There is a song that gets played a lot this time of year it’s called “When Fall Comes to New England” by Cheryl Wheeler and while the song nails just about every emotion and condition associated with Fall there is no mention of the “Leaf Rule”. For me and every other New England golfer the “Leaf Rule” is the first sign of the beginning of the end of the golf season. A ball that cannot be found is determined to be under a leaf somewhere and the player whose ball is hiding from him gets a free drop without penalty. I would bet dollars to donuts that this rule originated right here in New England. Think about it; Florida no, Arizona no, California, no. Does California even have leaves? No, the “Leaf Rule” is ours and on a personal note when I invoked the “Leaf Rule” on a ball I hit 30 yards into the woods I knew my season was over.

Hats off to one of the oldest members in my group who despite pushing ninety battled back from a shoulder repair to make it onto the course by mid-summer. In his day he was a good player, he still is a good playing partner.

I miss golf trips. For years my buddies and I went on an annual golf trip. Three days of golf, thirty -six holes a day, nice dinner and straight to bed. Same thing the next day. No cards, no strip joints just a lot of laughs and a lifetime of memories. I couldn’t find three guys to go on a golf trip now if my life depended on it. Can’t we just plan one? We can cancel it later.

I wish the cheating would stop. Sometimes I stand over my ball and I cannot believe what I just saw. We play for five bucks, come on boys play it straight.

Hey, pass it around. I got a new swing guru, Jimmy Tropicana. Look him up he is on Facebook. His simple instruction and constant reminders that golf is supposed to be fun combined with a wardrobe and hair style [ I think he is a barber] that evoke golf’s golden age make him my new favorite. Sorry Padraig next year I’m going to be cool.

On my way through town there is a Halloween display that features an actual DeLorean. This guy has the DeLorean in his front yard and a whole “Back to the Future” scene complete with lighting striking a kite and everything. It got me thinking and “Back to the Future” is going to be my motto for next season. After a particularly disappointing season I am ready to get back where I was. I am pledging to end handicap erosion, to increase conditioning and get back to breaking eighty a couple of times. Are you with me? Jimmy?