I've played a ton of golf in my life. This season was way different.
Quarantine meant using the small yard to practice. A hitting net was added to the lock down shopping list with other nice-to-haves, like a trampoline, and bike parts for the kids. Used laptops, and upgraded wi-fi. Anything to make the new normal tolerable.
For whatever reason golf was one of the first activities to open. Twosomes only, masks in the pro shop, and no hanging around before or after your round. It was actually great -- no fuss golf. Golf for players.
I joined a men's club. I started tracking my handicap again. I committed to 18 holes each weekend, and 9 during the week. I played with my kid on Thursdays, and kicked up Friday night happy hour at the par three course. I was playing all the time.
I'd be out early in the fog, hoodie up, hands in pockets, bag on my back. A links jedi. Then it's summer, and I kept playing, and going to the range, and working on the game in the yard.
One Saturday in August I walked-on at my regular course, but it was packed so I had to wait to play. Practiced for an hour: driving range, chipping green, putting green. Shot a career best and broke a 24 year old record. And I could have gone lower.
It's a solitary game, and it's a lonely time, but that score I shared with everyone.