Blue hands and hot whiskeys go well together before, during and after the golf.

The tradition runs long and deep. Not as intense, one has to admit, as the time long ago in North Berwick when the golfers had retired to a local hostelry and raised their spirits to such a pitch that they threw a waiter out a first floor window! When approached by the inn keeper asking what he should do about the waiter they responded to a man with the cry: "Put him on the bill!"

There are more winter Alliance choices this year as the programme is boosted significantly by the decision of the Leinster Alliance to move its activities from summer. No point in playing in a sweltering Irish summer when you can play it cool.

Anyway, here's just a taster of some of the events planned for around the country over the coming months. In Leinster you can contact honorary secretary, Michael Neary (Old Conna) at m@irishgolfbooks. com to gain entry to the alliance which is open to new members of 9-handicap and under.

Outings planned are for The European Club on Sundays 29 October, 7 January and 4 March; and for PGA National on Sundays, 3 December and 4 February.

The East of Ireland Alliance opens for its 14th season at The European Club on Wednesday, 11 October and will meet there every Wednesday through 20 December; and again on every Wednesday from 3 January through to 25 April. That makes a grand total of 28 opportunities to play at Brittas Bay.

The East draws entries from Louth, Meath, Kildare, Dublin, Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford but all eligible are welcome as are new members. Enquiries to 0404 47415 or info@theeuropeanclub.

com.

Lahinch is another great centre for Alliance activity with the Mid-Western Alliance, which was resurrected by Bob Loftus of Ennis three years ago, playing all its competitions there. Call Loftus at 086-8047762 or email bob. loftus@e6. com.

Further south, the Kerry Alliance is guided expertly through the winter by Golfing Union of Ireland personality Michael Lawlor. This is the most sensational alliance of them all because a nominal fee of 190 secures a season of seven games as they plan to play seven meetings at a marvellous range of venues: 14 October at Dooks, 28 October at Ring of Kerry, 4 November at Dingle, 11 November at Ballybunion, 10 March at Waterville, 24 March at Castlegregory and 7 April at Skellig Bay.

Enquiries, memberships and entries to Michael Lawlor at 086-8383485.

Back in Leinster the Boyne Links Alliance is the pet of famed senior player Tony Goode and his president this year is the one and only RJ 'Bobby' Browne who has been professional at Laytown-Bettystown and a course designer of renown for umpteen years.

They are approaching their 25th birthday and get their season underway at Carton House on November 9 and will have subsequent outings at Laytown and Castleknock. They welcome new members and Tony Goode is the man at 0872561006.

The Connacht West Senior Alliance is a really vibrant organisation guided by men who really know their golf and playing on some great links from October through to March and would-be players should make an early move for inclusion as membership is confined to 100.

They have planned a nineouting season with an overnight in Belmullet which is always an event to remember, by those who can. This alliance offers sensational value with a fee of 170 covering the entire season.

That's just a fraction of what's going on over the coming months where you can be sure there will always be something happening on the local scene.