Purify thy soul by attempting to score on a 74

I am not saying that my golfing training regimen is right for anyone. I do not know what I am doing in Western North Carolina, in a small basement apartment, away from my family and friends. Alone each night, trying to find something to occupy my mind from sun down to sun up. However, when the light comes over the mountain, and my basic necessities have been met, I know what I am preparing for; the heart ache of trying to shoot a respectable score on a course that eats my lunch.

Its easy to think you are better at golf when you are playing courses that are easy. You get into a grove, your missed shots do not penalize you, and you card a score that has you hopping to the clubhouse ready to brag to anyone who will listen. For me, its normally just my dog, but whose counting?

Well, for the month of November I choose to isolate myself. And, each day I wake with a purpose; to attempt to break 80 at Rock Barn Country Club, a 6600 yard behemoth that is rated just north of 74 on the difficulty scale.

Now granted, if I was a scratch golfer, breaking 80 should be pretty easy. In fact, the 74 is what a scratch golfer in theory should shoot. Scratch I am not, mentally stable after talking to myself for 3 weeks I shall not fabricate, its fucking hard.

I came close once, for 12 holes. I was four over, feeling good and then, two in the water for a 9 and then another in the water on the next for a 7. It was over before it really had even began.

I have 5 more days on this odyssey. And, although hope is fading, I suppose I will keep trying. Effort is all I have left. That and a collection of pizza boxes and M + M wrappers.

Its a good life.