Golf season, for me, is officially over.
I played about a week ago when the weather was still above 40, which is a rule I added to the Rules of Golf – no golf under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s a shame, in a way, because when the tundra is cold or, even better, frozen, my drives are much, much longer.
But, that’s my rule and I’m sticking to it.
Since that last round, it’s been under 40 at the time we typically tee off (9 or 10 a.m., when the frost clears). I haven’t taken the clubs out of the car yet, but I haven’t played either.
Ending golf (probably) for the season is sad in many ways. I’ve made some good friends playing, the same guys I play with most days of the week. But, I won’t see them probably until Spring. Why, I’m not sure, because we all live near each other.
But, golf is golf! It’s separate from the rest of your life.
Plus, I walk the relatively short course so it's decent exercise and walks not interrupted by poor swings take its place.
Played properly, golf is a game of rules and honor. I like to think I play with honor but (obvious to my playing partners) I don’t follow every rule. For example, I take mulligans (a second swing) – usually more than once a round, not that even one mulligan is allowed under the rules.
It, however, is an unwritten rule of golf that if you hit a really, horribly bad shot and then a hit second ball from that same spot (a mulligan), that “mulligan swing” is always pure.
And I mean always.
It is an unwritten rule of golf sent by the heavens, I’ve come to accept.
Also, when I take a legitimate drop of the ball (unplayable lie or for any legitimate reason), I never measure the exact club length (or whatever the rule is) you are allowed to take. I just drop it in a better place. Near enough, but not the strict dictate of the rule. Call me a rebel.
I don’t play well, as my handicap (no, I won’t publish it) attests. I keep a handicap just so I can measure how well, or not, I’m doing against myself.
Or if I ever decide to play in an official club event.
There is the club championship, for instance. I actually could contend for that one (with my handicap) but I really don’t want to tell anyone my handicap (I said I’m NOT telling!).
Ten or so years ago when I started playing (after I retired) I kept a handicap and played in what my course (a nine-holer designed by one of the great designers before he was great) calls the “Pro-Am,” a twice weekly tournament where you put up cash and the prizes are shared from that pot of money.
So, this time I played, we come to the second green. I putt up to a few inches and I pick up the ball, awarding myself a “gimme.”
The best player in our group said, “you can’t pick it up, you have to putt it; there are guys here who will penalize you for that!” I said, penalize me, and moved to the next hole. I finished the round, went home.
I didn’t understand how handicaps worked in those days.
Next day, I go to the first hole and a bunch of the “Ams” from the tournament (don’t tell them, but there are no “Pros” in the tournament) are talking about yesterday’s competition. “Some new guy won some money,” I heard them say. Then Bruce, who ran the course, said to me, come into the club house, I have some money for you.
I did and he said your team came in second and you won closest to the pin on Number 9. It came to something like 50 bucks. I took the money and retired from competition. I’m probably the only guy who stopped playing that tournament and wound up in the plus column. One and done.
I realized, later, that we probably came in second because
of my handicap being so, uh, high (that's the only clue I'm offering).
I just don’t want to follow all the rules! I’m just in it for the fun, friendship and exercise. (Remember, Mark Twain called it a good walk spoiled.)
Though I spent a bunch of my career in politics one rule I try to follow on the course is – no politics is discussed! That’s because I really don’t like arguing anymore with those who disagree over politics with me, especially when it comes to you-know-who.
Anyone who doesn’t support you-know-who, I’ll talk politics with -- but no one wins, or enjoys, when that person-who-shall-not-be-named enters the discussion –be you for or against him.
In fact, not long ago I was having a nice conversation with a few guys as we waited to tee off and one said something like “it’ll be better when he gets in.”
I suddenly had to use the facilities in the clubhouse and politely left the conversation.
Apparently, there are two things that can spoil a good walk.
Getting upset on the course – whether it’s using the wrong club, hitting your ball from a divot or allowing that guy-who-shall-not-be-named enter the discussion is a key mindset that will destroy your next few holes, at least.
Nothing has changed about your game. You’re still that same guy who hit that previous near perfect shot. But something entered your personal space that puts your mind in a different place – that place from whence bad shots emanate. I do not like that place, despite spending much time in it.
Anyway, I don’t need to worry about any of that until the Spring!
What? Oh, the temp will over 40 next week?
When's our tee time?
I played about a week ago when the weather was still above 40, which is a rule I added to the Rules of Golf – no golf under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s a shame, in a way, because when the tundra is cold or, even better, frozen, my drives are much, much longer.
But, that’s my rule and I’m sticking to it.
Since that last round, it’s been under 40 at the time we typically tee off (9 or 10 a.m., when the frost clears). I haven’t taken the clubs out of the car yet, but I haven’t played either.
Ending golf (probably) for the season is sad in many ways. I’ve made some good friends playing, the same guys I play with most days of the week. But, I won’t see them probably until Spring. Why, I’m not sure, because we all live near each other.
But, golf is golf! It’s separate from the rest of your life.
Plus, I walk the relatively short course so it's decent exercise and walks not interrupted by poor swings take its place.
Played properly, golf is a game of rules and honor. I like to think I play with honor but (obvious to my playing partners) I don’t follow every rule. For example, I take mulligans (a second swing) – usually more than once a round, not that even one mulligan is allowed under the rules.
It, however, is an unwritten rule of golf that if you hit a really, horribly bad shot and then a hit second ball from that same spot (a mulligan), that “mulligan swing” is always pure.
And I mean always.
It is an unwritten rule of golf sent by the heavens, I’ve come to accept.
Also, when I take a legitimate drop of the ball (unplayable lie or for any legitimate reason), I never measure the exact club length (or whatever the rule is) you are allowed to take. I just drop it in a better place. Near enough, but not the strict dictate of the rule. Call me a rebel.
I don’t play well, as my handicap (no, I won’t publish it) attests. I keep a handicap just so I can measure how well, or not, I’m doing against myself.
Or if I ever decide to play in an official club event.
There is the club championship, for instance. I actually could contend for that one (with my handicap) but I really don’t want to tell anyone my handicap (I said I’m NOT telling!).
Ten or so years ago when I started playing (after I retired) I kept a handicap and played in what my course (a nine-holer designed by one of the great designers before he was great) calls the “Pro-Am,” a twice weekly tournament where you put up cash and the prizes are shared from that pot of money.
So, this time I played, we come to the second green. I putt up to a few inches and I pick up the ball, awarding myself a “gimme.”
The best player in our group said, “you can’t pick it up, you have to putt it; there are guys here who will penalize you for that!” I said, penalize me, and moved to the next hole. I finished the round, went home.
I didn’t understand how handicaps worked in those days.
Next day, I go to the first hole and a bunch of the “Ams” from the tournament (don’t tell them, but there are no “Pros” in the tournament) are talking about yesterday’s competition. “Some new guy won some money,” I heard them say. Then Bruce, who ran the course, said to me, come into the club house, I have some money for you.
I did and he said your team came in second and you won closest to the pin on Number 9. It came to something like 50 bucks. I took the money and retired from competition. I’m probably the only guy who stopped playing that tournament and wound up in the plus column. One and done.
I realized, later, that we probably came in second because
of my handicap being so, uh, high (that's the only clue I'm offering).
I just don’t want to follow all the rules! I’m just in it for the fun, friendship and exercise. (Remember, Mark Twain called it a good walk spoiled.)
Though I spent a bunch of my career in politics one rule I try to follow on the course is – no politics is discussed! That’s because I really don’t like arguing anymore with those who disagree over politics with me, especially when it comes to you-know-who.
Anyone who doesn’t support you-know-who, I’ll talk politics with -- but no one wins, or enjoys, when that person-who-shall-not-be-named enters the discussion –be you for or against him.
In fact, not long ago I was having a nice conversation with a few guys as we waited to tee off and one said something like “it’ll be better when he gets in.”
I suddenly had to use the facilities in the clubhouse and politely left the conversation.
Apparently, there are two things that can spoil a good walk.
Getting upset on the course – whether it’s using the wrong club, hitting your ball from a divot or allowing that guy-who-shall-not-be-named enter the discussion is a key mindset that will destroy your next few holes, at least.
Nothing has changed about your game. You’re still that same guy who hit that previous near perfect shot. But something entered your personal space that puts your mind in a different place – that place from whence bad shots emanate. I do not like that place, despite spending much time in it.
Anyway, I don’t need to worry about any of that until the Spring!
What? Oh, the temp will over 40 next week?
When's our tee time?
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