A love letter to the little things that keep us coming back
There are few things in life that stop time—not figuratively, but in a way where the world actually pauses for just a breath. For me, one of those moments is the sound of a flushed 7-iron. Not “okay” contact. Not a lucky bounce. I’m talking about that pure, effortless thump—center face, compressed, clean. The kind of strike that makes you stand still and say, “Now that’s why I play.”
It doesn’t happen every round. Sometimes it doesn’t even happen every month. But when it does, man, it makes everything else melt away. The tight lower back, the missed fairways, the three-putts and double bogeys—it all vanishes for a second, replaced by this simple, beautiful truth: I can still do this. I still love this.
That sound—it’s not just audio. It’s a feeling. It’s the feedback in your hands. It’s the flight you already know will be good before you even look up. It’s satisfaction in its purest form. A little reminder that you haven’t lost it entirely. That there’s still rhythm left in your swing, still moments of brilliance tucked into this stage of life.
Golf in mid-life is different. The expectations shift. The scores don’t define us like they used to. Some days we show up just to clear our heads. Some days it’s just about being outside, walking with buddies, chasing daylight and quiet. But always—always—we’re chasing that one moment. That one sound.
It’s funny how small things like that hold so much weight. The crack of a well-hit drive. The rattle of a long putt falling in. The soft click of a ball dropping into the cup when you didn’t think you had a chance. These are the things we carry with us. These are the reasons we book another tee time, even after a rough round.
This game will humble you, sure. But every once in a while, it gives you a gift. A sound that sings. A swing that flows. A shot that reminds you why this silly, frustrating, beautiful game has a hold on your heart.
And when that happens? You just smile, pick up your tee, and whisper to no one in particular:
“Still got it.”
– Kurt
MidLifeGolf.com