58 Comments

Kate, I play golf with dear friends (husband&wife) on a regular basis, locally, and we also did a St Andrews trip 6 years ago. Talked about Bandon Dunes yesterday.

Other than hitting from a different tee, she hangs right with us. And can beat us more frequently than I care to admit. Come join us sometime.

I love the Chrome Softs. Got : dozen at Christmas, just waiting for warmer, drier weather.

Nice job on the piece!

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Orioles are going all in. Very happy for them. They’ll have to rebuild in 2028, but at least they’ll know they really really tried in the near term.

The Reds should adopt a snail as their management mascot. Last season they had a “plan” for Tyler Stevenson where he would not catch so much so he’d be healthy. He played so little he had no rhythm and he played poorly. Next year we will hear similar tales about Elly, Marte, CES, etc. No one got enough playing time.

Reds say it will work. They are kidding themselves. Position players won’t play enough. The starters don’t have enough experience. If you can’t bring yourself to trade a portion of your excessive bounty of infielders, then make a 2 year $40M per offer for Blake Snell. Or Montgomery. Or trade a few and save a ton of money w Cease.

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Actually, I have a $500 Total Fitness Supreme Machine with added equipment & discs I am trying to sell. I had it for at least 4 years and used it maybe eight weeks in all that time. I'm trying to sell it to get something smaller. I'd take $200 or best offer and someone would have to pick it up. It's heavy!

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Post o' the day 🎩

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Great job kate. My husband ran a small 9 hole course near Monroe. He had a couple great women players practice there and loved their approach to the game. Off the tee I was awful but could putt pretty well. Alas, the only time I could hold my own was when we played next ball😂

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Kate, great column, breaking it down and telling it just like it is. Something I always value, no matter the topic. No pressure here or influence intended, but have you ever explored disc golf? I've taken quite the liking to it, mostly because of my many years' long efforts in futility to play ball golf. It's got many of the same "thinking" challenges around the course as ball golf. Best part, despite being a very average athlete, on any given day I'll get 6-7 pars and a legitimate shot at a few more. Also a relatively inexpensive sport to partake in.

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Thank you. I haven't tried it, but have seen it played. It appears to be a lot harder than golf. I find it amazing how guys can get those discs thru the trees and around corners the way they do. I may give it a try as long as my body gives me the opportunities, I'll keep sporting around for sure.

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Kate, thanks for the fun column. I dabbled in golf a few years back and haven’t played in 3 years. Now that I’m retired, I do want to give it another go. My problem was I tried too hard, which is the “kiss of death” for any beginner. I think I can approach it in a more relaxed manor.

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One coach told me, "Hit your driver with about 90% of your power and irons about 80%. It actually helps you relax and slow down your swing, and will make your shots more accurate. Always, your last thought should be target. It sure helps me, especially when I get mad at a stupid shot. Take a breath and try it.

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I had a few memorable moments while on the course. I played solo golf after business hours while traveling for work. I refused to subject anyone to endure such an ordeal.

I was trying to hit the ball over a dog leg bend on a hole, with a water hazard right in the way. Needless to say I hit the ball right into the water, but it skipped like a skipping rock and ended up in an ideal location.

Another time, I was on the last hole after sunset and the course was getting dark fast. I saw a little black squirrel walking off the green as I approached in my golf cart. I drove up to it to give it a playful scolding. To my surprise, as I got to within 6 feet of it, it turned out to be a juvenile skunk. It raised its’ tail and I thought I was a goner. I was in Indy 2+ hours from home. Thankfully the little guy spared me, but he gave me quite a scare.

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The most amazing shots you will ever make will be when you are alone, and you know no one will believe you when you tell them how awesome you were! lol I would have been terrified with the skink! I've been hit with them a couple of times and both were bad memories, for sure. Glad he didn't get you. They say young ones can be much worse than older skunks. Good escape!

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Nice! Thanks Kate!

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Excellent Hemingway today, Kate. Patriarchy is a bitch.

What I like about golf is that the ball moves away from the player. Glad you love/hate it on a regular basis.

Baseball is coming. I’m ready.

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Thank you, Kathy. When I first began, the ball didn't always move away from me....lol. Eventually, I guess it gets scared.

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Whatever works. 😁

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Feb 2·edited Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

Sorry to hear you've had some guys be less than friendly to you on the course. There's no call for that. Just so you know, we guys get it, too. Don't know how many times I've had rude, impatient guys hit into me,, even though our group's dead smack on pace. Maybe it's the same guys who've been rude to you. Fortunately it's rare. My solution, after it happens a few times, is to quietly pocket the offending ball that almost hit me, and, when they drive out looking for it, give them some less than accurate GPS info, so to speak. Tends to stop the nonsense and it's fun watching them look for their ball 50 yards from where I picked it up. Plus, I get a free ball without saying anything. Always works!

Ladies on the course are a nice plus, imho. Not only do they tend to have lovely, agile, fluid swings, they bring a nice change of pace and perspective. From my experience they're really respectful of the rules and etiquette, conscious of keeping pace, and the conversations tend to be lots of fun. Good stuff. Who cares how well you play; a good attitude and desire to have fun are all that really matter. It's just golf.

Nice Doob tune, Ms. Noveau Hemingway. Fresh. 'Black Water' is great, too. Deep and moody. I'm as frustrated as you the Reds missed again on a starter. They're betting the farm on some pretty unreliable arms. Maybe they get lucky. Odds suggest otherwise. I figure they go a little above .500 again.

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Doc picked the song & Baseball, etc. I'm just the Hemingway.

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Most guys are fine, for sure. As is the case everywhere, there are always that few and they are usually the same guys that have the highest decibels in the bar afterwards. I truly enjoy being outdoors and enjoying the beauty of the course and nature. The pace shouldn't have to be race around the course. It was a fun writing challenge and I appreciate Paul giving me the opportunity.

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For a first Hemingway, I'd say it's been a roaring success. Well done!

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Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

Black Water is a great song written and sung by the Doobies Patrick Simmons. A little trivia on Black Water. Another Park, Another Sunday was the lead single off the album and made it to #32 on the charts. The B-side to it was Black Water. It started to get radio play and they released it as the 3rd A-side single off the album. It went to #1 on the charts.

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Such a jazzy, moody vibe. Keep on shinin' on me.

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I didn't know that it was on the B Side. Apparently they didn't know how good it would turn out, interesting, and coincidental to today's tune, I assure you. I did see them perform in Cinci years ago.

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Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

Excellent TML, Kate! Hemingway is the perfect description for you.

As for country club golf, it has its negatives. I’ve seen more insulting behavior on golf courses than any other venue but that’s probably true for most of us who have some sense of decorum in life. For those that don’t, it’s just another place to demonstrate their boorish lives in general.

Regarding women on the links, I belonged to a club in the Ville where women were not allowed until 1:00 PM on Wednesday (Men’s Day) and Saturday every week. I also belonged to a club before that in Lex where women could play whenever they wanted. Which one had actually had four-hour rounds every day? The club in Lexington, because it was member run and a few of them were loudmouth rednecks that would meet you on the course or at the Nineteenth Hole and give you hell for not keeping up.

How does that happen? You play READY GOLF. Which means if you’re at your ball and ready and nobody else is ready, you hit it whether you are the furthest away or not. As for insulting behavior, there’s not much to be done about that. The only alternatives are public courses where you might get a four-hour round but it’s not likely.

Anyway, thanks for the Hemingway, Kate. Strike on, I say!

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Hemingway comparison? What an awesome honor that is!!

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Awesome comments. You Mobsters are the best and I'm glad I was invited.!

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Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

Very nice writing, and I've never even played a round of golf!

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Very nice compliment and it means a whole lot to me. Look at all the $$$$ you have saved!!

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Golf is definitely an equal opportunity tormentor, if not equal in its historical treatment of genders. So thanks for the history lesson. And thanks for making me feel less crazy for continuing to pursue an activity that is far less fond of me than I am of it!

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You talk about golf like it's almost human. I prefer to see it as a possessed evil spirit that wants to destroy me and haunt me forever throughout infinity.

God, I love the game! Does that even make sense? Hah!

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Golf does encompass us on the course, for sure. It's a great place to have fun and even let out your frustrations when needed. Again, that's why it finishes on Hole 19.

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True, true. Hanging out afterwards is one of the best parts. The patio of a course is such a mellow place to chill, chat, and moderately replenish bodily fluids. Reliving the best and silliest shots of the round, then ribbing each other accordingly, adds to the fun. It's a pleasant way to bond with old and new friends.

Sometimes, golf can be very competitive. Other times, it can be a beautiful social animal, equally enjoyable (or not, depending how you played, lol) for both genders.😉

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If you subscribe to the theory that golf is enjoyed worldwide, by 250 gifted geniuses and a billion masochists (which of course I do), it makes perfect sense

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You have some amazing theories. As usual, your mind outraces my ability to comprehend it. My contribution, theoretically speaking, is thusly; when golf is being controlled by billionaires who live in countries that are nothing more than one big sand trap, golf begins to make little sense. I prefer the wondrousness of grass, legal or not.😃

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Yes. They do take the fun out of it, don't they.

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LIV but never learn. I reckon in today's new world of golf, we'll have to learn to keep turning the other sheik.

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Well done, Kate! A shame you didn’t play in Key West or the Caribbean…..with Travolta! Can’t wait to read your later adventures when you hit Cincy

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How cool would that have been!

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Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

I was at that Skyline Chili concert featuring the Doobies, either 1999 or 2000. That was my second time seeing them, first was their “farewell” tour in 1982 with Michael McDonald, Tom was not with the group. Have seen them 3 times since, last time was when they were with Santana at Riverbend 5 years ago

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Feb 2Liked by Paul Daugherty

Well done, Kate! I too picked up golf around 1991 while marrying into a golfing family. My wonderful mother-in-law is a very accomplished amateur and a 10+ time Club Champion. My greatest accomplishment in golf is the 3 times out of 100+ rounds that I have shot lower on 18 holes. I have a soft spot for my MIL and the advancement of women in the game.

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