Guys, I really fucked up, but everything went better than expected.

I've been playing golf for 15 years, and last weekend I played my home course for a late afternoon 9. It was still super crowded (it always is), but I got out as a single and caught up to the pack.

I was on the fourth hole, and after seeing the group leave the fairway and head toward the green, I teed up and striped one. I was 180 out and blind to the green. I went up the hill in the fairway and saw red in the late day shade at the green. Red flag, they're off, I'm good to go.

I proceeded to go back down and hit a beautiful high iron shot on the line I picked and was excited to see where it went. I got closer to the green and was mortified to see them standing there putting. Staring at me. I was confused, then guilty, and I ran up to make sure they were all ok. Apparently what I though was the flag was an oversized red headcover in a golf bag just behind the green. It was the perfect height and in the shade it completely fooled me.

I checked to see that they were all indeed ok and apologized profusely. I know how shitty it is to get hit up on, and I would've been pretty pissed at me too. My ball had landed right on the green and was 15 feet from the hole. It could've easily hit and hurt someone.

They move on, and I putt out. They're still waiting on the next tee and I hang back because if I were them I'd want nothing to do with me. One of the guys in the group sees me and invites me to join to my surprise (they were waiting and had room for one). Initially I asked him if he was sure since I wouldn't want to play with me if I was them. He said it was fine and I apologized once again and went up to the tee.

I hit my ball on the green and head back to my bag, but apparently the guy who was hitting while I was invited to play does not want to play with me. I understand and I tell him to go on with his group and I'll hang back. The other guys in the group (who didn't know him prior to the round) ask him to keep playing, but he refuses and says I should go ahead with them.

The group I played with were some of the nicest people I'd ever met and realized that there was nothing else that could be done once I apologized. I really admired their attitude and was so grateful to them.

Hope this story can inspire others to be understanding and extra cautious when playing. Even though I'm always the guy in my group that yells fore (even for others sometimes), anything can happen out there. Also, be cautious if you have gigantic red headcovers.