Day 317 - 1-1-16

As was the case across much of the world, a lazy start to the day... up late and then some serious TV watching was on the agenda: in my case, the New Year's Concert from Vienna (memories of childhood and drinks with the neighbours in Antwerp come flooding back!), followed by The Sound of Music, which is amazingly more than 50 years old....

And so is my brother today: Happy Birthday, Roger! - all four of us are now in our sixth decade... :-(

I received this morning my twice-weekly email from the Florida State Golf Association. It contained some recommended New Year's golfing resolutions, which I share below. They seem to make a lot of sense to me... even if some of them are a bit US-centric (e.g. No. 8)

1. Resist the urge to buy a golf gadget that promises to get you an extra 10 yards on your drive.
2. Get a short game lesson from your local PGA Professional. This will actually help your game.
3. Play a course in your area you have never played before.
4. Try NOT Anchoring your putter (Might be a good idea since you are no longer permitted to do so)
5. Play Faster!  You need not line up a 30 footer when putting for an 8.
6. Volunteer at a local junior golf tournament.  Nothing beats seeing a little one learning the game.
7. Learn a few new stretches to ensure your body is ready for play.  (Like Miguel Angel Jimenez).
8. Walk 9 in the evening.
9. Tell a clean golf joke on the first tee.  Yes, this one might be tough.
10. Actually enjoy a round!

In the evening, we were invited round to my son's house for dinner. Not sure where he had stashed his housemates, but the family had a free run and he served up a delicious Pakistani curry (inspired by his birthday gift of a monthly spice set from g/f Aggie ).  And then, to top it all we walked around to the local Picture House to watch the Abominable Bride, this year's Sherlock special. All hokum but good fun and a great way to kick the year off!  And we have Star Wars to look forward to tomorrow...