Evidence of one of the many errant golf balls Damon Hitti, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Weissinger Hills Golf Club in Shelbyville, Ky., encounters as he mows the course. Photos courtesy of Damon Hitti
I have spent many hours during my golf career perched atop a fairway mower, which gives me plenty of time to ponder the universe’s great mysteries. It can be especially peaceful at relatively quiet times, early in the morning or late in the evening. During that time on the mower, though, I have discovered one inevitable, inexplicable fact: a golf ball will always land in my next mowing pass, stopping me from completing my work.
The ball can be hit off the tee. It can come from out of the rough. Sometimes it’s even come from the next fairway over! It has rolled into my next pass. It has flown into my next pass. I’ve been on a red mower; a ball lands in my next pass. I’ve been on an orange mower; a ball lands in my next pass. I’ve been on a green mower; a ball lands in my next pass! It never seems to matter whether it’s the beginning, middle or end of the fairway, the age or gender of the golfer, it all leads to the same conclusion.
This happens so often that when I train a new operator, I always let them know about it as part of the training. I always laugh when they come to me and say, “You were right! It just happened to me!” It’s happened to everyone on my crew that has mowed a fairway. Is there some mathematical model or physics equation that can explain this occurrence?
If not, here’s a philosophical approach: So often we go about our daily lives not looking to the left or the right, focusing only on what is ahead and how it affects us. We are blind to what is going on around us until something “gets in our next pass” and causes us to slow down or stop what we are doing. Sometimes it’s a good thing and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes, we can deal with it right away and sometimes we have to leave it for later. Regardless, it demands our attention.
Hitti is a 23-year GCSAA member, and served as a steering committee member for Kentucky BMPs.
The golf ball always seems to land in my next pass at a time when I was mowing at a great pace and making great time. Isn’t that how life seems to work, too? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget the needs of those around us, whether it be family, friends or co-workers.
When that golf ball gets in my way, it reminds me that I am not master of my universe or any universe for that matter. When life calls, I need to stop and pay attention to it. On the course, when that happens, I can move out of the way, and sit and wait for the player to go through. That delay can give me a quick minute to check my phone for a text or email, grab a quick drink or use the bathroom. I can go to another part of the fairway and continue mowing, or I can go to another fairway altogether and start mowing that one. There are almost always options that help me get the job done. As frustrating as it can be to have my work interrupted, I’m glad for the moments when I have been patient enough to see those other options and pursue them.
Another lesson this interference has taught me is to not let others control your life or emotions. I know the player did not intentionally hit the ball into my next pass. Why should I get frustrated or angry about it? They’re not trying to interrupt my work. They might even think that I’m interfering with their game!
Practically, this experience also helps me think about how I plan my daily tasks. Maybe I can plan my mowing route differently so that I don’t run into players (honestly, I think a ball would still land in my next pass no matter what). I can’t control everything, even though sometimes I try. I can only control what I can, and do my best with what I can’t. That’s what I was taught by the first superintendent I worked for. I hope that lesson will stick with me, so that the next time a ball gets in my path, I’ll sit back and be thankful for the chance to grow.
Editor's note: Safety on the golf course is highly important, including awareness of projectiles such as errant balls on the course. Read more information on the topic here.
Damon Hitti is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Weissinger Hills Golf Club in Shelbyville, Ky.