TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY, I GUESS!

I was recently playing in an individual match play tournament and during my first round I noticed that my opponent was using similar methods and techniques for putting that I use. During the front nine holes, he had made several one-putts including one or two at very long range, 30-35 feet or more! After one of his long one-putts to win the hole, I was a bit frustrated and also behind in the match by a couple of strokes, so I made the comment, "John, you're killing me with
these great putts you're making!" "You're putting very well, what's going on?" You might say that I was trying to use a little psychology on him so-to-speak hoping to make him feel sorry for me. He replied, "Well, I read your putting booklet last week!" I was pleasantly surprised by his comment and almost laughed out loud. I responded with, "Well, you didn't have to read it the week before our match, did you?" He laughed a little, then proceeded to ace another putt to take a three stroke lead! By the end of nine holes, I was able to gain one stroke back and he was leading by two at the turn. Over the next nine holes, I made some nice putts and at the end of 18 holes we were tied! Early into our 'sudden death' round, he chipped a shot to within 8 inches of the hole on a long three-par, leaving himself with an easy tap-in to win the match.
I suppose I should be flattered that he read my guide and beat me at my own game of putting, but any loss is a tough loss, especially in 'sudden death.' He putted and chipped very well that day and my congratulations to him. I was a relatively a new member to this particular club so when we got back to the clubhouse, I was bragging about John's putting to all his friends and they said that putting was the weakest part of his game! Well, hallelujah, he certainly had the The Putting Edge that day! -Larry Stanley