Fighting Stage 4

As part of my “Above Average” series, to avoid living from PSA test to PSA test, scan to scan, I have been setting myself a series of life challenges to focus on my health, in the firm belief that these will help my long term prospects.

But Golf?

Famously described as “a good walk ruined“, I have never been good enough to have expectations high enough to be frustrated with myself. The walking alone is probably counteracted by the pre/during-game snacks and post-round pint.

Although it can contribute a fair few thousand steps, golf earns its place on my Above Average list for more holistic reasons. It’s social, it’s outdoors (mostly…). But, quite importantly, it’s a way to blend wellness with business development, something I need to explore as I start back to work. Playing in sociable four-ball charity tournaments and friendly rounds means I can build genuine relationships to mitigate some of lost networking opportunities by doing less of the unhealthy networking activities I used to rely upon.

So, to improve my meaningful social and business encounters through golf, I am going to focus on one clear goal: my handicap.

I Almost Retired

I actually decided to give up golf the year before last, but was persuaded for one last hurrah with my friend at his private club. It was a glorious sunny summer afternoon and because it was my last hurrah I relaxed and hit some lovely shots and … decided not to give up after all. In fairness, I can hit some decent drives and flop shots, sometimes the perfect length. Just need to work on being the right direction now…s

https://portal.trackmangolf.com/playerSo last year, deciding I needed to improve my game, I registered for the My England Golf handicap system (The Handicap Index® for Non-Club Members – £46 Per Year) which allows Non-Club members to record scores and obtain an official handicap. Have I mentioned I’m nerdy about stats?!

I didn’t want to join a golf club because (a) membership fees generally mean you need to play a lot more golf than me to get those fees back; and (b) I have about 20 lovely courses within less than an hour of my house, and can travel to clients so why not give myself some variety?!

Practice to Progress

I played two rounds last year – one 18 hole and one 9 hole. Let’s just say the years rarely go to plan!

But I do have a secret weapon – in the same building as my office is Pitch, and I persuaded work to get me a subscription (in the name of business development naturally!). We can gather over pizza and beers and play virtual rounds using Trackman. It definitely doesn’t score highly on the health front, but it does let me play through the winter, track more stats than even I strictly need, and keep working on my game.

Luckily, a nearby driving range also has Trackman installed, and I’ve started taking my daughter there. There’s a setting where we can virtually hit “monsters,” which she loves – and I get to squeeze in some much-needed swing practice.

How will I track Progress?

Quite simply, through England Golf. They also report that in 2024 the average Handicap for men was 18.4.

With only 1.5 rounds recorded on the system, my Handicap is reported as pending, but having scored 124 on the Eighteen holes and 59 on the Nine Holes I don’t think I’m getting close to that at the moment.

For completeness my Trackman Handicap is 47.7.

It’s a long way to the top…

But at least there’ll be lots of steps on the way there…