Battling the Elements

It’s getting to be that time of the year. That time when fall creeps in on summer, not wholeheartedly, but sparingly, with highs temperatures of 65 every so often. Then 60 degrees and then 55 degrees. As I grew up, this change in temperature meant a few great things—like leaves falling and football games—but also one sad occurrence: dad pulling down the attic ladder and bidding farewell to our golf clubs for the chilly months.

Thankfully, I don’t say goodbye to my clubs anymore. Even during winter, I prefer to keep the bag within arms reach at all times for the simple joy of juggling a Titleist off the face of my sand wedge (and hopefully not breaking a window). We’re not there yet, though. Don’t put those clubs away yet. The fall can be, ironically, the best season golf has to offer.

Fall is barely about being in top form. The leisure of summer is gone, and with it much of the daylight. Early tee times are later and late tee times are earlier, and the desire to play 18 holes generally falls during either a Badgers or Packers game. Not an easy tradeoff. Not even one I’d make. Fall golf just isn’t ideal.

Fall golf is more about battling the elements your golf game might not be used to. Or squeezing in those last few rounds to prep your handicap for next spring, maybe giving yourself something to dream about as January and February kill many a golfer’s soul.

For me, the fall rounds were always the most fun. The shots sting a bit more, the ball runs a bit further and the temptation to throw a club is never greater. It might be 40 degrees on the first tee, but early morning sunshine will render the wind jacket useless and annoying by the back nine. It really can be a different experience.

Fall golf is for experimentation. Experimentation with new swing styles, new playing partners, new courses (on fall discount) and even new clubs (which are actually the best part). The “new” clubs from earlier that season are surely marked down after really not depreciating in value at all. So much so that purchasing clubs at the beginning of any season is foolish. They’ll be waiting on that same rack five months later.

Further validation for the fall as a golf season? This year, as with every second year, there will be a Ryder Cup, the weekend-long clash between Team Europe and Team USA in a medley of golf games with two year’s worth of national pride on the line. The normally reserved, typically quiet guys sheltered by a sport that promotes whispering at best can break out of that shell in favor of ‘Merica! Golf may be boring to watch on television, but that doesn’t apply to the Ryder Cup. It’s a different breed, much like the season in which it falls, no pun intended.

The fall becomes decision time. Keep swinging or climb the ladder to the attic. You can either call it a season, or enjoy the final season. You could be content, or you could be excited. I prefer the latter, not the ladder.