I first took up golf in high school after a PE class where we were made to chip wiffle balls into a target area. I remember holding the club open (twisted away from me) to hit the balls because I had never played before and doing that seemed to work. I did reasonably well, and figured maybe I should give golf a shot. Fast forward to 2010, and after hurting my shoulder over a year ago, I had not played since the summer of 2008 (I think, it could have been longer). I had missed playing, but after having not played in a while, and not really having anyone to spur me on, I did not really do anything about it.

Then my g/f signs me up for this tournament being sponsored by her school’s athletic booster club. She had talked to me about playing, and I told her I had not played in a while. I told her to sign me up only if they needed players, and I would make it work. She called me a couple of days after that conversation and told me I was signed up.

I was determined not to show up and suck at this tournament. It did not matter if I did not know any of the players, I know how I feel when I’m playing in a best ball tournament and I have a guy on my team that is really terrible. Last weekend after having my family over to my house for Mothers’ Day, I went and hit range balls at the golf course near my house. It was like I had never left. I hit some shots that made me think I did not have that far to go. I also hit some shots that made me think I had some work to do. I was encouraged by the results though, and knew if I practiced more that week, I would at least be able to contribute a little bit.

I went and played nine holes on Wednesday. I had noticed when I went to the course that not many people were playing, so I figured I could sneak on one afternoon and play alone. I like to play alone. Unless I’m playing with someone I know, I’d rather just play by myself. I warmed up on the range and then hit the course. (BTW, some dude was on the range with a driver that sounded like an aluminum bat when he hit the ball. I thought that was stupid. Maybe I’m too old fashioned. If you’re driver head is bigger than your hand, you probably should not be using it.)

After not playing in almost two years, I shot a 46, finishing with the same ball I teed off with. I could not believe it. I finished in near darkness where it was really hard to see, so luckily I was still hitting the ball straight. It felt great to walk the course and play like that. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing. The feeling of hitting a monster drive, watching your iron shot go high in the air and come down on the green, getting out of trouble, making a long putt, etc. I felt ready for this tournament.

I showed up yesterday and I was greeted with “You’re our ringer, right?” Uh oh. I quickly found out I was our team’s best player. It was not really a bad thing, but I wish I could have been more consistent with my shots and helped the team more. We shot a 74, which in best ball is not that good, but we did not finish last and we had a good time. It rained off and on, but there was free food and free beer, so it ended up being a good time. I lost twelve balls. TWELVE! I got 6 free though, so really my net loss was nine.

After all of this happening, I’m determined not to let my game lapse like that again. I have said this before, but hopefully this time I will be able to stick with it. People have told me that if I could play more, I could be really good. I’ll have to see about that.