I am grateful that golf is a lifelong game that, at its best, truly is for everyone.
I have been fortunate to play with folks across a dizzying range of ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. I’ve played with folks who brought their kids out and just had them try putts from where their parents landed on the green. I’ve played with fellow teachers, the youngest of whom could often out-drive me by 50+ yards (sometimes even in a straight line) and the oldest of whom gave up 50+ yards to me, but whose balls always seemed to find the perfect spot on the fairway.
I’ve played with a friend and his grandfather, a man whose love of the game kept him playing into his late 80s. He no longer has much in the way of distance, and has no interest in posting scores, so he tees the ball up in the fairway and uses his driver until he was within wedge range. He comes out for the joy of sharing a beautiful course and a lovely day with people whose passion for the game mirrors his own.
I have played with folks from this board, most of whom I would never have met in any other context, and whose company I have come to treasure.
I have also played a great many rounds with my father. Over the last 6 years, my father has had both hips replaced, a spinal fusion, and in the last 2+ years has had two heart attacks, one that lead to stents being put in and one that lead to open heart surgery and bypasses. Getting back out on the course with me after each health issue has been one of the motivators for him to do his rehab, improve his diet, and get his exercise in. He moves slower, and there are some places on my home course where the footing is uneven enough that we move his ball to someplace he can swing safely, but he is still able to get out with me and guide his ball around the course. I am grateful for every single one of these days, no matter how I play, because I know they are finite, and that knowledge makes them that much more precious.