I’ve played golf most of my life but it’s not something I’ve ever really been good at. My dad used to take my brother and I out when we were kids but I liked driving the cart more than hitting balls. I played throughout my childhood and I played on my freshman team in high school. The big disclaimer here is that this was pre Tiger Woods so golf wasn’t as cool. Actually, kids would make fun of you for playing so it was hard enough to get 6 guys on a team and I was the 6th guy.
Either way, it’s been something that I’ve mostly enjoyed despite the frustrations. And it’s been something that has always brought me together with others. I will always remember the days on the course with my dad and brother (and getting the cart stuck in the mud and driving it so hard until we’ve all fallen out). I played with my childhood friends and we’ve talked about trying to play again. I played in college a lot and we’ve recently started going on an annual trip, which is the one time I get to play all year. And lastly, I played with my mom and had some good times with her on the course.
But for as long as I’ve played, I’ve never really understood the mechanics of a golf swing until recently. I took lessons when I was a kid and I had a coach in high school, so I’m not sure if they didn’t teach me the fundamentals or if I wasn’t paying attention. I’m guessing it’s the later, but then again, it was really so hard to learn back then. You’d have to read books or magazines and recording your swing was a big deal.
Now, I can watch countless YouTube videos with great instructions and record my swing that I really don’t want to see on my phone. And maybe it’s my age, but I’m completely open to changing anything and everything I’m doing wrong, even if I can’t always do it.
I made huge improvements two years ago on our Palm Springs trip, but regressed a bit last year because I got cocky and only made it to the range a few times. I have 3 months until the next trip, so I say I’m going to get started now but the reality is I won’t make it to the range until a week before our trip. But either way, it’s really more about spending time with good friends.
Here’s a few courses we played at. They’re all really nice and they’re pretty cheap because smarter people don’t play in Palm Springs in September.
And here’s the type of houses we’ve been renting for the weekend:
They’re so nice, it feels like we’re on a reality show!