It was a typically hot, sweltering summer day in Branson. I was working on my second shot on the Fourth Hole. A warm breeze was flowing from the southwest, but it wouldn’t be much of a factor for my next shot. My ball had miraculously landed just short of a treacherous water hazard and I was hoping to save my par, and my dignity, and move on to Number Five.

I didn’t have a caddy helping me out, so I was left to my own devices. A carpet of grass stretched out before me. I detected an almost imperceptible rise about a foot in front of the hole. How should I tackle this? Without thinking, I fiddled with the yellow band on my left wrist. It read WWTD. Indeed, What Would Tiger Do?

Steeling my resolve, I addressed the ball. With my perfectly balanced putter, I connected squarely on the sweet spot. It rolled and rolled, and headed for the rise. Was there enough power? Would Tiger have hit it harder?

The ball took the rise with vigor as it rolled straight and true, right into the center of the cup. YES! It was all I could do not to throw my hat into the air in celebration. I tried to remain humble as I approached the hole to retrieve my ball. On this day, Hole Number Four would not get the better of me.

Now it was on to Hole Number Five and the battle against the dreaded Windmill.

There are a lot of great golf courses in Branson – miniature and otherwise. Go out and enjoy one of them.

See you on the links!

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