Fall Golf and Lowered Expectations

It is now halfway through November and I have managed to maintain a weekly golf schedule despite our Northwest courses resembling a Louisiana mud pit. And even though November rain in Vancouver is downright oppressive, it has mercifully been dumping its load during the week and clearing up on weekends, allowing me to get out on the course regularly. This being the first fall I’ve braved the weather in hopes of a lowered handicap, I thought I would make a few observations.

1. Morning frost makes judging green speeds nearly impossible. I prefer early morning golf as I can get out before the casual golfers, but putting on frosty greens is less than fun. This has led to a noticeable increase in my putts per hole statistic.

2. Water logged fairways have lead to plugged drives and lost balls. In the past month I’ve undoubtedly spent 10-15 minutes per round searching for perfectly acceptable drives in and around the fairway, frequently digging my ball out of the dirt as if a squirrel found it and hid it away for later. A more optimistic person would see this in a much more positive light, namely finding Pro V1 and Chrome Soft golf balls abandoned in the middle of fairways.

3. I often see the same locals and regulars on Saturday mornings. Being able to meet and play rounds with all the locals is a major benefit to fall/winter golf. We see each other regularly enough to maintain conversations and the only folks playing golf in 40F weather are mid-handicap or better.

4. Yardage is down drastically. In fact, I’m hitting my long irons so short it has actually turned out to be a positive. My ego has rarely been a consideration in club selection this month.

5. Jack isn’t handing out candy on the 9th fairway in this weather and I’m starting to miss him slowing down the game and putting smiles on everyone’s face.