Well Played
This dying golfer's Reddit post about playing his 'last round' will really put your bad breaks in perspective
Like most all golfers, I found myself complaining about a few bad breaks on the course yesterday. Specifically, a string of three consecutive holes in which I found myself up against the back of a bunker with no stance, followed by being stymied behind a tree, and then a tasty fried egg. Yeah, it was rough.
To be clear, three bad shots by me had resulted in those situations and like most all golfers, I let myself know about it. But I also felt like the golf gods were out to get me for some reason. (Maybe for the cocky club twirl I'd given moments before?)
Anyway, I've really, really tried to not let this stuff bother me as much on the course. After all, it was a beautiful (week)day on a beautiful golf course with some good friends. I knew how lucky I was to be out there, I really did. But, man, did those breaks seem particularly unlucky.
After coming across the following Reddit post, however, I now feel ashamed of complaining at all. This, from a Stage IV cancer patient about playing his 'last round' will really put things in perspective in a hurry.
Next time you get frustrated with golf remember those of us that can’t play any longer. Damn, that's heavy. Wishing you the best, drumsurf.
It also reminded me of the incredible piece longtime Golf Digest writer John Barton penned a few years back called, "My Last Round." Barton had Parkinson's as well as another neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
"My downswing turned into a kind of flinch that would deliver a vicious pull-hook or a push-slice," Barton wrote. "Walking became a chore, like wading through sludge wearing lead boots on numb, wasted feet. Playing 18 holes got to be exhausting."
So Barton decided to return to the golf course he'd played his first round ever to say goodbye to the game he'd loved for decades. If you haven't read it, seriously, do yourself a favor. It might even come in handy during your next round.