Several years ago, in a tournament at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, I was playing in about the third flight. We were all playing to win, but enjoying ourselves in the process. We followed right behind a group in the first flight. There were some very good golfers at the club, which boasted Andrew Magee, Scott Verplank, and Brian Watts as alumni from the junior program. Two of the players in the group ahead of us had played in the mini-tours some years before.
As we sat back waiting to tee off on a par three, we watched as the good players finished up on the green. The head pro drove by and asked how we were doing, and we all laughed. He knew what that meant. But then something struck me. So I spoke up. “You know, I would really like to play as well as the guys in that group. But, we’re having fun. I don’t think they are.” And they really weren’t. They fretted over putts, and missing a spot on the fairway bothered them. I was always just happy to hit the fairway.
I guess that’s what really separates golf from other sports. You can be bad and still enjoy yourself. And no matter how bad you are, you still (on occasion) hit the perfect shot–the one you truly wanted to hit.
I’ve sunk my share of 40-foot triple-break putts, and I’ve hit the fairway with a tee shot that rolled to a stop 340 yards away. I’ve had a 170-yard 6-iron bounce and roll into the hole for an ace. I’ve hit an 8-iron from the rough that did the same for an eagle. Those things really aren’t commonplace even on the tour. Ben Hogan never had a hole-in-one during tournament play.
Weekend golfers try to improve every time we play. When someone breaks 100 for the first time, or 90, or 80, it is a special event. But at least one time in every round, the average golfer hits that pure shot. And it’s a good feeling. How often does that happen in other sports? Can you really imagine standing at the plate while Randy Johnson throws pitches to you? Could you ever make contact? How about trying to throw a pass with NFL linemen attacking? Chances are you would never succeed. That isn
Good call on the game, I still say the single most difficult thing in all of sports is trying to hit a major league slider. The next two most difficult things are right up there though. They are hitting that perfect shot in golf, and the mere act of boxing three rounds at any level. Golf is so tough because you are your toughest opponent, boxing because the oher guy is trying to disconnect your cranium from your neck, while you are hopefully trying to do the same to him.
Comment by Bubba Bo Bob Brain — August 9, 2004 @ 8:02 pm
Boxing is something else you have no business trying unless you are good. Or, your opponent is just as bad. There is that parity at least.
Comment by Bunker — August 10, 2004 @ 5:35 am