Targets

July 3

I am thankful for targets. My daughter Beth is thankful for Target, the store, but that is not what I am writing about now. A target is something that you take aim at and try to hit regularly. For example, a bullseye target for gun or bow practice. Or, in the case of the photo, a target on the golf course. Of course, you have to successfully hit your target, or at least come close, to consider yourself successful in this endeavor.

This is a photo of the golf practice range at The Bluffs. The target in this case is the flag stick. As you can see, a few, but not too many balls are in close proximity to the stick. This was taken right after I practiced so I am at least one of the guilty parties. To be successful in golf, you need to hit the ball toward the target (the hole) successfully, and ultimately put the ball into the hole. The majority of people think that hitting the ball really long is the most important thing in golf. Not me. I believe accuracy is the most important thing. Have you heard the joke about the gorilla that could drive 500 yards. It turns out he was a really bad golfer because he hit it 500 yeards every time with every club and never found the hole. I'm not a long hitter and have never been. For that matter, I'm not so accurate anymore either. Worst of both worlds - short and wild! I have played with old men who really didn't drive long at all, but they always systematically hit it down the fairway, and ended up on the green, and beat my brains out.

So being accurate is one of the most important things in not only gof, but in many sports.  Even in non-sports things, reaching your target is very important to your ultimate success, such as reaching your goals in business or in life.

target

i rarely if ever

my target do miss

i take careful aim

relax and then this

i shoot and wait

as my ball meets its mark

i then take my target

close to that ball i drop.

© rt tulley