Lunch Break at the Par 3: The Unexpected Pairing

Today was one of those days that just felt like I needed a breath of fresh air. I’ve been working from home for a while now, the kind of while where you start talking to your golf clubs as they stare at you from the corner of the room and give them each a performance review. So, instead I grabbed them, blocked off my lunch hour, and headed to the par 3 course nearby. No plans, no expectations, just me, the sun, and a quick 9.

I wasn’t looking to pair up. Honestly, I was looking not to. I just needed to swing at something that wasn’t a keyboard.

But on the first tee stood a woman, probably in her 60s or 70s, lining up for a solo round. She glanced over and smiled, the kind of smile that says, “Let’s not make this weird.” I asked if she’d like to play together. She said yes without hesitation.

And just like that, what was supposed to be a solo break turned into one of the nicest hours I’ve had in a long time.

She told me her regular group plays farther away, but she didn’t feel like making the drive. I told her I was just escaping my laptop and an inbox full of "per my last email" replies. We cheered each other’s shots, gave zero judgment for the not-so-great ones, and talked about life, hers, mine, and everything in between. No rush, no scorecard stress, just good vibes and a good time.

It reminded me that sometimes, the thing you didn’t think you needed is the thing that makes your day.

Working from home has its perks, sweatpants dress codes, proximity to snacks, etc., but it can also be pretty isolating. And today, that hour of unexpected connection felt like a little dose of normal I didn’t realize I missed so much.

So if you're craving a bit of interaction, or if you just want a peaceful hour with someone who gets excited when you hit the green, maybe golf is your thing. Doesn’t matter if you’re chasing birdies or just trying to make contact, there’s something magical about this game that brings strangers together.

And hey, next time you head out to play solo, maybe you’ll find a new friend on the first tee.