Tee Time Traditions

Every Wednesday, around 6:30 pm, something interesting happens at the golf course. It’s more than just a round of golf; it's an informal but well-crafted, relatively consistent ritual. From the moment we think about it earlier in the week, to the last putt made, and even beyond, Men's Night is governed by an unwritten set of traditions that keep us coming back.

The ritual often begins long before the first tee. Some people arrive early and some come at the last minute. Guys load up their coolers with essentials and generally there is a congregation of carts and players outside of the Club House. The horn at 6:25 pm is used as an indicator for many to head to their respective holes.

Then comes the start of the round. For some, that it their first hole of the day. For others, it could be our fourth or fifth round. Prior to the first tee shot, group members often declare what kind of ball they are hitting and whether or not they are playing for anything. Lefty-righty snips with snakes is a popular choice.

Once on the course, the ritual continues. Golf balls are hit. Some shots result in positive comments. Others result in search parties. People often feel relief if they get past holes 3 and 4 with the same ball.

Golf rituals are common practices among golfers, ranging from simple etiquette to more peculiar habits, often used to enhance focus or perhaps bring some good luck. Many golfers have routines prior to shooting. Some take practice swings, others have repetitive set-ups when addressing the ball, and many use GPS devices to check yardages for their next shots. And while range finding is a ritual, the shots don't always realize the aniticpated distances.

There's an unspoken understanding of the flow. It generally takes around two hours for the Men’s Night round, but for some reason it takes some groups much longer. The actual golf doesn’t take that long. Occasionally you have to wait for the group ahead to clear. At other times, the arrival of the Gator/beverage cart causes a slight delay. Last night that ritual changed slightly with the appearance of a blue GMC Sierra near the fifth teebox, taking the place of the disabled Gator.

Of course, no Men's Night round is complete without the constant banter and hydration. This is intertwined with the shared laughs over a missed drive, the grudging respect for a miraculous birdie, and the ongoing conversation that picks up right where it left off seven days earlier.

Once the score cards are all finally submitted, the ritual shifts gears. The pursuit of the deuce pot and skins is a weekly highlight. As the results are being tabulated, many enjoy some food at the Club House. That was the case for several of the 26 golfers last night.

This week the ritual of prizes was handled quickly. Only one skin went, with Zach Bartram and Jim Geekie winning $61.25 on hole #5 thanks to Zach's birdie. That also won him the $48.75 deuce pot. 

Closest to the holes went to Milt on #5 and Stephen David on #9. Hopefully, someone eventualy gets an ace soon so we can renew a long past ritual of awarding a large hole-in-one prize.

After the prizes are awarded, about half those in attendance head out and the others remain for a while and visit. And then, for some, the evening culminates in the poker at the campground. 

Rituals in golf are important. These rituals might be informal and light-hearted but still carry significance, providing a consistent structure and sense of continuity week after week. Ultimately, the power of Men’s Night lies in our unwavering commitment to showing up each week for the camaraderie and the chance to spend a few hours with friends, away from work, stress, and responsibilities. The simple fact is that we go because it’s fun...because it matters in the way that only the best traditions do. It’s the feeling that, no matter how your round went, you're part of something, something relaxed but also fun and competitive, something that we look forward to for 22 times or so per summer.

So, here’s to the unwritten rules and the enduring traditions that make every Wednesday Men's Night special.