Golf is back!!!

After the longest golf lockdown of any country on the planet, Irish golfers will make their eagerly awaited return to their golf clubs on Monday morning. I think I read somewhere that we've been unable to tee it up for 209 days since the initial Covid lockdown in March last year.

This prolonged absence has of course been difficult for all lovers of the game, and yet despite being closed for large parts of 2020, most clubs saw an increase in membership subscriptions in 2020. We've obviously had no golf in 2021 until this Monday coming, and the challenge facing most clubs will be retaining as many members as possible. There'll be various incentives and sweeteners offered to those paying their sub in the coming week to add value to staying on as a member - and so it should be!

Thankfully I believe the enthusiasm to play will mean we are in for another bumper summer of golf in the country. Whatever your reason for playing golf, whether it is the competition, the craic with your friends, the exercise, the mental head space, to challenge yourself, to simply get out in the fresh air... or maybe because your main sport remains compromised through restrictions - every one of us should have a renewed appreciation and sense of context as we take to the fairways next week.

That's a question I'd urge anyone to consider over the weekend before you tee it up. Really suss out the primary reason why you play the game. I'd advise you to delve deeply into that question and identify your 'why' and to write it down. I'd encourage you to keep that 'why' to the forefront of your mind before and during your first round back - and every round thereafter. You will be amazed at just how much this simple concept will help you to play better golf and enjoy the game more. I won't go into the reason's why this works, but please trust me on this - it does!

So when you head off to your club next week remember to think about your why whilst on route. Set yourself a simple process goal walking down to the first tee - like reminding yourself of your why in between shots, or enjoying the challenge of shaking off the rust, or indeed just set a goal to tell yourself to swing freely and without any fear of the outcome on every single shot, and I promise you will have a great time no matter how you play.

Enjoy being at your club, with your friends, your fellow members, the club staff, your Pro - and hopefully soon your buddies at the 19th hole will be back in action before too long! It's been a long tough winter for everyone so just go and enjoy it. Support your club, pay your membership, spend in the proshop and bar (when allowed) and above all aim to be positive and appreciate your golf more this season - above all others!

Play well :)

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