I love the game of golf, but there’s something about observing the sport that brings out the worst in my personality.As a self-proclaimed hacker, one might think I’d enjoy seeing the game played properly, but for some reason, that isn’t part of my make-up.Coverage of Sunday’s final round of the Master’s illustrates my point.While millions of people across the country were watching a dramatic finish unfold before their very eyes, I found myself getting angry.Part of my displeasure stemmed from the fact that I had to run from the kitchen to the bedroom to catch all the fateful last shots the tournament had to offer. (It was my turn to cook supper Sunday night, and my 3-year-old was watching a Barney video in the living room.) I managed to witness most of the crucial shots taken during the final three holes of the tournament, but catching my breath between rooms wasn’t the most difficult part of watching the game.Coming clean on the real reason why I can’t watch golf played well is a harder pill to swallow. The fact is, watching Tiger Woods and Chris DiMarco make an extremely tough game look easy left me feeling jealous.Instead of being electrified when Woods chipped in for a remarkable birdie on the par-3 16th hole of the final round, I got mad.Placing myself in the same situation, I probably would have chipped the same shot Woods made off the green, used another chip to get back on the putting surface, and would have needed two or three putts to complete the hole.I became even more frustrated when DiMarco rallied over the final two holes to catch Woods and force a sudden-death playoff.After watching Woods knock down his chip on the 16th, I wondered how DiMarco could just shrug it off, as if nothing sensational had happened, and go on to make up a two-shot deficit over the final two holes and force a playoff.Anyone who has had the misfortune of playing a round of golf with me, especially the players in the Wednesday Night Men’s League at Meadow Acres Country Club near Larchwood, know how I would have reacted to Wood’s shot. I would have been mentally wounded, and it would have taken a reasonable run of luck for me to finish the final two holes at six-over-par.Thinking back on the developments late Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t a total disappointing experience for this hacker.Watching the game played the way it’s supposed to be played did get me thinking about dragging my clubs from the basement to the car for another season of golf. I’m a hacker, but I won’t give up the game because of my limited ability, or because of the greatness of others.Besides, I’m pretty sure I won’t run into Tiger Woods and Chris DiMarco in Larchwood to embarrass me with their games this summer. And even if they did, I could always skip golfing that day in favor of watching another fascinating Barney video with my daughter.
