It’s the watch’s fault !
This after a perfect drive up the fairway from the first tee box followed by an approach into the sand when he realized he had forgotten to set his GPS watch to the correct course during the storm interrupted warm-up and had to rely on my estimate of the yardage to the green (which incidentally was spot on) – it was his feet just not lined up properly ……. I should have been more helpful there I suppose …… but you know, commenting on his set-up is almost certain to send it in the opposite direction by sheer force of contrariness. I settled on it being the watch’s fault …….. it’s a welcome change after all.
The second hole started off with a good drive again. Long Par 5 so followed with a 3 Wood. The problem was, with the last hole in mind, I suggested he aim slightly more left (wanted to avoid the lake at all costs) whereas he was quite happy with where he was pointing, but complied nonetheless and drilled the ball at breakneck speed up the fairway 2 inches above the ground and under the soft underbelly of a thankfully large Canadian Goose.
On the next hole the (more) watchful geese started honking hysterically as Rob teed up, then got spooked by something and charged the tee box. Or perhaps it was just pay-back from the aforementioned 3 wood.
Me: Pull back and start your routine again.
He hits.
Me: I told you to pull back and start again!
Him: I didn’t hear you.
Me: I shouldn’t have to tell you!
Hole 6 – A river runs through it…………. Whenever there is a remote chance he might send a ball to a watery grave Rob takes out a ‘junky ball’ as he calls them (generally ‘found’ balls of inconsequential value and no personal branding that he doesn’t much care if he loses). Yellow Callaway.
It’s a lay-up hole and he hits a beautiful 5 iron off the tee, bounces on top of the hill and runs over. Out of sight but definitely not a problem.
Playing partner rockets a 3 wood in much the same direction with no visible bounce. We walk over the hill. See 1 ball which I’m sure is Rob’s.
Lesson: Tell playing partners when you change out a ball.
True as anything Playing Partner is playing with a yellow Callaway too!
Daddy Caddy: What is the mark on your ball?
Me: Junky ball – didn’t have one.
Daddy Caddy: You are suppose to have one.
I am ?
We hunt all over for the other yellow Callaway. I tell them that this is exactly where Rob’s ball would have landed. A lot of wasted time searching would have been saved if I had just thought to continue the above conversation and ask him what mark was on his son’s ball …… Eventually it comes up that there is indeed an identifying orange spot on playing partner’s ball. We pick it up (can move to identify) and no orange spot ……. I put it back down in the huge muddy downhill divot in the rough (as required, but ugh!).
I’m so annoyed with the attitude of Daddy Caddy at this point that I don’t really realize that they have not yet found their ball but have assumed it’s in the hazard (it could well have been in thick undergrowth to the edge of the fairway based on the trajectory) and drop. I am not sure, but I think it should have been regarded as a lost ball which would have meant a trip back to the tee ……… Oh well. Rob then proceeds to chunk the yellow Callaway from muddy divot to murky stream.
Gotta LOL.
But don’t.
Rob drove the ball beautifully and putted horribly.
At least I’m enjoying the round.
At least I’m happy to be out here.
And that, my friends, is why I think this boy will still show us a thing or two on the golf course going forward.