When to walk away from a round

I have aspirations most mornings to practice on the course before the day is through. I sometimes even chart it out. If I have enough time, I will play a lonely 9. There are times (many I shall admit) where playing a round goes south fast. An 8, a couple lost balls etc… where I know the round will not qualify as good. Often times, this acknowledgement is followed by a level of built up rage at myself. This can result in the dreaded “step to throw” my club, which, if no one is looking, or sometimes, when one is, the club “slips”from my hand.

100% of the time this helps 0% of the time.

You can’t take it back and, on occassion, you can’t find the club.

It is a dark moment in a middle age man’s day indeed, wandering around in the bushes looking for your rage propelled club like your picking berries or, more likely, ticks.

In previous years I would force myself to finish my round. This customarily led to more rage, no focus and very little fun.

So why do I subject myself to this hardship when instead I know that I can walk off anytime I want? No one is forcing me to be here, no one cares that I am here and, clearly, no one wants to be here.

I have to say that the first few times I took the walk to the parking lot without a score, I felt guilty. Then I remembered, I am not good at this game, and this is what bad golfer’s do, they give up.

I feel better.

Accept it and live to fight another day I say. A forced march over the last 3 holes should not be a matter of necessity. There shall always be another day to catch an insect induced illness.