Playing as a single joining up - nice story inside

KjBowen · Jun 8, 2014

I have noticed that I play as a single an join a 2 or 3 some a lot..

I really enjoy this as it allows me to play with a ton of different people and of all skill levels. Yes there is a chance of some nightmare rounds but some can be very pleasing.

Yesterday I decide to head over to play the local Par 3 course and when I arrived there was no one on the course except for a very old man on the tee.. The owner comes out an says you may wanna play thru him as he plays VERY SLOW. I told her no worries I am in no hurry. He tees off and she was right.. Very slow.. He finishes the hole and I play the hole.. I walk to the next tee and he just arrived. I asked him if I could play along side him.. He made a face like he was shocked I didn't ask him to play thru.. We played together and we had a great time.. Playing with him prob added 30-40 mins to my round but we both had company..

Turns out he is 83 years old

Has been playing golf for 63 years!

He lost his wife and has no one to play with.

At the end of the round the owner came out with tears in her eyes and told me that he plays there 3 days a week for over 4 years and no one has ever played with him. They always play thru and that what I did was an amazing gesture.. I told her in my eyes that's in the spirit of the game and why we all play.

She refunded me my greens fees and said that with what I did that earned me a free round.. I went in and the old man bought me a drink.

I truly love this game and I think I will be doing even more rounds as a single lookin to meet some amazing individuals

K214 · Jun 8, 2014

Great story! I'm the same way, I often join other groups as a single and really enjoy meeting and playing with new people.

jlt73 · Jun 8, 2014

Good story! Without a doubt you made that man's day and added another day of happiness to yours

Fade to Black · Jun 8, 2014

Good story, sure the old guy really appreciated it!

bruinsPATSirish · Jun 8, 2014

Very cool buddy!

We had a member at my old club named Jerry. He walked 18 holes every single day until he was 90 years old, incredible. On his 90th birthday he started taking a cart for his rounds and still played everyday. He was a great man, unfortunately he passed a couple years ago, but he was a joy to be around and always had a story. Your story reminded me of my first round with Jerry, it was a bit slower than I would normally have played but who cares, it was fun.

jewofgolf · Jun 8, 2014

This story made me emotional thinking of my likely future in many years. Awesome act of kindness on your part.

Calgary_J · Jun 8, 2014

Made my day! Thanks

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DavePelz4 · Jun 8, 2014

Great people make golf a great game.

JimNewton · Jun 8, 2014

Good story OP.

Many years ago I paired up with a guy who was 82. He was still carrying the bag and he honestly hit a couple drives out to 270+. I was flummoxed when he was 40 yards past me. I learned a lot from that guy as well.

rightlefty · Jun 10, 2014

That is a great story. Really inspirational. Hopefully you two will meet up again and get to play together in the future. On the other hand, I cant help but wonder if he didn't play so slow if he would see more people do what you did and not just play past him.

I have been paired up with guys in their mid to upper 80's before and had a great time with them. They had no problem playing the round in 3.5 hours walking. We would have finished much sooner if we weren't held up the whole time by the 2 thirty something's riding in a cart in front of us.

Sean2 · Jun 10, 2014

Well done Ken! :-)

TAMtalizied · Jun 10, 2014

Loved the story!! Thanks for sharing

NDGolfer13 · Jun 10, 2014

Thank you for this story. It makes me sad that so many people out there (golf or otherwise) are so inward focused that they don't seem to realize adding 40 minutes to a round of golf or an hour here or there for whatever can make a real difference in someone's day.

I play as a single a lot and have met many enjoyable folks.

Thanks again.

brtnsbs · Jun 10, 2014

Having played golf with Ken before I can totally see him doing this! Glad you had an enjoyable round, great story.

KLeC · Jun 10, 2014

You DO get to meet all kinds playing this game. He was lucky enough to encounter you. Pretty good karma all around.

Pigems · Jun 10, 2014

Very cool, I play as a single a lot as well and often pair up with other groups. So I know how bad it can be sometimes lol but its nice to hear the good stories as well

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EJ Mac · Jun 10, 2014

Awesome story indeed. The game truly needs more of your type. I try to join up at every opportunity, but unfortunately our area seems to have way too many golferday types. Thanks for making my day a little brighter with your good deed.

Mschumacher · Jun 10, 2014

Dammit. Somebody cutting onions next to me.

Kadin 25 · Jun 10, 2014

"I told her in my eyes that's in the spirit of the game and why we all play. "

^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Well played sir...very well played!!!!!!!

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KjBowen · Jun 10, 2014

I do hope to see him out there again cause I will play with him..

Whats funny is.. Just from playing with some one he did play a little quicker.

What was cool was.. his bag was

Ping K15 3 iron, 5 iron, 7 iron, 9 iron , SW and a putter

I asked him if he took the clubs out for the short courses.. He says short courses.. Any course is long to me lol

I asked him why not a full bag of clubs then.. He said he was played this setup for past 20 years.. I quickly realized.. He is playing that setup longer then I have been golfing

Titleist 670 · Jun 10, 2014

Sorry to rain on the parade here, but the OP approached the situation in a completely wrong and insulting manner. Before joining up with this old guy who is obviously terrible for the game due to slow play, I would have asked:

"Do you even play blades, bro?"

"I'm playing from the back tees buddy - you want to play with me? put your big boy pants on"

"Isn't your SW a year old? Seems obsolete to me"

"Is your dispersion tight? I don't want to be looking for balls all day"

Just kidding.

Really a great story. Sad to think of the old guy with a wife who has passed and nobody to golf with. Glad you made his day!

MB Dirtyy · Jun 10, 2014

That's awesome.

Qqq123xx · Jun 10, 2014

There's a tear in my beer. Great story. Am sure he will be thinking about and thanking you for a long time.

SPIF · Jun 10, 2014

This is the greatest post in the history of this forum, and legitimately brought a tear to my eye.

Kudos to you for what you did. I've played this game for 27 years now, and have never done anything so special on the course.

cardoustie · Jun 10, 2014

Such a great story, thanks for sharing

I've played w some incredible older gents over the years .... Great stories, solid company, the best jokes, and they have their priorities straight

chal0072 · Jun 10, 2014

Awesome man really. Your story just made my day. Post of the year by far. Thanks for sharing.

JDW3 · Jun 10, 2014

That is a great story.

I also play a lot as a single. I enjoy meeting new people and have made some good friends.

RedDevilWheezy · Jun 10, 2014

Either I'm allergic to this story or it's getting dusty in here, either way great post and an even greater gesture OP.

TJCDAS · Jun 11, 2014

A certain golfer that has been discussing playing as a single and never wanting to join up, head would have exploded.

AnserMePing · Jun 11, 2014

Well done, golf can certainly reward in countless, unexpected ways.

North Texas · Jun 11, 2014

I'm with all those saying this is the post of the year, maybe ever.

Playing as a single joining up - nice story inside

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