It is not uncommon for a four year old to have an imaginary friend. In fact, children have been known to have quite an array for imaginary comrades. I even think development specialists would say that an active imagination is a sign of superior intelligence. At least that sounds awful good…

Several years ago my youngest son said: My dad is 45 years old and he still has imaginary friends. How disturbing is that? I am sure it must have been disturbing indeed for an 11 year old to receive the revelation that his dad is a few sandwiches short of a picnic. In all likelihood he probably figured that out before he learned to walk.

Mr. Green is my newest imaginary friend. He rides shotgun in the cart and joins me on all of my after work evening golf rounds. We have the most pleasant conversations on the way to the course on these beautiful spring evenings. He never laughs at me when I make a bad shot and always gives me an atta-boy when I execute a shot that would make Tiger Woods envious these days. It is so nice having an imaginary friend.

In all seriousness, it is good to get away periodically. It is particularly good to do things outside. Both of my next door neighbors could have their yards featured in Better Homes and Gardens. They spend a lot of time outside working in the yard. I imagine that it is pretty therapeutic. (When Better Homes and Garden’s shows up, they are going to put up a large black tarp, so my yard won’t accidentally make it into their photo spread.)

There is nothing quite like outdoor solitude. The golf course is so peaceful in the moments just before sunset. It is a very tranquil experience. I love to be among the trees, as the breeze blows the leaves gently onto the manicured fairways. I do my best thinking when I am out there. It seems like my head clears and I make my best decisions in that setting. I would strongly urge all of us to search for some outdoor solitude. And if you are so inclined, ask your imaginary friend to join you. No doubt your imaginary friend will be just as loyal and kind as Mr. Green…