the ball just wouldn't drop.

The frustration of the game is still perplexing, not a 10 like the past , but why, why they fall one day, why they don't another - your arms - your follow through - your mind - your hands - the way you woke up - they way the earth turns or is aligned in orbit at that exact moment in time - who knows.

Time , time , time.

Was asked recently a tough question - "why do you play golf ?".

Genuinely hadn't the answer - why?

It is probably the deepest question someone has asked me. Most people see this game as something to do - entertainment - fun - a laugh - friendship - a challenge - a walk - to pass time ?

Is there ever going to be an epiphany at some point, where the answer to why any of us play golf is discovered.

I don't know.

But you practice and spend time in the cold and rain and dark - for days like today.

Time changes again - and we turn a corner with hope after a tough year for weather.

" this place is heaven son ".

Great days.