I am openly a fair-weather golfer. There is nothing better than a stroll in the sunshine with your mates, playing a game that we all love and having a laugh while you are at it. However… I have also played on occasion with keener golfers than myself in some awful conditions. One memorable moment for me was on the 17th at Wokefield Park (a very enjoyable golf course by the way), where I was so drenched and cold from the soaking I had gotten through the previous 16 holes, that I could barely grip onto my trusty 8 iron. When swinging the club I lost control of it and it slipped out of my hand and wedged into the ground 3 feet behind the ball. I walked off and vowed never to play golf in the rain again.

I have a  nice waterproof coat and an umbrella, but it is a game I would rather be watching on TV from the comfort of a bar on days like these. The cold I can just about bare, wrapping up warm and walking the course can also be a pleasure (unless the greens are frozen in which case my already shoddy putting is really put to shame).

Anyway, my point is this, during the end of the Summer last year I was playing golf regularly and began to lose my enthusiasm due to the fact my handicap refused to shrink. So, I am really appreciating a little time off during all the snow and ice this Winter as it's really making me itch to get back out onto the course to give "getting into those single figures" another go!

Watching others play in warmer places and planning out where my golfing adventures will take me this year is giving me some real motivation to go out and do it all over again… I may even slip in a little trip somewhere if my itch becomes too strong too soon, but one thing is for sure, I will always be a fair-weather golfer.