Peaksy68

My vote is for Javs, he’s overdue for a 7 or 8 better than handicap, he hasn’t had one for a couple of weeks. Of course RoverRick could have yet another similar score. These guys scores this year have been truly astounding. Don’t know how they can do it.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, enjoyed a very good meal and really good wine with my family.

Finally starting to play some better golf after several months of reasonably ordinary golf. Joined a new club in September after 20 years at my previous one, and haven't been playing much due to work and travel. The course is shorter, but narrower and the greens are much smaller. Shot 7 over to play to my handicap 2 rounds ago, and backed it up with a 4 over playing off 7 on Saturday. Managed to win the A grade comp and also won a "board" event that was played over the 2 rounds. Took me 13 years to win my first board event at the old club, less than 2 months here! The fact that I didn't know about until afterwards probably helped me avoid choking. I can practice off grass hitting my own balls now, and I'm pretty sure that's been good for me.

9 & 7 is an mind blowing score.

A friend of my wife is there live. Has no interest in golf which is astounding

The accomodation and dining at Barnbougle are excellent and very reasonably priced. Depending on when you’re coming, 7 Mile (just outside Hobart) may be open. Getting to Tasmania you’ll need to go via Melbourne or Sydney, lots to do in Melbourne and surrounds for non golfers. Both the peninsula’s south and south west of Melbourne have great golf and lots of wineries. Tasmania is amazing, great golf, great food and wine, interesting historical stuff and incredible nature. I had 2 weeks there earlier this year and can’t wait to go back. Agree with @Blueberry_Squishie that Cape Wickham is incredible, it’s a bit harder to get there but more flight options now. Not a lot else to do for your wife unless she surfs.

@WaffleHouseTour are you a member of a private club? Might make it easier to get onto some of the Sandbelt clubs in Melbourne

I’d strongly recommend putting Melbourne and surrounds as well as Tasmania on your must do list. Coincidentally I just put my top 10 courses up, and all are in these areas. Could easily add 10 more within 1 1/2 hours of Melbourne. Being a local I haven’t used a tour company except for a Tasmania trip that a mate organised. Our next trip to Tassie we’ll probably self organise. If you’re comfortable driving on the other side of the road, self driving opens up lots of options. Coincidentally there are lots of quality wineries near the premium courses around Melbourne and In Tasmania if you’re into wine. Golf is relatively cheap, even with international rates at some courses. Exchange rates help even more. From what I’ve seen, New Zealand is more expensive than Australia for top courses. My feeling is that there is a bit of a premium for the stunning views Snap

Cape Wickham Royal Melbourne West Barnbougle Dunes Barnbougle Lost Farm Metropolitan Barwon Heads Ocean Dunes Bougle Run Commonwealth 13th Beach Beach Course All courses are in Australia, and in Victoria or Tasmania Bougle Run is a 14 hole short course and makes me think there should be more of these on the right land

I’m really looking forward to hitting my own balls off grass. Having to pick them up adds focus

The owners are heavily into hospitality and tourism.They own two wineries, a cider house, and 3 restaurants not including the one at the golf club. Our practice range has been converted into an entertainment style range. Unfortunately this focus has spilled through to the golf side of things.

After 20 years as a member of my current club, I’ve decided not to renew my membership. It’s been a difficult decision but I have been increasingly frustrated with how things are run and this has had a negative impact in my enjoyment of the game. The club was bought out by a local business couple and the reduction in club feel has increased over the last few years. It feels like the focus is on occasional visitors to the hospitality side of the club rather than the members who spend money there every week. I’m moving to another local club that is member owned. The layout isn’t as good, but conditioning is excellent. One of my regular group is moving with me, and the other is moving to a club closer to his home. My new club is also $800 cheaper and I’ve got permission from the finance manager to spend that on golf as I like It’s a bit of a surreal feeling leaving somewhere that I’ve spent such a significant part of my life at, but I’m looking forward to reinvigorating my passion for the game and meeting new golfing mates.

New stand bag. Cobra Ultralite. Had to use some pro shop credit. $70 out of pocket. Really happy with the colour. Won’t be getting a lot of use, mainly on holidays to fit in the car more easily.

Another up and down round. 9 over playing off 7, which seems to be what I do now. 2 over after 3 then played the next 6 holes in 1 under. Should have have been 1 less after flushing a 7 iron to 2 feet on the 8th hole. I missed the putt whilst thinking about finally winning the “golden shot” Thankfully I did and it was worth $164 which eased the pain of missing the putt somewhat. Another flushed 7 iron cost me after a wrong yardage meant I flew the green. Putted well, short game was pretty solid. Finished the round by lipping out bunker shot. Probably my best shot of the day, ball was plugged in the face. Popped up beautifully and looked in until the last 6 inches. Tap in for par wasn’t what I was expecting as I walked in to the bunker.

Home alone and had a single duck breast so I thought I’d cook myself something nice. Reverse seared the duck, probably took it a little further than I prefer. Served with duck fat potatoes, buttered beetroot, shitaake mushrooms and sugar snap peas. Sauce is a duck jus made from reduced homemade duck stock with a splash of orange juice and a touch of hoisin sauce.