What? Now I am Penalized for my Mark

I have decided to assess myself -  a 9,000 stroke penalty for all the times, in 60 years of golf, that I may have misplaced my marked ball.

In other news the LPGA has decided to do away with rules officials, this will not only save money but allow viewers to be part of the tour, as all viewers will now become official, officials.

Sad, but a sport just now gaining a few new fans may now lose some of them. 

Meanwhile, the weather is getting better each week and I have played two or three times each week for the past month.

Nothing in the world better than playing with the grandkids

No December Golf

I often play golf all winter long, at least four or five times a month. Seems we always have a bit of mild weather each month. Looks like this month is going to be the first in a couple o years that I will not play. 

Number 8 on my local course yesterday

But sledding has been great with the grandkids so guess I will live with that - pretty fun.

British Open

The British Open seems always to be good. I liked the weather when it was more British Isles like with the wind and rain. Neat course, not as well manicured as the courses in the United States, but I like them. Airports and Railroad tracks, big ugly fences, great history to these courses.

 Oh, two last thought, I love the castles of Scotland and the hot weather is good for old guys like me and their golf games. 

My British Open Impersonation on a course closed for 50+ years

 

The Women's Open the Olympics and My Game

I am not sure the Olympics needed golf or that golf needed the Olympics. At this point, I want to say, "I told you so." But I did.  I never believed it would be a big draw for top line pros. Don't get me wrong; I love the Olympics, especially Track and Field. Golf already has huge tournaments, the majors, and no matter how hard anyone tries, the Olympics would not be a major, thus making it nothing more than a world-class exhibition, with little money involved. 

Most believe playing for one's country is a great honor, which it would be. The problem is, once again, golf already does this.  I am glad that many good players will partake, but I believe that after the 2020 games, golf will quietly go away. Maybe if they would have made it part of the games fifty or sixty years ago, it would be more important today, but that's a story for another time.

One last comment the Women's U.S. Open was terrific, except for the sand penalty. Once again, too late. I liked the rules better when the TV was not such a big part of them.

Meanwhile, the golf game is good, or as good as it can be for a 68-year-old. Oh - and the garden is looking good.  

Contemplation on a Hiking Day

A Great Day On The Links

I always enjoy playing golf, good or bad, as the old saying goes – it beats working. Today was one of my, turn back time, days. Not the double, double and bogey start, but the rest of the round. After going five over on the first three holes, I preceded to shoot 79, including four birdies the rest of the way. First of all, four birdies are my norm for about eight or ten rounds, not one.

Keep Rolling

What else? I drove two short par 4s. A bit of a tailwind but not much, maybe all that stretching is finally paying off. As I said, short, 270 yards and 290, but come on, I am less than two years from starting my seventh decade of life and driving a par 4 is fun. Some days I can only average about 210-215 off the tee. On my best days, I might average closer to 225-230. On occasion I hit one 250 but wow! What a day.

Cannot wait to get back to the course.

A Little Practice With My Grandson

On another note, my murder mystery, that will be my ninth book should be out around the first of the year. I am about 40% in, and so far, I really like it. By the way – My working title is - Murder On The First Tee.

Interested in any of my other books? Take a look here, and thanks.

Book 6 Coming in Two Weeks

PGA Tour From Congressional Country Club

I like the final pairing today on the PGA Tour at the Quicken Loans National,  Ernie Els and Billy Hurley the III. Also great to see V.J. playing like his old self. Too hot for anything outside here today so good TV golf and with some Rockies Baseball later. Guess I will take it easy.

At my age, I can't do much to hit it farther, but I can keep working on my chipping and putting

Enjoy the day and get out on the course soon.

Dustin Johnson and the Open

Not sure the PGA of America wants Dustin Johnson to win. Remember the PGA tournament a few years ago? Put that along Joe Buck constantly talking about the ball moving and the free drop because of the tower and this tournament is getting annoying to watch. 

Attention PGA, sometimes grass bent from being walked on straightens and could cause the ball to move, even if it was walked on by a group or two ahead. 

Amazing how particular they are one week, and the next week players may be picking up, cleaning, then placing their ball for each shot. 

The official made a ruling, then they wait for more than an hour and tell Mr. Johnson that he might be given a penalty, after the round. Nice way to take his attention away from the task at hand.

And here I thought it was pathetic that Baseball started using replay. 

Think I will head out to the garden and pull weeds.