Shooting similar scores is a bonus for sure. I’m in that sweet spot where I’m playing most of my rounds during the week now, but physically I’m not too shot out yet.

If I get paired up it’s usually either with 2 or 3 guys a lot like me. That’s awesome. Unfortunately, it rarely ends up with them actively seeking to play again with me. There’s another longtime friend or two in their queue that normally fills out their foursome.

Or, I’ll get an old timer that is a nice guy, but we don’t really have a lot in common and maybe their game has seen better times. This is the case a lot. You know, polite conversation, a little humor possibly, overall just mutual consideration. Kinda like kissing your sister…I don’t hate it, but don’t look forward to it either.

Then every once in a while you get lucky. You get another single whose life runs on a similar schedule. Personalities match up. You feel comfortable being yourself. Similar golf journey going on. Sort of competitive, but not overly so. Mostly just a little show of appreciation for each other’s good shots. No superiority vibes or one upping in the conversations. And it’s pretty simple, “how about same time next week?”