INDEFENSIBLE & INEXCUSABLE...

Somewhat recently, I finished re-reading a favorite book of mine, "AND IF YOU PLAY GOLF, YOU ARE MY FRIEND". It is full of stories, thoughts and pictureless golf lessons by Harvey Penick. He has a thought just about everything concerning golf and even life. Two of them always catch my attention, and when necessary, I read them to bring me down to earth. One is about the life and work of a golf professional and one is about the same topics about golf course superintendents... and that is what I want to talk about.

Mr. Penick simply describes the work of a superintendent as very difficult, and cites that because all skill levels of golfers have their own "standard" of what a golf course should look like and play like, a course superintendent cannot always please everyone. I couldn't agree any more.

For instance, some of the better players, like fast greens, but most average golfers don't, they are more difficult to putt on. We can agree to disagree on how we want a golf course, but the action represented in the picture above is inexcusable and indefensible. It is also hateful, not only of property, but of others, your community, your golf course and your fellow golfers.

Personally, I do not care how much a golfer disagrees with the conditions of a golf course, the course's staff or anyone around... poking holes on a green is childish and disrespectful of everything and everyone, and most important, to the game of golf.

If someone does not like the conditions, acting like this does not "make a point with the superintendent", it makes a point with the rest of the golfing community that this person (or persons) are no better than gang members, and probably very bad putters.

Now, I will donate a set of customized irons to anyone who leads us to the perpetrator(s)... any takers?