Me: I think so. The weather says only a 30% chance of rain.
Seri: Really? My forecast says 60% chance between 11 and 4.
Me: I'm using National Weather Service. What are you using?
Seri: Accuweather.
Seri: Accuweather.
Me: Let's check the radar. I like WBAL TV radar.
Seri: You know, radar is not always accurate, but I'll check mine.
Seri: You know, radar is not always accurate, but I'll check mine.
[Silence while we both check our preferred weather radar services.]
Me: You're right, mine is showing green clouds between 11 and 4. [The green clouds are how clouds show up on the radar. They are not actually green.]
Seri: Well, what do you think, should we play?
Long story short, we decided to play. It was a tough, hilly city course but I wanted to walk to get a workout. I only planned to play 9 because my leg was still bothering me, as well as my left shoulder. It was cloudy and a bit chilly, which instantly put a cramp into my leg.
But still, I played. And I actually played pretty well. I've already documented the beneficial effects that being in pain has on my game. But sometimes I play better in the rain too. It didn't rain the whole time. At first it was just a drizzle. But that fine, constant mist in the air has a tendency to lend a sense of urgency to the game. The skies could open up at any moment, so you better make the most of the time you've got before it does.
Because the ground is wet as a sponge, any amount the ball would normally roll can be removed from the equation. Throughout the round, I just zapped the yardage with my range finder and took one extra club. There's less break on wet greens, and somehow my ball found the cup much more easily than usual. I even made a birdie on a par 3.
After 8 holes, I had shot only 5 over par. And then the skies opened up. I discovered that my supposedly waterproof windbreaker is merely water-resistant. And that golf umbrella I got for free at a tournament once really lets water in like a sieve. The 9th hole was an uphill par 5, and I was so soaked by the time I reached the tee, I couldn't keep a grip on my club. It took me 4 shots to get on the green but I managed a two-putt to save bogey, even with water dripping off my baseball cap brim and my leg throbbing.
So, I shot 6 over after 9 holes in the end. Now if only I could do that twice in a row on a sunny day, without pain. But I know there are some things I can't control. So I better make the most of the things within my control while I can.
