Tom - what a bad break  

I guess that means next weeks round is out unless you want to be a non-golfing guest ...

Sorry to hear about the injury.  Does the Doc or Redanman think it will have any lingering restriction on your swing as you come through the ball?  Will you have to modify that trademark laid off sort of backswing we can all identify as yours from 3 fairways over?

Well, it is "hot stove league season"  for northern golfers, and you can now learn to cope with the concept of not striking a ball for months.  Here is one quirk about that.  Our handicap system through WisStateGolfAssoc. ends on Oct 31.  No more scores can be entered until April 15-May1.  Yet, when we come back on-line so to speak, our handicapps are what we left them in Oct.  So, don't get into any matches at KPIV with some sharp shooter from San Jose who plays all year, even if he gives you a stroke or two more!  

Cabin fever and SAD (sun affected disorder) can be a downer.  At least you can go outside comfortably and walk some courses at sundown and take pics or study the design, or just go for a walk with the kids...

If you really want to know how terrible the effects are with this darn northern climate, watch the Packer game with Jacksonville tomorrow.  Pay particular attention to the deranged effects this has on some people in the stands who forgot it is -0 windchill, and have removed their clothing.  

I haven't gone that far around the bend yet.

gents - this is great stuff, many thanks.  But man.. my wife is already suggesting I get different hobbies... help!

 

I'm sure I'll live - heck my thing is a trifle compared with Bob's back then and Bill's now... but misery does love company, thanks.

And Dick, well... the thought had occurred to me that maybe the forced layoff from the game will cure my layoff in my swing... either that or the healed hamate will... there is always hope!  In any case, go Pack!  I love wathching the knuckleheads during snow games!

Mike - yep, no golf for me next week.  And I had such high hopes....

Cary,

You win the 2004 Hard Luck Award for leg surgery and I think you had four hurricanes to deal with.

Take it from an expert, Tom -- you can get through December, January and February without golf.

In fact, you might end up appreciating the experience. It's not all that much different from being deprived of, shall we say, your wife's companionship for an extended period of time. When you finally get back in the game, so to speak, the deprivation and anticipation can bring a new level of appreciation.

And right now you're nodding your head and thinking, yeah, yeah, but I'd rather keep playing.

So here's some advice from a snowbelter on how to pass the time:

Read two or three golf books you've always meant to read.

Get into "American Idol."

Catch up on the movies that are likely to be nominated for Academy Awards.

Ski.

Find a good time-wasting website (oh...nevermind.)

Impress your boss with how few days you suddenly disappear for five hours or so.

Take your kids to the zoo, or a waterpark, or an aquarium, or a concert, or some other place they're always asking you take them but you generally find a way to play golf instead.

Better yet, coach your kids in a winter sport. You'll wonder how you ever had time to play golf.

If all else fails, get a computer golf game like Links with a course-building prgram, and design your dream layout.

The days won't necessarily fly by, but I guarantee you're going to enjoy your next round of golf in a whole new way.

Tom,

Sorry to hear this.  I assume you will be spending more time in the office and it's therefore an opportune time to short Clorox?

I'll bet Huntley beat me to the punch.

Mike

Huckster,

Sorry to hear about the injury; at least it didn't happen at Santa Teresa! This could, however be a great opportunity to see some courses while just walking and observing. Like yourself, the playing of the game is most important for me, but I would love to tour a course without playing to see if I actually learn more. I suspect that injuy would be the only thing that could make me want to do that. Heck you might even like it. Your course evaluation skills could improve to point of causing a tremendous domino effect on all Golf Digest Raters and you could be credited with single handedly reforming their ratings process  .

All the best for the Holidays,
Pete L.

Huck,
As someone who has been in recovery for the last 114 days from a very lengthy illness, I can tell you NOW is the time to reflect how good it is to be able to live.

Tom,
  Read "Great Golfers in the Making, or something like that by Henry Leach I believe. I read it years ago when I was recovering from a knee surgery. Its about how 34 great golfers came up in the game. My game made a quantum leap forward when I started playing agiain. Which given the level of my game, won't seem like much to those who have seen me play.
   If you are interested I can send you my copy.

Tom:

I've decided to send you my wife, together with her crutches. Send her back when she can play again

Cary

Even though winter is kind of depressing, I do agree with Rick Shefchik that taking a break can lead to greater appreciation in the spring. I definitely feel like a kid on Christmas when I hit the first tee on that first warm day in March each year. Of course, I also love those rare moments in winter when golf presents itself--like going out to the high school football field with a shag bag, or playing a few holes on an empty muni somewhere.

And winter is perfect for catching up on your reading, golf or non-golf related. I always save the thick tomes (currently Caro's bio of Robert Moses, "The Power Broker") for this time of year as it seems to be the only time I can get through them....

Huckeroonie,

It's snowing right now for the first time this season in DC(quite beautiful) , there's a roaring fire in my fireplace, Xmas in the air (a bourbon and nog in my hand in tribute), and football on the V.  

Take that as you bask in your warm weather sameness!

luv ya  

J