Never in my life have I ever see men acting like children as I did recently at a bar (actually, I guess it could be pretty easy to act like a child at a bar). But these guys were discussing their upcoming golf season and the foursome they want to play with.

They were so intent on excluding people and making sure this guy plays and this one doesn’t – simply because they weren’t good golfers. It was like that feeling you got at gym class when they are picking teams; you know, that “I hope they don’t pick me last” feeling.

I wasn’t even part of the conversation and I felt bad for the guy who was getting excluded. It was like a bad high school clique movie. The best part was that a couple of these gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) who were “calling the shots” weren’t even good golfers themselves. I know because one of them was my neighbor and I’ve played with him. His nickname was Hack-a-saurus Rex.

The point I’m getting at is isn’t golf supposed to be fun? That incident actually made me feel bad. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the importance of playing with good company but when you are excluding people because of spite and childish reasons that’s just stupid. The whole point of playing recreational golf is exactly that – recreation. I guess sometimes picking good company is playing in a one-some.

Golf is a challenge in and of itself already. Why make it tougher? Get out there and play. Don’t worry about the score or who you are trying to impress. If you were meant to be a tour player you would be on tour.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!