I hear it in the morning. I hear it in the evening. I even hear it in my sleep. Three little words said over and over again. It’s enough to drive a man crazy.

What are the words that have that effect on me? What utterance sends shivers down my spine? You might think it is “Wrong again, Les.” That’s the phrase my son claims that the late, great, Alex Trebeck used ruthlessly and repeatedly on my single Jeopardy! appearance. However, my review of the gameshow videotape indicates that Alex never said that, not even once. Therefore those three words don’t bother me a bit. They are just a bit of fiction.

But the phrase that truly gets to me isn’t ‘Wrong again, Les.’ It’s ‘Nice shot, Les!’ My friends say it to me. Casual acquaintances say it too, usually with sincerity but always with a hint of amazement. These folks mean no harm — they believe they are being supportive. So I smile, nod my head, and mumble my response.

An opponent said it yesterday during pickleball. With a slight variation a friend said it while we were bowling. And I know someone in my threesome will say it today by the 4th hole of our nine-hole round of golf.*

Why is this phrase such a dagger to my heart? Whether it’s in pickleball, golf, or tennis, it is usually uttered after I have muffed five or six shots in a row, and then finally hit a semi-decent forehand, tee shot, or lob. That’s when a chorus fills the air, as everyone in shouting distance proclaims “Nice shot, Les!”

I know everyone means well as they chime in. But the goodwill rides on a current of “we know you have trouble playing this game well and we are just a bit surprised you managed to make that shot!”

I really can’t blame anyone for having that sentiment. Despite a love of competition, lessons galore, and practicing whenever I can, I have never excelled at sports. Hand-eye coordination is lacking, as is the ability to shift my weight to get power behind any of my serves or drives. And as my bowling partner has lectured me many times, my follow-throughs aren’t too hot either.

But I’m a blue-eyed optimist. So, I’ll keep swinging, hitting, and rolling, all the while hearing those three infamous words. Maybe one day, they’ll be said without surprise, but with genuine admiration. Until then, keep cheering, and I’ll keep smiling—’Nice shot, Les!'”

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*Post-script: I was on the ninth hole before I hit a good one today. However, it was a beauty. I’ll say it for you. “Nice shot, Les!”

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