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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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~ Golfing With Friends ~
One of the nicest activities you can do on a Friday afternoon Saturday or Sunday, is playing golf with a close-knit circle of friends. It doesn't matter if the company you are golfing with are male or female. All that matters is that you are outdoors, enjoying some quality time with some people that are just plain fun to be around and are good for you. It doesn't matter if one or two of your friends have never played golf before, or are just starting to learn the game. It doesn't matter if one of the golfers is semi-professional or a "low handicap". You are with your friends, doing something healthy and getting some exercise.
Golf is a very strange game and sport. It is, without a doubt, a simple game to understand but it will take a lifetime to develop and master all the aspects of the game. To become very good at golf you have to practice a lot. The more you practice the better you will become. It is one of those sports and recreations that requires concentration, skill, finesse and a little bit of luck. Every golf course has professional instructors and every golf course encourages taking lessons. You will never know everything about the game of golf. There are swing dynamics and mechanics, course layouts and weather conditions that are always changing. These are things you have to continuously adapt your skills to. Even the very best of the golfing elite (the PGA Tour) have good days and bad days, as evident in the 1996 Masters, with the rise and fall of Greg Norman. This man is one of the very best in the game today yet had a terrible struggle with his skills on the last day of this very prestigious tournament.
The beauty of the game is that it is based on individual scoring. You can play by yourself and keep your own score or you can play in groups (similar to bowling). You are the only one that can affect the outcome of your score. You may choose to play in a team competition event (like a "scramble" game) but your personal skills are still contributing to the team score. The fact that you can keep score lends itself to be one of those few outdoor activities that you can learn and develop over your lifetime, at your own pace and lifestyle. Unlike skiing, cycling, jogging or hiking (where you don't keep score), you have a written scorecard that gives you a record of your performance. You can choose to enjoy golf as a competitive sport to excel in, or just another form of outdoor exercise. It is all up to you. I will tell you this; it is very addictive and can become an obsession.
The right equipment (golf clubs) is the most important aspect of the game. If you don't have the right clubs you will not be able to score well. You don't have to have expensive clubs but they have to be matched to the way you play your game. Some people prefer graphite club shafts yet others stay with the traditional tempered stainless steel shafts. Some golfers prefer the new more expensive "oversized" ceramic and/or bi-metal club heads, while other choose traditional hardwood and/or forged iron club heads. It is important that the clubs "fit" your swing and height. Let a professional instructor or golf equipment specialist analyze your swing and stature to help you determine what clubs are best for you. This is usually a free service provided by most golfing stores and sports establishments. By the way, you don't necessarily have to buy "new" golf clubs when you are first developing your golf skills. Many pro shops have trade-in sets or know where you can purchase good used clubs that may do the trick for the first couple of years. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get set-up but you have to spend your equipment money wisely.
Lessons are a very good idea. It doesn't matter if you are just a beginner or a seasoned veteran. There are always some new things or secrets to learn about the game that you may not be able to teach yourself. You may need a second opinion that is objective. I am not suggesting that you take lessons continuously, but if you are having problems developing certain skills that you think you need to improve, seek out a professional golf instructor. I have always professed that one lesson every year does a world of good for your golf game. It is money well spent.
Now that you have your golf clubs and have had a few lessons, you can enjoy the game for what it is. Be patient with yourself and try not to become frustrated or disappointed if the skills you have acquired aren't working the way you thought they would. It takes practice and more practice. It will come to you. The game is very subtle and usually a tempo problem or miss-hitting the ball may only need a very minor correction that you know you have to make to your swing or stance. You hear it all the time: "I should have kept my head down", "You're swinging too fast", "I don't feel comfortable when I address the ball", and so on. One day, everything will come together and all of a sudden you will think to yourself "I really can do this". From that day forward, you will know what the true game of golf is really all about..... consistency.
If you have the opportunity, play several different golf courses. Try to expand your horizons geographically and explore all the new or established popular courses that are out there. Some of these courses are rather expensive but their natural beauty is sometimes breath-taking and well worth the added expense. It is definitely worthwhile to take in some sightseeing while you are enjoying your game on a totally new course that you have never played before. Take it all in. The experience is wonderful. You never know who you will run into. I have met more new people and old friends on the golf course; more than any other venue or activity I currently do.
Call a friend to play golf. It is a wonderful way to spend four to six hours together doing something you both can enjoy. Teach your spouse and children to play golf if they are interested. You can play in the early morning, mid-afternoon or late in the evening depending on your schedule for that day. Most public and semi-private courses have different rates for different days of the week and the time of day you want to play. Traditionally, weekends are more expensive and late afternoon "twilight" green fees are cheaper. Use the telephone or local golf directories to find out more information about a particular course. Dress codes are usually in effect at most courses. Some courses have local rules like mandatory power golf carts or public tee-off times after lunch. Phone ahead of time. Courses usually take bookings a week ahead because they are so busy. If you plan all these things in advance, you will be less stressed and ready to play.
Remember that golfing is just a game. You are paying for this out of your own hard-earned money (unless your company is paying). It really is a great past-time and sport that has maintained its popularity for over 100 years, all over the world. There must be something enjoyable about it if millions of people are enjoying it and participating in the sport and recreation many times a year.
Pure and simple...
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- This Storyworx page updated May 10th, 1998 -