I strongly recommend using the living room rug to maintain your putting and chipping "touch", so that at least you don't have to learn these shots all over when play resumes.

***Further to Jack's comments, I spent copious hours putting on the home carpet as a young lad.  I might recommend a neat drill or practice idea which is fun and very constructive to your game.  In my mind the most important principle in putting is how to learn weight, or simply put, how hard do you hit the ball to go the required distance?   I once played with a scientist and he said when falling short with his putt..."I did not apply enough energy".  So, try putting closest to a wall in the living room without making contact.  Its lots of fun, especially shared, plus a great learning exercise.  A little wager will make you work harder and learn faster too!

Royal Montreal Golf Club... 

Looking for something interesting and fun to do in Vancouver?  How about a journey down memory lane? Drop by and check out the B.C. Golf House this coming year. Lots of distinct antique clubs, rare golf artifacts and cool collectibles showing the colorful history of the early days of B.C.golf. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised as to the professionalism and first class presentation of the Museum's exhibits. Take it from me; it's a real treat and pleasure to explore.  A MUST FOR JUNIORS!   

 

I was playing golf with a good friend the other day and we were approaching a Par 3 green.  I spoke to him about his 20 yard approach shot suggesting a couple of ways he might consider executing the shot.  Just before hitting the ball one of the players behind us yelled out... "Can we play through".....hello?  Hard to believe given the other members of his group had not even got to the tee yet.  The group ahead of us, which we had waited to clear the green had just teed off on the next hole.  It was so objectionable; we simply picked our balls up and proceeded over to the next tee.  At that point we waited for the foursome ahead of us (on the tee) for approximately 5 minutes as they approached and hit their second shots.  We played the nine in 1 hour, 40 minutes.  Anyhow, where am I going with this....It would seem slow play, or alleged slow play is a big topic out there?  For example, Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun states his opinion in his column on Jan. 11, 2012.  Some folks, such as Cam, claim slow play is the shortcoming and current demise of the game; total nonsense.  I do not agree and here are a few thoughts for those to ponder who think otherwise.    

2.   From a historic perspective, new courses are much longer than they were in the early years of the game...in many cases over 1000 yards. There is simply more ground to cover.  

3.   A great many courses today meander through housing developments, thereby increasing walk times dramatically...how about Morningstar, Crown Isle, Fairwinds, Arbutus Ridge etc.

4.   Power carts...a great addition to the game especially for those physically challenged, but they all go too fast!  In my opinion they should travel the speed of a walker.  No question, speed sells carts.   What does the word "Jet" have to do with the game.....I shiver just thinking about it!  

5.   There are huge differentials in time used when 2 are riding, 4 are riding...or how about those that like to walk, what do we do with them?  I guess a bad hip, or a bad heart...mmm...cancel that tee time! 

6.   Play ready golf...I'm just OK with that, but that caters too much to the impatient golfer...In my opinion when golf is rushed, the game is spoiled.  I hate it when I am just putting out and a fellow player is walking off the green, or worse yet is teeing off the next hole...Count me out!

7.   How about age differences?...Where does one go with that?  Nowhere I hope!  How about the intolerance regarding kids out there...aren't they the future of the game? 

8.   Hey you guys...Don't get on about gals....In my professional opinion; most ladies play faster than men, and are in many cases more understanding of etiquette.

9.   How about the variances in ability levels?...A few years ago I played with a very fine gentleman who lost 8 balls during his round.  He must have shot 110+...but, don't rule him out, he paid approximately $400 out of his pocket for the whole group to play...The Marshall's were on top of us the entire summer day...total nightmare!  We played that day in 4 hours, thirty-five.

10.  I like to stop between nines and pick up a hot dog & beer...Isn't it supposed to be a fun filled day?  I ask you, how can one resist?

11.  Some clubs are mandating time durations for rounds played.  I seriously don't like that and I think a major marketing error for clubs that promote it.  I heard one lady at a private club was afraid to go to the bathroom in fear of holding up play...simply insane!

12.  In my mind there is near zero correlation between PGA tour players and recreational players regarding playing time.  The average tour player is hitting the ball 65-75 times and playing for 100's of thousands of dollars.  The average recreational golfer hits the ball 85-110+; that includes thrashing it out of the rhubarb multiple times, usually losing a little ammo and hopefully having fun.  It perhaps could be argued they are setting an example...I think that is a reach.  

So what does it all add up to?  If you read Cam Cole's Vancouver Sun article it would seem he's got it all figured re speed of play.  Believe me, I do golf for a business and he provides no solutions.  Cole writes "most clubs have pace of play guidelines.  Ours is four hours and fifteen minutes, maximum, for a foursome.  Go over that by more than a few minutes, you might get a letter, and the next time you might have playing privileges suspended".  He further writes "I play in a group of fast, amicable golfers at my club, with handicaps ranging from six to 14.  If there is no one to hold us up, any four of us will play in walking in three and a half hours, 3:45 on a bad day".  These comments are simply outrageous!  The writer is suggesting an agenda to suit his own interests.  Might I remind the writer he is not the only golfer on the course; you do not own the game, nor set the pace.  Golf is a game which can be shared and enjoyed by one and all.  Be assured, there must be middle ground found for the game to flourish.  

It's no wonder golf is suffering;  I ask you... how are published remarks like these attracting new folks to the game, especially beginners and high handicappers?  

Believe me, there is room for everyone and more!  The door is open, the GAME is GREAT!  

Note:  In my March addition I will offer my thoughts regarding the current troubles with the game and my vision for the future.