Creo
I can fully understand and appreciate where you are coming from.
I reckon that ANY golfer who plays a lot of golf needs from time to time to have a complete break from golf -except WATCHING it - just as most top players and/or their coaches do in golf,tennis, athletics particularly,cricket, footbal, rugby etc. It is not merely the body that needs a rest it is the mind that requires relaxation as much if not more.
I have had two very long rests in my golfing career mainly due to business commitments. One lasted almost two years and the other fifteen months. Surprisingly, after each absence from the course I played really well! I feel sure that you will too.
Like you I have mellowed! -on the golf course anyway- and in life generally- as I'm sure that doughty GM members like Harry Putter, Zigzagger, Wormburner and ten or fifteen others would testify!!
McStumpy
I'm sure that Genghis Khan DID study charts or rudimentary maps of all the territories that he decided to conquer. Just like Creo will study his course planners of the courses he intends to cut down to size