Last Wednesday, November 27th, the day before Thanksgiving, Jim Corsar and Chuck Allegrini got off to an adventuresome start to their golf round. Off the number one tee, Chuck hit his drive to the left side of the fairway. Chuck had to punch his next shot because of his ball position. Punching a shot in golf means you keep the ball low, which is a line drive. You need to punch a shot if there are low-hanging limbs or something obstructing your direct flight to the green. Being the good golfer, Chuck is he hit a nice low-line drive punch right toward Jim Corsar who was standing down the fairway. With his eyes tracking the quickly approaching ball, Jim jumped up and spread his legs, creating a space for Chuck’s ball to continue its journey right between his legs. Nice shot, Chuck. Nice jump, Jim. A shot or so later, Chuck was on the first green. Hearing the word fore bellowed in the air, Chuck briefly glanced over his right shoulder and saw a ball headed towards him.

Turning his head, the ball sailed closely over his right shoulder and popped him right on his left big toe. Karma. Chuck said it was kind of an ouch but nothing lasting. The ball had been hit from the third tee box wildly to the right. Thanks to the hitter for yelling fore. Important. On the last hole, agile Jim Corsar avoided another knee-capping line drive. The Golf Notes writer, me, has only been hit by a golf ball once. Years ago, I had just finished putting on the third green. Watching my playing mates putt out, the next thing I knew I was flat on the ground. I had been hit right in the temple area on the side of my head. Luckily, I was wearing a ball ca,p and the ball struck me right on the little band of the ball cap giving me a little padded protection. I got up and finished the round.

Here’s a little inside scoop from a very good golfer, a previous Little River Men’s Club Champion. Phill Dunn, last Wednesday noting the very high ocean tides, shared that the golf ball flies further when the tide is high and coming in. Mmmm. Phil noted that as you progress around the course from hole to hole, you may slowly notice that your ball is going further if the tide is coming in and not as far as the tide is going out. It would seem wise to book your tee time to coincide with the incoming tide. I wonder if it makes a difference, with an incoming tide, that your ball goes further, playing holes in the Easterly direction, the direction of the incoming tide. And when you play holes in the Westerly direction against the incoming tide, do you lose distance? We’ll consult with Phil.