Paul - in keeping with the tone of this thread and the "two Pauls", here's what I feel about par:
Peter: Don't tell me you're a dupe for par.
Peter: I'm a dupe for par, yes. A major-league sap.
Peter: But it doesn't mean anything, par. What does it mean?
Peter: It means everything. It's how I measure myself. It's how I keep score. It's my eternal opponent. It's the White Whale.
Peter: But it's just a concept, Ahab
Peter: So is Love, brother.
Peter: Maybe - but love makes people happier.
Peter: Until the dame splits town with your best friend and next month's rent.
Peter: Which means what?
Peter: Which means you take the good with the bad, or you better just stay home. The agony and ecstasy, friend - riding high in April, shot down in May
Peter: Do you have a cigarette? I’m all out
Peter: I was just going ask you for one.
Peter: Shit
Peter: You’re telling me.
Peter: But do you mean you strive for par every time, hole by hole, every hole and every day, no matter what the conditions?
Peter: You have to play the hand that's dealt you. What difference does it make if it’s raining? Are we men or are we mice?
Peter: Well, Paul Cowley and TE Paul don't agree with you, just to name two.
Peter: Paul and TE are golfing sophisticates. They're the high-hats, they're the swells. I'm a rube. I'm a country bumpkin. Par is par.
Peter: But don't you get it? That's just want the architects want. They want you to take par seriously - that's how they mess with your head; that's how they get you making stupid choices; that's how they get you dancing on the strings they're pulling.
Peter: Exactly. And I want to dance. So why would I want to take that tool away from them. They don't have many, especially with the new technology making the game so much easier.
Peter: Hey pal - don't kid yourself. You need all the help you can get. You're not that good.
Peter: You're right, I'm not. But I hope to be one day soon
Peter: And in the meantime?
Peter: In the meantime, I'm not bigger than the game. I don't want the game to change for me and my limitations. And I like it the way it is.
Peter: Now you’re just confusing me. I thought you were Mr. Nature-boy, always touting naturalism, simplicity, freedom and all that other new-age stuff
Peter: Yes, but I still need something to ground me, don’t I? I mean, I still want to remember that I’m playing a game and competing, don’t I? Listen, I could be playing the most naturalistic golf course ever found, but if it's got a short Par 5, I’m gonna be thinking it’s my chance for birdie, believe me.
Peter: You’re missing my point…
Peter: If I just wanted to get stoned on nature, I’d get stoned on nature. Why lug a golf bag around?
Peter: I’m going out for cigarettes
Peter: Wait up, let me get my wallet.
Peter: I still think you’re missing something here, something very important.
Peter: I know I am – that’s why I’m talking about it with you. What the hell do I know?
Peter