Golf Things That Gladden The Heart

[IanM]

Played Sunningdale Heath - what a lovely course. Up and down, pine trees - very enjoyable and for a fraction of the neighbour!

Anyone know if Sunningdale closes for winter nowadays (certainly closed to visitors)? The flags were off from what I can see.

Pretty sure it doesn't close, although there are visitor restrictions due to lack of daylight!

Spookily, I've just had an invite from a member to play the Heath at the start of September. It looks nice from the bits you can see from the Old Course. Swinley, the day after, then Worplesdon. Nice little 3 days back on "home" soil...

 

[VVega]

Pretty sure it doesn't close, although there are visitor restrictions due to lack of daylight!

Spookily, I've just had an invite from a member to play the Heath at the start of September. It looks nice from the bits you can see from the Old Course. Swinley, the day after, then Worplesdon. Nice little 3 days back on "home" soil...

Interesting, must be the maintenance then.

The Heath is unlike any other course as while I normally find long par 3s tedious and am very critical of course conditioning, I just found it totally delightful. The topography and surroundings just make you ignore any shortcomings.

It also features the smallest clubhouse/changing room and the friendliest staff!

 

[DeanoMK]

Had my bandage changed today, finger and nail are both looking good, still sore and throbbing, but the nurse said that I'll be fine for Portugal next week, will just have to wear a plaster

 

[Red devil]

Had my bandage changed today, finger and nail are both looking good, still sore and throbbing, but the nurse said that I'll be fine for Portugal next week, will just have to wear a plaster

Like Scheffler!

 

[DeanoMK]

Like Scheffler!

Hopefully I play like him too

 

[IanM]

RAF checking out the 1st on Saunton West this afternoon

 

[Slime]

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RAF checking out the 1st on Saunton West this afternoon

Oh, and there's me thinking you were trying out your new super sized drone.

 

[garyinderry]

Tommy Fleetwood on Instagram: "Back with the grand master. Never not learning something new and never not having a good time. Thankfully no coaches were harmed in the process! Now onto San Diego for the Genesis. See you at work."

3,394 likes, 31 comments - officialtommyfleetwood on February 7, 2025: "Back with the grand master. Never not learning something new and never not having a good time. Thankfully no coaches were harmed in the process! Now onto San Diego for the Genesis. See you at work.".

www.instagram.com

Check out butch Harmon hitting a drive at the end of this clip. What a guy

 

[srixon 1]

A short game session today with other members of the county pensioners team. The coach we had usually works in the USA and has previously given instruction to a few PGA pros. A real eye opener as to the modern way of playing the short game. Bunker play is completely different to the thinking of 40 years ago. My short game is normally quite steady so hopefully these new techniques will give me a better edge. I just need the weather to improve now so I can get some practice in before the season starts.

 

[Wilson]

Had to remove the jumper whilst at the range, hitting balls in the sunshine felt good!

 

[IanM]

Had to remove the jumper whilst at the range, hitting balls in the sunshine felt good!

Played a few holes in shirt sleeves today
Then it rained for ten minutes, then the sun came out.

 

[Billysboots]

Played a few holes in shirt sleeves today
Then it rained for ten minutes, then the sun came out.

I’m a little superstitious in that I like to finish a round wearing what I set out in. I don’t like layering up or taking layers off unless absolutely necessary.

I was starting to cook a little by the middle of the back nine this morning!

 

[IanM]

I’m a little superstitious in that I like to finish a round wearing what I set out in. I don’t like layering up or taking layers off unless absolutely necessary.

I was starting to cook a little by the middle of the back nine this morning!

I used to do similar when playing cricket. If batting, jumpers stayed on, or off! If a glove split, it wasn't changed.

 

[VVega]

Bunker play is completely different to the thinking of 40 years ago.

In what way?

 

[srixon 1]

In what way?

Stance is square to the ball and wide with both feet turned outwards. Weight shifted slightly to the left (right handed golfers) with your left hip and knee aligned over your left foot. The ball should be positioned level with your left heel. The club face should be open to the target line. During the backswing your left knee should remain over your left foot. During the downswing there should be no use of the legs or the hips.

If you can, watch the pros on TV to see how they have their left knee positioned when playing bunker shots.

The coach today was Matt Tipper.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The sun is shining , the winds are turned and it’s now feeling warmer , base layers no longer required

 

[Orikoru]

The sun is shining , the winds are turned and it’s now feeling warmer , base layers no longer required

Yeah, I was just at the driving range - sun was shining, not a breath of wind. And it's March next week... hopefully we don't get the March cold snap we've had in a few recent years, but light at the end of the tunnel anyway.

Being honest, I think the weather last year was way worse than this year has been so far. It literally rained from January until April in 2024.

 

[Orikoru]

My mate, the gift that keeps on giving. He's the guy that we all take the pee out of, as he just keeps giving us ammunition for it - the flat cap, the John McEnroe sweatband he wore in summer (yes, really), the electric gilet in winter, the Nissan Leaf that he bought during the petrol crisis and now hates, and my personal favourite, the collapsible stool he bought and tied to his trolley so he could sit down during slower rounds. He's like a 70-year-old trapped in the body of a 35-year-old man. But the latest gift, he's just told me, is that when he gets his new irons this year he's going to buy iron covers for them! Joy! Cannot wait to see him airmail greens repeatedly before he realises we've swapped the 6 & 9 covers around again.

 

[sjw]

The sun is shining , the winds are turned and it’s now feeling warmer , base layers no longer required

Yes, thank you very much for that. Teeming it down here today.

 

[BobbyA]

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RAF checking out the 1st on Saunton West this afternoon

This isn't the RAF, It is in fact England Golf making sure you are submitting a card in the swindle and not giving gimmes!