Golfing with Ghosts

As I live on a golf course, love the game, but have little time, there are many days in which I'll wake early and head off the course to be one of the first people off; usually around 6:00 AM.  At that time, I've got the course to myself, and I can usually get an entire 18 hole round completed in about two hours - less the half the usual time.

While I do enjoy playing with others, I don't dislike playing on my own.  And that's because I don't play on my own.  

Every time I tee off on my own, I say a prayer on the #1 tee box.  My prayer is one of thanksgiving to live where I live and to have the health necessary to play the game I love.  A game that I've played with so many that I love.  I ask for patience, and to always remember that I playing a game that many others would love to play but can't.  

And then, after crossing myself and saying "amen," I ask the ghosts if they'd like to tag along.

My Grandma, Grandpa, and Dad all loved the game, and I loved my time on the course with them.  So before I tee off on #1, I ask if they'd like to tag along.  And throughout the round I think of them, talk with them, and laugh with them.

I've wondered if all of this was crazy, but last week I was out golfing with the ghosts, and on #10 I sank a tough 12 foot putt to save par.  I hooted, and said aloud, "Did you guys see that?!"  After uttering it, I kind of noticed that I was out there alone, and I felt a little sheepish.  But as I walked back to my cart, my Bluetooth radio kicked off Coldplay's "42," and the opening lines hit me like a ton of bricks:

Those who are dear are not dead
They're just living in my head

And they're welcome to stay there as long as they'd like.