FORE! AND AFTER — The Weekly Opine

Something’s gonna give. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Same as it ever was

This week, I hit the golf driving range for the first time since last summer. Although the weather has been unseasonably cool, it felt great to be on the driving range with a small bucket (50 balls) under sunny skies. Because of the pandemic, I went to the driving range just once last year. Last summer, my one scheduled golf outing was cancelled because of the coronavirus. So, being able to get back to one of my regular spring endeavors – going out to the driving range – was nice tonic.

It was another sign that, slowly but surely, normalcy is seeping back into our daily lives. The trick is not to become complacent and rush things to the point we have another setback. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director said earlier this week, a year ago at this time the U.S. had about one-half the number of daily virus cases we see today. So, this thing is not over.

Measured steps are called for, rather than a rush to fully open-up. For sure, new daily coronavirus cases are trending down. However, we should not press the “all-clear” button.

Ain’t wasting time

The plan was to hit the driving range Monday afternoon, and again on Tuesday. Monday’s session was about what you would expect. Armed with a wedge, 9-iron, 3-iron, driver, and putter, I settled into a slot at the far end of the range. It was a decent start. Hitting off the mat was key, as the flat surface provided confidence-boosting comfort. I struck most of the balls on, or near, the sweet spot.

I saved three balls for the putting green. Providing a clear reminder that the pandemic is still with us, miniature flags on the putting green blocked golf balls from going into the hole. Regardless, I felt my putting stroke was good.

Another blown par opportunity indicates my game is beyond repair. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Realistically, I have the potential to be a decent golfer, say, shooting in the low-90s. Unfortunately, I do not have enough time to put in the practice to get to that level. I enjoy playing nine holes. Twelve holes is the perfect number. Eighteen holes of golf takes up too much time and, at some point on the back nine, I lose focus and become impatient and distracted.

On Tuesday, I had a vigorous workout at the health club, at 8:45 a.m., and promptly changed my plans. Why waste time at the driving range? Just go out on the golf course and play nine holes. I blew a couple of par opportunities, and otherwise played like someone who had not been on a golf course since spring 2019.

No longer a rite

Every year, at the onset of golf season, I make grandiose plans. Annually, I tell myself, “this is the year” my golf game will catapult to the next level. I map out a practice schedule and carefully craft when to start playing 9-holes, with a goal of hitting my peak around mid-August. My enthusiasm is borderline infectious, until life gets in the way. The amount of time and dedication needed to achieve good golfer status are permanently out of my reach. And yelling “fore!” at strangers when I hit inevitable errant shots becomes more cringe-worthy every year.

So, this week I accepted the facts. I enjoy an occasional round of golf, i.e., nine holes followed by lunch and a beer. I do not enjoy spending day-after-day at the driving range attempting to hone my skills. With rare exception, I do not enjoy spending four hours playing 18 holes followed by an hour having lunch and a beer. Throw in a one-hour round-trip commute (or longer) and you are looking at six, maybe seven hours.

Not-yet-bloomed coneflowers (L) and sprouting hosta plants (R) are excellent perennials. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

What will replace my now former golf ambitions? Well, I have been a member of a local garden club since 2015. No doubt a slow learner when it comes to gardening, finally I see tangible progress. Fits and starts (and mistakes) replaced by thoughtful, intentional planting. If, as the saying goes, diamonds are a woman’s best friend, then perennial plants are a novice gardener’s best friend.

My new mode is, play just enough golf in April and May so I can show up with a decent game when I see my buddies Memorial Day Weekend. Concurrently, nurture my vastly improved but still minimalist garden, which will result in immense satisfaction that lasts after my golf clubs are (mostly) put up for the summer. Because nothing is more relaxing than sitting on my porch or patio, gazing at nature’s handiwork that’s been assisted by well-intended human hands.

Gardening is time well-spent and, for me, is more rewarding than anything I can produce on a golf course.