PLEASE...JUST SHUT UP!

One of the joys of golf are the variety of characters we meet along the links. Sometimes, lifetime friendships are forged during those precious hours on the links. These chance encounters are a large part of the allure of a game that is otherwise exasperating and difficult on days when we are at our best. On days when we are less than our best, meeting new people can be a crap shoot, teetering on the edge of enjoyment and annoyance.

Yesterday, I got to play a local, private course on the outer border of Las Vegas. I had been looking forward to playing the course with a very good friend whom I had not seen in a few months. I was returning to the site where I had to be taken off the course because of physical problems. I was excited and a little anxious about playing there. The weather was beautiful and after the nasty wind and cold temperatures the day was like a gift from the Gods.

The first 5 holes were terrific. The conversation was light and enjoyable. My host, one of my best friends, and I, carried on lighthearted conversation. I birdied the first two holes and had fallen into a relaxed and confident tempo. We were playing golf at its best and loving the day.

On the sixth hole we were joined by two other club members who were acquaintances of my host. Lets call them Paul and Brad...their real names have been changed to protect, well...everybody. I had met Paul before. In fact, I had met Paul during my "medical emergency" round and found him to be good company. Brad, his playing partner this day would ultimately provide another lesson from the links.

Brad was pretty full of himself and believe me there was not a shy bone in this man's body. The sixth hole began an oddessy for me that would teach me another valuable lesson. During my time with Brad I would get to hear all the things that HE (alone by the way) was going to do to improve("if I have my way") the golf course, which is a fine Arnold Palmer design. Now, credit where credit is due, Brad's golf game was good. He is likely a solid 8 or 9 handicap but he's no Arnold Palmer. Our round strated to slow down by degrees as Brad outlined HIS changes directly to Paul but loud enough for my partner and me to hear. It became increasingly annoying to me because he was not shy about holding his dissertation at close range during my backswing.

That would have been tolerable by itself but Brad was so self absorbed that he would routinely drive to his ball and park directly in or just outside the line of my shot. He was about 20 yards longer than me off the tee so I spent a lot of time with him in my way and I snapped. Not in a big way but I began ragging at Brad but not really "at" Brad. For 4 holes I complained and sniped at Brad and my score began to reflect the foulness of my mood. When Brad would get in front of me, I would call-my-shot, "off Brads left shoulder" or "through Brad's cart windshield." When Brad would jabber in my backswing I would mimic him all the way up the fairway. Finally, my "oh-so-wise" playing partner told me, in a gentle and humorous way, that he was beginning to feel the same way he did earlier in the day when his wife was having trouble with making curtains. BAM! I realized immediately that I was ruining the day for him. I too had become self absorbed, in a different way but with no less damaging effects.

I immediately lightened up. My scores improved and my partner and I had a good time. I had relaxed so much that I actually could laugh on the 18th tee box, when Brad shouted, "There's Lefty!" in the middle of my backswing. I tried to stop my swing but snapped the ball dead left. My day, however was complete when Brad hit a perfect drive, second shot, but couldn't save his par from the bunker and I scrambled, turning my rotten drive into a routine par.

No matter how long we've played or how often we play, we are still vulnerable to becoming self absorbed on the course. On any given day there are hundreds of golfers playing your course they are all absorbed in their own game. When our own enjoyment of the game infringes on other players, we are doing them and ourselves an injustice. Enjoy your game and be respectful of the other players, this way everybody can enjoy a great day on the links.

Head Nut #0001