1 – Share the good stuff

Forthwith, when you approach a bowl of trail mix you can scoop out a small cup, but never, ever stand there and pick out the M&M’s, incessantly piling them into your hands. Protocol, ladies and gentlemen, protocol.

2 – Remember what Arnold would say

Which segues into this: Removing one’s cap before entering a clubhouse is not an option.

3 – Look what Patrick Reed started

When these captains’ agreements are formulated for all the team cup competitions, may I suggest Rule No. 1: No visiting player after making a significant putt can put his or her hand to the ear and turn to the crowd as if to say, “I can’t year you.” It’s older than hickory, folks, and so beneath how a professional golfer should compose oneself.

4 – Stand, enjoy the sight

These players who stripe it beautifully and then quickly bend down to get their tee? Not me. My preference is to hold the pose, savor the shot, then casually pick up my tee – and three or four others.

GOLF COURSE PHOTO -- At The Jack Club in Woodstock, N.H., they aren't big on words with their signage but no reason to be that way here. Male golfers should understand. Thanks to good friend, frequent playing companion, and avid golfer Steve Reilly. As always, should you come across a golf course sign that catches your attention, it likely would do so similarly with me, so send it along to jim@powerfades.com

5 – Give me something to blame

Shortly after losing the singles session and the Solheim Cup to the Europeans, U.S. captain Angela Sanford pointed to not having up-to-the-second “strokes gained” putting stats in the team matches, “even in practice.” The levels of ridiculousness in this commentary is off the charts.

6 – Truism

Taking ownership isn’t what it used to be.

7 – He kept stats differently

Remember the great Seve Ballesteros explaining why his Strokes Gained: Putting stats weren’t very good one day. “I miss, I miss, I miss, I make.”

8 – Name that song in two notes

Standing there 40 feet from the hole, my opponent was also about 40 feet and the question was asked: “You or me?” I suppose I should have been more “in the moment” but the question reminded me of that lovely song by the late Helen Reddy and the verse just jingled in my head: “Remember when the circus came to town . . . ” Not for everyone, and, yeah, I waved it 6 feet wide and 3 feet shy, but at least it’s not AimPoint.

9 – Momentum has dwindled

Presidents Cup is next week. Gotta be honest with you, I’m pretty much Cupped out at the moment.