First Golf Game

Today was the first of hopefully many games at Awali Golf Club. Sheila was in school at an important meeting so I jollied off to the golf. It wasnt busy because only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. I started about 9am and it was beautiful. There was a nice cooling breeze and alone I ventured into the unknown. I had no idea where each hole was but the club steward assured me it would be difficult to go wrong. Thankfully he was correct.

I only played 15 holes because by 11.30 the sun was blisteringly hot and I decided it was not wise to stay out in it for much longer so I walked in from the 15th under the shade of my umbrella. I had managed 5 pars in the 15 holes and 10 "others" that varied from bogey to triple bogey, woops! It wasnt easy because (a) I had no idea how far I was from the greens, er I mean browns and (b) I had no idea how far I would hit each club. I found the ball flies MUCH further than in Scotland. If I am accurate enough at least two of the par 5s I played will be reachable in two shots.

Here is a view of I think the 9th brown from behind the green. The fairway goes off into the distance.

You can see one of the wee men who sweep the browns sitting in the shade of the trees. The browns are covered in a loose oiled sand and its remarkably like putting on grass. Similar sort of speed. Of course you leave foot prints everywhere so they need to be swept regularly. You dont realise how many steps you take when putting until you look back at a green where every step is obvious.

I am looking forward to going back next weekend when I will try to be there a bit earlier so that I can get all the way round before it gets too hot. Hopefully Sheila will play too.

Well its tea time again so I dont want to be rude to the chef.
Cheers for now
David