Recent content by Retired cricketer

1 hour of highlights on Monday I now notice.

SKY appear not to be broadcasting this week's DP World Tour event.

I hated it but changed to a better mat, forced on me when we went to Heworth recently. They were off mats, unadvertised, and I was stung for £20 buying one in the clubhouse. Now I love playing off a mat! I tilt it to give me a pronounced uphill lie and it's working well so far.

Slaley (technically just in Northumberland) is tremendous (both courses). For budget options, I would recommend Seaham, Crook and South Moor. All 3 are challenging and hilly but have some exceptional holes. And the Thai food at Seaham will be worth a go, it's my eldest's friend's mother. She's a...

Renewed my PMG membership this week. It's ideal for people who like to play different courses at unsociable times. Last year I paid £380 - they frequently throw offers in to buy home and flex points - and played 40 rounds at 4 nearby courses (30 home, 10 away). Under £10 per round, I would have...

Played Washington (Co. Durham that is) today. I hadn't been there for a few years and it seems to have regressed in terms of quality. It could do with a good old mow, weeks behind other courses in the county. Shot 87, not being able to get used to the slowness of the greens. Apparently they are...

Seconded. As an example (and not for general broadcast obviously) but Slaley Priestman is £20 after 3.00 every day.

Yes, we got the best of what laughingly is referred to as the weather. I've noticed the new course manager is shutting it a bit more than the previous one.

Played Sharpley yesterday evening, we went there reluctantly based on recent experiences but basically there was no other option. Hardly a soul around and it was an absolute pleasure. If only it could be like that more often! Spongy in places but otherwise in good nick. For some reason, the ball...

The Indian Open is a fascinating watch. Such a difficult course to play - that 17th hole! Good to see Manassero on the up after years in the wilderness.

If MBS can name the 1985 European Ryder Cup team without using Google, he's OK in my book.

Selling it out to an organisation that cares deeply about the history and traditions of the game is acceptable. Jumping in to bed with a murderous regime who has no interest in anything other than deflecting the world's attention away from their suppression of free speech is not. Golf should not...

Played at Crook today. Very quiet, just how we like it. Started well and then the course got the better of me. Some confusing greens and fringes. It was very difficult to work out which ones would run on and which ones would plug. So a bit of a lottery but I suppose we're at that time of year...

He's done a good job, the tour is still strong, watching the tournaments around the world is good viewing and the top 10 players have the aim of going to the PGA Tour as and when (they come back to play which says a lot). The advantage that the DP World Tour has is it's variation, something that...

Carpet putting helps me. Our downstairs one is fairly threadbare and recreates fast summer greens. Upstairs is newer and does likewise for the slower ones encountered in winter. Not sure I've convinced the wife of the advantages.