There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly cut Bermudagrass. You find it mostly in small patches, placed strategically next to water and sand. It’s often hard, but softens after a dampening rain. It’s perfect.
I consider myself a little above an average golfer. I try to play at least once a week, hitting up local courses here in New Jersey to hone my skills. Anything more than that and the stars were aligned — got home early, solid weather, etc. I get the same feeling pulling out my clubs as Ferris Bueller did taking Alan’s father’s car for a spin: You don’t know where they’re going to take you, but giddy up.
There’s a calm sense of relaxation when hitting the course. Not to mention, the fresh air, exercise and complexity of launching a small ball hundreds of yards into an apple-sized hole in the ground. It’s challenging enough to make even the best players frustrated.
I recently played a course in Sussex County and shot an 86. Now, shooting an 86 is not an every-outing occurrence for me. In fact, it was the best I’ve ever done. That day I pared or birdied the first six holes on the course before dropping a seven on a par-5 and a 10 on a par-4. That eventually led to a front nine of 41. This is where it becomes frustrating.
I shoot a wonderful 41, but should have done at least seven strokes better, and that’s if I’m playing at my best. Combine my back nine 45 with a what-should-have-been — or rightfully so, what-could-have-been — 34 and I’m shooting 79.
Ever keep track of how many times you say “if only” on the course? Don’t do it. I only presented the scenario above to prove how it can drive you nuts. Learn from the mistakes you make and be prepared to corner them head-on the next time you’re presented with a similar challenge.
Instead of dwelling, what I’ve taken from my 86 is the potential I have as a golfer. As I said before, I consider myself “a little above average,” but believe I could be even better if I just start making solid hits. I waste at least five or six strokes each round just on hitting “chunk” shots. It’s frustrating, but the best thing to do is clear your head and move on.
Perfect example: A few Sunday’s ago, I played a popular course in Hackettstown, N.J. I wasn’t hitting the ball extremely well, but was able to tame my score. On 18, I hit a drive about 100 yards on a 550-yard, par-5. Instead of getting mad over why I’m not hitting my second shot 300 yards to the pin, I pulled out my 3 Wood and dropped a perfect 225 yard shot straight down the fairway. From there, I used my 4 Hybrid to knock the ball to just outside a bunker resting right next to the green. A chip and a putt later, I was in the hole in five.
What I did there was turn that one bad shot in a great hole. Had I hit that desired 250-yard drive, I could have made a horrible second shot and been worse off. It’s all about capitalizing on the shot you’re presented with.
There’s also another reason to become a better golfer. The better you are, the less tired you should be at the end of a round. I played with a friend the day I shot an 86 who hit a 126. That means he had to take 30 more strokes that day – not to mention a bunch more practice swings. You stand there and take 30 swings and I bet you’ll be tired.
The biggest thing about playing the game of golf is to have fun. Each time out on the links is a new challenge. As long as you’re playing with a smile on your face than there’s nothing better. That’s the only thing I’m completely sure about in this game.
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