What a great time of year to be hitting the little white ball!

This "addict" walked 18 holes solo yesterday. Despite the nice (58 and sunny) weather, I had the course to myself. Most golfers have put away their clubs, but not I.

I remember when Hayduke Jim posted an article criticizing golf (years ago). Non-golfers often question the sanity of "chasing a little white ball" before knocking it in a hole.
To be honest, I occassionally do, too.

But yesterday wasn't one of those times. I got to thinking--and that's one benefit of golfing, especially alone. It's a wonderful time to think, ponder, plan, reflect....the subjects of which are endless.

I walk (briskly, but not too much so) from one shot to the next in total silence. No partners to converse with, I'm in total concentration. Consequently, I play much better by myself. No distractions. Of course, 95% of my life is non-social, so it's "normal".

So here I am, taking a walk on green grass, kicking leaves, admiring the fall foliage. Total silence surrounds me. All's right with the world. It's just me and mother nature. Vitamin D floods my body. My summer tan will continue into November (including my big red nose).

And the exercise I'm getting! I figure a distance of 6 miles (by pedometer), plus climbing hills. Actual swinging the golf club doesn't appreciably cut calories, unless one is a hacker.
I figure I walk over 600 miles on the golf course in a "summer"--pulling a heavy cart. No wonder I'm 10 pounds
lighter by this time of the year. (I'll regain it in the following 5 months.) I might add that golf is also good for the brain-- mental "exercise"--it forces one to think.

Thanks, Dad, for sending me out to caddy when I was 12 years old. I went against my will, but "father knew best". I soon picked the game up and quickly became pretty good.
Golf became my high school sport (good for a little guy). I developed socialization skills playing with older men. I gained respect for my golf skills (people have often asked why I didn't "turn pro"). And I gained self-respect and confidence as I became an adult.

Mark Twain was wrong. Golf is not a good walk ruined. It's a good walk enhanced. I'm eager to chase after that little white orb again today, this time with my friend Leroy. I need 5% socialization.