SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Taking up Golf - againTuesday, May 24, 2005Just two months ago, I took up golf again. This will be the 5th time I've taken up the game.I was introduced to golf in junior high school in the suburbs of Chicago. A friend and I got a summer job working as a cadie at a local private golf club - Inverness Golf Club. They taught us how to cadie, about golf rules and ettiquete, and let us play on Mondays when the course was closed to members for greenskeeping. While playing on these hot and humid summer Monday's I broke 100 for the first time and have shot under 100 ever since. I remember my first round of shooting under 50 for 9 holes. I shot a 55 on the front, but came through with a 45 on the back. I also remember my Dad giving me a few swing pointers to get me started. He, however, never played. Didn't have the patience for it. I got by with a good natural swing, but no lessons. Since then, my only lesson was for 30 minutes on a cruise to Mexico, not counting all the tips from playing partners on the tee. I didn't stick with the game however. Got too busy being a teenager. I picked the game up again when I was about 20, while stationed in Idaho Falls in the Navy. I bought a complete set of irons and woods at a K-Mart like store for $99, complete with a bag. I spent considerable time here practicing my chipping and putting, but rarely practiced on the driving range since that cost money. As I remember, I got my game down in the 80's, and even broke 80 once. There were 2 courses in Idaho Falls that I remember playing. I think I only played for less than a year... then got shipped off somewhere else and didn't play again for another decade. In my early 30's, I started playing again with some friends at work in San Diego. Played Balboa Park, Carmel Moutain Ranch, Torrey Pines (once), and a local executive course at Lake San Marcos. Again, during this time, I got my game back in the 80's, and broke 80 once or twice. During this time, I took up roller hockey which put golf on the back burner again. I tried one more time about 4 years ago in my early 40's. After quiting my job to try making a living from home, I decided to get serious about playing golf. I started playing 2 times per week and spent quite a bit of time practicing my short game - but sill no lessons. During these 3-4 months, I was consistently shooting in the low 80's and breaking 80 on occasion. I remember one round where I shot 45 on the front and 36 on the back - my first (and still only) round of par-golf - even if it was only for 9 holes. On that back nine, I shot 1 triple bogey and 3 birdies at Cypress Ridge in Arroyo Grande. During this time, I read a few books on golf - Nick Price's "Swing", Bob Rotella's "Golf is not a game of Perfect", and a couple others. I began to start improving my swing, mental game, and course management. But, I only played at Cypress Ridge and Blacklake Golf Courses since they were so close to home. This effort at playing golf also came quickly to and end. After less than 4 months, I developed a serious case of tendonitis in my left arm. I eventually had to quit golf to let it heal. I later quit playing roller hockey too due to back pain. With this decrease in activity, my back is now better, even while still spending so many hours sitting in front of this computer all day. A couple months ago, I received a call from a friend who wanted to play during the week while between jobs. I used this opportunity to take up the game again. So far, so good. I've been playing a couple times a week since then. My game isn't back to where it was 4 years ago, but I think it's on the verge of improving. I'm stuck in the mid to high 80's right now. Instead of only playing 1 or 2 courses like I have in the past, I'm trying to branch out a little more and play a variety of courses - but still only playing locally. Here in San Luis Obispo County, I've played Blacklake, Cypress Ridge, Avila Beach, Morro Bay, and Dairy Creek so far. I'm waiting until I break 80 to try Hunter Ranch for the first time - as a reward. I'm still expecting the course to humiliate me. I hear the greens are very hard to read. |
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