Not enough balls
I’m a 21 handicap and I’ve broken 90 once in my life on a par 71 wide open course. Usually I’ll shoot in the 90s and sometimes fall apart into the 100s. With that for background…
There I was, a morning to myself in the middle of a family vacation to Sea Ranch, CA on the wind swept coast above San Francisco. I’m a single because it’s in the middle of nowhere and only a handful of groups were out there anyway. I start on the first hole, slice, business as usual. So I aim a little more left, then I start drawing the ball, right into the crap.
The course is in great shape, greens nice and firm if a bit slow, the rough is deep and you almost have to step on your ball to find it. And if you miss that, with the tall grass - like 2 feet tall minimum with scrub just beyond- please take my word for it - there’s no point looking for your ball. And you won’t find anyone else’s either unless you step on one in the rough. At least I found 2 balls.
So I’m drawing the ball, so I aim a little to the center of the fairway, and guess what happens? The slice returns, plenty of OBs, topped balls, I’m counting every stroke, and my supply dwindles. I’m 101 through 17 and the couple ahead wave me up to the green, and I have delusions of grandeur of being that guy, asked to play through and then sticking the shot.
Well I was the guy who topped 2 off the tee into the crap, lying 4 because the crap is less than 20 yards away and I have a club and yardage that I like. I go to my bag to get another ball, and can’t find another one in my bag, I’m out. So I get in my cart, drive up to the green and thank them for waving me up and that I’m out of balls and calling it a day. They asked me if I wanted a ball or two but I declined saying that I would just lose them also.
I drive back to the pro shop, drop off the cart and go back to join my family. They asked how my round was. Honestly, it was a terrible round but still a great day. Even with all that, I figure I’m still luckier than most. But still I wonder- should I have taken those extra balls and keep going and played the last 2 holes? What would you do?