Turf Zone – SayAhhh
Well, 2026 is with us, the New Year has now been and gone, hurting heads have subsided, sleep has been caught up with and life returns to whatever normal we deem normal. So, what about New Year resolutions? Have you made yours and how many have you broken already? That bearing in mind we are only 4-days into 2026. To be honest I don’t see the point of making these, they rarely last for long, often forgotten the following day. But I’m going to make some. Yes, there, I’ve said it online, on the public domain of cyberspace and no backing out now.
So, what might I resolve to accomplish? Well, no point giving up the demon drink, I’ve not touched anything alcoholic for 20-years or some, bare that occasional sherry laced trifle, which I must say is spoiled by the addition of sherry. No point giving up smoking as I’ve never tried, ever, and no point getting more exercise as I do that already. My weight is the same as it was when I was 18-years old and resolving to stop chasing attractive women is, well, something I’ve only dreamed about being able to actually do in the first place. However, there is always the game of turf. What can I resolve to accomplish for this fine game?
Okay, here are my turf resolutions for 2026*.
- go for a Region winner medal, most likely Scotland.
- take 1000 round unique zones for the Diversiest medal.
- take 400 zones in 24-hours for the Staminatrix medal.
- take zones in 5 regions for the Pentaregion Star.
- take zones in 10 regions for the Decaregion Star.
- take zones in all 12 UK regions for the UK Explorer medal.
- go crazy one round for the Roundpointer-750k medal.
- collect 20 zones to complete the Monumental medal.
That’s quite a challenge I’ve set myself, so from 11.00am today, at the start of round #187, I’ll be out there getting points. And that’s the core of my plan to begin with, simply get out there as much as possible and collect points. The big challenge is perhaps the UK Explorer, as I only have 3 regions in the bag. However, ChoccyMuffin is planning a trip down to West Sussex to visit a friend, so we will be driving down with Brompton bikes in the boot, over multiple days and stopping off at zone rich areas along the route, taking zones in all the required regions on the way and also on the return trip. That should give each of us 11 regions, leaving Northern Ireland for a separate trip.
Now, I would bet an entire packet of four-fingered Kit-Kats that most turfers have come across annoying zones. I have and a few of them are annoying each and every time I try to take them. For example, and this is probably my favourite, if any annoying zones could be called that, zone BurnbraePoint here in sunny sub-zero Bonnyrigg. The zone encompasses a circular grassy area with planted areas in the corners. It’s surrounded by a decorative metal fence and has two access gates.
Now, there’s no issue taking the zone from within the fenced area. But that means alighting from the bike, opening the gate, taking the bike in, then the reverse of the same procedure. Note, makes sure you close the gate or a grumpy gentleman nearby will get even grumpier, shout at you to close the bloody gate less packs of roaming wild dogs get in and do whatever roaming wilds dogs do.
However, there’s a faster and easier way to take this zone. You can actually take it from each of the four corners outside the fence. Well, I should say with a bit of luck, ad usually, and sometimes. And that luck seems to be determined on the direction you approach any of the corners. Sometimes it might work when approaching from one way but not the opposite direction. Then the next time you try, nothing works at all and through the gate you go. It’s an annoying zone. Bye for now.
*Oh, my goodness, what have I let myself in for?
Copyright ©2026 Gary Buckham. All rights reserved.
