I have to say, I can’t complain too much about my Coronavirus/COVID-19 quarantine.  I’m fortunate I can do my day job from my house and keep working as things are closing down.  It keeps me busy and provides somewhat of a distraction.  Meanwhile, my wife is busy all day playing mom, teacher (kids’ schools were closed), entertainer, etc while I just pop out on occasion to help manage a screaming match or to say hello.  That said, I still might be losing my mind, but I’ve found ways to keep the some dream alive…

The Lockdown Golf Podcast

There’s no way this doesn’t come off as a shameless plug, but I started a podcast.  When I saw the impending long-term lockdown coming, I told That Range Life – A Show Sometimes About Golf co-host, Kris McEwen, we should do a podcast each day to capture our adventure.  We call it The Lockdown Golf Podcast.  We generally just cover our mental states, any golf topic we may have seen from the day, or literally anything else.  We’re not claiming it’s the best podcast (especially in the golf category) but it’s been quite cathartic and it’s something for us and potential listeners to pass the time with.

PS. We’re working on getting some decent guests on the show too.  Stay tuned…

Vintage Golf Club Research/Hunting

As you may have seen in a previous blog post, I picked up a set of 1973 Ben Hogan Apex irons.  I absolutely love them, but the set was only 4-PW (or E as in “Equalizer” as Hogan Golf called the pitching wedge).  It was my mission to search out a steal on a 3 iron, 2 iron, and a unicorn 1 iron to match the set.  Well, one thing led to another, and I’ve become obsessed with researching vintage clubs/brands as well as the market today.  Is it as fascinating as I think it is?  I have zero idea, but getting to know the origins of MacGregor Golf, why Toney Penna might be the GOAT, and the impossibility of understanding “what clubs are what” has been a trip for this golf nerd.

It’s interesting if you hustle what cool stuff you can get for practically nothing.  Like a $6 50-year-old club that’s as good, if not better, as anything today.  I’m obsessed.  I just need a sick classic bag for my vintage set and the right persimmon woods.  I’m sure I’ll have way too many by the time this is done.

Fixing Things / House Work

When it rains it pours…  Since being quarantined at home (less than a week), I’ve had a kitchen drawer break and a shower drain essentially stop working.  The rail on my kitchen drawer completely snapped so I had to order a new one – hopefully it works.  So now we currently have a slot for our pots and pans instead of drawer.  The shower drain…thankfully it was just a dedicated session of snaking and problem solved.

Of course, all this time at home has me noticing odds and ends that need to be addressed.  Been fixing a lot of imperfections in the walls, painting, adjusting, you name it.  I’ve also gotten something that was lodged in my Dyson vacuum (not to brag…) hose out twice, and had to take the vacuum completely apart once.  I’m sure I’ve voided any warranty I may have still had.

Then, naturally, I’ve been looking for any excuse to do something golf related.  This has led to me cleaning clubs, arranging them, repainting, reshafting, turning ferrules, or anything else I can come up with.  Sadly, it’s not all that rewarding because I haven’t been able to play.

Cleaning My Office

A nice perk of running a decent golf website is amassing a nice collection of golf stuff.  The downside is that it all has to go somewhere.  Well for me, that space is often my home office – where I’m expected to work from for the foreseeable future.  I can deal with it in its current state for a day or two at a time, but for extended periods, it won’t work.  I’ve thrown a lot of garbage away, found lost treasures, and have come up with interesting stuff that I think I’m going to try and use for some fundraising to help a local cause during the Coronavirus crisis.

Oh, and within 15 minutes of working from home on Day 1, I immediately knew I needed a second monitor for the long haul.  Had to do a deep desk clean to fit that in comfortably.

BBQ’ing

If I’m going to be stuck at home and stocking up on food, might as well make it count!  I’ve been smoking and grilling meats like crazy!  There are very few people on lockdown eating as good as I am.  Or at least, that’s what I think.  Anyway, I love the excuse to fire up my Traeger and make some ribs, or some streak, or some brisket…  You get the point.

COVID-19 Quarantine Final Thoughts

I suppose this will be the new reality for awhile, which is fine.  Better safe than sorry and just need to make the most of it.  I like to think I’m fairly resourceful so I’m sure I’ll come up with plenty more random things to do.  In the meantime, stay safe and smart everyone.  Make the most of the quarantine time!