It seems that all of the pontificating and righteous indignation has died down conerning Tiger Woods and his two shot penalty at The Masters today, at least for the moment.  in the interest of not rehashing the entire story, I will simply offer my thoughts.

Given the timing of events, The Masters Rules Committee did exactly as they should have done.  I heard Charlie Rymer of Golf Channel say on the radio earlier that this is the Supreme Court of Rules at The Masters. I couldn’t agree more. Fred Ridley, Chairman of that committee summarized everything at the opening of the telecast and that should be the end of it. It won’t be, but it should.

As to whether or not Tiger should have withdrawn or disqualified himself, the chronology of events and the way the committee approached him basically didn’t require him to consider it. That should be the end of it. It won’t be, but it should.

Sometimes the rules hurt you, sometimes they save you. The Masters officials say it would not matter who it was, every competitor would be given this same consideration. I for one believe that completely. Call me naive if you will, but I choose to think that these people are acting above board, Tiger Woods included.

I’ve been working on a few things with my own golf game that are starting to come together.  The weather this time of the year is still a bit unpredictable and so I have some opportunities to play, many times I play alone.

Last week was such a time.  I had a 7 birdie, no bogey round of 64.  I’ve scored lower than that before but it had been a while since I got to a point in a round where I had a chance to beat my personal best, which is 62.  I hit the ball well most of the day, and on the few occasions I missed I was able to use my short game to save me.  It felt great to feel in control again, and it made me think to write this.

Almost everyone who plays golf has had a day where they felt things fall into place, whether it lasted an entire round or just a few holes.  Your game at a time like this allows you to score as well as you ever have and in some cases even better.  You can see that impossible number in front of you, not just your best score, but a score you only dream about.

More often than not, we don’t quite get to that score, but we glimpse what is possible and it brings us back for more.  Like Don Quixote tilting at windmills we chase that dream round, that impossible score.  It’s part of the romance and frustration of golf.

Next time you find yourself putting on a clinic on the golf course, by yourself of with a group, appreciate it and embrace it.  Let it teach you what you are capable of.   Understand that it’s not impossible.  I have a number I’m chasing, probably forever.  Go after your windmill.