Sharing the Road
Sharing The Road
Greetings Golfers,
Just got back from a quick golf trip. I know that sounds obnoxious … but it’s one of the few benefits of old age.
Now I want change your opinion of me to one of pity. (Not sure that this will work). Because I played golf everyday, my neck and shoulder are freaking-out. Years ago it got so bad that I had to shake hands with my left-hand. Then I found some ways to relieve the pain … and changed my golf swing so that I basically swung left-handed. I still made a right-handed golf swing … but my right-hand was basically just lightly holding-on.
(Hopefully, I now have your sympathy).
As we get older … things change … and we have to find new ways to make our swing work. Because I am very right-handed … I never really trusted my new “left-handed” swing. And … I lost quite a bit of power and control. Not as fun as it sounds. But at least I could still play golf.
However, the last round of the trip … after a few holes … I decided to play right-hand dominate. Wow! My shot-making and power became much better. I almost felt young again. However, reality set-in … and by the last hole … I knew that I’d pushed it too far.
Was it worth it? Not sure … but I think so. I’ll know for sure by tomorrow.
But I have other more interesting observations from my little golf vacation. Mostly about pace-of-play … and the driving in SW Florida.
One round … we played in 3:15 … and had people hitting into us. Seriously. Some people think that they have a right to play at whatever speed they want to. I think that a 4 hour pace is wonderful. And fair for everyone. And reasonable for everyone. We’re sharing a one-lane road. To me it’s like a 65 mph pace. If the course is full … it makes no sense to let people play through if everyone is at a 4 hour pace. There’s nowhere to go. It’s a one-lane road!
Let’s talk driving on the roads. Some people feel that a left-turn arrow means that they can make the turn whenever they’re ready. Maybe the 10 cars behind them didn’t mind missing the light because of their inconsideration … but I doubt it. It’s pretty mind-boggling … and pretty similar to the people playing at a 5 hour rate with a full course behind them.
But the people who think they have right to a 3 hour round on a full course are just as narcissistic.
Being ready for the left-turn arrow … and trying to play golf at a 4 hour pace are not unrealistic expectations. In both cases … we’re sharing a one-lane road. I think what frustrates the people behind such slow-pokes is that it seems like they just don’t care. It’s the inconsideration that is really annoying … or more than annoying.
But being hit into is beyond annoying. It would be like someone driving their car into you while you’re driving through the green arrow … especially if there’s no room in front of you. It’s dangerous and crazy and narcissistic. What a great trio!
Well … I hope your body is ready physically for a good season of golf. And I hope that the other players on the course are respectful of each other and of a 4 hour pace of play.
My magic wand isn’t working very well … so hopefully my blogs can pick-up the slack.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com