Quad

Even the pros make an occasional quad- usually due to encounters with wind, water or woods. Frustrating as they may be, most of these slip-ups are quickly forgotten.

But one particular snowman sticks in my mind even after 30 years. Two factors played key roles in that quad: The power of understatement and gravity.

Yes, gravity. If you’ve never played a mountain course you may not fully appreciate just how powerful a force gravity can be, even on a little white ball. The round was played at Linville Ridge Golf Club near Blowing Rock, NC.

The hole is the No. 12, which is a 435 yard Par 4 with an uphill approach to the most steeply-sloped green on the course.

Imagine my excitement when I hit driver and 3-wood onto the back first-cut of the green. A rare feat for a high handicap golfer like me indeed!

I’m good, right? I’ve got a 12 foot putt for birdie- 2 putts for par. No sweat.

Enter factor number one: Understatement of the day from my playing partner to “be careful, that’s a nasty downhill putt - you don’t want it to run off the green.” Guess what? My next putt was uphill… from about 40 feet away this time. Just at the base of the green’s wicked slope.

Ever the helpful one, and also holder of a much lower handicap, my faithful playing mate suggests I “make sure to get it to the hole!” - with some additional emphasis. Mission accomplished- and then some as I roll it 8 feet past the hole. Getting closer!

I check with my partner but all he offers up this time is a grin, and the sage (and accurate) observation that “only thing stopping that putt my friend is the hole.”

Thanks for nothing- pal.

Tap, and off the green it goes.

For those keeping score- I’m now lying, let’s see… on in two, three putts-so far, is five. Now determined to stay below the hole - yes, there is a hole there somewhere, I proceed to navigate the 40 feet uphill in three increments of 35, four and one for a spectacular snowman.

On in two and six putts.

Welcome to mountain golf.