“Golf is a good walk spoiled.”

Wish I could claim this quote because it’s exactly how I feel during these long, boring, and thwarting rounds of golf where all I could do is think of the many other things I could be doing.

Mark Twain gets credit for the quote and if you’re looking for a good book to read John Feinstein’s “A Good Walk Spoiled” was a New York Times # 1 bestseller. The book is based on John’s acclaimed behind-the scenes account of an unusually turbulent year in the punishingly competitive world of the U.S. professional golf circuit.

As you can tell by my introduction of this article, it’s obvious my 2016 golf accomplishments were minuscule to say the least. Beginning each year, I set goals for myself to meet either from accomplishments in the past or from goals that still elude me. For instance, breaking 70 in any way shape or form, at least once if not multiple times during the year, has always been an obtainable goal for as long as I can remember. Now, I can’t remember the last time I achieved this personal goal of mine. In spite of the fact, my memory as a whole isn’t my strongest quality theses days.

Enough of this negativity. (Sorry but I’ve been married to long.) It’s 2024, yeah!

Question: What I am going to do different to shoot “69” or better? Play more? Buy the new modern best of the best equipment? Get fitted for clubs? Practice more? (Good luck with this one!)

I admire golfers that love to practice, like our chairman Mr. Jim. His commitment to getting better doesn’t surprise me one bit. His lifetime work ethics continue to follow him down his heavenly road to retirement. He’s a great man; his wife is another story.

I’m guessing a combination of the above questions would suit me well. Alternatively, maybe I should focus on taking more golf trips in 2024 with my buddies. Their single focus on these trips is to help each other play better golf and support each other when they may not record the score they are looking for.

2017 should bring much to the table for the golf industry as a whole. The Master’s is right around the corner with many other majors, Ryder Cups and all the other PGA tournaments that are so fun to watch and keep our golf juices flowing.

Oh, by the way you, did you hear Tiger’s back? “Get ‘em Phil!”

Till next tee time.

P.S. Don’t worry Jim and our wive’s never read this article, but I do think my mother-in-law does. Whoops!