The 10th Hole

Yesterday I went golfing for the first time in five years with my buddy Ron. It was a good day, and I think I played well enough for a duffer. And I beat Ron on the 10th hole.

My basic plan was to get the ball in the air. Well, except off the green. It's not considered good, in fact it's frowned upon, when you get air on the ball when you're putting. Did I mention that I beat Ron on the 10th hole?

The fact is I was getting the ball in the air when I should have been, mostly. I topped it a few times and hit ground balls. But there were times I hit the ball pretty true and had shots which made me feel good, and reminded me why I like the game. Oh, I beat Ron on the 10th hole.

I hit five greens in regulation. I don't know what that means, but judging by what the golf commentators say on TV it sounds like a good thing. I also hit six fairways, which means I made the fairway off the tee. Granted, once it was only by about a foot. But a fairway is a fairway, all the way to the edge. Have I told you I beat Ron on the 10th hole?

I was on the green from the tee on 3 of the 4 par 3 holes. The fourth time I should have been, but my aim was off, my 'towards' as Ron says. But you know what? I beat him on the 10th hole.

The score? What difference does the score make when you're out in the warm sunshine on a late summer weekday, golfing with an old friend? One who lost the 10th lost hole, by the way, on a triple bogey. It was ugly.