The International Language of Golf!

My friend Jerry and I have a shtick that we do when playing with people we have never played with before. We laugh a lot and, usually get our new friends laughing too. The social side is my favorite part of the game of golf.

That is why, when we went to Houston to see our son, I did not mind making a tee time as a single and asked to be placed with other golfers. It would give me a chance to tell my golf stories to new victims, I mean new friends. I would also be playing new courses while our son worked and my wife shopped.

On a warm sunny Monday morning I checked in at Cinco Ranch, West of Houston, asked the starter to put me in with someone in about an hour, and went off to the practice tee. Later, as I was pretending to improve my putting stroke, the starter got my attention. He said I should hustle up to the first tee and join the twosome he had just sent that way. I gathered my things and headed off to make two new friends.

The two men were doing the ritual stretch moves when I arrived. They smiled warmly as I approached with my hand out for the customary handshake, then things started to go badly. Both men bowed and said something I could not comprehend. Cho and Lee were from Seoul, South Korea. Cho spoke little English and Lee spoke none. I was devastated! I might as well be golfing alone!

On the first few holes these two were chatting about their games, I could tell by their body language, the tone and inflection of their voices, and smiles and pats on the back that accompanied the conversation. Their words though, I could not understand.

Cho was able to tell me that they were businessmen in Houston on a two month vacation. They had played this course before. Cho seemed to play about bogey golf. Lee, however, let's just say his scores were higher than that, even with the long puts he was being given.

At about the turn, my attitude began to improve. I noticed that sinking a 12 foot putt elicits a smile from ear to ear that does not need an interpreter. Lee chipped a ball in from about 75 feet. His ceremonial dance around the green with his fist pumping in the air was as recognizable as the dance of Hale Irwin or Tiger Woods.

I even thought I had managed to learn two South Korean phrases, Goo Sha and Goo Bah. Anytime I hit a decent drive one of them would say Goo Sha. If I hit a putt close, they would follow with Goo Bah. I laughed at myself when it dawned on me that it was just their broken English for Good Shot and Good Ball!

Bows were given by all after the round. Then Cho told me that they were playing again the next day at the same time and asked me if I could join them. I was humbled by his hospitality and, once again, by the game of golf. I had other plans for the next day, but will always have a warm spot in my heart for this lesson in international relations.