While discussing a young friend’s variance in golf scores, I got to thinking about my past adventures hitting that damn, dimpled ball for hours at a time. While my better days were long behind me, I still had standards for myself and enjoyed trying to play up to them.

My primary playing partner and I were both too stubborn to consult a pro when we were in a slump. We both felt we could figure out our mechanical issues and didn’t have the time for experts. And while for the most part, our difficulties rarely overlapped, we muddled through. We both knew each other’s strengths, weaknesses and peculiar foibles (which made playing with us such a joy). I think most golfers enjoy tinkering with their swings and equipment and figuring out things on their own. The better golfers can do so on the fly and in the middle of a round.

While we often liked to play somewhere knew, we had a 6 or 7 course regular circuit. Some of them played to our strengths and swings, others were just more convenient geographically. However, we had a few home courses where we played a more relaxed round of golf. Like most golfers we enjoyed playing to a quicker pace of play. Basically, we liked to hit it and move.

Upon further investigation, I realized my issues with certain clubs (irons, woods and my beloved putter) were often ameliorated by the frequency with we encountered the beer cart. I also know that my game was significantly better when I played in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. I usually played earlier in the day and was very relaxed whether I brought my own clubs or overpaid for ill-fitting rentals. Suffice to say, those early season successes were usually forgotten by the time I returned and had to battle my bad habits.

What the hell does this have to do with baseball? Heading into last night’s series opener with the Reds, the streaky, Ian Happ was in one of his deeper funks. In his last 30 games he hit 3 homers, drove in 7 runs while slashing .185/.264/.315. Even with the way the media and MLB pad stats with excuses and explanations, these numbers stink.

Historically, Cubs hitters have gotten over what ails them when they play at Great American Ballpark. Pat Hughes can easily enumerate the numerous breakout games that Schwarber, Bryant, Baez, Belinger, Happ and Rizzo have had over the years at GABP in the state of Ohio. During last night’s game he had an aversion to stating the game was being played in Cincinnati. The conditions for hitting homers by the boatload has always been to the Cubs liking. Throw in some really mediocre pitching and Happ should right the ship sooner than later. Editor‘s note: Someone forgot to tell Hunter Greene.

Maybe it was more about the beer cart than the environment and my mechanics.