For the millions who walk the world's fairways day in, day out, golf can provide some great highs and frustrating lows.
There are numerous instances when the shaft of a golf club appears to be the perfect instrument to take out one's anger with a quick snap across the thigh, but one in particular stands out for me.
No, it's not a shank off the tee; it's not a topped shot with a long iron from the fairway; and it's not a fluffed chip from just off the green. My bete noire is the dreaded three-putt.
For a mid- to high-handicapper, the short game is where most shots are leaked so it is vital to at least two-putt at most on as many greens as possible. However, for many amateur golfers, putting is probably the least practised skill.
I for one am guilty of not treating this game within a game with the respect it is due and constantly walk off a course believing my score could have been lower for the want of more care and attention on the greens.
But the three-putt happens to us all, and that is why I have so much sympathy for David Toms. The American lost his Players Championship play-off against K J Choi this weekend after three-putting the notorious par-3, 17th at Sawgrass.
Naturally, most of us have never had the pressure of putting for a Tour title, but all golfers have experienced Toms' misfortune. And that is what makes golf such an engaging sport. Yes, we can marvel at the top pro's great shots, but we also understand their feeling of frustration and dejection when they get it wrong - because we have done the same so many times ourselves.
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