The best days of golf season are almost here, and aside from getting on the range or playing a round at your favorite course, I have a few other suggestions that should appeal to beginners and experienced golfers alike. 

It was February 28, 2016 and I and a few friends were at Hermon Meadows playing our first round of the year. Sure, it was a bit chilly and soggy, but we were outside hitting golf balls! At the end of the round, we had some fun hitting low iron shots across the still ice-covered pond. Now, fast forward to the spring of 2017; March has come and gone, and area courses are opening for the season. 

SABATTUS - Recently, Sabattus Disc Golf (SDG) in Sabattus made history, becoming the first venue in New England to host a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Major tournament. The United States Women's Disc Golf Championships took place Sept. 23-25 and featured many of the world's top-ranked female disc golfers.

When you have a passion for something, whether it's a sport or other interest, it can help inform what you do on trips or even in your own backyard. I've had a few of these experiences this summer, and they are both things I won't soon forget.

Women and golf - The time is now

In doing some internet research for this column, the first things to come up were articles about International Women's Golf Day, which was held June 7. Apparently, over 400 golf courses and golf retail locations in 25 countries hosted female golfers for special gatherings to celebrate the occasion. I didn't see anything about it locally, but it indicates a subtle shift in focus, and I think that's a good (and necessary) thing for the game.

Kids today have so many options when it comes to how they spend their spare time. Many of those activities are largely sedentary and somewhat isolating, like excessive video gaming. In general, sports offer children and teens the perfect antidote - physical exercise, socialization, skill development, goal setting, etc.

My first column of the season highlighted the opportunities to play golf early this year, thanks to a mild winter. Since then conditions have been slow to improve, but as you read this column, local courses have opened for play; that's great news for area golf enthusiasts. I'm excited for what will hopefully be a long and fun golf season in Maine.

Making the most of the warm weather

There is no question that we've had a volatile and unusual winter. While the previous winter saw some seriously cold and snowy conditions in February and March, this one has featured far less snow and many warmer than normal days.

For me, this has meant playing disc golf throughout the winter months while snowshoeing only six to seven times and not cross country skiing at all. For golfers, it has meant - for the hardier souls - a relatively short down time. A few courses stayed open until December, and now golfers have witnessed the near miraculous: playing golf in Maine in February.