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Previously, I've never really had any interest in the sport. Looked like something played only by old men wearing dodgy clothing. However a few weeks ago, I got hold of Mario Golf: Advance Tour on the GBA. I played it a bit and I was instantly hooked, I really enjoyed the way that it's kinda part RPG, part golf game. You basically get points after each game and can use those points to improve your skills. Never-the-less, in enjoying the game, I started to contemplate what it would be like to play golf for real. In thinking it through, it seemed to be a game that I could really enjoy, it's out in the open, it's not overly strenuous, it's rewarding, it's all about angles and technique rather than how fit you are and you get plenty of exercise from walking. All that put together, it seemed like something I could really enjoy. Now I was kinda stuck with how to get into it, one of my friends plays golf but he quite frankly said "I'm not teaching you!" so I couldn't go that route. In passing conversation, I mentioned that I'd like to learn golf to another one of my friends, Dom. Time passed and I thought nothing more of the idea as I didn't see it going anywhere. However, yesterday I got a suprise call from Dom saying would I like to go and learn golf with him and his Dad tomorrow? Without hesitation, I said I would love to :).
So this morning, we went down to a local "Golf Acadamy" where they don't actually have a course, they just have a driving range and a putting green (with mini bunkers and things around it so you can practise those shots). They also had a pub there cunningly named "Inn off the Green" which was sadly closed as it was Sunday. Anyway, we bought 100 balls for a fiver and went up to the driving range and selected a place to practise from. Now after watching the golf on the telly, it looked so easy, however it is far from it. There's like a million things you have to think about when swinging a golf club, like you have to be square to the ball, you have to stand like you've shit yourself (bent knees), you have to keep your left arm straight, you have to twist your shoulders with the swing and you have to keep your head still. It's quite difficult to do all at once because as soon as you concentrate on one thing, you forget to do something else. It also feels rather unnatural but do do it all correctly, you have to swing like a pendulum to ensure that the club returns to where you swung up from so you actually hit the ball. Anyway, as I was a complete beginner I was allowed to be completely useless, but I did improve through the course of the time we were there. I managed to hit a few a fair distance but distance was irrelevant really because I need to get the swing right. Once I can do the swing, then I can concentrate on aim and power.
So yeah, all the boring detail aside for those who couldn't care less about the sport, I really enjoyed myself and will be going again next Sunday to practise some more. It's nice to have someone to help train me, cos otherwise I'd have to pay loads for lessons :). Maybe one day I'll be good enough to actually play on a course... I hope so. Like they say, practise makes perfect!
So this morning, we went down to a local "Golf Acadamy" where they don't actually have a course, they just have a driving range and a putting green (with mini bunkers and things around it so you can practise those shots). They also had a pub there cunningly named "Inn off the Green" which was sadly closed as it was Sunday. Anyway, we bought 100 balls for a fiver and went up to the driving range and selected a place to practise from. Now after watching the golf on the telly, it looked so easy, however it is far from it. There's like a million things you have to think about when swinging a golf club, like you have to be square to the ball, you have to stand like you've shit yourself (bent knees), you have to keep your left arm straight, you have to twist your shoulders with the swing and you have to keep your head still. It's quite difficult to do all at once because as soon as you concentrate on one thing, you forget to do something else. It also feels rather unnatural but do do it all correctly, you have to swing like a pendulum to ensure that the club returns to where you swung up from so you actually hit the ball. Anyway, as I was a complete beginner I was allowed to be completely useless, but I did improve through the course of the time we were there. I managed to hit a few a fair distance but distance was irrelevant really because I need to get the swing right. Once I can do the swing, then I can concentrate on aim and power.
So yeah, all the boring detail aside for those who couldn't care less about the sport, I really enjoyed myself and will be going again next Sunday to practise some more. It's nice to have someone to help train me, cos otherwise I'd have to pay loads for lessons :). Maybe one day I'll be good enough to actually play on a course... I hope so. Like they say, practise makes perfect!
