OK, maybe “better” is not quite the correct word to use.  But when I say I’m a “better golfer,” I’m taking that out of context.  See, I’m going to take the round I played on Sunday morning as an example.  For starters, I went outside my normal temperature range to squeeze in nine holes.  As a matter of fact, that I played only nine holes is something in itself.  But it’s not just me.  It’s all of us stinky golfers.  We play in sub-par conditions.  We squeeze in nine holes.  We deal with losing balls that we saw land as clear as day.  We play not because we’re good golfers, but because we have a love for the game that can’t be understood by many.

But again, with the Sunday morning round as the example, I went outside of my normal temperature zone and played when the temp dropped below 50.  That’s right…the temperature was 43 degrees when we teed off.  When’s the last time you saw a professional golf tournament take place in the cold weather?  Below 60 degrees?  We stinky golfers don’t care.  We will do what we have to do in order to play.  Even if it’s only nine-holes.

That being said, we braved the elements to play only nine holes!  We teed off in the low 40’s.  And being a shoreline course, the wind was whipping throughout the round.  And when I say throughout the round, I mean the wind was always blowing.  Sometimes lighter than others, but a constant wind nonetheless.  There were no calm moments.

As far as the time of year, I can’t remember the last time I played in November, and the temperature is one of the reasons why.  However, another reason is the leaves on the ground.  As pretty as they are, they’re quite the nuisance and a constant source of lost balls.  The leaf factor, the wind and the chewed up fairways, tee boxes and greens on which we play are reminders of our dedication to this game.

So am I a better golfer than a pro?  Well, if we’re talking about our final scores, then of course not.  But if we’re talking about the dedication to the game as shown by all of us stinky golfers versus the dedication to the competition, then maybe we are “better” golfers.  But with that in mind, I would like to cite the P.A.F. (Pro Advantage Factor) – I would be willing to guarantee a pro’s scores would be higher if he played on the…let’s say…less than perfect course conditions we play on.  Conversely, my scores would likely be lower if I had the opportunity to play only in favorable conditions, had people looking for my ball when it headed toward the rough or lumber yard, perfectly manicured tees, fairways and greens and sand traps which resembled more sandy beach than gravel driveway.

But we’re out there anyway.  Even if it is only nine holes.  We play no matter the condition of the course.  We play no matter our skill level.  We play no matter the weather….well now I’m going too far.  But you get the idea.  And it’s those factors that make us stinky golfers “better” golfers.

Swing ’til you’re happy!