| Half the time I never even kept score, but having said that there was no mistaking the elation I got, even when playing golf “just for fun” as I sunk that 10 metre putt or hit the ball off the tee sending it flying 200 metres straight down the fairway. You do feel every bit as elated as Tiger Woods winning the PGA
Of course, for me, these moments have been few and far between – one might say rare – especially since I only play golf once every blue moon – or to put that in more accurate terms about 4-6 times a year maximum.
Regardless of whether or not you keep score though, the other great thing I like about golf is the fact that it is “handicapped” in such a way that allows men and women of all grades to play and enjoy the game together. Which means that you do not have to be Tiger Woods to play competitively. Not only is your score based on your ability, with the more novice player been given an appropriate “head start” but on all golf courses the women’s tees are invariably positioned so that they do not have to hit the ball so far.
Even with the fun aspect and the handicapping however, at times there is still enough of the competitor (or perhaps more accurately for those who know me “show-off”) in me that makes me now want to play better.
I had never had a professional lesson per se, but rather had learned how to hold the clubs, hit the ball, stand etc solely from the advice of well meaning friends, partners and lovers. So when I received an invitation to have a lesson at the Moore Park Golf Driving Range from a professional coach I was eager to see if this would indeed improve my playing ability.
Moore Park Golf Driving Range is part of the closest golf course to the Sydney CBD, situated less than two minutes drive from the heart of the city. There is ample free parking for those who might choose to drive their cars but as I was coming directly from a meeting in the city I found my way there using public transport.
Trains and buses take you right to the gate, it was easy to find (even for an out-of-towner like myself).
I met Chris who was the lucky one chosen to give me my first professional golf lesson ever. He asked me to hit a few balls off the tee so he could see what I was doing and where I needed improvement. Hmmmmmm!
Nevertheless, after only 15 minutes of Chris’s professional tuition, he had me holding the club differently, standing differently, setting up correctly and even “following through” on my shots.
Not only did I discover an entire muscle set that I did not know existed, (with the lesson proving to be as good a workout as any pilates session!) but realised what a huge improvement this lesson made to my swing and to the way I hit the ball.
But as actions speak louder than words, I can show you.
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