Is it really a hole in one if no one sees it?
Sometimes, it's hard to know that you're progressing until something significant happens. Such has been my progression with the game of golf.
I begged my mom for golf clubs on for 12th birthday - and she got them! Without any formal training, I hit the links - a local course called Auburn Links - and began a 25 year journey in what I like to call "selective landscaping," which involves all the different sized divots I make in the ground throughout a round. My golf game has been filled with ups and downs and my current quest to consistently break 83 strokes on 18 holes has been like hunting for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Over the past two years, I connected with a trusted teacher and started my first lessons. My swing is more consistent, and I feel better about my game - even if my scoring has been unchanged. One score that had eluded me is an eagle (2 strokes under par for a hole). The most exciting eagle comes with the hole in one on a par 3. One shot off the tee and into the cup!
I'd come close to a hole in one during those teenage years at Auburn links. One round, I hit a bad tee shot that skipped twice off water between the tee and the hole. It landed softly on the green and rolled just a few inches by the hole. I was a little relieved it didn't go in. No one would ever believe that story!
Fast forward over 20 years to my summer vacation of 2023. My wife convinced me that I should take a lazy Sunday afternoon and go play. It had rained an hour or so before my round, so the course wasn't crowded. There was another player behind me playing faster than normal to meet a partner at the 9th hole turn, so I let him play through. On that hole, I hit my first two shots into the left and right rough, my third into the woods, but was able to escape the par 5 with a bogey (one shot over par). It was shaping up to be a typical round.
On the next hole, I used my gps app to measure just 96 yards between the tee box and the flag. A 52 degree wedge would be more than enough club for me to carry any trouble short and land the ball on the center of the green. Part of my lessons have been learning to choose the right target, pick the right club, and make the appropriate swing to cover the distance.
I made my swing, watched the ball fly, and land past the hole as planned. Then something different happened. The ball quickly rolled back towards the hole and seemed to disappear.
I spent a few seconds in disbelief. I looked around to see if anyone happened to come up behind me. I was alone. After a minute, I pulled out my camera and filmed two videos. One from the tee box, and another to capture my walk in real time up to the green to find my ball. Sure enough, it was at the bottom of the hole - in just one shot. My first eagle. My first HOLE IN ONE!! I called my wife for more celebration on the way to the next hole.
Not all accomplishments are met with applause and accolades. Sometimes, you'll have your biggest breakthroughs when you least expect them. Just know, consistent, hard work pays off. If you continue to hone your skills, you will see improvement. And sometimes, you'll do things that you never thought were possible. And yes, they still count - even if no one else sees it!
If you're feeling like you're not progressing fast enough, let's talk. You’re probably farther along than you think. You can reach out to me at notavgjomo@gmail.com or use our contact form. I'd be happy to help.
Have a great day. Learn a lot. And be YOUR best.
