Today it is gray and rainy here in Oregon. Tomorrow college football kicks off in earnest, which means less time for golf... I expect a few more pockets of good weather before the deluge of water really hits the Northwest, but it feels like the bulk of the golf season is behind me now.

I'm not quite on your level, but I'm also am very proud of the year I had. I accomplished most of my goals, I learned a lot, and it was a lot of fun. I started playing this game in July of 2015 and I am positively hooked. I plan to keep taking lessons and working out at the range as time allows. 

I remember many occasions when I was in the golf doldrums. I didn't feel that I was getting any better and was only playing for exercise. I think about taking a break, but then I hit that awesome shot and realize that I'm never giving it up. I think too many people get this idea that they are going to go to Q-school and go on tour. It's very demoralizing when it begins to sink in that it ain't a gonna happen. How many threads have there been over the years where Joe Golfer comes on and says, "I'm going to dedicate myself this year and _______." Golf has to be enjoyed for what it is, a hard game that is full of ebb and flow.

Doesn't seem to matter whether I end a season, month, or even the last round on a high note or low, what follows is the possibility of something better.

I wonder if the seasons make those in the Midwest and east appreciate the game more. 

Fall golf is great in Central NY.  Between kids going back to school and sundown coming earlier the course clears out but the temperatures are great for golfing.  The only downside is that the leaves fall making balls much harder to find.  I have stopped keeping "real scores" so I don't feel any guilt in invoking the "gallery rule" and dropping a ball when I can't find my ball in rough covered with leaves.

9 hours ago, gregsandiego said:

I wonder if the seasons make those in the Midwest and east appreciate the game more. 

Nope. It made me move to Florida. =)

Actually, I moved here for a new job, but I will certainly enjoy playing through the winter months.

It seems a lot of the people who get brunt out from golf are ones who get so set on their goal (typically a certain handicap) that they stop playing golf for enjoyment/to play golf and just play for handicap. How much does it really matter if your handicap is low if you don't enjoy the game for what it is?

If you are a single digit handicap, you are a pretty damn good golfer as far as I'm concerned. I speak for the 90% of the golfing community that still cannot hit their driver straight.

Maybe doing a couple of pro bono lessons for the kids can lift your spirits. 

1 hour ago, krupa said:

Fall golf is great in Central NY.  Between kids going back to school and sundown coming earlier the course clears out but the temperatures are great for golfing.  The only downside is that the leaves fall making balls much harder to find.  I have stopped keeping "real scores" so I don't feel any guilt in invoking the "gallery rule" and dropping a ball when I can't find my ball in rough covered with leaves.

Our "leaf rule" goes into effect on November 1st for pace of play. It is a local club rule where if the group determines a ball is in a pile of leaves and the leaves are well within the hole's boundaries your allowed a free drop. It has caused some tension before though when someone clearly hits on OB then finds the closest leaf pile to claim the lead rule. Usually they don't score well on the hole anyways. Must be the golf gods. 

I'm in the Midwest, and yes, the seasons do make me appreciate golf more during the summer.  I do love fall golf though because its not sweat your balls off hot.  I can wear a light rain jacket and its perfect.  Plus this is when all the scrambles I play in come around and our club championship as well.  I play hockey in the winter too, so I do have something to look forward to come winter.  It just feels like my game is getting to where I have been wanting/working on it to be and then the season ends...so then it takes some time to get going again come spring.  You guys that get to play year round so to speak are lucky!

I too am a hockey guy. Growing up in FL not many people expect it, but I've been on the ice for 20 years. 

The temps today are 59-81* so it will be a lovely afternoon with the wife on the course, then rounds early sat-mon so I can get home and BBQ during football games.