Dear Golf,

Never in my life have I hated something so much but also loved it at the same time. You drive me absolutely crazy. You are like a psychotic significant other who despite the insane stuff they throw at me, I always end up staying. You frustrate me in ways I cannot even imagine. One day, I will play so well, hitting everything perfect and making putts, but then the next day you sweep the rug out from under me and it’s like I am 10 years old again, at the range with my set of U.S. Kids golf clubs, not having a clue what is going on.

You and your gods are the most bipolar bunch I have ever seen. What in the world did I ever do to upset you? I work hard, yet I still block my driver right and three-putt for par. It’s just not right. Throughout the average round, I consider quitting and throwing my clubs into the pond, at least, four times. But, here I am, getting ready to go practice again as soon as I finish this note to you. What kind of drug do you have me on? Oh right, it’s that occasional 20-foot birdie putt or the perfectly struck 7 iron that I stick two feet from the pin.

Golf truly is the game where you constantly seek perfection. We all spend hours and hours working on our swings and on our putting to have that perfect shot and to sink that 20-foot birdie putt. We are always seeking to shoot our best round ever, every time we step onto the course. And because of that, we will never be satisfied. Despite you being the most frustrating thing to ever happen to me, you also make me the happiest in those moments. That is why we keep coming back every day, ready to find that perfect, happy moment that just makes it all worth it.

You are also responsible for connecting me with great friends. You are the reason I am close with members of my family and for giving me my best friends, and I thank you for that. That is another thing that makes you great. Some of my best memories in life are in a golf cart or walking down a perfectly mowed fairway on a perfect summer day. I look forward to every day where I get to go play a round of golf with my dad or some of my best friends. It isn’t just those perfect shots that make me stick around, but the people that are with me when I hit those shots.

Finally, you are a game that will be with me for the rest of my life. Golf is a game that you can start playing at age 3 and play until you are 100. I’ll be able to play golf with my children and grandchildren, and that is pretty cool. You can’t say that about many other sports. So, even though I really hate you sometimes, thanks for being there. My life would be a lot different without you. One of my favorite quotes about golf is, “Golf: a series of failures, obscured by the occasional miracle.” Thanks for being the reason to believe in miracles. …And for blessing us with Jordan Spieth.