2020.12.30 10:15
Pandemic and An Octogenarian's Golf Perspective
It looks like we are at the peak of Pandemic's wastage
of human lives coinciding with the climax of Trump's
wanton destruction of American democracy,
with a single day of his presidency fairly matching a single day
of Pandemic's fear.
Throughout the Pandemic, golf courses have been crowded
as Americans try to forget all these happenings just for a while
hoping and praying they will get their turns for vaccination in time,
and they will see Trump go down real hard soon.
I'm lucky to have a lifetime golf partner, my wife, so that
we do our best to go out to play, anywhere from a few holes to
no more than 9 holes.
The trouble is that almost always strangers want to join us, and
those strangers are usually much younger than us, not wearing masks.
Yesterday afternoon luckily we played with a retired MD infection specialist
who showed up with a mask on, who informed me that one player he played with
the day before came down with COVID19 today.
That guy wasn't wearing a mask, said he.
At my club, a dozen golfers or members are said to have come down with the virus.
To be honest, I find the golfing turns out to be the only effective antidote
against Pandemic and Donald Trump.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump found out a similar secret, i.e.
the golf game for him is the only antidote for his oppositions
and provides him quiet time for his ingenious scheming.
No wonder he was playing golf while millions of Americans crying for help.
NYTimes said, "Nero plays fiddle. Trump plays golf."
Nevertheless to this octogenarian, playing golf has become
an essential part of the survival game in this crisis that is perpetuating
for the longest time in our lifetimes.
No longer bad shots, bad score, or missing short putts upsets his soul.
Making one or two pars in the course of 9 holes brings to me
the greatest feeling of accomplishment, now and then.
One thing I do regularly, though, is wearing a pedometer
just to remind me to walk as much as I can instead of
sitting in my cart.
According to one latest study, a senior like me needs to walk 7500 steps a day, not 10,000,
which made me happy
because I'm lazy as I became an octogenarian 5 months ago,
2020.12.30 12:58
2020.12.30 17:02
I thought (heard) that wearing a mask is mandatory in California.
Maybe, it could be just Orange County.
I guess you must decline someone else joining you without a mask.
It is simply unfair and rather dangerous to play a person without a mask.
2020.12.30 18:45
Only in and around the club house people are required to wear mask.
Nobody wears mask when they play golf in the field. Only one player per golf cart
is permitted. So far, as you said, my wife and I have managed to avoid playing
with no mask players. But now pro shop has started forcing us to do so except
for late afternoon tee times, which means playing only a few holes.
2020.12.31 10:19
What you do is what I do, Dr. Lee! My wife drives a cart loaded
with two golf bags. I walk and she rides. We play 18 holes 5 days
a week except Monday. There are two club members who regularly join us.
We do not wear masks. We hear occasional victims of club members and
employees. Our club pro was one of them. He recovered from it without
complications.
Once I volunteered First Tee. The first thing that we were told to teach
kids was to let them enjoy good shots. That's what old people should do.
Remenber those good shots. Don't look for the glory of old days when you
are young,
I enjoyed your nice writing. Happy New Year!
2020.12.31 11:17
Thank you for the suggestions, Dr. Ohn.
We haven't found reliable golf partners yet since two other couples
we used to play with quit membership.
Luckily for me my wife enjoys playing more than I, if anything,
which, as you would agree, is blessing at our age.
After this Pandemic is over, when you come down here to visit Dr, Kwon,
you, Dr. Kwon, Dr. Joh, and myself, 4 couples may play at my club.
Let me make it one of my wishes next year.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
2020.12.31 18:42
Thank you. I will see you after the shot.
Recommended Steps Per Day By Age
Should everyone be aiming for 10,000 steps each day? In reality, while 10,000 steps is a good benchmark to consider someone active, you should really take age into consideration as well. The following is a breakdown of how many steps you should be aiming for each day according to age, and level of activeness: