PORTLAND – The Portland Sea Dogs might not be playing at the moment, but there were still plenty of big swings happening at Hadlock Field last weekend.

Golf swings. For four days, Hadlock Field became Hadlinks Field, with area golfers given the opportunity to play a 9-hole round of target golf at the stadium. And on Friday afternoon, I took my hacks.

It went better than I expected.

Few institutions are as reverent of their own history as sport. And few sports achieve the level of self-reverence of golf, thanks to the game’s lengthy history and cultural reputation. Tradition is important, whether we’re talking about the larger picture or the specifics of the game itself.

And yet, technological evolution is inevitable. If there is an element of competition involved, there will always be those seeking ways in which to give themselves an advantage. There will always be someone pushing the envelope in ways that clash with the conventional wisdom.

That clash is at the center of “Golf’s Holy War: The Battle for the Soul of a Game in an Age of Science” (Avid Reader Press, $28) by Brett Cyrgalis. It’s a look at the rapidly diverging worlds of golf instruction, one rooted firmly in the ways of the past and one seeking out the bleeding edge, one that explores the perceived pros and cons of both approaches while also spending considerable time with those who would espouse a particular school of thought.

It’s a book about golf, yes, but one that also seeks to be about more than golf, using the sport as a way into a discussion about our relationship with technology writ large and what that means not just for the future, but for our engagement with the past.

He was done.

We had all seen it for ourselves. The once-dominant force simply wasn’t able to exert his will over the course as he once had. His passion for the game tamped down and stretched thin by the breaking down of his body, yes, but also his whole life. One of the greatest to ever swing a club was now more or less a memory, with occasional flashes reminding us of the player he used to be. He was done.

Until he wasn’t.

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. 

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.

{gallery}2016 Golf Courses{/gallery}Looking at some of the area's nine-hole golf courses

Maine golf enthusiasts are in their glory as we approach mid-summer; a nice mix of sunny and rainy days have left area courses in great condition. Since golf is a seasonal sport in this neck of the woods, it is imperative for golfers to get out on the links and swing those sticks!

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.

COLUMBUS, Ohio Professional miniature-golf player Matt Male has already heard all the wisecracks about the windmills, pirate ships and waterfall hazards. So just save it.