It's funny what you see on the golf course, this week I saw Paul McCully play really well in his match against Ronnie Hobbs (congratulations to Paul, commiserations to Ronnie)
Paul scored a net 67 (only beaten by Dave Hall's net 65 - both great rounds in blustery conditions), and this included a shot on the 17th that will live long in the memory.
Having pushed his drive right, the second shot also went right and ended up the wrong side of the greenside bunker on a not great lie. Paul happens to like a flop shot as you have to be positive and thus a full-hearted swing saw the ball soar upwards, high over the bunker, then clear over green, only to fall precipitously onto the (empty) seat cushion of the cart that one of our group had parked a good 20 metres from the green on the far side from Paul. The ball then bounced neatly out the other side of the cart, and into the rough in front of the 18th tee.
The remarkable thing was the sound - the thump as it came down nearly vertically, hit the padded seat, and nothing else in, or on, the cart on the way through
This lead me to think about the impact sound has on our little sport.
The sound of the ball off the club can often tell us how well we have timed the ball - have we topped it, chunked it, toed it, shanked it, or just for once, actually flushed it?
The rattle of the ball as it drops in the cup
The sound of a distant crack as the errant ball hits a tree can confirm how well we aimed the ball (badly).
The sound of a splash as another ball heads to a watery grave.
The rustling sound of thick grass being waded through as you search for another misguided ball.
The sound of a ball pinging off one of the stones as the ball toys with your hope for a good bounce before it sploshes in the pond.
Or the screams of ineffective rage and frustration as yet another ball deifes instructions.....again, like a demented, disobedient, dog.
In this instance though,the sound was more of a gentle thump, almost as if the ball was embarrassed at being so impolite as to land in such an unlikely spot
An unusual, and unexpected sound to be sure
Hear you out there soon,
Stay safe and play well
Steve
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