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If it is supposed to be 65 on Friday, I'll be willing to play a few holes, 99. Perhaps a little session on the driving range at S & A and then either the loop or perhaps Lakeview if it's really warm. Up to you. I've been involved in cutting and splitting our old Linden Tree, and my body feels like it's been through a wringer. But I should be recovered by then. Lets see how the weather plays out....Personally I've played enough in my life in inclement weather to pass if it's not warm enough to loosen my muscles. I agree with ParPutt and yourself that putting seems to be a real problem for us baby boomers. I never practiced much on that, even in my prime, but now just bending over and sending a dozen balls across the living room rug sends me to the couch.

When it actually means something, those four footers can be awfully nerve-wracking....as well as the three footers, two footers and 18 inchers. Down from there, it's almost impossible to miss, but I guess I probably have. The shakiest four footer I can recall was back in 1998 when I was on my quest to par all the public course holes in Essex County. It was on the 6th hole at Colonial up in Lynnfield. December 7th to be exact. The hole is a rather long par 5. I got the ball over the pond and short of the marsh, then pushed the second it to my typical landing area behind some willow trees. I flew a seven wood behind the green and then hit a rather miraculous 50 yard pitch shot that just made it up the crest of the slightly elevated green and stopped four feet above the hole. I'd had enough experience playing then to know that all I had to do was hit it on line....the slope would easily carry the ball to the cup. So for once it was one of those putts where the question was how to hit it softly enough. I just tapped it and as the ball tracked to the hole I held my breath...it was center cut but accelerating fast. The ball flew over the hole, but gravity had just enough time to bring it into contact with the back edge of the cup. It popped up about a half inch, then dropped IN, IN, IN. I'll never forget that one.

Was thinking of giving you a call yesterday, 99. But somehow I just can't get enthused until about June. Guess I've just been playing for too many years. Had many chores to do anyhow. At least I replaced the cellar bulkhead door. I think its better if you call the shots as to when you want to go...I'm free most every day...and can usually go on a days notice. I do like that Rowley lunch....but there are many other pleasant courses. I have to say that one of golfs most enjoyable experiences is playing Ould Newbury...just beyond Governer Dummers on route 1. That is probably the second hardest 9 holer in these parts...but the enjoyment there is not on the course, but rather sitting on the porch of the clubhouse having a couple of brewskis after a round. I'm not sure how good the wine cellar or kitchen is though.

After observing your game for some time, 99, I recognized a few fundamental weaknesses. The reason I suggest practicing and using your irons, is that they are the only clubs allowing enough loft to hit a green and hold it. Obviously, the higher a ball is flighted, and the more steeply it comes down..the less run it will have when it lands. That's what you want when you are going for the green. My ideal 99 would hit a driver about 175 (no problem), then be able to hit a long fairway wood off the grass about 150, also no problem. She would be near every green on holes measuring up to 375 yards. But on shorter holes she'd be able to hit a 4 iron (or hybrid) , 6 iron, and 8 iron about 125, 105, and 85 yards respectively. They would have good trajectory and hold when they hit the putting green. She'd hit a pitching wedge 65 and a sand wedge 50. Using my advice, she would hit every shot out of greenside bunkers and confidently assume she'd be near the hole or at least on the putting green. She would know which of the irons to select for chip shots to assure a one putt. And she would learn how hard to hit the various putts, possibly by virtue of possession of a long putter....which are much easier on the back, and consequently encourage practice. Instead of wasting money on a full set she would be happy to carry six less clubs throughout the years, and not be huffing and puffing like me after a walking round. She would use the money saved on the six unneeded clubs to get custom fitted for the ones she does need.