When we sat down at the end of 2020, we had high hopes for 2021 and our respective golf games! We’d planned loads of great content ideas, identified the 21 courses we wanted to play in 2021 and the ways we hoped to grow Nine Hole Golf. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, we have not been able to kick on as we would have liked, but as we sit here now, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel in the middle of July.
With this in mind, we thought it was the perfect time to reflect on some of the great things we have been able to experience, the people we have met through this wonderful game and the courses we have managed to play together.
The Cookie Jar Golf Mixer
There is no better place to start than our latest outing together, the Cookie Jar Golf Mixer at Blackwell Golf Club. On a perfect day for golf, we joined a collection of fellow golf addicts to play one of the finest courses in England. The course was in superb condition, and it indeed was a memorable golfing experience. The highlight was playing eightsomes in the afternoon, a format neither of us had played before. The unique nature of the format meant we got to play the game we love whilst socialising with a wide variety of people passionate about golf. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Cookie Jar Mixer video check it out below.
‘GO LOW’ YouTube Series
Despite both of us failing to bring our finest swings to the CJG Mixer, there has been a lot of progress over the first half of the year as we look to get more enjoyment from golf by improving our swings. It was this goal that led to our successful new YouTube series, ‘Go Low’. In this series, Jeremy has surrounded himself with a professional team to see how low an amateur can go. He has access to a PGA professional coach, a qualified golf PT and a golf psychologist. The signs so far are very encouraging, and we can’t wait to share the results in the coming weeks. If you haven’t checked out the series yet, here is the first video.
‘Chase The Ace’ YouTube Series
Another of our YouTube series that has been great fun to create is ‘Chase The Ace’. Back in April, Alex from Elevation Golfing Nation and Sarah, better known as Travelling Lady Golfer, took on Cleeve Hill. Unfortunately, despite some good swings, no one landed that first ace. We have also taken Chase The Ace to The Springs in Oxfordshire and Bigbury down in Devon. Despite taking Chase The Ace to three different courses, we are still a long way off getting an ace. Upon reflection, we’re not sure we have even got within 10 feet of an ace yet! If you want some entertainment, you can see the good, the bad and the downright ugly attempts here!
New courses experienced
We have not played as much golf together as we would’ve liked, but we have managed to get out and experience some new courses. In May, we played The Springs Golf Club in Oxfordshire, a fantastic parkland course with lots of water and some crazy long Par 3’s. We also had a brilliant round over the May Bank Holiday down at Bigbury Golf club in Devon. The weather was perfect and at times so was the golf! Also, Jeremy was able to squeeze in a round at Panmure Golf Club with Kenny, co-founder of The Links Diary on what was a perfect golfing day!
We went to The Open
We were lucky enough to win tickets to the final day of the 149th Open at Royal St Georges and what a day it was! The weather was incredible and we got to see some of the best golfers in the world play a links course in fantastic condition. It was great to see the very best up close and see how they approach the unique challenges of links golf. It was also brilliant to be watching golf live again with fans. The atmosphere all day was incredible but around the 16th hole is was unbelievable. The roar when Jon Rahm almost got a hole in one at the 16th resounded around most of Kent! Morikawa was a deserved winner and watching the way he plotted his way around the course was fascinating. We now can’t wait for the 150th Open to come round!
Looking forward
So, what about the second half of 2021? What can you expect from Nine Hole Golf? Well, we will definitely be playing more golf together, starting with the Church Stretton in early August. We are planning a golf trip to Scotland later this year too! Also, Jeremy will be sharing the conclusion of his Go Low series over on YouTube. We are excited to see just how much his game will have improved working with a professional team. Plus, Toby will be beginning his journey to getting his first-ever official handicap. His goal is to get down to 22 before the end of 2022!
Finally, we hope to meet and play with lots more of the Nine Hole Golf community over the coming months. We love the golf community, and starting Nine Hole Golf has helped us meet so many more of our fellow golfers. So, if you fancy a round, let us know, and we will get something booked in!
Nine Hole Golf 