Nice Shot!

Men’s Night golf at Shoal Lake is generally a very common experience for most players. The fresh air, the opportunity to hang out with friends, and a chance to hit some balls.

But above all else, there’s that one three-word phrase that unites us week after week, regardless of skill, weather, or blood alcohol content. That phrase is “Nice shot, buddy.”

This comment likely carries more weight, more sarcasm, and more unspoken truths than any other in the sport of golf. And if you're reading this, you've probably said it at least once this week.

First there is the genuine “Nice Shot”. Every once in a while, someone in your group will stripe a drive right down the middle, stick an iron shot within a few feet of the pin, or drain a long putt. In these cases, a genuine “Nice shot!” may be heard. There’s a quiet moment of respect. A head nod. Maybe even a quick high five or a fist bump.

Some genuine “Nice shots” were likely heard on Wednesday, such as when Kendal Koroscil and Jason Gorrell hit it closest to the pins on holes 5 and 9. Or when Ken Lawn, Reegan Kominko, or Ryden Lanouette scored deuces, splitting the $58.13 pot. Ryden also had four birdies on his way to a 36 which was the lowest round of the night. That is a lot of “Nice shots”.

Chances are, at least one “Nice shot” was heard among the teams who picked up skins this week—Paul Lucas and Sonny Blackbird ($85.39 on #1), Darren Ostash and Ryan Merasty ($20.00 on #4), and Stephen David and Kendal Koroscil ($105.64 on #6).

Then there is the sarcastic nice shot, often the real backbone of Men’s Night. When this one is uttered, it is the verbal equivalent of a gentle nudge off the tee box. It’s usually used after someone tops a ball five feet, follows a great drive on #4 with a pull hook into the left trees, or accidentally hits a worm burner from 150 yards on #8 that ends up on the green. I got one of these sarcastic “Nice shots” when I hit my tee shot on #9 about half-way to the hole.

Next there is pity “Nice Shot”. This one usually shows up around hole 7, after someone has fought there way around the golf course for the first 90 minutes. They finally manage to hit a halfway-decent chip shot onto the green, and suddenly the group erupts like it’s the final putt at Augusta. You then hear things like “Nice shot man” or “There’s the Gorrell from last week”. No one is fooled. But the sentiment is nice. This is golf's version of a participation ribbon.

And finally, there is the accidental missed “Nice Shot!” We’ve all done this. You’re on autopilot and maybe checking your phone or looking at the pickleball courts from the fourth tee box. You aren’t not paying attention and someone swings. You hear contact and instinctively say, “Nice shot” only to look up and see the ball go into the trees on the fly. The damage is done. You’ve confirmed two things with your playing partner - that you weren’t even watching and still somehow overestimated his ability.

Here’s the truth. For most of us, golf isn’t an easy game. You make some good shots and you make some bad ones. And if we couldn’t laugh at ourselves, or more importantly, at each other, some of us may have snapped our clubs in half by June.

The constant chirping, the friendly jabs, the frequent “Nice shots”, they’re not signs of disrespect. They’re statements of belonging. It means you're in the group. You are liked enough to be genuinely complimented or trusted enough to be mocked mercilessly.

So next Wednesday, when someone slices their drive on #6 into the campground, lean into it. Put on your best poker face and say it with pride - “Nice shot, buddy.” Because in the end, golf isn't just about scores, it's about stories. And the best ones always start with a lie between friends.