A new year’s resolution – Golf Should Be Fun, Dammit!

It’s a phrase my Dad used after hitting four balls in a pond. And, I remembered it again while playing golf with my son and grandson.  It’s true, we rush to the course, we worry about score, we hate bad shots, but is there any greater joy than hitting that all too rare perfect golf shot on a perfect day?  Yes, golf is fun, then, dammit! 

Of course, the Devil is in the Details, so here are some specifics of how I’ll make golf more fun in the coming year.  I resolve to: 

1. Play more with the grandkids. They know and show the pure joy of good golf shots. 
2. Play with strangers. You meet the nicest people that way! 
3. Play with women – It’s more fun than stereotypes suggest.  Women can be just “one of the guys” as golf partners’ 
4. Retire old jokes. My friends already know that sinking a long putt for 8 is “putting whip cream on a turd.” 
5. Get New Golf Jokes (Are there any?)  
6. Go “Old School” with golf etiquette, because it’s fun, and will hopefully teach my grandkids something.    
7. Stop Swearing.  In 2018, my strongest words will be “Oh, nubbins!” 
8. Take Golf Lessons.  Relates to point No. 7. 
9. Insult a caddie.  Turnabout is fair play……. 
10. Practice the Short Game rather than beating range balls.  Low scores will result.  Low scores are fun! 
11. Make each round a work of art, and start preparing the night before with good food and sleep, and on match day, stretch, practice well, follow etiquette, focus on every shot, and get the most out of every round, no matter what breaks come their way. 
12. Complain less.  You’re golfing, how bad could it be?  Enjoy the occasional good shot and constant beauty found only on a golf course. 
13. Move up a tee……Maybe two, because it’s fun to pay short irons into greens.   
14. Walk when permitted.   
15. Drive with the grandkids.  Kids love carts.  My son always had the incentive of driving the cart…..if he hit three good shots in a row.  He eventually got a golf scholarship and NOT paying tuition was fun!) 
16. Play more.  What else is more fun? 
17. Play less, as in playing only 9 or 12 holes if my back hurts, or I am tired, etc. 

Here’s to a golf filled 2018, and dammit, let’s all try to remember to have more fun this year!