Great Expectations

Every now and then I get to play on a really nice course which sets up the classic good and bad situation. Good because I get to play a great course, bad because the expectations immediately become heightened. The fact of the matter is that playing a super nice course does not always translate into a super nice round and while it is not too hard to stomach a hack job on a municipal track, it is a bit rougher on the ego when it happens on mac-daddy course.

it’s a fun game..right?

Case in point – Last winter, my wife bought me a foursome for a private course which I finally got around to booking last week.  So with 10 months of anticipation, yesterday was the big day. An up and down par on #1 was a good sign, but after that it got ugly and ended with a 89.

Fortunately, this is not my 1st rodeo and have learned a bit about disappointment.  Just last week I played in a tournament with hopes of winning.  Then on the 1st tee box, the sky opened up and we played in a down-pour for 4 holes.  While I tried to remain steady, the wheels fell off and my dreams of going low went the way of the dodo bird.

It is precisely this balancing act of grinding out a score and the desire to have a fun day that I find to be quite challenging because my happiness is in part tied to my performance.  For many people golf is only a social activity which would make this situation much easier.  Unfortunately for me, scoring and fun are always partially linked.  Is this a bad thing?  I don’t have that answer, but for now I will rest on acknowledging the situation is a least part of the solution-or maybe I just need to drink more beer.