Get Out and Play

Good morning, golfers.  Welcome to The Golf Blog's Sunday Morning Tee Time.  You know, ever since golf has entered my world, things always seem to direct themselves back to the game.  For instance, when walking down the streets of Hoboken, NJ, my place of residence, the sidewalks can get a little congested.  To maneuver through the crowds, sometimes composure and patience is required.

Find me on the ninth hole of any golf course, and you'll see the comparisons shining through.  After missing a five foot putt for par - putts you must make in order to move up to the next tier of "quality golf" - composure is necessary.  Moving to the next tee, gathering yourself for the upcoming tee shot (or even the bogey putt still to come), and patience is essential to know that eventually, your best golf is still ahead of you.

Now, as in life, some things aren't worth taking so seriously on the golf course.  When we're out playing a game, don't fret so much if you're constantly duffing your woods off the fairways.  Or even hitting your irons fat and leaving everything short of the greens.  Sunday mornings are for remembering that life is good.  We have our health, our families and the rest of the day to enjoy time for ourselves.

If some of us don't have this luxury, perhaps golf is the game to turn to for salvation.  Trust me, get on the course and explore what this game can offer.  If you're afraid that you've never picked up a club and worried of embarrassing yourself, try an early evening twilight special at a local club near you.  I'm sure there's an affordable rate available where you can walk nine holes by yourself and enjoy the quietness of a course being fallen on by dusk.  While playing, hit a poor shot; who cares.  No one's watching.  It's just you and your game.  As a matter of fact, hit two.  Playing at this time of day is actually best for capturing the required mechanics and feel of a great shot. 

When I was a kid I used to imagine myself in a glorious sports moment.  For instance I'd be on the basketball court and counting down the seconds to the buzzer before attempting to hit the winning shot.  Or I'd be at bat in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and my team down three.  My Grand Slam would win it all.   

Sounds crazy, but I'm sure any competitive person has imagined these scenarios.  They may appear senseless and childish, but the pressure of the moment becomes engrained, and when a similar situation surfaces later on, perhaps this little practice may help when the lights are really shining.

Look, golf is a very frustrating game.  I don't think any golfer would deny that.  But the joys of what the game offers far outweigh the downside.  If you disagree with this, don't play.  There are probably more enjoyable ways for many to spend four hours on a Sunday morning.  If so, I encourage you to stick your clubs in the corner and take up chess.

For those that do take pleasure in golf, get out and play. 

And let us know how it's going.

All the best golfers,
Richard Malangone

"Commit to the shot"