The freaking work week is grueling, isn’t it? Take yesterday for example; I boot up my computer at 9AM and the next thing I know it’s 5:30PM and I haven’t even had lunch yet. Sure, the day goes by fast when you’re busy, but come on!
Like you, I have a regular, 40+ hour a week job in a field unrelated to golf. All day I’m on the phone with internal sales people and external clients talking about statistics, quotes and contract parameters. I’m a public relations consultant at a large media relations firm trying to help corporate communicators do their job better. And, as you may have been able to tell, a good portion of my day is spent trying to win new business.
Not sure how many of you are in sales, but man – it’s hectic. So hectic, in fact, that a Friday evening doesn’t mean it’s time for fun, as much as it means I have two days “off” before I have to work on Monday.
Thus in my world (and probably for many of you too), the weekends are for relaxing. Now, with a family and a home, obviously I can’t relax the entire two days, but I try to unwind whenever I can – and many times this comes in the form of golf.
Out on the course, it’s just me, the ball, my clubs and the course (this is starting to sound like The Legend of Bagger Vance). But seriously, with golf, I can simplify my life. My objective is clear: To relax. And if I don’t play well, it doesn’t matter. Nope – I’m just content to be out on the course. OK, I know what you’re thinking: “Sure, everyone says that after a bad round.” But I really mean it – I want to play well, but if I don’t, it really doesn’t matter – to me, it’s all about relaxing.
But this doesn’t mean I don’t get mad out on the course, no sir. One of my biggest peeves is someone taking themselves way too seriously during a friendly round. Like the guy who swears up and down after an errant shot. Seriously? Or the person who throws their club in frustration after a double bogey. Really? I want to yell out: “Hey! I’m trying to relax over here!”
I love the people who hit one bad shot and it ruins their entire round – I mean, why do they even finish all 18 holes? If these people hit one into the pond on the second hole, they should immediately head back to the parking lot, put their clubs in the trunk and drive home. But do they? Nope. They continue on in misery for the next 16 holes and I have to listen to them complain the entire time. WTF?
Look, all I’m asking is if you’re frustrated about the way you’re playing, please keep it to yourself. I understand some people wear their emotions on their sleeve, but let’s try to show a little self control here folks.
Golf is supposed to be fun and believe it or not, some of us are out there to relax and unwind. We don’t want to play with the guy who thinks he belongs on tour and is irate over not breaking 100 that day (he really expects us to take him seriously after saying: “I don’t know what happened – I usually shoot in the 70’s”).
What ever happened to just enjoying your round? Do we really need to witness you kicking the golf cart’s guts in with your soft spikes just because you left a 3-foot putt short? Talk about giving yourself high blood pressure – you labor all week and then have to deal with this crap on your day off?
Sigh. But I digress. And for good reason too – I’ve got work in the morning!