“Been There, Done That”

Ah, the glorious phrase: “Been There, Done That”. It’s the verbal equivalent of a world-weary sigh, a shrug of the shoulders, and perhaps a subtle eye-roll….all rolled into one four-word package. We’ve all heard it, and let’s be honest, we’ve all used it! Whether it’s a dismissive response to a friend’s grand tale or a way to bond over shared misery, “Been There, Done That” is the universal language of déjà vu with a dash of cynicism.

Of Australian origin, the colloquial phrase “Been There, Done That” means fully experienced in, or familiar with, something, especially to the point of boredom or complacency; as an interjection, it flippantly expresses boredom, impatience, or total lack of interest.

And for some reason, “Been There, Done That” seems to be the thing we have been saying more and more as we pack our golf bags, prepping for another round in another location.

But honestly, for us, boasting like this means that while we are familiar with the experience, we are also acknowledging we can relate, or understand. For instance, when Marc scores over 100 in a round (which by the way, is very, very rare), what do I say? Yes, you guessed it….”Been There, Done That!” Or when I hit my ball into the water, what do I hear coming from Marc? Right again….”Been There, Done That!”

Honestly, I think there are many humorous “Been There, Done That” moments, as well as faces I make when reflecting on the universal frustrations and occasional triumphs of this game I enjoy. For instance:

• The “Calculated Risk” Face: This face, when I consider hitting over water or a hazard, shows determination, self-doubt, and a hint of delusion (actually a HUGE hint of delusion).
• The “Did It Go In?” Face:  After a close putt, I stare intently at the hole, waiting for the ball to drop, a look of hopeful anticipation mixed with dread.
• The “Where Did That Come From?” Face:  After a surprisingly good shot, I look around, bewildered, as if the ball was hit by someone else.
• The “Lost Ball” Face:  After searching for an errant shot, my expression is a combination of frustration, resignation, and a touch of anger.
• The “I’m Not Angry, Just Disappointed” Face:  This is probably my most common expression after missing an easy putt or shot.
• The “Been There, Done That” Phrases:
  • “Well, it’s straight, at least” (after a topped shot).
  • “At least it went in the right direction” (after a slight shank).
  • “That’s just a little bit off the green” (when the ball is clearly in the rough).
  • “I’ll just take my medicine here” (before hacking out of the rough).
  • “This is a guaranteed birdie” (followed by a bogey or worse).
  • “That’s military golf: left, right, left, right”.

These common expressions and phrases demonstrate the shared humor and camaraderie between us as we relate to the highs and lows of the game.

I am starting to understand and appreciate that, as a golfer with a “been there, done that” mindset, I really do have a different perspective while playing golf. I understand that inconsistency is a part of the game, and I have learned resilience that helps me move past setbacks during a round – well, most of the time anyway!

The result of this mindset is not just better scoring, but a more profound enjoyment of the game. I am realizing I am no longer a slave to my score. I am free to appreciate the challenges and nuances of the course.

My satisfaction comes from the quality of the strike and the strategy of the round, not just the number at the end of it.

My path to a “been there, done that” attitude has been a long one, paved with missed putts, lost balls, and frustrating rounds. But I have found with patience and a willingness to learn from every mistake, I have reached a place where nothing the game throws at me feels new – it’s just another familiar challenge to overcome.

My Reads From The Reds: Everyone’s been there, done that, and probably worn out a t-shirt or two along the way.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By: Kathy Festa