As I am accustomed to do, I arose early today, grabbed a cup of coffee at McDonald’s, and got on the golf course before all but one soul. Off the first tee at 6:45 am, I am instantly into a quiet arena of beauty……green against morning sunny sky, dew on the grass, a few crows patrolling their nests and seeking out others, and a pack of coyotes howling loudly in the underbrush of the tree-lined rough. Nature at its best, with early greens-workers already hard at it, but little to distract one from shot to shot pleasure around a wide open vista of fairways and greens. One gets a chance to hit an occasional second ball, and to cheer to yourself when various putts drop in the cup.
There is a lot written about the “Zen” of golf….it is all true. Whoever truly invented the game of golf, they had a magical idea. There is little that matches the time on a verdant layout of challenging holes surrounded by nothing but fresh air, natural growth, and lacking in people in cars, on trolleys, on bikes or in planes. The early morning also lacks those people who choose a motorized golf cart. These carts, now often electric, can be non-obtrusive, but remind you of what is nearby on streets and freeways. and runways.
Golf at the crack of dawn soothes the senses and fortifies the heart. Four miles of walking, carrying ones small bag of sticks and balls, is a gift I only discovered a few years ago. I am very thankful for this!