“The leaf of every tree brings a message from the unseen world! Look, every falling leaf is a blessing.”
Rumi
As October bows out in a blaze of amber and gold, the last day of the month is cloaked in a rare warmth—a luxurious 70°F in the usually brisk New York area. It’s an unexpected gift, an invitation from nature to extend summer’s parting caress just a while longer. And there is no better place to answer that call than on the green, clubs in hand, taking that one last round on a day that feels like a small miracle.
Stepping onto the course, there is a tangible calm that the steady hum of city life rarely allows. With every footfall, the grass gives way in gentle crunches, still damp with irrigation in the drought. This day feels different; it’s a liminal space, a day that shouldn’t be this warm or feel this soft but does. And so you breathe in the deep, grounding smell of earth and grass, every inhale reminding you that winter’s chill is on its way but, for now, held at bay.
The fairways are dappled with patches of golden light filtering through the still-lofty trees, each leaf a jewel in hues of red, yellow, and deep, rich brown. As you prepare for the first swing, the sun hangs just right, neither scorching nor absent, but precisely at that sweet spot where you feel its warmth without wincing. The crispness of the air mingles with the sun’s last bit of heat, and there’s an underlying sense of reverence in each stroke. This isn’t just another round; it’s a farewell to the season.
On this unusual day, even the golf ball seems to glide through the air more effortlessly, as if attuned to the easy rhythm of the world around. Every shot is met with an air of appreciation, and the usual frustrations—an errant swing, a missed putt—are softened by the simple gratitude of being here, of playing on this perfect day, of having this small grace before the long stretch of winter. Perhaps there’s an awareness that, come November, the course will soon lie dormant, covered in frost, its colors faded and its greens sleeping under a blanket of cold.
“The autumn foliage, crisp air, and ideal conditions create those cozy comforting rounds, making fall my favorite golf season.”
Brynn Collins
Around the course, there are fellow golfers also reveling in this fleeting treasure. There’s a shared camaraderie, a nod of mutual understanding as paths cross. On this day, no one rushes. Each player seems to linger a bit longer at each hole, as if prolonging this respite from the inevitable. We are all, in our own quiet ways, saying goodbye to a season that has allowed us these stolen hours.
By the back nine, the sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the rolling hills. You find yourself grateful for every step, every slow pause as you look around, absorbing the autumn panorama. The colors of the landscape seem to deepen, a final crescendo before fading into memory. As the round comes to a close, there’s a sense of fulfillment, like finishing a well-loved book, both contented and wistful.
Packing up the clubs, a slight chill has finally seeped into the air, reminding you that the next round might be months away, and the green you leave behind today will soon be wrapped in winter’s grip. But today, on this last warm October afternoon, you were gifted a moment of perfection—a rare convergence of weather, landscape, and quietude that will linger long after the season’s end.
Driving away, the sky deepens into twilight, and you are left with the comforting thought that autumn has given you its finest farewell.
Ellie Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
By
Ahsan Jamil
Golfer, Blogger, Entrepreneur, Author, Poet, Wanderer, YouTuber. Conservationist.
Email: Golfaij@gmail.com
Website: Golfaij.com
YouTube: Morning with Golf
Credits
Hudson Hills Golf Course New York
Mohansic Golf Course New York
Dunwoodie Golf Course New York
Orchard Hills Golf Course New Jersey
ChatGBT
YouTube
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