Abstinence

Confession time. I haven't played a round of golf since Masters Sunday.

What's going on man, are you okay?

I am fine, I think. Outwardly at least. Physical and mental health would probably be deemed sound by a health-care professional.

But why no golf, why?

Ghettogolf: LaTourette GC, Staten Island

Once upon a time I set out with a dream. A dream of Playing Every Last God-Forsaken Golf Course in New York City.

I know, the LGNYCGT (Legitimategolf New York City Golf Tour) has been stalled for a long-ass time. Who are we kidding, it's been lying broke down on the side of the road, rusting. What can I say? The part of me that at one time longed to seek out golf adventures all over the five boroughs has, you know, shriveled up and died or whatever.

But what do you know, last Masters Sunday the old bus was up and running again, and even if it's by happenstance (i.e. the only place I could find a decent tee-time), we are now back en route to Playing Every Last God-Forsaken Course In New York City!!!

The Quest for Fire, part 1: admitting you have a problem

I can avoid this subject no longer. The warm season is just about here, crowds are swelling and there is little of interest going on on the course. From my POV at least. So settle in and I'll finally attempt to tell the story of a golf swing odyssey I set out on last summer.

How To Play Golf in New York City: East River Bikeway Edition

Golf. You'd be surprised at how accessible it is from the island of Manhattan. One of my favoritest routes to get to golf is the one that runs along the shore of the East River and down the entire "Loisaida" (that's local-slang for "Lower East Side", you honky) to the doorstep of the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

The Winter Handicap Challenge

This year I am once again applying scores toward my handicap during all winter months--a radical act that flies in the face of the orthodoxy of organized golf.

Golf in February

February. Winter's last stand. The final frontier. For anyone in the higher latitudes, golf in February is the exception and not the norm. If you look at the history of golf in New York (well my history at least) you'll see that golf in February is a roll of the dice situation, maybe a twenty percent chance in any given year.

Last Gas

Two days before the great mid-Atlantic blizzard of '16 would arrive, I made it out for one last round.