Republic of Ireland
Branden. Random? or a force to reckon with? Martin V considers.
Jan 23 2012 Posted in Golf News, Martin Vousden by GoKartThought for the Day
He who laughs last thinks slowest
With the Grace of God
At what was once regarded as the tender age of 23, Branden Grace has started his professional golf career with the results: Tied 14th, won, won – which surpasses even the explosive entry of Tiger Woods into the paid ranks. And while I am genuinely delighted for the lad, who must feel as if he has solved Fermatt’s Theorum at the first time of asking (the theorum, incidentally, states that: No three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy the equation an + bn = cn for any integer value of n greater than two, and was unsolved for 358 years. Mathematics Ed), I hope he doesn’t get too carried with this flush of success. The history of the pro game is littered with the corpses of hot young tyros who initially laid waste to everything before them but whose light burned very brightly but for a hugely disappointing amount of time. And while I loathe the idea of becoming what my mother described as a Job’s comforter – the sort of person who tries to cheer up his friend in hospital, who has had a leg amputated, by pointing out that the man in the next bed wants to buy his slipper – I do hope that Branden has enough insight to recognise that a fabulous start doesn’t always lead to a wondrous finish.
People like Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, Steve Webster, Chad Campbell, Kirk Triplett, Steve Flesch and Ty Tryone were all hailed as great prospects when they tasted early success but they now (more…)
Add a comment TweetWe’re not the only ones who don’t like trolley bans…
Jan 23 2012 Posted in Customer comment, Golf News by GoKart
With thanks to Richard W. from Tavistock. And his spaniel of course.
Add a comment TweetCalling all Wessex golfers!
Jan 23 2012 Posted in Golf News by GoKartWell to be specific (because we weren’t quite sure where Wessex is exactly, so we checked…) – Devon, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Somerset, Dorset and Hants. Take a look at the schedule for the Wessex Amateur Golf Tour.
Started by GoKart owner Dave Thomas, the tour visits nine impressive venues from March to October; with a separate competition at each, and a cumulative order of merit to battle for too (five best stableford scores from the nine rounds).
So if you’re a serious golfer, or you just fancy visiting some different courses for friendly golf with a competitive edge, it’s worth taking a look at the tour website here
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Martin Vousden’s crystal ball for 2012
Jan 15 2012 Posted in Golf News, Martin Vousden by GoKartThought for the Day
If your parents didn’t have any children, the chances are that you won’t either
Early skirmishes
Those of you old enough to remember (and that’s a fast dwindling group) or, more likely, with some knowledge of 20th century history, will know that in the first six months after we opened hostilities with Germany in 1939 there was a period called the Phoney War. After the drama of announcing our intention to take on the Hun, nothing much happened but there remained a sense of anticipation. A stupid analogy, I know, but the start of a new golf season always reminds me of those events of more than 70 years ago because, despite all the expectations and hopes we are presented with – well, not very much. On the European Tour we have a few tournaments in South Africa, what used to be called the Sunshine Tour but, with the greatest respect, the fields are not representative of the best players in the world. Of course South Africa has some fine golfers but it does not have great strength in depth, which is why people like Louis Ooosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel (and before them Retief Goosen and Ernie Els) tend to become serial winners on home turf. And the US Tour, meanwhile, takes itself to Hawaii for a few weeks during which the players have a wonderful time, I’m sure, but the (more…)
Rick Wakeman – Grumpy old GoKarteer.
Dec 27 2011 Posted in Golf News by GoKartRock Legend, Rick Wakeman, oft seen on the fairways, who also tonks a decent drive. Introducing the Xmas Blog from a Grumpy Old Golfer;
“This year the weather was kinder than last year as regards playing golf. Last year my balls froze. It’s not easy playing with frozen balls.
However, it did give me lots of excuses for my appalling play that Xmas . Balls bounced everywhere because of the hard ground or disappeared completely into snow drifts or failed to even reach the temporary greens (terrible at the best of times).
Playing off of rubber mats is a joke if you’re six foot three as your legs (and frozen balls) have to be on the ground whilst your little white ball is balanced on some horrible piece of miniature rubber tubing. It’s also too cold to grip the club properly.
There was also the wind (read into that what you will).
The only thing that didn’t mind the elements was my GoKart.
So, I returned happy after the “game” knowing that there were many reasons for losing so many balls , playing to 12 over my handicap and having frozen balls.
This year though, not so good – the weather has been mild.
No snow.
No ice.
No frozen ground.
No frozen balls.
…and yet I played the same. 12 over my handicap, lost loads of balls, swore a lot and then of course , there was the wind (read into that what you will).
I’m going out again tomorrow. Thank heavens I got loads of balls for Xmas .
My GoKart likes mild weather too.
I reckon that’s because the GoKart doesn’t have frozen balls to hinder it.
Good Winter Slogan that; “GoKart…the only electric trolley that can’t freeze your balls”.
Add a comment TweetMartin Vousden reflects on 2011.
Dec 22 2011 Posted in Golf News, Martin Vousden by GoKartThought for the Day
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
Now that the regular tournaments on the European and American Tours have concluded, it’s that time of the year when we hand out some gongs, and brickbats, for the best and worst performances of the year. So here is the GoKart list of the performances of the season
Bad timing of the Year
Lee Westwood. Twice in the last three weeks he has decimated a world class field, finding his best form just as the year ends
American Great White Hope of the Year
Lexi Thompson. The American teenage phenomenon has now won on the LPGA and LET tours in the last three months at the age of 16 and has ignited hopes that Korean domination of the women’s game may be threatened
Hangover of the Year (more…)
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