A change is a good as a break

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - the creator of Sherlock Holmes - is said to have coined the phrase “A change is a good as a break”. Whether he did or, it is elementary wisdom. Sorry, you might have guessed something like that awful pun was lumbering it's way into this post!I tried out this change theory today with a golf day at Mere in Cheshire; swapping the links for the parkland course variety and swapping competitive Saturday golf for midweek, friendly charity corporate fun golf. It was a good day. Good company; good course; good cause; good weather and - for the back nine at least - good golf.I have always been a competitive person and take myself, my work and my hobbies as seriously as I believe to be healthy; giving it 100% (not the dreaded 110% of sporting interviews, X Factor and the like). But I have perspective. I know how important golf is in my life; really important for my wellbeing, stress relief, exercise regime, social life but not important enough to get annoyed if I don't play well or to lose sight of the joy of being outdoors, breathing in fresh air available and making sure that I never stop respecting the game and those who play it.A day like today forces you to remember this even more; it makes you focus completely on the fun side of the game - the team format, beat the professional, longest drive and nearest the pin - there was a car - yes an actual real life car - for a hole in one - is a great antidote to the occasionally over serious weekend golf that pervades man golf clubs.I'm back at my wonderful course tomorrow for a friendly game with a friend. I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed Mere - especially the last four holes - but I am looking forward to getting back on the magnificent S&A links. I hope today's change will help my golf. I hope it will have done me good. I'm hoping Mr Conan Doyle was right; there will be a little money, plenty of pride and some significant bragging rites at stake.#ben2b40