Nave

Having had the opportunity to live and work in a few different countries, I've encountered some golf traditions, whether they are well-established customs or unique experiences at local courses. While not all of these are widely practiced, they highlight the diversity and creativity in the golfing world. 1. Japan - The O-Bon Golf Festival In Japan, during the O-Bon (lantern) Festival, I've seen golf courses hosting night golf events with glowing balls and lantern-lit fairways. It's a serene and beautiful way to combine golf with culture. 2. Scotland - The Guising Golfers In Scotland, around Halloween, I've come across golfers participating in "guising," where they dress up in costumes and play a round of golf. It adds a festive twist and a lot of fun to the game. 3. South Korea - The New Year's Honbae In South Korea, golfers play a round of golf on New Year's Day, followed by a celebratory meal and drinks (9th hole and after the game). It's a time for camaraderie and positive intentions for the year ahead. Besides new year's, on higher end courses, they often break on the 9th hole for some light food and drinks like fancy ramen and makgeolli rice wine (ordered in advance). 4. Australia - The Outback Golf Challenge (I have not experienced this one myself) In Australia, there is apparently an Outback Golf Challenge, where golfers navigate rough terrain and face unconventional obstacles. It's considered a true test of skill and adaptability (but hasn't produced many PGA golfers 😉 ). 5. Finland - The Midnight Sun Golf Tournament (I have not experienced this one myself) In Finland, the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament is where golfers play late into the evening under the perpetual twilight of the summer months. The endless daylight makes it a truly unique event. While these traditions may not be universally established, they represent the variety of golfing experiences around the world. I'm curious if any of you have encountered or participated in unique or local golf traditions, whether internationally or closer to home.

Ricky Fowler holds the course record of 61 at my home course. It is a public Jack Nicklaus designed course. Yardage: Approximately 7,200 yards from the tips Slope Rating: 147 Course Rating: 74.0

Wow! Do you know me? All of the above changed (new group, started weightlifting, family drama, started my own business) I got to 12 about 10 months ago and stopped lessons 4 months ago I just realized it has only been about the score (and taking notes of every shot) Yeah, a task. I dragged myself to the course to complete the 'task' I think I need a break followed by a round without scorecard, play alone and meet new people, and just enjoy the game. I have been on a relentless pursuit of an unrealistic score and handicap that I completely forgot the friends and fun part of the journey. Thanks for your comment.

Thank you for your response. Perhaps that is my issue. Living in Nevada allows me to golf pretty much all year round. Maybe taking a 'playing break' and shifting my focus to related activities like physical fitness to support my game could be beneficial.

Welcome to TST!

Hi all, After several years of golfing, I dedicated the last two years to honing my skills more intentionally. I took six months of lessons from two different coaches—one in the studio and another at the actual grass range. I even set up my Skytrak home simulator and engaged in daily practice. I consistently played at least two rounds per week on the actual course, and eventually, I achieved a handicap of 12. It felt amazing to see my hard work pay off. However, something changed this January. I found myself not enjoying golf as much. Despite having played almost every course in town multiple times, I started feeling a bit 'passive' on the course. Then, in late January, I had my worst round in years, followed by an even worse round in early February. To make matters worse, last weekend I found myself unable to hit the ball (literally missing the ball). Frustrated, I packed my clubs and locked them up in the cabinet. I invested so much time and resources into this sport—I loved it, and my progress reflected the effort I put into it. But suddenly, I was left with a bitter aftertaste, questioning why I was paying for rounds when I wasn't even enjoying them or playing well. Has this happened to anyone else?

Welcome to TST @tschott - what has your golf journey been so far?

Welcome to TST.

I thought of another one: Summon Caddie. Summoning Tiger Woods as my caddie for one hole per round might not improve my game, but the sheer coolness of having that power would make every round a thrilling adventure. Taking a flight of imagination, picture having Marty McFly from Back to the Future as your caddie. With his futuristic insights, he predicts where your ball will land, turning every swing into a thrilling time-traveling golf adventure.

To the Golf Marshall - “These are the slow droids you are looking for”

Welcome to TST and thank you for the interesting introduction. Enjoy the game, and the forums here.

After kicking off my golf elbow treatment, I played my first round – a 54-40, 94 – at my usual spot, Siena, my home course (I usually score in the low 80s here). The front nine had me preoccupied with adapting my swing to spare my elbow any discomfort. Yet, by the back nine, I'd loosened up and was genuinely enjoying the game. Everything began falling into place just right, with no worries about hurting myself again.

I'm a fan of The Grint and I've been using the basic version for a few months. The standard stats it offers are good enough for me. But I prefer jotting down my scores on a paper card while playing instead of using the app in real-time. Later, I enter the data into the app after the round.

Ever fantasized about giving your golf game a unique edge? Picture this: Golf superpowers! We're talking about small tweaks to your skills that could transform your game, while still keeping the core of golf intact. Think of it as a playful thought experiment within the boundaries of golfing reality. Examples of Allowed Superpowers: - "Perfect Read": Become a green-reading maestro. - "Weather Whisperer": Control the temperature to your advantage. - "Club Whisperer": Nail every club choice with precision. Not Allowed: - No guarantee of a perfect score. - No game-breaking alterations. - Keep the spirit of golf alive. If I had to choose one, I'd go with the "Wind Whisperer" on par threes. Imagine having the ability to read and use the wind's effect on your ball's trajectory, especially when that tricky breeze comes into play on those par-3 holes. So, which golf superpower resonates with you? Is there a unique one you'd craft? Let your imagination run wild, and share your thoughts!

Initially, chest and freestyle swimming sessions were accompanied by sharp pain in my golf elbow, hindering my progress. Frustrated, I searched for a solution and found relief in backstroke swimming. Its motion alleviated the strain on my elbow, gradually diminishing the discomfort. To strike a balance, I restricted my swim sessions to a maximum of two per week, allowing my elbow adequate time to recover and adapt. This may not be for everyone - The most transformative solution I recently found was an original Thai deep tissue massage. The masseuse ingeniously used her body weight and a ceiling bar for balance, allowing her to apply targeted pressure with her feet on my arms, shoulders, and upper back. This technique seemed to guide my muscles away from the bone, addressing opposing muscle groups with remarkable precision. The result was astounding: for 3-5 days, I enjoyed a profound 90% reduction in pain from my previous constant discomfort. While some pain gradually returned after day 5, it prompted me to seek a follow-up massage to maintain the newfound relief.