Another Drive4show 'Anything goes' thread

[beninho]

First topic message reminder :

Having concerns about EU immigration does not make you a far right nutter or xenophobe. Mclaren, what is your knowledge on EU immigration, what dealings do you have with it? Can you see why people may have concerns about it?

Unless your concerns about how we can offer a more humane immigration system then you are xenophobe.  If you are worried about the geographical location of where someone popped out of a uterus then you are not thinking rationally.

And no, I cannot see why anyone would have any issue with the current levels of immigration to/from the UK.  Unless as I said above you are worried about how some people coming here are treated.

Do you not agree that an expanding population due to EU immigration, would lead to an extra burden on the NHS, housing, benefit and other public services aswell as the rise in rents?

Do you think that EU immigration, where people get fake payslips in order to claim benefits, working tax credits child tax credits and housing assistance? Or people that work minimal hours and tdo not pay any tax or nino who then can claim housing and benefit assistance? Or people that illegally overstay in the country, in order to achieve a loophole and gain housing or benefit assistance.

All of these are ongoing issues, though you did not answer my question in the first place.

[super_realist]

Monty, the elderly have always been a burden on the NHS, it's the nature of being old.

[SmithersJones]

Did you lot get hold of some NZT?

[navyblueshorts]

Navy, I know that ROS are now thought of as second messengers as well as by products of respiration.  Maybe aging neurons loose control of these pathways and you end up with  beta-amyloid plaques? Certainly an interesting area.

ROS are not all so-called second messengers. Nitric oxide is, as is H2O2, I think. Superoxide and the hydroxyl radical aren't, although a mutant form of the enzyme superoxide dismutase is linked with AD. People have studied ROS and AD for ages and not come up with definitive links. Compare that with mitochondrial damage and sporadic Parkinson's, where there's been an explosion of data in the last 10-20 years. The genetic forms of PD also point to de-regulated mitochondrial homeostasis so that all ties together. Nothing like that for ROS, the APP protein (or the presenilins) and AD.
Time will tell. In any case, you get old, you die. Not a lot anyone can do about that.

[MustPuttBetter]

[McLaren]

In any case, you get old, you die. Not a lot anyone can do about that.

Sure, but it would be better not to get a crappy neurological condition before you do.

[super_realist]

True Mac, but you have to die of something, it's why you die.

[McLaren]

Super

If you die of or with AD, PD etc it won't change your reproductive success as you have already passed on your genes.

[super_realist]

What's that got to do with anything Mac?

[McLaren]

When you said "it's why you die" I thought you meant that it allows selection of certain genes?

[super_realist]

No, I mean that you have to die of something Mac, nothing to do with gene selection.

Of course it would be nice not to die of a motor neurone disease, but it would also be nice not to die of cancer or heart disease too, but there's no escaping it. You have to die of something

[McLaren]

Cardiac arrest at 80 odd while playing golf wouldn't be too bad.

[super_realist]

We had a guy who died on the 1st tee about a week after the membership fees date had passed.
He didn't get much use of it, and died before he could even hit a shot.

[McLaren]

A guy at one of my old clubs hung himself in the woods beside the 17th.

Also had a guy only in his early 60's suffer a heart attack, and later pass away, as he was playing one of the uphill holes. Although not sure the incline had anything to do with it.


On a related note there always seem to be news stories about bodies being found on golf courses, do people think a golf course is a dump site?

[super_realist]

A guy at one of my old clubs hung himself in the woods beside the 17th.  

Also had a guy only in his early 60's suffer a heart attack, and later pass away, as he was playing one of the uphill holes.  Although not sure the incline had anything to do with it.


On a related note there always seem to be news stories about bodies being found on golf courses, do people think a golf course is a dump site?

At least he nearly completed his round.

[McLaren]

Super, he wasn't playing golf at the time. In fact I am not even sure he was a member.

[super_realist]

Hope he paid the green fee then.

[dynamark]

Hinckley golf club are a tad unfortunate .Assistant green keeper hung on course .Head greenkeeper found dead after being hit by a branch whilst cutting up trees.
A guy at Glen Gorse (ethnic minority) spent 30 years trying to join the club eventually got in a dropped dead a week later.

[McLaren]

.
A guy at Glen Gorse (ethnic  minority) spent 30 years trying to join the club eventually got in a dropped dead a week later.

Suspicious or what?

[navyblueshorts]

Hinckley golf club are a tad unfortunate .Assistant green keeper hung on course .Head greenkeeper found dead after being hit by a branch whilst cutting up trees.
A guy at Glen Gorse (ethnic  minority) spent 30 years trying to join the club eventually got in a dropped dead a week later.

What a waste....of a membership application that is. Played it last year for the first time and was I ever disappointed.

[navyblueshorts]

Sorry. Worked in a lab and with colleagues that specialised in the molecular stuff to do with neurodegenerative diseases. A bit removed now so not in touch with it much anymore.

In any case, you get old, you die. Not a lot anyone can do about that.

Sure, but it would be better not to get a crappy neurological condition before you do.

You'll get dementia....or you won't. There's not a lot you can do to influence it one way or t'other I'm afraid. Well, maybe don't eat things like rotenone or make dodgy MPPP that is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmethylprodine).

[pedro]

You'll get dementia....or you won't.

Not sure.

[raycastleunited]

A guy at one of my old clubs hung himself in the woods beside the 17th.  

At least he nearly completed his round.

I wonder if he had the courtesy to sign his partners card. Pretty selfish when people don't complete their round.

[super_realist]

If it was stableford though, he might have cut a handicap reduction.

[pedro]

He found out he had to go extra holes with Kevin Na.

[westisbest]

Liz Hurley is looking as fine.

What a sexy woman.

[MontysMerkin]

Off to Villamoura for a few days next week. Any tips? Playing Oceanico Faldo, Oceanico Victoria, Vale do Lobo. Never played abroad, so any insights - ball flying farther etc?

[Roller_Coaster]

We're going to the same place on the 28th Monty. Vale do Lobo Royal, Vila Sol and Quinta do Lago North.

Our group varies in ability from 4 h/cap up to 23. Whilst wanting to play to handicap, I usually think of 30 stableford points as "par" to account for unfamiliarity and inevitable decline in touch due to alcohol related idiocy the night before. Our 3 round comp is usually won with around 98 - 102 points (and usually by one of the single figures). I personally find that course management is huge in scoring, if you can be bothered with leaving the driver in the bag and plotting your way round, you can score quite well (assuming your iron/rescue striking is pretty good). I won last year with 31 (easy course) 34 (medium course that I've played 10+ times) and 38 (medium but long course). Don't beat yourself up if scores aren't what you normally think are good, I found it very difficult for years to adjust from expecting around handicap every time to accepting that sometimes rounds of 28 on some courses are actually quite good. One year I've played as well as I think I have ever played abroad and hit just about everything flush all day and still "only" came out with 35 points. I have only once broken 40 (41) in something like 50 rounds abroad but seemed like pretty much every putt went in as I didn't feel I hit it particularly well that often.

In terms of flight, I usually just assume that the metre length of a shot is the equivalent of the same number of yards at home (if you hit a 150 yard 7 iron at home, you'll hit a 150 metre 7 iron there). Carry is up, roll is down overall 10% further (ish for me). Greens are generally good but again shots tend to stop dead on the sand based manufactured greens or spin (often a lot) so factor that in on approaches where home ones might land and roll out. They spike up the more traffic goes through each day (and are busy around now) but are generally good surfaces.

Not played Faldo (mates have been and said it's fantastic) or Victoria (are you getting on Victoria just before it is closed? They usually have the Portuguese Open there around now ish I think so should be in amazing condition if so) and played Vale do Lobo Ocean 2 years ago (fantastic course, short enough and playable enough to be scoreable if you think, enough danger to punish if you are errant or don't think).

Above all, enjoy.

[MontysMerkin]

Many thanks Roller, that should help. Going with our regular tour which usually stays in the UK but we got a great deal so thought we'd give it a go. Can't wait!

[McLaren]

Having lived somewhere where they used m's and not yards I don't agree you can equate your club distances in yards to m's.  150m for example is about 165 yards.  For me that is at least a club, if not more.

[MontysMerkin]

Wouldn't the warm temps increase distance a bit?

[Roller_Coaster]

Having lived somewhere where they used m's and not yards I don't agree you can equate your club distances in yards to m's.  150m for example is about 165 yards.  For me that is at least a club, if not more.

You are correct. If your course were to change it's distances from yards to metres 150 metres is a clubish more than 150 yards, all other things being equal.

The increase in temperature between my course and those courses I generally play away on tour equates to an increase in distance the ball travels from a similar swing with the same club. For me, I have found the distance gain due to playing in the temperature of the Algarve or the Costa del Sol in early autumn versus the Isle of Man is roughly the difference between yards and metres (ie I hit it roughly 10% further in the sun). So if a par 3 is (say) 150 metres in the Algarve, I am fairly comfortable that my 7 iron that I can hit 150 yards at my home course will go the 150 metres at the course I am playing in the sunshine.

My assumption might be utterly wrong (and will doubtless need tweaking anyway as time passes), I've never measured and recorded. I presume there is science behind distance differentials for identical swings due to altitude and temperature, and this may differ from what I work off (not to mention using hire clubs with different shafts and lofts etc). But, as I'm only playing for fun whilst on holiday (as I think Monty will be) with the additional variables of booze, lack of sleep etc etc I shared what I think/have experienced happens for me in case it helps him.

[Roller_Coaster]

What deal did you get Monty?

Our group had our bill in Euros before the EU vote but decided to hang on until after the vote, certain that remain would win and the exchange rate would work in our favour.

That went well. Extra £60 before we leave and get to enjoy expensive beers too!

[McLaren]

It took me many many rounds to play in meters instead of converting everything into yards. I have noticed that some of the tour players, usually Europeans, talk to their caddies about shots using meters. I can see why because it is awkward and doesn't feel right playing with different units to the ones you learned the game with.

[MontysMerkin]

Not being the organiser I'm not sure of the details - but I've forked out £600 and just need beer money now. That includes fines, prizes, taxis, transfers etc etc. I believe we've got an apartment but it maybe we got it on mates rates, not 100% sure. We've got one of those really organised types who sorts it all, so it's the one time I can just turn up and relax. We're staying on the marina somewhere...

[MontysMerkin]

Oh and completely agree about the golf being secondary. Fell over on the first tee at Saunton west cos I was so leathered. Luckily no one apart from our lot saw, but it did cost me a round later.

[navyblueshorts]

Having lived somewhere where they used m's and not yards I don't agree you can equate your club distances in yards to m's.  150m for example is about 165 yards.  For me that is at least a club, if not more.

Add 10% if you have distances given in metres. Not exact, but near enough for all but the very best.

[navyblueshorts]

Oh and completely agree about the golf being secondary. Fell over on the first tee at Saunton west cos I was so leathered. Luckily no one apart from our lot saw, but it did cost me a round later.

Got lucky and played Saunton (East course) last weekend in the sunshine and light breeze. Never played it (or seen it even) before. Safe to say, my brother and I will definitely be going back! Fantastic piece of land.

[super_realist]

It took me many many rounds to play in meters instead of converting everything into yards.  I have noticed that some of the tour players, usually Europeans, talk to their caddies about shots using meters.  I can see why because it is awkward and doesn't feel right playing with different units to the ones you learned the game with.

I thought you were an advocate of using "your eye" to determine how far a shot was Mac?

[McLaren]

Super

I am, but even I have a look at the yardage of a hole on the scorecard, especially par 3's. For some reason I just find that courses mapped in meters just add a slight bit of awkwardness.

I would also add that not getting too obsessed with the exact yardage makes the game more fun, it isn't just about holding to some pointless purist standard.

[super_realist]

It's not exactly a mathematical leap to convert Yards to Metres is it Mac? Seems a very trivial thing to worry about, it's not as if you spend too much time converting Euro to £ when you are abroad, you just work it out almost without thinking.

I've never played a course mapped in metres, but I'm not sure how it would be a problem, especially as I use my laser in Yards.

[Davie]

Add 10% .. it's ALMOST exact .. certainly close enough for anyone here. So 160yds would be 160 + 16 = 176

[McLaren]

Super

It isn't difficult to do the conversion and overall it wasn't a massive deal, I just thought I would mention that for a while it just felt a bit odd using meters. I just found that I didn't immediately change to using meters but continued to convert to yards for a while. Eventually I started to learn my distances in meters.

Super, have you never played in Europe? Loads of the courses are in meters.

[super_realist]

I've never played outside the UK Mac.
I imagine the vast majority of them are in yards, but like I say, I use a laser, so why would I be hampered by metres?

I wouldn't mind changing to metres though as we use metres for everything and yards for nothing except golf

[McLaren]

How come you have never played outside the UK super?

[super_realist]

When I leave the UK it's usually for a different purpose. I am fortunate enough to get to play a lot of good courses in the UK (Archerfield yesterday for instance), so rather than spend lots of money going on golfing trips, I'd prefer to use my holiday time (and money) doing other things when I visit other countries.

[McLaren]

Have you never fancied a quick round in the sun while abroad? I have never gone on a golf holiday but often take a half day out on holiday to play a round, especially if there is an interesting course near by. Although club rental prices are a little ridiculous.

What sort of things do you like to do on holiday? Do you check out the sights, visit museums, sip a cocktail at a bar or what?

[super_realist]

Last time I was in America Mac I quite fancied a go, given that I was on the west coast and there were some fine courses within reach, however, I wasn't with other golfers, and the cost of hiring clubs, green fees etc. I was a little miffed I didn't take the opportunity to play Torrey Pines.

I normally take my holidays in winter to get off to the mountains, not much golf around that time of year.
If I visit anywhere in summer, it's usually European cities, so again, not much golf around.

[McLaren]

Seems like we have similar holiday plans. Don't think I have ever been to a beach resort type place. Only Really go to cities. But there is usually golf to be found. Often hiring a car opens up plenty of options.

[super_realist]

Drove the entire West Coast Mac. I probably could have had a game along the route, perhaps I should have, but a bit of a bore for the others.

Not like I don't get enough golf round here.

[McLaren]

Sometimes holiday golf is more relaxed and enjoyable. I have usually sought out a course of interest which makes learning the course and investigating its interesting features more important than my game. You don't worry about swing mechanics or score but just on having fun.

Plus if the weather is nice that's a bonus.

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