The regular game

[Jason Topp]

I recently set up a round of golf with three old friends.  I am looking forward to the round and am taking an inventory of my insults to each member.  We share similar gambling and competitive instincts so I know I am getting myself into a fiercely fought, low stakes contest.  One guy will have a really bad joke prepared for the round as well as some hilarious story about some student he is teaching.  All of them will complain about how much my handicap has increased and take shots at my sartorial choices. 


At some point in the day, someone needing support will get it - whether for a serious issue or not. 


This is my favorite form of golf.


It is tough to make a regular game happen. People have kids. People lose jobs.  People move.  Spouses object to a half day absence.   People move on to other golf courses.  People get mad at each other or lose interest in the game.  Financial situations differ.


My group is not a regular game any more.  We all play at different courses with varying degrees of enthusiasm. 


The forecast calls for a 50% chance of rain.  I hope we get it in.

[JESII]

Good post Jason...camaraderie is the greatest asset the game has. It’s challenge is the heart of it but there’s nothing like a round of golf with buddies.

[Mike Sweeney]

I am supposed to play tomorrow in New Jersey as a fill in for Royal Cinque Ports who is playing Charing Cross Medical School Old Boys Cricket Team and Little Mill GC in a match. I cleared the work obligations, got the pass from The Boss, made sure my son's Caregiver could stay late, have not played real golf in months...and the predicted weather is 48 degrees and showers!!

[BHoover]

Great post, Jason. The best part about golf is playing with friends. Yes, playing alone can be fun. But it can’t beat playing golf with friends.

[Daryl David]

The forecast calls for a 50% chance of rain.  I hope we get it in.

Don't worry about rain.  Adopt Prince's attitude.  When officials running the half time show at the Super Bowl told him it might be dangerous to do his act due to rain.  He asked, "can you make it rain harder"?

[Peter Pallotta]

Thanks, Jason. Lovely.
Made me think: I've had a 'regular game' pretty much since I started playing, but the participating "regulars" have changed over the years, for many of the reasons you mentioned.
I can probably mark my financial, educational, psychological, geographic, relational, professional and even spiritual journey solely by that 'regular game' -- much like life itself, ever fleeting and yet ever the same one life/game.

[Dan Kelly]

Great post, Jason.


I have a semi-regular group at Midland Hills, which I enjoy, but the closest thing I have to the regular game you describe is the Minnesota GCAers’ monthly Sunday-afternoon games  — which, of course, were originally your doing. Thanks for that. I treasure those gatherings, with guys who really are better friends than most of the semi-regulars. I wish we could play more regularly.


I will never tire of trying to get your autograph on yet another $1 bill ... no matter how many strokes you make me give you.


P.S. You call those choices “sartorial”?