Barney's February 2026 Newsletter
- Barney
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Hi Everyone,
 Having just watched the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics it feels like given the current weather that golf should be one of the sports included in it. It is certainly as wet and cold as I can remember it and if it’s any consolation Portugal and Spain have had equally difficult weather as well. On a personal note having lived through sixty four winters and ‘enjoying’ my sixty fifth, I have noticed as golfers we have become less tolerant of this time of year. I appreciate it is frustrating when the courses are closed and we can’t take part in our favourite activity. Never the less when we do get to play, it is far better than yesteryear as we get to enjoy putting on the main greens. In the old days we had two or three months putting on temporary greens (similar surfaces to Peterborough United’s goal mouth), which has become a long forgotten challenge. The recent advent of mats to play off on the course is another great innovation. They not only reduce wear and tear on our fairways, but giving us a far more realistic surface to practice off for when we play our main competitions. Let’s face it, when we are going to play in something that matters on a surface that resembles cabbage soup.
In astronomy circles winter is deemed to start at the winter solstice (Dec 21st) and the spring equinox is not until around mid March. So we are halfway through, so some patience (not a very modern skill) is required. When the golf course has to be closed, the decision is not taken lightly. Golf clubs are well aware of the income Implications and the disappointment of their members.
However, we can still work on our games with some range and indoor practice perhaps have a lesson for a tune up and putting on the carpet is still a worthwhile activity. Use this link to have a look at my indoor putting video to improve your stroke building.
In parts of the world where golf is not affected by sodden fairways, there has been much to inspire us, whatever our age.
Firstly we had Vijay Singh at age 62, make the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii, breaking 70 three times along the way. Although he ranked well down on driving distance (282.9 yards isn’t very far apparently!), he was 12th in strokes gained around the greens, so,all of us need to add some chipping practice to our regimes. Ditto on the fitness too, as he’s employed a new trainer and is strong and energised and will look to do well on the seniors and make the cut in the Masters.
At the other end of the age scale, 18 year old Blades Brown challenged in the American Express event, where a 12 under par 60 moved him up to the top of the leaderboard with Scottie Scheffler. Ultimately he fell away, however keep an eye out for this phenomenon as he is fearless.
Finally on amazing scoring, evergreen Justin Rose was 17 under for 36 holes at Torrey Pines on his way to win there. At the age of 45 he has worked himself up to number 3 in the World Rankings which is a remarkable achievement. Like many I hope either The Masters or The Open adorn his mantle piece this season as he definitely deserves one of them.
The golf season is tantalisingly close and the lighter evenings tell us now, so we all need to keep patient and once it starts and the playing opportunities pile up, remind ourselves not to ever say “oh I think I’m a bit overgolfed 😄’
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All the best
Barney
Fellow of the PGA