Brilliant to see this on the first tee at West Hill yesterday.
Simple, inexpensive idea.
Serves as a reminder that it is the responsibility of EVERY golfer to repair pitchmarks. The result? Saw very few pitchmarks when I teed off at 4pm, despite a full tee sheet from 8am 👏👏👏
Wife away on holiday with her family ✅
Daughter away at a camp with her friends ✅
Dog booked in for a stay with his favourite dog sitter ✅
Over the next 4 days I'm heading off to play 108 holes of golf and have a few cold ones!
Stay tuned for updates ⛳️☀️🍻
Few finer sights than someone with a set of golf clubs at train station. This player is gaming Callaway Rogue metals, Mizuno JPX irons, Vokeys and a Scotty. Play well brother 🙌🙌🙌
#lovegolf
After 17yrs having the best job in golf it's time for someone else to have a go at being editor of
@GolfMonthly
Delighted to be handing over
@tappin_neil
after The Open.
He's GM's real engine & has been an huge support to me in the 20yrs we're worked together. He'll be immense!
Lot of chat about 'speed training' from ordinary golfers.
Fancy gizmos, 12 week speed plans, numbers on launch monitors.
I've embarked on my own 'speed training'.
Stop dicking around with practice swings & looking for golf balls you won't find. Walk faster, get in the bar sooner
As I get older, golf is more about the people I play with & the courses I play, NOT how I play.
Maybe I've settled for being average. Maybe I've found out what golf is really about.
To everyone I've teed it up with in 2021. Thanks for your company, it's been a blast!
#lovegolf
When I started my fitness journey in 2017 I didn’t have a weight goal. At 18st I was a ‘contended fatty’ but I knew I wanted to ‘feel better’. Stood on the scales this morning, 5st lighter, I certainly do ‘feel better’ but the health benefits are as much mental as physical..1/2
💔Truly heartbroken to say goodbye to our best boy Freddie. A total legend. Fearless, loving & loyal. So many happy times together. He loved his golf & his escapes at Prince's & Liphook will go down in history!
Off to join my mum & her dachsies causing havoc in doggie heaven 🐾
The BBC plainly despises golf. We should ask why. Simple. Golf is still seen as an elitist white man's game. We're making progress to be more inclusive but there's much still to do.
Keep making progress, golf grows & eventually it'll be less hated by the likes of the BBC
#SPOTY
As an Everton fan you didn't REALLY expect me to tee it up with a driver with a red face did you?
Big thanks to the crew
@TaylorMadeTour
for building me this amazing custom MyStealth Plus. Can't wait to get it in play!
Huge congratulations to
@tappin_neil
on becoming editor of
@GolfMonthly
- only the 9th in its 112 year history.
An absolutely brilliant journalist, a superb golfer and above all else, a great bloke.
He is in fact so good that he's got a gin named after him!
I used to get my buzz from drinking (all the time) & drugs (occasionally).
It made me a lazy, self-obsessed prick, kept me fat & unfit for decades, held me back from reaching my potential at work & worst of all made me a really shit husband & father 1/4
I've never subscribed to the "men should watch women's pro golf as is more relatable" line.
Think that's based on hitting distances which IMO is one dimensional.
However where I do think men can learn from women's golf is the tempo many female golfers have.
Step forward
@miaellax
12 months ago my daughter was an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital. Life was a pretty bleak place for all of us.
Yesterday she took part in her 1st showjumping event coming 2nd in a class.
I'm beyond proud of how hard she is working to try and find a life worth living...
Off to play golf wearing a hoodie. Expect me to drink beer on the 1st tee, swear at a rules official and put my flatstick in the hole when my playing partner doesn't give me any putt inside 5ft 😆
I pretty much live in a hoodie off course so why not wear one when I play? Love this
@gfore
one. Maybe you think a hoodie isn't suitable for golf and/or at 51 I should dress my age. All I can say is it's one of the most comfy things I've worn & I think it looks really stylish
Once more, with feeling...
My last
@TheOpen
as editor of
@GolfMonthly
at the club that had been a huge part of my life for the last 30 years
@RLGCHoylake
Might be a few scoops had, and the odd tear shed.
Let's do this!
20yrs after starting work
@GolfMonthly
I still get a buzz seeing the issue on the newsstand.
First time in my 17yrs as editor we've had a female golfer solo on the cover. Long overdue.
Safe to say it won't be another 17yrs for the next woman to be where
@HullCharley
is today!
Not been hitting it great for a while now. Most normal people would go and have a lesson or spend some time at the range.
Me? I've changed up the headcovers on my driver and 3wood.
Not afraid to make difficult decisions when required.
Confident a change of fortune is imminent
There are breakfast batches... and there are breakfast batches.
@RLGCHoylake
laying down a marker for best in class.
All key elements...
Egg just the right level of fluidity ✅
Crispy back bacon ✅
Cumberland ring sausage ✅
Local black pudding ✅
Soft roll lightly toasted ✅
I'm often asked what my favourite GB&I inland course is. My answer is always the Old at Sunningdale. A superb strategic design that tests every facet of your game, not overly long & always picture perfect. Oh, and the sausages at the halfway hut. Today's visit confirmed my view!
My last issue editing
@GolfMonthly
is out today. Definitely my favourite cover of my 221 issues!
Inspired by 48hrs in LA with
@adidasUK
The people I met & the vibe I felt changed my outlook on golf & indeed life.
Golf is in an exciting place right now. A true sport for all
9 holes, first out, on my own, hitting a little ball around a field.
How I played & what I scored was irrelevant.
This was about providing some modest exercise on what is a rest day but most importantly some headspace to think & reflect
Job done.
I love golf
⛳️ ❤️✌️
Well done Tiverton GC. Excellent idea. Clubs need us golfers to be paying our subs money (if circumstances allow) but also consider ideas for how to repay that loyalty. I’d hope other clubs consider similar schemes.
Our committee has decided to extend the clubs membership year. Members who pay their subs now will be entitled to 12 months membership from the day the first ball is struck at the end of the crisis. We are calling on our members to support our club through this difficult period.
My golfing philosophy for 2019 - it’s not about the score I shoot (frankly no one’s interested!) but rather the places I play & most importantly the people I play with. Looking forward to teeing it up with old friends & making some new ones along the way
#morethanascore
A month ago I got a year’s free access to
@calm
as a credit card benefit. It is utterly brilliant. It has inspired, educated & entertained me. It’s helped me get off to sleep & feel grounded in what is a very turbulent period of my life. Can’t recommend it highly enough
Legend is an overused phrase but Alliss was just that. A superb player who became one of the greatest commentators our sport has ever know. His story telling ability was second to none. Will be sadly missed. RIP Peter
This week as my last as editor of
@GolfMonthly
and
@TheOpen
being at my spiritual home
@RLGCHoylake
has been amazing.
So many people saying a lot of lovely things.
This from my friend
@RickShielsPGA
has opened the water works 😢😢😢
Always a treat to have a knock around the Old Course.
The links were in tip-top condition & we stayed dry.
A duff into the burn at the 1st & 3 to get out of one of the Coffins on 13th aside it wasn't a bad knock.
4 at 17 always puts a spring in your step 😀⛳️
Packing light is for losers.
Florida bound with the
@GolfMonthly
team for the 2024 PGA Show.
Standby for photos of 7% IPAs, chicken wings, golf courses and Americans in voluminous chinos
Is there a better view from a golf clubhouse terrace than
@liphookgolfclub
in Hampshire? 1st tee and 18th green. Pressure for those teeing off and holing out. Simply glorious!
Evening stroll along the beach at Brora. Took a little peek at
@BroraGolfClub
- looks stunning. Really very excited to be on the tee at 8.30am tomorrow!
Best day in 30 years playing the game - a round on the Old Course
@TheHomeofGolf
with my two oldest friends. All played some good golf and it came down to the last putt on the 18th green. Happy days!
I didn't think it was possible for me to love Scotland more than I already did but doing the North Coast 500 has helped me find a new level of infatuation.
Awe-inspiring beaches, mountains, lochs, winding roads, incredible views, pretty golf courses, great food & friendly folk!
Stunning evening playing the New Course at Sunningdale. The majestic layout provides such an exacting test of your game. Playing long today with the recent rain!
Glorious nudge round the Old this morning.
Course playing very hard. Double, treble start not ideal & then lots of putt putt action!
86 not getting the job done but who cares about the score when the weather is like this!
Just feel blessed to be able to play the game I love 🙏
Quite simply one of the best days I've had in 30 years as a journalist!
Just brilliant to spend time with boxing legend
@TonyBellew
hearing about growing up in Liverpool, his career in the ring and his new found love for golf.
Obviously we talked a little bit of
@Everton
too!
Incredible morning playing
@BroraGolfClub
- this Braid classic is a lovely out & back links that exists in glorious harmony with its surroundings. Sheep & cattle roam freely. This is golf in its most natural, spiritual, form. Whatever effort is required to get here is worth it!
Learned a lot about myself during the last 2weeks on hols helped by the fact my thoughts weren't clouded by booze.
Had the odd pint (like here) but didn't ever 'get the taste' & end up drinking to excess.
After 38yrs finally feel like alcohol has an appropriate place in my life
Impromptu 9 holes
@TandridgeGolf
yesterday evening.
I cannot believe there is a better conditioned and presented golf course in the UK right now.
The product of a great vision from the club and hard work by the course manager and his team.
Utterly blown away by it.
Absolutely pumped for the new golf season after today's outing in the sunshine at
@HankleyC
It's been a long, grim winter. My mood has been really impacted by the weather & course closures have meant I've missed seeing friends & getting outdoor exercise. Better days are ahead ⛳️
Great to visit
@wallaseygolf
today, 15 years since my last visit. Thanks to
@johnmac150
for being my guide. A top bloke, superb golfer & a really dynamic course manager who is overseeing so much exciting work at this stunning Wirral links. Can't recommend a visit highly enough!
50th course ⛳️ of 2018 ✅ the outstanding
@AdareGC
- superb layout that offers options off the tee and around the greens meaning it’s playable for everyone but a really strong test for the top players. Only ever seen conditioning of this level at Augusta!
This should have been my view at around 11.30am today. At around 11.40am I’d have had a rather large G&T in hand. The course record is at least safe for a few months...
Always a huge treat to play Harry Colt's 'Least Bad Course'... Swinley Forest. Ongoing thoughtful renovations and improvements continue to push this marvellous course onwards and upwards. A truly magical place to play golf.
So pleased to see
@wallaseygolf
enter the Top 100 after knocking on the door for a number of years. Massive effort from the club and course manager
@johnmac150
- a visionary leader and outstanding man manger. Loved playing the course with him last year. Very handy golfer too!
My work/life balance is horrific at the moment (totally my doing) so my wife encouraged me to go &see my best friend last night. We had a few beverages, ate a curry, talked rubbish, looked at some old concert tickets & played the sound track of our 20s...v loud. Highly recommend
Emotional day
@liphookgolfclub
Out early with my best mate & Freddie my dog who, aged 12, is very much into the back 9 of his life. We had the best round ever. Humans both played OK (Match halved) & Freddie was the best caddie ever.
Never ever take what you love for granted 🐶⛳️
What a treat to play both the Old & New at Sunningdale today.
As always both were utterly brilliant.
Amazing to share the day with
@eheathgolf
@Tremmers88
@d_a_smith52
- fantastic lads who do such an incredible job day in day out for
@GolfMonthly
⛳️
Epic afternoon playing the Old Course
@TheHomeofGolf
with three of my best friends. The sun shone and we had a lot of laughs.
This is what golf is all about... good times with good people
Last working day of 2020. Time to reflect. Been on the team
@GolfMonthly
for 17yrs & a journo all my working life. In 7 months gone from being worried about my career to a level of excitement & positivity I’ve not felt in 25 yrs. Let’s do this!
@futureplc
Mild panic. Overslept for the first time in about 5 years...
On the tee in 35 mins. Planned morning meditation and 30 mins on the bike to warm up is rather out of the window. As is having a shower and a shave. Quick coffee, remember balls and a glove and off
Phenomenal afternoon
@cleevehillgolf
- straight in to my top 10 golf experiences. Like playing a links on top of a hill. Amazing layout with so many interesting holes and some incredible green complexes. Views are off the charts. Can't recommend a visit highly enough!
💥 Mid-Life Crisis Alert 💥 I've started a fitness account on Instagram
@miketheordinaryfitnessguy
for all things involving me sweating heavily.
Long term goal is to move to Dubai and become a full-time influencer. 10% off my official protein powder with the code "YOU'VE CHANGED"
Glorious day
@TheBerkshireGC
playing the Red Course. Such a fun layout with the six par 3s, 4s and 5s. Holes flow beautifully between the towering pines and swathes of heather. Inland golf at its finest
⛳️ Golf Tour complete ⛳️
✅ 1118 miles driven
✅ 5 courses/90 holes played
✅ Lots of golf shots hit including a nearly eagle on the 18th of the Old Course
✅ Many £1 coins changing hands
✅ Much laughter had
✅ Several refreshing beverages consumed
Roll on the next time 😃
One of the greatest days in my career was meeting the great John Jacobs.
He'd never seen me hold a club, let alone swing one. He looked me up & down & said
"You hit a fade. Don't ever try to change"
Can't believe I spent 10yrs ignoring that advice.
Back hitting a fade & loving it
Back from a fab 3 days
@Princesgolfclub
for my annual golf tour. 21st year completed. One of, if not the best tour & we've been to A LOT of UK Top100 venues. Superb courses (only improving), The Lodge is a great place to stay & a fun, welcoming vibe pervades. Totally recommend!
Yesterday I golfed my ball with some rogues, had 36pts in the comp, followed Everton's glorious win (& Liverpool's tonking) on my phone, enjoyed Guinness & pork scratchings then had a takeaway to celebrate my daughter getting a 1yr internship for her dream job as a vicar. Nice 👌
2/2 Fitness gives me a massive buzz, brings mental clarity & allows me to make better decisions under pressure.
Thanks to everyone who offered encouragement along the way. Your words were a huge motivation.
Happy to share my fails/wins that could help anyone on a similar journey
I've watched
@HankleyC
deservedly rise in the rankings over the years but thought it'd got as good as it could.
How wrong I was!
Managed a quick 9 holes today with great friend Martyn Norris of
@Jenahura
who is lucky to be a member.
IMO latest changes are off the charts good!
Absolutely world class day
@AberdoveyGC
Heard so many great reports & been wanting to play it for years. It did NOT disappoint!
A wonderful out & back links full of interesting holes set against a glorious backdrop
Lovely clubhouse & one of the best pro shops I've ever seen!
Aged 52 I really shouldn't get as excited as I am about a new golf bag...but this is NEXT LEVEL
@gfore
Daytona carry bag made by
@vesselgolf
Will be making its debut at Sunningdale on Wednesday ⛳️
Done this drive 100s of times. Will NEVER EVER get tired of it or take it for granted.
Raises the hairs on the back my neck every time coming 'home' to
@RLGCHoylake
⛳️
Challenge Complete ✅
1 hole at 18 different clubs ✅
Great to finish
@millhillgolf
home club of
@genellealdred
Thanks to all the clubs who hosted the Challenge, friends & family who've supported us & of course everyone who had donated to our
@SandsUK
fundraiser. £1600 so far!
Lastly a special thanks to
@badwool9
his posts & DMs have helped me more than he'll ever know.
PJ, you inspire me day in day out.
If I can ever offer any support to anyone on a similar journey please get in touch. It's a hell of a lot easier with people to lean on 🙏
1/4 Yesterday was a big day. We went to CAMHS for my daughter's discharge appointment. We first went in Feb 2019 when she was in crisis & needing urgent help. Yesterday the tears were of pride but sadness too thinking of the years my daughter lost to mental health challenges
On Jan 1 I didn’t have any more of a tangible goal than to drink less. Today is the 200th day of 2020 on which I haven’t had a drink. A marker of success for sure.
Still enjoy a drink but I now feel like alcohol has a much more appropriate place in my life.
#AlcoholAwarenessWeek