On occasion, it’s the course itself. A well-designed golf course, particularly one that is well suited to its setting, can be breathtaking, awe-inspiring, a marvel, or just plain art.
At Westport, it was the imposing mountain dome, hovering close to the ever-firm, ever-strategic golf course, yet appearing so far that you longed to be among their rolling sides. By the time I finished my round, which, for the first time seeing the course, was pretty decent for my standards, a 79, I was ready for a hearty lunch and a beer, while continuing to digest the course I had just played. I felt so good leaving the course, I stopped to play a nine-holer, Cobble Hill, a course built in 1896 that featured solid golf holes, a better price, and just enough quirk to make you really smile and as you enjoy yourself. It turned out to be a beautiful day.
In some ways golf is a solitary game. There are times, particularly for a regular player, where you can enjoy the game alone by yourself. I like to play with people, but sometimes, you are your own best golf partner. Playing alone, especially on an empty or near-empty course, can be healing.
While it’s hardly the most difficult job in the world, much less New York State, Being a PGA Professional is not easy. Mostly, long hours and popular times. It’s being “on” all the time. A lot of golf professionals swear by the curing power of the range picker (I am one also), but nothing beats a round, or even a few holes, on an empty course, by yourself.
Perhaps the aspect of golf that seems to help the most, is the company. Playing partners are as important to the game as the ball itself. They are your friends, your best friends, acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors, and complete strangers. They can make your round an absolute delight, or make you want to quit the game. Some of my favorite, most memorable rounds, came on poorly-designed or beyond benign golf courses, or bad scores, or both!
The combination of our terrible commitment on worse swings and our distaste for the course design made us giddy. It by the 12th hole, we were laughing at every dumb thing. I forgot I was even sad. There is nothing better than a round of golf with good people.
Without a doubt, golf has saved a lot of people, and I use the game not just for entertainment anymore, but as a form of therapy. It has the power to relax, put things into perspective, and allows me to enjoy what’s presented. I hope others here feel the same way.
Great post Matt-I quoted the parts that I can really relate to-so true about the range picker!
Golf has been a great life for me, yet it's always been the "game" that inspires me and brings me back.
The rise of the "business", while beneficial to me personally, has always troubled me, and it is difficult to walk the fine line.
Hearing the phrase "Grow the game" bandied about has always troubled me as selfishly I've always preferred the game grow organically over time on its substantial merits, not on the backs of some ill construed social media platform or as a means for someone to feel as if they are more "cool".
GCA has been a huge resource for me finding the places where the "game" outweighs the business, and for that I am grateful.
As a gatekeeper for a course in an extremely heavily traveled rater and box ticker region, I really enjoyed Matt's description of his 18 hole day, followed by a spontaneous 9, especially when it involves two compelling courses far off the plurally logoed box ticker's radar.
Also, great posts by Ian and Angela.
Most have demons and we all have a different way of coping with them.
Few in the industry are as open as the three of them and I applaud them.