There’s something almost perfect about a 9-hole outing.
The only problem, you could argue, is that it’s not enough golf.
But sometimes, it’s the perfect amount of golf.
So here I am, after a rather busy work week, with the opportunity to spend a couple hours outside with close friends and new ones alike.
A joy is all you could call it.
Best of days, worst of golf
Truthfully, it was not my best.
I had zero pars on the day, though no major blowups. And unfortunately, I only had a couple decent looks at par. It was my play on and around the green that proved to be most pitiful.
Driving distance and accuracy were as I could hope. I didn’t lose a single ball all day, and my driving distance seemed to increase dramatically from previous rounds.
Was it the new Newton shaft?
I was gifted a Newton Motion Shaft to give a try, and my average drive was right at 263 yards, about 20 yards farther than normal. Felt better, stayed a little straighter, and definitely went farther than normal.
I hit my first drive of the day pretty straight and about 290 yards, and I thought Newton had just unlocked something in me. It was my best drive of the day and downhill, so you know… whatever.
Anyway, I know 263 still isn’t smoking the ball, but gosh that feels like a serious difference from the 240ish I feel like I’d normally get on a good strike.
They’re not the cheapest on the market, but I can confidently say the shaft did the trick.
The trouble with playing golf with new friends
Unfortunately now I’ve played golf with one of my new friends (Jack) twice now where I haven’t played well. Jack probably thinks I’m lucky to crack 100 through a full eighteen. It’s simply not fair.
I know I’m a high 80s/low 90s guy, but can’t seem to string together even a decent half round.
While we haven’t played a full 18 together, each time we’ve gone out and played nine, I’ve strung together a couple 48s. Brutal.
But here’s why I simply don’t care:
I got to spend two hours in the 85 degree Nashville sun to wrap up a pretty busy work week with good friends, new and old.
Here’s a taste of the action, documented by my brother-in-law and fellow sufferer in the “not playing our best” club. We’ve been in the club for the past couple months.
He and his wife had a baby. I’m just… off?
No excuses.
We played with a guy named Devin. Older gentleman, though I won’t guess his age. What I will guess is that he’s played a good bit of golf in his day.
He doubled the last hole and still managed a +4 through our nine-hole outing. And boy does Devin swing smooth.
Alas
Yes, this was a shorty. I’ve had a jam packed week of work, and outside the working hours, I’ve done my best to begin a small social media presence for On Golf across socials.
On Golf Instagram is up and running. I’ve posted two TikToks, though I don’t love the idea of being chronically online as one might have to be for a few months while building these things up.
Just all fun stuff.
Cheers,
Luke ManganOn Golf