Golf Fore the Good

We have been blessed these last two months in New England with above average temperatures. Here on Cape Cod we have no snow cover, we’ve barely had a few hard frosts; greens are still regulation, no temporaries, and the courses are in fabulous shape.

November brought a few glorious days where you could still play golf in your shirtsleeves. While December brought out the jackets and gloves, who would have thought the 28th of the month would find us still teeing it up? Sounds crazy when you think about it in the early fall; 45 degrees, high thin clouds with a smidge of sun, gusty winds of maybe a club, club and a half; but with the wind from the west, warmer than it could be and not bad at all, especially for walking.

You tend to realize it isn’t actually that nice out if you’re just standing around, so we zipped off the back to avoid any waiting (imagine, waiting on a weekday in December!), my friend and I and two other gentlemen. For the mere sake of camaraderie and practicality (and with no money match on the line) I, the lone female, moved from my usual tees to the whites as the others were back at the blues. Better for conversation, more fun to hang with the group than to be up at the forward tees alone. And no pressure; for us in the North East, there are no scores to post this time of year, no spiraling index every two weeks. What fun to just swing away, knowing every hole we play is a bonus, a gift from the golf gods, one stroke closer to spring and a new season.

The tempo of our round played out beyond compare. As for myself, I played entirely in the present, that “one shot at a time ” mindset I normally have a hard time achieving. No expectations, no tension in the swing, no tight grip, no regrets for an errant shot. A few unfamiliar distances gave me cause for concern, quickly squashed with a well considered lay up. I walked away more than content with my score and pleased to have challenged myself a bit, coming away no worse for the wear.

If only we could capture such moments, the easy swing, the carefree attitude. Why, come spring and competitive rounds, do many of us tighten up and seem to think so much depends on our performance? As a wise and wonderful golfer has said to me “my life is not defined by my golf game.” We’re simply amateurs, out for a good walk, some fresh air and great company. Today, my bonus day, I enjoyed all that and more.