What Do You Do?

I started the day one off the lead in the golf tournament I was in - one of the largest on the Island.

Now, to be clear, I was one off the lead in my division.  I'm not a pro - my future son-in-law (!) was playing in the Pro Division.  But still, on Saturday I shot a more-than-respectable score and was one back of the leader.  We teed off together this morning, along with the fellow in third place, who trailed me by two strokes.

I played well in the first nine holes, but so did the front runner, and by the midway point of our round he had stretched his lead to three. Leading off the second nine holes, I canned a birdie putt - but he countered with one of his own.  Things didn't change with the next hole, and we stepped onto the following tee with him still leading by three strokes.

It was a par three over water - not a terribly difficult hole (the green is larger than any house any of us have ever lived in) but ... did I mention the water?  The hole was tucked neatly into the far right corner of the green, just past the pond.

My opponent got up to hit his shot, and bailed out far to the left, well away from the hole (and the water).  It was a safe, smart play, protecting a three-shot lead.  "Just don't make mistakes," he was clearly saying to himself.  "Par is your friend."

I stood up to the tee and ran through the position I was in.  Three strokes behind the leader with seven holes to play.  Do I go over the water, trying to get closer to the hole and perhaps gain a stroke or two at the risk of falling short, splashing, and taking a high score on the hole?  Because the reward, if I'm successful, is a gain of one, two, or more strokes.  The penalty for failure is not just missing a chance at first place, but slipping from second into third.

My decision tells you a lot about who I am.

I aimed dead at the pin.  I hit what may be one of the sweetest, truest shots of my life.

"That's going in," said one of my playing partners.

"It's straight at it," agreed the other.

"Be the right club," was all I could mutter as the shot flew with laser precision towards the hole ... landed safely on the far bank ...

... and trickled back into the hazard.

I took a two stroke penalty, and my chance at first place was gone.

I'm still replaying that shot, how close it was to being perfect, how different things might have been had I chosen to play it safe.  I'd have gained at least a stroke on that hole (he'd played it almost too safe, and ended up taking an extra stroke).  And it's possible he'd have been shaken enough to fold like a cheap lawn chair.

But I didn't play it safe.  I made the decision that first place was all that mattered.  I tried, and failed, and in doing so allowed the guy trailing me to catch up and pass me.  I ended the tournament in a respectable - but deeply unsatisfying - third place.

It was all or nothing, and today it was nothing.  And as many times as I've run that moment of decision over in my head, I come to the same conclusion.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

What about you?  Safe ... or go for it?

Comments

[Bucky Four-Eyes]

Oh, hell, I don't know anymore. I got so burned by my last bold move that I'd swear I can still smell my flesh cooking.

[William]

I always go for it. But I wear a condom.

[CircusKelli]

I play it so safe, I don't even attempt golf. ;)

[Jim Fogg]

If you have the shot....take it! Always better to go out with your boots on.

[Laura]

You didn't get to where you are in life by playing it safe, did ya? ;)

[Dewsweeper]

"My opponent got up to hit his shot, and bailed out far to the left, well away from the hole (and the water)."

Isn't the water on 13 mostly to the left? Been awhile since I was there.

When I played tournament golf, that tournament was one of my favorites...and mostly because of the people and parties after.

Without getting into wind conditions, whether my go-to shot was a fade or draw, and tendencies that day...I think you both made the right decision. I would hope I would have made the same ones, but tournaments always made me do funny things. That is why I stay away now.

Congrats!

[Nils]

Dewsweeper: We played the back nine first on Sunday .. so this happened on was on what's listed as the "third hole" on the course. It became our "thirteenth Hole" ... so water front right.

[shari]

I'm with CK... I don't play golf, I climb mountains instead. ;)

[Nils]

I am humbled in the presence of a true risk-taker. Kinda makes my gamble seem insignificant.

[shari]

Nah, I chickened out of the summit playing it safe. Next time though? Who knows. :)