Anybody play golf?

[MrsBeckyLP]

I did two searches, and I was surprised there was no golf thread here. I am just wondering if there are any other CC ladies out there who play golf?

I do, but not too regularly. I think I will have to start playing more this season -- I started writing for a golf magazine in January, and I think it would really help my writing if I played more and developed a better understanding of the golf industry in general. Plus, we close the office at 2 p.m. on Fridays in summer -- to play golf, I'd imagine. ;)

DH loves to play, and is pretty good, so I'm not a huge fan of playing with him. He likes to give me "tips" while we play, but he's never taken lessons of his own, so I'm not sure how accurate his tips are. Plus, I'm very competitive and would consider myself a natural athlete, so it's hard for me to not be good at a sport! :rolleyes: I get mad when I don't do well, which is often. DH says I have a great swing (and I feel like I do also), but I have a hard time hitting the ball where I need to!

I have so much more I could write, but I guess I'll wait until I see if there are any other golfers out there!

[CapeCod04]

I play. I've played for about 25 years. It's a great game. If you really want to get good - go take some lessons. One of the worst things is trying to unlearn bad habits, so best to not develop them in the first place. The game is so much fun - if you play with the right people. I don't care how bad a player is, as long as they are out their enjoying the game and not a slow player.

[Kimberland30]

Woohoo, a thread about golf!

I've never played before. I've been to a driving range (actually worked at one when I was younger) and that was a disaster. I play Putt-Putt and suck. But I promised my DH (2 years ago mind you) that I'd take golf lessons if he took ballroom dancing lessons. He kept his end of the bargain and I've been giving him excuses ever since. I suck. :o

An organization I belong to is having their biggest fundraiser in June, a golf tournament. I was asked by my VP yesterday if I'd like to join in their 4-some, which thank goodness, consists of 3 other non-players. When I told DH last night, he was pretty shocked, as well as disappointed that I didn't think to join HIS team...all the guys golf weekly and go on golf trips twice a year...and they want me to "play" with them?

DH is going to take me to the driving range and try to teach me some basic skills. I just can't get over how strange it feels to swing a golf club the proper way. As someone who played softball back in the day, it's a completely different feel, stand, and follow through and I just don't get it. DH is hoping that I'll love it enough to golf regularily with him. We'll see.

I can imagine me storming off the course though, DH can't keep his mouth shut and let me learn anything on my own without his constant "tips". He was the same way when I was learning how to play pool, and 4 years later he still offers his (not wanted) advise when I play.

[MrsBeckyLP]

Wow, either not many people play golf or nobody visits the "All Things Sports" boards! I'm glad to see two responses though!

Anyway, I'd like to take a few lessons this summer. Actually, a guy I work with is a PGA teaching pro, so I'm hoping he might like to give me some pointers, and in exchange we'll take him and his wife out for a nice dinner. He seems to know his stuff, and our personalities click, so I think I could handle the criticism from him! I would be embarrassed to take golf lessons from some random person – that's just the way I am. It's hard for me to not be great at a sport (I played volleyball, basketball and softball in high school, and they all came really easy to me).

We had record-setting temperatures here the past two days (77 and 79), but it's cooling off again. Mother Nature is such a tease in Wisconsin this time of year. We didn't get out on the course because they were packed. The first two warm days of the season ... people around here have been itching to play all winter long.

Kim- I think it's about time you make good on your pact with your DH! The tournament you're entering sounds like fun, and you'll probably be OK since you're with other non-golfers. I have no problem swinging a club so it looks good (DH actually told me he wishes he had my form!), but I always do something wrong and I rarely hit the ball square. I think I pull my head. My husband sounds a lot like yours. He's always giving me tips I don't want, no matter what we do – driving (cars, not golf balls), working out, shooting pool or mowing the lawn :rolleyes: . Men. So when is this trip to the driving range? You'll have to let me know how it goes!

[Kimberland30]

I was thinking earlier tonight, but he was doing yard work and I was cleaning closets...fun. We have a large backyard and he has a net up for practice swings, so I can do some of it from home but would really like to go out to a range sometime. It was warm here today (mid-80s) but it's supposed to cool back into the 50s for the next couple days, then rain.

DH did show me some stuff tonight about swing and such. I just can't keep my left elbow straight to save my life. I always want to bend it like I'm swinging a bat. I think that will be my biggest challenge. But at least that is something I can practice until it feels more natural to me, or at least that's what I'm hoping. :)

DH is very excited though, he even went out and bought me golf clubs during lunch today!

[MrsBeckyLP]

Well if he bought you golf clubs, there's no turning back now!

That would be nice to have a net to hit into, but you really can't see how far the ball goes then! I don't blame you for wanting to hit the range. We're building a house, and my DH wanted to make the basement ceilings high enough so he could swing clubs inside in winter! We'll have 9-foot ceilings there, but I don't think that's high enough to swing a golf club.

I have a hard time keeping my left elbow straight too. Let me know if and when you figure it out!

[udsweetpea]

I play occasionally since since I live on a golf course for half the week, but I haven't played much, so I pretty much stink! But maybe this year I'll put more time into it.

[Adaya]

Not much. I go to the driving range more than anything. DH plays a whole lot and I may go out with him from time to time. But I'm not that good, so I feel like playing with him is a drag. So I stick to the driving range for the most part.

[Kimberland30]

Well I went to the driving range for the first time last night and didn't kill anyone (including DH), so that was a plus! The downside is that he told me to wear shorts so I wouldn't be constricted, and the temp dropped like crazy and the wind was really blowing in. So I froze to death and after an hour of practicing I was ready to call it quits and defrost.

I started off taking a quick lesson from DH again and taking some swing shots in the backyard (no ball, just learning how to hold the club and swing). After doing that for a while he put down balls for me to hit. After a couple of those we went to the range.

I didn't do too bad. I got it off the mat at least. We practiced with the 7 iron (IIRC), and I hit out 100 yards. I was mainly working on my swing. Yeah, the straight left arm is going to be my demise but DH said it will get more natural the more I practice. I also tend to lock my left knee when I lock my left arm, so I'm all kinds of goofy-looking. :p

I must say that I'm very surprised with DH. He was super patient and didn't get frustrated with me, and I didn't get frustrated with him either (maybe because I was a popsicle?). I still have two months before the tournament so I might actually learn something before then!

[MrsBeckyLP]

Wow Kim, it sounds like it went well for you last night!

I still haven't been out this year. The record setting temperatures we had two weeks ago are long gone (78 and 79), and our high is supposed to be in the upper 20s today and tomorrow. Yuck. I am really itching to get out on the course.

I plan soon to talk to the guy I work with who is a PGA teaching pro. I'd love to get some pointers from him, so I hope he's willing. I'm sure he will be. I'll just have to get over the fact that I get embarrassed so easily!

[Kimberland30]

7 weeks until the golf tourney...and I had my second "lesson" last night. DH and I went to the driving range and I did pretty good. I actually got some air, and hit the balls pretty far out (but I'm not sure the exact distances). I definately hit better than last time - 2 weeks ago - but it's still a BIG learning process. He is teaching me more about using which clubs when, and how to stand for each one. I'm getting much better at locking my left arm, but I still need to practice not raising my heels when I swing, and to twist with my hips and not my knees (think Elvis). :)

Was a good night though. I think when it warms up next week we'll go walk 9 holes so I can start getting the feel for a course, and only getting one chance for a good shot.

[MrsBeckyLP]

When I started to play golf, the most difficult thing for me was knowing which club to use! Once, I was playing with my brother, dad and DH, and I asked DH which club to use. I was actually playing much better than my brother, who didn't like the idea of that. He looked at me and snapped, "Jesus f-ing Christ ... how the hell are you ever going to learn if you don't figure it out on your own?!?!" I got really mad at him, but my dad and DH assured me he was just pissed I was beating him!

I'm hoping to get out this weekend. DH hurt his elbow at work the other day, and when he played nine holes of golf Tuesday night (I couldn't go because I had to meet a friend for dinner), it hurt him very badly. He filed an injury report at work, and he has a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon. Even if he's hurt and can't play, I still want to at least hit up the driving range! It's supposed to be in the 70s, so I need to get out there! Plus, I have a free round with a cart from one course's "Birthday Club." DH has one too, and since our birthdays are in winter, we can only use it during April. We need to go soon ... I can't let that free round expire.

[mkvh]

Hey ladies!

I played my 2nd 9 EVER on Sunday. It wasn't embarassing, which is all I can say. I start an educational league in 2 weeks, and I'm really excited.

[MrsBeckyLP]

mkvh- An educational league sounds like it would be fun! I wonder if we have any of those around here? Hmmm...

I took my clubs in to get re-gripped over the weekend. Of course, I waited until the nicest weekend of the season to do it. Stupid me. I'm picking them up tonight, and it's raining. Of course. DH is in physical therapy for his bum elbow, so I can't even play with him. I don't know any other women who golf. This sucks! (Wow ... I'm kind of whiny today!)

[mkvh]

futuremrs--Three of my friends and I joined EWGA (Executive Womens Golf Association). They sponsor quite a few leagues. I think the instructional league will be perfect for me. Here's how it's structured:
- 4 weeks group lessons w/ pro
- 3 weeks lessons plus 3 holes of par 3 play w/ pro
- 3 weeks of 9 hole par 3 play w/ pro

You shoulc check into EWGA in your area. It's a little pricey to join, but the leagues are REALLY resonable--less than $20/week for mine!

[allison]

A golf thread!!!
I've been playing golf since I could walk. Really. It's how I learned to walk actually. My dad bought an old, old set, had them cut low on the shaft and put electrical tape on the ends for my grips. I would hold the driver and it would help steady me as I walked when I was a toddler. Whenever my dad played, I was out there on the course with him. I still have those homemade baby clubs.

I kept playing through elementary school in Virginia and then middle school back here in Texas. I was a member of the Junior Houston Golf Association and played every Summer, going to camps for golf, having lessons with my favorite pro in the world, playing with my dad and his buddies and my friends as well.

In high school I was on the golf team all four years making it to State my senior year (and our team won!).

In college I was so burned out that I didn't pick up a club the entire time. I eventually came back to it after college and would play occasionally with my Mom or in a tournament that my parents co-founded that raises money for cancer research. DH had never played when we met but since then he can't stay away from the golf course. I've created a monster really. I don't mind, though. :p We are fortunate to live in a area with an extremely high concentration of golf courses near us. There 13 courses all less than 10 miles from our home.

I still don't play as often as I should/would like. I really need to get back out there, it's just that every time I do, someone from the womens group tries to get me to join and I don't want to, and they can't understand why. These are the same ladies who used to give the golf team grief for having to share the ladies locker room when I was in HS. Why would I want to hang out with a bunch of women who (and not all of them) used to make up stories about us to the club so that we couldn't use the locker room (even though all of us were members). Bah! :p

[jo&sean]

A golf thread does exist :)

I have played off and on for years but decided this year to take lessons. I signed up for 4 weeks of group lessons (had my 3rd last night) and then I will take 4 weeks of private lessons. I am so glad I did. It is so helpful to take instruction from someone who really, really knows what they are doing. Just in the past three weeks, my skills have improved so much. I am really excited to get out and play some rounds :)

[MrsBeckyLP]

I finally made it out last night! It was only to the driving range, but it was a good start.

I started out hitting a few irons, then I used DH's King Cobra driver because I had some nice drives with it last year, and it was working really well for me last night. I was cranking the ball if I do say so myself! I had a few drives that went about 225 yards! I couldn't believe how well I did for my first time out this season. I changed my grip a bit and tried something new on DH's suggestion, and it seemed to help.

DH's elbow is still hurt, so he just chipped and putted. But he was watching me and saying, "Wow!" I like it when I do well! ;)

I decided that I want to take some lessons though. I cannot keep my left elbow straight. It's bad. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Saturday morning I'm going to play golf with my dad. DH is going to Vegas for a long weekend, so I'm going to my parents' lake house. I called my dad to see if he'd want to play Saturday morning, and he sounded excited. It will be nice bonding time! My mom doesn't play, but maybe since it's Mother's Day weekend she'll at least come along for the walk (or ride).

[MrsBeckyLP]

I finally got out on the golf course over the weekend. I went with my dad, brother, and 17-year-old family friend. They all beat me, but my dad by only six strokes. I shot a 62 for nine holes, which I wasn’t too happy about. I had a lot of 8s and only one par. However, I had the long putt of the day, about 20 feet! I had a good time, and I want to go again this weekend. DH’s elbow is still bothering him, so he still can’t play. I don’t care. I’ll go by myself if I have to!

I looked into our local chapter of the EWGA, but the courses they play are kind of far from my house, and most of the leagues have started and are filled up. There are three fall leagues, but I’m not sure if I’d want to join a fall league. I think I’ll wait until next year to do that. Maybe by then I’ll be confident to just join a regular ladies league at the course we’ll be living on. That would be so convenient.