Balls of Consequence and the Breaths You Take

Rob,

One of my favorite movie scenes of all-time is this one from the movie Forrest Gump

http://www.savevid.com/video/forrest-gump-best-scene-ever.html

For me, Forrest's recollections are beautiful because his ability to recall them so well meant that he was in those moments and that, for each one of them, he was awake and aware.  While you may have made your comment about "Balls of Consequence" in jest, upon reflection it seemed to me that the title does actually have significant meaning for me.  A great number of memorable moments came to mind which provide such vivid threads to my life tapestry.  I recalled getting ready to tee off on the 13th hole a week or so ago after a bit of wet weather. Framing the verdant bucolic hills above me was a double rainbow of such beauty that I had to stop for a moment to admire what I was seeing.  I would not have seen it without having been there with that ball of consequence.  Then there was the time playing on the 14th when the sunset was so stunningly beautiful when viewed from the tee only to be followed by an amassing view of an early rising full moon cresting over the hills when viewed from the green. Awesome stuff.  And then there was the time at the driving range when a fox decided to casually watch and see what we were doing as though he was just a curious visitor.  Those were some balls of consequence, I think.  Or what about the time on the 11th hole, when while trying to measure a shot over the water hazard pond, a family of five river otters suddenly appeared and scampered by trying to make it from the 11th hole pond to a pond located on the 10th hole?  And then there was the time while walking to the 12th hole, that I discovered a little bird's nest on the ground with three small eggs in it.  I believe I will long remember these events, and I know that they and others have greatly enriched my life.

Reflecting on all this does make me wonder if others have experienced similar events while on the course or if others simply focus entirely on the ball.

In any event, for me, all of these special small moments are significant enough that I am compelled to conclude that your comment about "Balls of Consequence" is actually quite appropriate.  After all, those Balls of Consequence have greatly enriched my life and have helped me keep life in perspective ... or, as George Strait puts it, helped me to remember that life is not simply the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHodOymqfss&nohtml5=False

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

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Subject: Re: Be The Ball

I like how you think.  Perhaps we should start a new campaign called "Balls of Consequence."

Classmates : please discuss.

Rob

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Rob,

I was finding the "ball liberation" philosophy to not be working very well... and to being a bit costly.  I have revised it to trying to establish a relationship with the ball.  To that end, I have lately gone in search of my balls when they have gone into the woods.  It may surprise you to know that often when I find my ball, it is there amongst many other "wanderers".  On quite a few occasions now, especially on my evening rounds, I have actually come home with more balls than when I started.  That too, can be one of the great pleasures of the game.

Skip

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Subject: Re: Be The Ball

Skip, 

I thought we had come to an understanding that our approach is to liberate as many balls as we can during a round... Let them fly free to find their own paths and destinies in the wilds. 

While it's possible that these particular balls shared your vision, but I hope that in the future you continue to send balls into the woods to romp carelessly with their fellow woodland creatures.

Rob

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Subject: Re: Be The Ball

Steve and Dave,

In my golfing experience, I have discovered that sometimes the ball just does not "want" to go into the hole.  Ernie Els discovered that yesterday.  Other times, especially on hot days, the ball may want to take a dip into the water or on particularly breathtaking courses go flying with the birds over cliffs or attempt to go swimming with the dolphins.  Such "decisions" by the ball tend to sadden me.  After all, in attempting to "be the ball", one does attempt to strike up a relationship with it thereby making an abrupt parting a bit sorrowful.  However, for the most part, it does give one the opportunity to strike up a new relationship with another ball. I struck up twenty such new relationships playing the "jungle" course at Princeville on Kauai.   

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

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Subject: Re: Be The Ball

Skip:

Glad you and the ball had a good understanding yesterday. Looks like Ells and his ball had a misunderstanding right from the start.  

Steve

 

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Subject: Be The Ball

Yesterday evening, after work, I went home and played nine holes of golf.  It was one of those rare days when I and the ball seemed to have an understanding with each other.  Except for one hole, the ball and I seemed to both want to go to the same place.  As a result, I think we both had an enjoyable experience and I had my lowest total in two years.  I shot a 50 for the nine holes.

Now granted 50 is not a terribly impressive score for nine holes.  But for those who know my golf game, 50 is pretty impressive especially in light of my tendency to let the ball be "free" ...  to let the ball go wherever it chooses to go.  Now, for my good friend Dave, this drives him nuts.  After all, he is in the golf course business and for him the main purpose of the game is to master the ball and have it go where you want it to go.  However, I suppose it is because of my Left Coast upbringing that I tend to think a bit differently about the game.  And lo and behold, this morning, in another of those coincidences that I do love, I learned about a forthcoming documentary that just may shed some light on whether it is my philosophy or Dave's philosophy that should prevail.  The movie is entitled "Be the Ball" and you can view a preview of it at

http://www.betheballmovie.com/

Now I know that some of you may not be persuaded about the metaphysics involved with the game.  However, for those doubters please watch the following from another serendipitous moment from yesterday and tell me once again that the ball does not have a mind of its own 

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/04/watch_ernie_els_7-putt_for_sex.html

Peace,

Everett "Bagger Vance" Jenkins

Class of 1975