Tag Archives: golf

Slow-Play Angst

7 May

Typically, a round of golf would take four hours plus a little more to complete. But when it’s crowded, the duration will be longer. In the past two monthly medal tournaments that I participated in, it took forever to complete!

Call it slow play, over-subscribed participation, or whatever in the April medal game – it was just too long. Six hours to be exact. Crazy. The angst and frustration were evident. I lost my momentum and returned with an unfathomable effort. Then again, when it’s six hours to finish 18 holes of golf, it’s hard to imagine playing well with all that waiting for every shot. 

But I learned my lesson, and in the recent May medal tournament, I tried not to focus on the waiting period like the last time. It worked out better. Chatting with my flightmates about everything under the sun helped our slow-play angst. The game ended ten minutes shy of six hours.

We must learn to be more patient and control our thoughts when it takes longer than usual on the golf course. If we don’t manage our emotions, participating in monthly medal tournaments will be a frustrating outing instead of an enjoyable one. 

Tags: , , , ,

Reversing the Fat Week

3 May

With April over, I sigh with relief, knowing the big birthday month is over. So, it is time to reverse the Fat Week. We are into May, and there are fewer birthdays to celebrate within my circle of friends and family. And when there’s no birthday gathering, this means no big meals or sinful cakes!

Golf has resumed full swing upon our return from the recent Singapore Escapade. And I give myself a month to shape up! Perhaps I should also consider doing some morning walks within the estate on non-golfing days to shed the fat and stay fit. Hmm, something to think about. One month to see the results! Yes, I can do it.

Tags: , , , ,

Birthday Escapade

30 Apr

Every year, we go away for a twosome celebration for my birthday. Typically, it would be a golf game or two and a fancy dinner. There was one year, we went to Awana Genting.

This year, I opted not to include a golf game for the birthday escapade. Instead, it was a sightseeing and gastronomic trip. Where did we go? Singapore!

Taking the Aeroline bus to Singapore

It was pleasant, not needing to drive and deal with traffic for a change. We took the Aeroline bus, which was quite comfortable despite taking six hours to arrive.

The Jewel rain vortex waterfall

We had a super fun weekend exploring the Jewel at Changi and being mesmerized by the rain vortex indoor waterfall. Being a tourist at Marina Bay Sands, it was hot and superhot outdoors, trying to capture the perfect shot of the area when we ventured out from the air-con mall.

The perfect Singapore skyline shot?

But we were also super tired from the walking and being in the super humid outdoors. I guess you can’t have it all good. Humidity aside, we had some mouth-watering food discoveries. However, there was only so much we could eat as the short escapade ended too soon. 

We managed to cover fast food, community food court, mall foodcourt and fancy restaurant.

I’m glad this year we did this for a change. I look forward to next year’s birthday celebration! 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Day of Reflection

26 Apr

One year older, five pounds heavier is the reality this year. I stood on the bathroom scale this morning, and I was a pound off, small consolation, I guess.

Impending birthdays are a day of reflection. I try not to be too wordy and will keep it simple. So here goes. I am thankful for my life, my family, and my friends.

And I look forward to spending more time with family, hanging out with friends, and playing better golf! I hope to achieve my Hole-in-One this year. Who knows? After all, I had my Eagle Achievement last year.

I will make the most of my special day tomorrow.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Not Quite So Fit

19 Apr

You would think that playing golf three times a week makes one fit. Well, I had an eye-opener to my stamina and health when I walked nine holes on Thursday. Dang, I was heating up and had palpitations!

It was a late tee-off, 8.35 am, and we decided to use the trolley to pull our bags instead of taking the buggy. By the sixth hole, I wanted to give up. The golf course was like a giant oven! No hat nor umbrella could help me. And the hot coffee I had in the flask became so unappealing in the hot environment.

I was sweating buckets and gasping, especially going uphill! Perhaps I should walk more instead of sitting in the buggy for future games. Hmm, something to consider to overcome this inadequate stamina and strength. I’m not quite as fit as I thought, and it’s a humbling realization.

Tags: , , , , ,

The Gaming Sloth, Part 2

16 Apr

Thank goodness the two-day public holidays are over, and I return to my routine. During those two days, I was such a gaming sloth at home, being horizontal at poking away at my iPad Mini nonstop. What was the game? Hexa Sort. It’s such an addictive game!

I had to discipline myself to only three rounds after that because if I went on, I would not stop, and nothing gets done at home. And what’s terrible about this obsession is that my iPad heats up so fast, it’s alarming.

My other games do not create such intense heat on my iPad. So, to preserve my device and manage my time, I have to limit my time playing Hexa Sort.

Maybe I should delete the game because it’s taking up too much of my time. Hmm? I should not be a sloth at home, or worse – a gaming sloth.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

NCAA March Madness 2024, Part 2

9 Apr

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship is over, and my prediction fell flat. Hahaha. My earlier choices to advance to the Finals did not survive the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four stages.

And the team that I was rooting for in the Finals were not the champions. A heartache for the best player to end her college basketball career, but that’s life. Like golf, the ball is round, and anything can happen. Regardless, she has my utmost respect and awe.

A whole new world awaits some of these talented young ladies who are Seniors and graduating. The prospect of playing professionally in the WNBA looks good, and the women’s basketball league has never been more exciting!

I relish my renewed interest in women’s college basketball and look forward to the March Madness next year.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Derailed

2 Apr
Slight drizzle was enough to derail the golf momentum

Just when you thought the hot weather was here to stay to make golf outings hot and humid, it rained this morning to spoil things. The siren did not go off because there was no electric charge in the air. We had no choice but to tee off and play on.

It threw me off in every department when it came to ball striking. Maybe it was the air and the dampness. And for the life of me, my putting skills failed me miserably. After averaging 30 putts for the last few games, the record turned ugly with 38 putts this morning. Ugh, and double ugh.

However, I should not worry too much because the playing conditions were abnormal, with the weather throwing us off. So I shouldn’t retire my Scotty Cameron putter. And it’s not even a setback with the unfortunate outing.

Come Saturday, another game awaits. So, let’s hope the momentum returns.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Improved Performance

26 Mar

Now that I am back to my golf routine playing at my club, my golf game, especially putting, has improved because of the familiar grounds. I was doing 30 putts for two games before peaking at a phenomenal 27 putts during the last game!

On top of the solid putting–my Scotty Cameron has been so good–I had a good round with five pars and a birdie, a confidence-boosting outing. The icing to that round – nine one-putts, zero three-putts recorded, and a free lunch. Woo hoo.

My short game was sharp, my drives were straight, and my woods were long, not just the putting. Everything fell into place despite playing in the heat and high humidity conditions. Looks like I can manage my game in such climates.

I hope I can maintain the newfound improved performance. We shall see.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Heatwave Alert

22 Mar

After returning from Hanoi, we have been experiencing a heatwave. It’s like a giant furnace here, unlike the nice cool weather we encountered a week earlier. But, being a diehard golfer, I continued my weekday golf routine, mindful to stay hydrated.

Dang, it was hot out on the golf course on Tuesday. My water intake, during and after the game, was more than usual to combat the heat and humidity. And luckily, the atmosphere during the Thursday morning game fared better, with less heat and some breeze.

The heatwave condition will be like this until mid-April before it subsides. Until then, the golf outings will continue, and water consumption will have to increase to stay hydrated if I want to be outdoors.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →