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Sunseeking and self-reflection my summer golfing goals

Perhaps like no other region of the United States, ‘springing forward’ weatherwise seems so much more profound and sudden here in Seattle, doesn’t it?

In the blink of an eye, we go from wet, mushy, marshy April showers to warming days and milder eves when June arrives.

Our solstice here at 47 degrees north (topographically-speaking) is unparalleled — pun intended. We see the most daylight of any major market American city in June, which is one of the reasons I still dig living in Jet City. I’m ready to enjoy my 45th endless summer with the sport.

So, with all that temperate talk and waxing about weather, let’s get back to golf as I’ve been thinking about my game and my relation to it. And when I say my game, I’m considering the animal, vegetable and mineral elements of it.

The animal being me — the guy swinging the club. What can I do to better my game and cure the long-lasting ills that tether me to what seems like an endless 18hole result ranging between 82-87.

The vegetable being where I play. There are some spots that are old favorites, tracks I’ve yet to cross off my list and microclimates I want to get lost in this summer.

And, lastly, the mineral, which is the equipment I’m using. I’m turning 55 and looking at midlife tools in my bag that will elevate my game and be right for me — I know my sticks need tweaking.

Given this self-actualization, here’s my summer list of things I am ready for.

FIND A PRO — I am super excited about taking a good look at two things as it relates to my game — swing tempo and putting. Reading our Rick Fehr feature in this issue by Bob Sherwin (page 42), it really hit home that I need a swing doctor. Perhaps Rick can fix the part of my game that sucks the most since he was the number one ranked putter on the PGA Tour for a while. I’m also open to an Al Czervik putting device if I can find one.

REGIONAL GOLF BUCKET LIST — I have a list of courses I must play this summer at certain times of the day because I am so in love with where these places are located.

I really want to do 36 on the peninsula — McCormick Woods in the morning and Gold Mountain (Olympic) in the afternoon. I love the way the morning marine layers hang in the trees off Old Clifton Road where McCormick is. And capping my day with a twilight walk up the 18th at Gold Mountain with the setting sunrays casting through the cedars in Bremerton is bliss to me.

I also want to drive over Stevens Pass at dawn, eat breakfast at Wenatchee’s Pybus Public Market (amazing fresh food) and be at Desert Canyon by 9:30 a.m. — top down and music blaring (Rush, The Clash, Pearl Jam and maybe some Annie Lennox) while I hug the road. It’s so warm and calm in our high desert.

This route I’ve outlined, by the way, will allow me to feel temps in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s all within a short morning window — that’s living.

I’ll be winding up in Chelan later for afternoon wine tasting and dining on some of the best bistro food in Washington — all on foot. It’s a little slice of Heaven. Then, bed down at Campbell’s Resort and hit Bear Mountain Ranch or Alta Lake GC the next day early. Just playing, eating and imbibing in an epicurean fashion with the right company is what’s on my mind over there.

MY BAG — I’ve had stiff-shafted clubs my whole adult life whether I’ve been fit for them or bought them off the rack. However, after hitting out of my youngest son’s bag (Fletcher, 18) on the range recently, I had a thunderbolt discovery. Using his 10-year-old KZGs, featuring regular flex Penley shafts bequeathed to him by my late father, something clicked. I slowed down my tempo to let the shaft flex match its desired speed and whip.

It was like I discovered fire it felt so good. Slowing everything down, sacrificing a little bit of distance and grooving it was allowing me to shape some shots again. Drawing a flighted 7-iron at will — holy crap, is there anything better?

So, given that, I think I might need to leave my stiff Titleist AP3s and Vokey wedges (I got blended irons three summers ago). I’ll let a real clubfitter give me a green light, but my feeling is that it’s time for a ‘Cool Change’ as the Little River Band sang it and look for something more flexible.

I can hardly wait to follow through on all I shared and bared here. It’s time to let the light in, embrace change, enjoy life, make memories and see golf as soulful recreation. I hope this stirred you a little and we wish you a summer of mindfulness. AS ALWAYS, TAKE IT EASY.