Macmillan Longest Day Golf Challenge - anyone done it?

[Orikoru]

I saw this being advertised on Facebook and I thought:
a) that seems like it could be a laugh
b) that's probably much less of a laugh when you're knackered, finishing up the third round and still have another whole round to go!

I'm not normally one for fund-raising so I don't know if I'd do it or not... maybe if some of my mates were interested. But has anyone here done it in previous years? What was it like? Did you have to impose any little rules on yourself to make sure you got round in time? Like, no practise swings, or maybe 1 minute looking for lost balls instead of 5? I'm just curious really.


P.S. if you don't know what it is, it's just four rounds of golf in one day, to raise funds for Macmillan cancer charity, done on or around the longest day of the year so you actually have enough light to complete it.

 

[MarkHK]

I did it last year and will be doing it again this year, it was good fun as we had a good fourball. Started at about 4:15 and finished the last round at approx 20.30, I was fine all day but make sure that you drink plenty. The last nine holes were hard as you know that you are getting near the end but I did manage to play in the monthly medal the next day although i did ache a bit.

 

[Orikoru]

I did it last year and will be doing it again this year, it was good fun as we had a good fourball. Started at about 4:15 and finished the last round at approx 20.30, I was fine all day but make sure that you drink plenty. The last nine holes were hard as you know that you are getting near the end but I did manage to play in the monthly medal the next day although i did ache a bit.

4:15 start!? That's crazy. I knew you'd have to start early but was thinking like 7:00. Was it a long course you did it on? My club course is only a 68 par, so reasonably short and probably ideal for trying to fit four rounds in.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

4:15 start!? That's crazy. I knew you'd have to start early but was thinking like 7:00. Was it a long course you did it on? My club course is only a 68 par, so reasonably short and probably ideal for trying to fit four rounds in.

That will certainly help. I think the 4:15 tee off is a good idea because it means one of the rounds is done before anyone else is on the course with the second one underway while the course is still quiet. Much better getting round while it's not busy.

If you start at 7, that gives you roughly 14.5 hours to do 4 rounds. So about 3 hours 40 per round with no breaks in between.

Personally, I'd go off no later than 6am.

 

[Orikoru]

That will certainly help. I think the 4:15 tee off is a good idea because it means one of the rounds is done before anyone else is on the course with the second one underway while the course is still quiet. Much better getting round while it's not busy.

If you start at 7, that gives you roughly 14.5 hours to do 4 rounds. So about 3 hours 40 per round with no breaks in between.

Personally, I'd go off no later than 6am.

It's sort of a good idea, but it always involves waking up b 3:00am, which in my book is a horrible idea!

Sunset is about 21:20 on the longest day - so yeah I suppose you are right. And the problem is that once you get to the hours between 9am-12 the course is going to be really busy. Although you'd do it on a Tuesday or Wednesday or something to minimise this. Two or three of us normally get round our course in 3 and a half hours. You'd need at least a sandwich and a pint half way round though, so 6am is probably about right.

 

[Orikoru]

Another thing I've just thought of - by rights the course could charge you for four lots of green fees couldn't they?? You'd have to try and explain to them it's for charity and hope they only charge you for one, or better yet give it for free in the spirit of fund-raising. But they wouldn't be obliged to do you a favour or anything.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Another thing I've just thought of - by rights the course could charge you for four lots of green fees couldn't they?? You'd have to try and explain to them it's for charity and hope they only charge you for one, or better yet give it for free in the spirit of fund-raising. But they wouldn't be obliged to do you a favour or anything.

Not an issue for those that are members of a club, but yes, otherwise it is a valid consideration. Although I suspect a lot of clubs would be willing to help out in the name of charity.

 

[Orikoru]

Not an issue for those that are members of a club, but yes, otherwise it is a valid consideration. Although I suspect a lot of clubs would be willing to help out in the name of charity.

My club membership is only £100 membership but you pay your green fees on top (public course). But yeah, you would hope they'd help you out for the charity.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Done it several times at my home course. Also started about 4.15-4.30 am (with permission) and to be honest we were done and dusted by about 8.30 or so including a decent rest after 36 for food, a shower and change of clothes. Fresh socks and decent, comfy shoes are a must along with plenty of fluids and some snacks. Think I averaged about 33 points or so. Also did it at a local muni and they had the marshall out giving us right of way (and with a collection bucket). I did try and arrange four rounds on four local courses but the logistics beat me.

Would I do it again? Porbably but it would have to be the right company and I'd probably only do the four rounds/four courses just to scratch that itch

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Did it last year. Think we had 2 rounds done by 11.30 and then made the fatal error of stopping for Lunch.

If i did it again, I'd play straight through!

 

[Dando]

I've been thinking about doing this but not sure my shoulder will cope with it all

 

[njrose51]

I'd be up for it. Raising funds for Macmillan by doing Brighton marathon and Hever triathlon. 4 rounds of golf sounds wonderful!

 

[big_matt]

Did it last year. Loved it. We started at 5am and finished at 9pm. Was on a really long course and we stopped for lunch.

Didnt get as tired as i thought i would (had never done 2 rounds in a day before). Played my best golf in round 3. Was really sore the next day.

Go for it!

 

[road2ruin]

Did it a couple of years ago, started at 5:00am as it allows you a decent lunch and a break between the rounds. Any later and your really need to pound your way round!

For me the 3rd round was the worst. The final round didn't seem so bad as you knew you wouldn't be seeing any of these holes again that day!!

 

[Orikoru]

Those who did it - did you use a buggy? I imagine that would save you quite a bit of time and make it easier.

 

[big_matt]

Not much of a challenge if you sit in a buggy! Pretty sure the guide said you should walk it if possible.

 

[Orikoru]

Not much of a challenge if you sit in a buggy! Pretty sure the guide said you should walk it if possible.

Yeah I was gonna say, it might not be in the spirit of things. Still, for me to do four rounds means swinging a club like 380 times which is no mean feat in itself! Shoulders would be feeling that the next day!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Whole idea is to walk it which is why a change of socks and shoes after 36 is a big must for me. I felt it as I was supping a much earned beer and struggled to move the next day which was a bugger as it was the Saturday roll up. Got round but felt it big time and there was no golf on the Sunday

 

[Kraxx68]

Yeah, did this at Hexham a few years back, teed off at 3:45am and finished around 8pm. 4 ball, and we took a break for lunch. Was an awesome day and its amazing what craic you can have with your partners. Good luck and have fun if you do it... oh the scores are inconsequential

 

[need_my_wedge]

Did it last year. We started at 04:30 and finished about 20:00. We walked it, but we did have clubs loaded on buggies with drivers so all we had to do was walk and swing. We did it in fancy dress, started in pyjamas, then dressed in superhero outfits, then loud golf gear, and finally dinner suits. Fresh shoes and socks each round and we had breaks in between to change clothes, lunch etc. Max break was 30 mins. Club looked after us, had priority on the course, everyone aware we playing, everyone stepped aside and let us play through. For additional fundraising we kept stableford scores and had a sweep on total points for our 4 ball. Shot 149 points over the 4 rounds myself, pipped by the captain shooting 150. Was a really fun day, even though it chucked it down almost all day, did get tired but no where near as tired as I thought we'd be.