1 – Hot ‘n cold can share the course

You wear shorts onto the golf course when it’s dipped into the 40s, then my hat is off to you. Not literally, of course, because the ski beanie I’m wearing is never leaving my head during late October golf.

2 – Beware the critics

Notice to all those youngsters dressing up as Rory McIlroy for Halloween: Confirm with Kevin Kisner that it’s okay to receive appearance candy if you go several blocks from your home.

3 – Different endings for autumn

So, are you an Astronomical Autumn (ends Dec. 20) golfer or a Meteorological Autumn golfer (ends Nov. 30)? The former gets in a little more golf time, yes, but the latter might be considered more practical.

4 – Colorful update

Hold on a minute. Alerts are just coming in from the weather app that our peak foliage will not appear in the Boston area till late October. All right then, play on, laddies and lassies. We don’t quit till the leaves leave.

GOLF COURSE PHOTO -- Cheers to the folks at Ballybunion who figure that sometimes a golfer has to be told, "don't dare." They wisely proclaim a hill with deep grass as you leave the 17th tee box to be a "no play zone." It was one of my favorite signs on a recent visit to Ireland. Should you find one that tickles you fancy, feel free to send it do jim@powerfades.com.

5 – Seasonal menu

Then again, it’s warm cider, beef stew, and chili season. At least we have that going for us.

6 – Adding to the mix

TGL teams have increased their rosters by one, to five players. Hey, this growing the game stuff is really working.

7 – If only I could do what he said

As he read off the numbers, my attention was riveted. “158 pin, 142 front, 170 reaches that bunker in back. Little uphill, wind is in off the left, hurting, so let’s play a 165 shot.” He had said this brilliantly and delivered it with such resoluteness that I felt awful. That’s because all I could think of was this: It’s going to be crushing when I let him down by smother-hooking my hybrid into the front left bunker, thus forcing him to dig deeper into his bottomless well of dignity to root me on for the upcoming bunker shot. Damn, caddies are the best.

8 – Cheer up time

Nothing like a feel-good note to perk you up on these nights when darkness falls so early. So here it is. The 2027 Masters will commence in 169 days. I can feel the warmth of your smile already.

9 – Honest student

An astute teacher, he was explaining where he wanted me in the top of my backswing. “No problem getting there,” I told him. “But damned if I will be able to get down from there.”