Finding the bright side on a cloudy day...

Posted Oct 07 2009, 12:53 PM by Cathy Erickson
I had one of "those" days yesterday...the one where you're feeling sorry for yourself and you decide to just wallow in the muck and the mire for awhile.  Have you been there?  I started writing my blog thoughts for the week and after I got done and browsed it over, I realized it was the saddest, most depressing thing I've read in a long time...and I am not that way when it comes to golf!!

I was in serious need of an attitude adjustment and thankfully some quality time with great friends last night has helped cure some my blues...we cheered on the Twins and talked about golf a little, too...I'm glad to have friends who let me ramble on about golf even though I'm sure they are thinking I'm nuts being so excited about it.
 
But the best cure all for me, though, is getting my feet in some golf shoes!  So if the weather holds, I'm going golfing today!  I haven't been on the course in over a week, and with snow in the forecast for this weekend, my golfing days are numbered.  I'm always a bit sad when the end of the season comes, but I'm hardly ready to pack it in yet!  I've found my Foot-Joy all weather gloves, my Titleist stocking cap and my favorite turtlenecks...I'm not going out without a fight!
 
I have a favorite spot on the course where the cart path takes you from one hole to the next - in the summer it feels like you're riding through a canopied forest, but now, in October, the trees are starting to lose their leaves and the scent of fall is almost overwhelming - I can't wait to get there again to take a deep breath.
 
I know this is going to sound funny, but October is practice month for me - I realize it's the end of the year, not the beginning, but now is when I am able to experiment with different clubs, try some different shots and see the course from different places.  Sometimes I'll just bring 2 or 3 clubs and see what I can do with them - it's a great test and it introduces me to new shots and strategies.
 
A few years ago someone told me a good practice exercise is to play a worst ball scramble instead of a best ball - I thought it sounded like a neat challenge...until I tried it!  Talk about frustrating...and stressful!  I'm playing two balls, hit the first one good, and now I've got to hit the next one at least as good - no more playing the risk/reward shot because you've got a good shot out there - you hit a bad one and THAT'S your next shot!
 
I didn't want to admit it, but it was a great test - especially mentally.  I'm looking forward to trying that again this year...even though I'm sure I'll be cursing this format in my head more than a few times.
 
The other thing that happens for me at the end of the season is that as I'm out playing these last few rounds, every hole brings back snapshots of rounds I've played over the past season - scramble days with friends, or just spending the whole day on the course - time with my Mom, or playing in an awesomely fun 9-some as the sun is setting - time alone with the course, or great rounds with great friends - I'm so thankful for the mental photo album.
 
October also makes me think back to my goals for this year.  I wasn't able to reach my goal of breaking par on my home course and with freshly aerated greens it's not looking likely, but maybe today, instead of practicing, I might give it one more shot.  That's the great thing about golf - each time you go back a new opportunity awaits!  I do feel pretty good about hitting down on my irons more and actually taking a few divots this year - I laugh right now thinking about some of my golf pals saying "nice divot" instead of nice shot because they knew I was working on that.  My 3-wood and I have become better friends again and the Ping Craz-E has earned its spot in my bag, so even though this hasn't been my best season on the course, it's still been a great one.
 
Wow - I'm feeling much better now!  My world has had its share of gloominess this year, but I'm so thankful when golf breaks through the clouds and shines that much needed ray of light...
 
It's time to appreciate every moment I can have on the course until Mother Nature chases me off until next year.  Bring your mittens and I'll see you on the golf course!

Filed under: goals, memories, Fall, divot, Mother Nature, October