banjo and golf

 I never was a serious student of golf. I am a very serious student of banjo. But there is something in my head and physiology that links the two. 

During the brief periods I tried to learn golf, I always had a major issue with whiffing, or just as bad, topping the ball. My body held back as though a normal divot would break my wrist, throw out my back, break my arm, or whatever. I still have fun on the golf course and there is nothing like a good foursome and a good cigar. 

How does this relate to banjo? I whiff. Especially with my thumb. I miss the 5th G string, or hit it much too often when the 4th D is the target. The same thing happens, though not as often with all the rest of my fingers at various times. I also have my banjo version of topping, hitting the strings too lightly, not giving a good resounding pluck. Things will be chugging along fine, i'm moving through the tune, and then comes a crucial period in a roll when suddenly the strings go eerily faint. Like I'm suddenly afraid someone will hear me! 

The golf stuff doesn't bother me, for I am not a golfer. The banjo stuff does, as I am banjo player, at least in my eyes and those of my grandkids.