Golf: Dealing with snakes and other distractions

"The number of shots taken by an opponent who is out of sight, is equal to the square root of the sum of the number of curses heard, plus the number of swishes." Michael Green, author of "The Art of Coarse Golf," 1975.

Golf returned to the Olympics, and some great golf was showcased. There were many doubters who felt that golf did not belong in the Games, and that there would not be much change from the weekly professional game we view each week. I think the folks who put golf back in the Games got it right. The venue was nice, too. I have got to applaud the golfers, as they performed at a high level, on a course that was carved out of swamp and jungle. The skill level of the Olympians did not waver. That's what separates the competitors from the average golfer. However, if you gave me an opportunity to play the Olympic course in Rio, I would decline. Along with the players, Olympic representatives and fans out on the course, there were groups of people whose jobs were to prevent snakes from interfering with the play. If you need snake handlers out on the course while play is in progress, I'm out! I would have one eye on the ball, and the other would be searching for the reptiles. This would be a major distraction.