PERRY LAKES CUP (not)

Is golf in the rain worth it?

The advice is that playing in the wind and rain is a challenge to any golfer, and it's unlikely you'll break any personal bests on a bad day. If you're struggling, it's likely anyone else braving the course is too. So, enjoy the challenge and keep a positive attitude, and you can have a good day even on a bad one!

March 28th was scheduled for the Perry Lakes Cup and our Opening Day, but was scratched when the BOM predicted that Cyclone Narelle would be tearing through the metropolitan area.

Goochy tees off on opening day, 2023

Only six golfers had put their names down to play.

Given that 63mm of rain had been dumped on the city in the preceding 24 hrs, it wasn’t a bad call, except that the weather gods had other ideas. Saturday dawned overcast, but not threateningly so, and as Shelley and Roland entered the pro shop to negotiate the return of green fees for the cancellled game, the Stirling Club were just warming up on the first tee.

They had a decent day of golf, with just the odd sprinkle.

Another time, another place

The moral? Well, there isn’t one really, except that sometimes you can get it wrong.

When Santa played at SOS

The Perry Lakes Cup will be rescheduled soon. This trophy was donated some years ago by ex-member Lorenzo, nicknamed “The Italian Stallion” by the girls, and "The Roman Bogan” by the boys. Lorenzo eventually went on to build a par 3 course in his own garden in Italy - that's the sort of commitment we used to get from SOS members. 

Back in the old days

 Interestingly, a 2008 Swedish study that showed golfers have significantly lower mortality rates than do people in the general population. Lower mortality rates mean there is a lesser probability of dying in a given year. The study covered 666,750 persons who belonged to the Swedish Golf Federation and were born after 1920.

In fact playing golf can extend your life, with studies suggesting golfers live an average of five years longer than non-golfers, representing a 40% lower mortality rate. This longevity boost is attributed to moderate-intensity aerobic activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

An 18-hole course is a serious stroll, so those who walk get the most benefit. An October, 2016 study from a University of Edinburgh team, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that you might walk four to eight miles–or between 11,000 and nearly 17,000 steps during a game.

That’s better than the 10,000-step goal you’ll see as standard on a Fitbit. If you’re already fit, golf won’t count as an aerobic exercise. But if you’ve been spending too much time on the couch, golf is a good way to start moving. You’ll be walking up and down hills, and on sand or pebbly uneven surfaces that will challenge your balance.

However, studies have also shown that playing tennis regularly can add nearly 10 years to one's life, surpassing other sports and activities in terms of health benefits, including badminton, soccer, cycling, swimming, and jogging.

The girls crush it at Mandurah, 2017 

So, no novelties for today, nor birdies, nor trophy presentations. According to Google, a day without golf is often viewed by enthusiasts as a wasted opportunity or a forced break from a beloved, albeit frustrating, "jealous mistress". It can lead to rusty skills, as even a few days off can ruin consistency, yet it provides a necessary break from the mental strain of chasing a better score.

Mental strain? Pick up a couple of favourite clubs and head off to the driving range - you’ll soon feel better.

Next week, it’s the Easter Cup at 8:36, Stableford on the Tuart (weather permitting!)

But take care:-