The Search Is Over

Have you ever seen an item in a store that you would like to buy, but for whatever reason you don't pick it up that day and then, when you finally go back to get it, it's gone? Isn't that the most annoying thing ever? Well, a couple of months ago I spotted a sweet Nike putter. A little heavier than my current Titleist, it was the new IC model, which is designed to help you concentrate on the putt by being a dark green - the thinking being that with a putter head which is the same color as grass your brain will more easily focus on nothing but the ball and your putting line. While that logic might work for the science nerds and those among us who will try anything to be better putters, I'm actually great on the putting surface, so I mostly wanted it because I love the color green, especially when it comes to my golf equipment. My shoes are green, my bag is green, my grips are green, my driver is green, my tees are green and my headcover is green. When I hit the course I am one question-mark cane away from being the Riddler, so obviously I needed the green putter.

When I first found this putter I was in a local Dick's Sporting Goods in mid-October and thought it would make for a good addition to my Christmas list. I figured I was safe waiting a couple months to get it, because the putting surface inside the store was literally surrounded by these things and I assumed they weren't going anywhere. Hell, it might even go on sale closer to Christmas. I was wrong. By early December these putters had vanished from the surface of the Earth. I couldn't even find one online. It was as if Nike not only halted production, but went around and removed them from stores in a massive and covert product recall. Because I am relentless and only want things I can't have, I've been on the hunt for one since. I'd even gone so far as to set up products alerts on numerous golf equipment websites to let me know the second one was available for purchase. Then yesterday I was randomly in Golfer's Warehouse, looking at other putters, when I turned around and there one was. Just one. I must have been in this store five times since October and every time they told me they didn't carry them anymore, so seeing one was a surprise. So much of a surprise, in fact, that I let out an audible gasp (not my coolest moment, I admit). And, I have to admit, after using it on my practice putting surface at home, the green putter head does make lining up the putt much easier. But mostly, it just looks sweet in the bag.

-When I was buying my new putter yesterday it also allowed me to do one of my favorite things. The girl working the register asked me if I wanted to join their rewards program. I said sure and as she was entering my information in, she asked for my last name. I told her what it is, adding, "It's spelled just like it sounds." She got this very confused look on her face as if she wasn't even sure where to begin. I love doing this to people who ask me to be on their mailing lists. I figure if they can get it right I deserve their junk mail.