Timmy loved golf more than anything.
Every afternoon after school, he grabbed his little blue golf bag and raced to the driving range with his dad. Timmy dreamed of hitting giant drives just like the pros on TV.
One sunny Saturday, Timmy entered the “Junior Golf Fun Day” tournament at Maplewood Golf Course.
But there was one problem.
Timmy was nervous.
“What if I hit the ball into the pond?” he whispered. “What if everyone is better than me?”
His dad smiled and handed him a golf ball with a tiny smiley face drawn on it.
“This,” his dad said, “is your lucky golf ball. It reminds you to have fun.”
Timmy laughed and put the ball in his pocket.
At the first tee, Timmy took a deep breath.
SWISH!
The ball flew straight down the fairway.
“Great shot!” another kid shouted.
Timmy smiled.
By the fifth hole, Timmy wasn’t worried anymore. He was laughing, high-fiving other players, and even helping another boy find his golf ball in the rough.
Then came the final hole.
Timmy lined up a long putt.
Tap.
The ball rolled slowly across the green...
...and dropped right into the hole!
Everyone clapped.
Timmy didn’t win first place that day.
He won something even better.
Confidence.
On the ride home, Timmy held the tiny golf ball in his hand and grinned.
“I think the lucky ball worked,” he said.
His dad laughed.
“Nope,” he replied. “That was all you.”