Smiter
Dunce Cap For A Bit
The "smoking on the course" thread got me thinking.... Usually dangerous (me thinking) I know, but this is something somewhat similar.
Last summer I took my kids out golfing very frequently on Sunday evenings. The course we played most is widely regarded as the "party course" around here. It's not a nice course, but it is a golf course and it's inexpensive, which is important when you have to pay greens fees for 3 every time you play. I'd rather play 3 rounds with them on a lower end course than 1 round on a decent course, within reason. This course is golfable. There are a couple that aren't so that's where I draw the line. If it's playable and the price is right, we are there.
Ok so on week one (we'll call it) I smelled a familiar smell. It's been a long time since I've used the stuff but you don't forget the smell. My kids (then 12 and 14) asked me "dad, what is that smell?" I just told them, "someone's burning something". That ended it. Then we hit week 2. Same smell. "Dad, what is that smell, it's the same as last week?" At that point I decided to tell them what it was. They were incredulous. What?? Golfers do that kind of thing?? Maybe it's my fault for putting golfers on a pedestal of virtuous glory in their eyes, but in a sport where you are expected to be call penalties on yourself, it was something different to discuss with them. I certainly would have preferred to have that conversation with them somewhere else, but it was what it was.
A couple points. It's not legal in Ohio, at least for recreational use-and it's medicinal use isn't really established yet. I also have zero issues with someone using it in any way. I don't use it but I MIGHT on an occasional basis if I wasn't subjected to random drug tests with my job. I really have no issues with it, although I highly doubt I would use it on a golf course-well maybe scrambles, lol-when you're only hitting 52 shots in 6.5 hours you gotta pass the time somehow, hahaha! I also want to point out that if it helps someone medically that's suffering otherwise (cancer patient), it's stupid to not consider it as an option to ease suffering. So that's how I feel about it.
If I have a point, it's that I'd rather have had the conversation with my kids about what was going on outside of a golf course. I don't want my kids to think it's 100% ok. They're at the age where I was a wild child. I don't want them to think that golfers, whom I have put on a high moral pedestal-maybe erroneously-are using this illegal substance all the time.
We're all just people, golfers and non-golfers. I know this but I like to think that the average golfer is going to be a more solid and honest person than the average non-golfer. Maybe I'm wrong here but I've met way more nice folks golfing than I have, on average, in other walks of life. I'd rather my kids equate high moral standards to someone that doesn't use illegal substances, regardless of how silly the laws regarding it are (in some folks opinion).
So what are your views? Am I wrong here and should I change my views? I only want what's best for my kids and if my views here are outdated, here's your chance to straighten me out. I'm willing to listen to any arguments for or against. Thanks!
Last summer I took my kids out golfing very frequently on Sunday evenings. The course we played most is widely regarded as the "party course" around here. It's not a nice course, but it is a golf course and it's inexpensive, which is important when you have to pay greens fees for 3 every time you play. I'd rather play 3 rounds with them on a lower end course than 1 round on a decent course, within reason. This course is golfable. There are a couple that aren't so that's where I draw the line. If it's playable and the price is right, we are there.
Ok so on week one (we'll call it) I smelled a familiar smell. It's been a long time since I've used the stuff but you don't forget the smell. My kids (then 12 and 14) asked me "dad, what is that smell?" I just told them, "someone's burning something". That ended it. Then we hit week 2. Same smell. "Dad, what is that smell, it's the same as last week?" At that point I decided to tell them what it was. They were incredulous. What?? Golfers do that kind of thing?? Maybe it's my fault for putting golfers on a pedestal of virtuous glory in their eyes, but in a sport where you are expected to be call penalties on yourself, it was something different to discuss with them. I certainly would have preferred to have that conversation with them somewhere else, but it was what it was.
A couple points. It's not legal in Ohio, at least for recreational use-and it's medicinal use isn't really established yet. I also have zero issues with someone using it in any way. I don't use it but I MIGHT on an occasional basis if I wasn't subjected to random drug tests with my job. I really have no issues with it, although I highly doubt I would use it on a golf course-well maybe scrambles, lol-when you're only hitting 52 shots in 6.5 hours you gotta pass the time somehow, hahaha! I also want to point out that if it helps someone medically that's suffering otherwise (cancer patient), it's stupid to not consider it as an option to ease suffering. So that's how I feel about it.
If I have a point, it's that I'd rather have had the conversation with my kids about what was going on outside of a golf course. I don't want my kids to think it's 100% ok. They're at the age where I was a wild child. I don't want them to think that golfers, whom I have put on a high moral pedestal-maybe erroneously-are using this illegal substance all the time.
We're all just people, golfers and non-golfers. I know this but I like to think that the average golfer is going to be a more solid and honest person than the average non-golfer. Maybe I'm wrong here but I've met way more nice folks golfing than I have, on average, in other walks of life. I'd rather my kids equate high moral standards to someone that doesn't use illegal substances, regardless of how silly the laws regarding it are (in some folks opinion).
So what are your views? Am I wrong here and should I change my views? I only want what's best for my kids and if my views here are outdated, here's your chance to straighten me out. I'm willing to listen to any arguments for or against. Thanks!