Beginner Golfers

"Golf is a good walk spoiled." - Mark Twain

Golf can be so rough at times. When the swing is humming and the ball zings off the tees and fairways, oh what joy. Those joyous days are fewer, the rough days more regular. Despite the ups and downs of the swing, I still get more pleasure out of playing golf than not. I get a good walk even if the golf is spoiled. Yay.

We All Start Somewhere

My grandson has taken an interest in golf. We have visited the driving range together a few times. I give him a few pointers then leave him to enjoy himself swinging away. It’s a fun time for both of us. He was keen to get to the golf course, so we set a date. Chamberlain Park is a public course; I explained to him to be prepared for the que on the first hole. People will be watching when we tee off. It will be ok, it is expected that many will be beginners just like him, regulars understand and are patient with everybody. Chamberlain Park is where the golf is affordable, no tee times are set, you pay the fee then wait in the que on the first hole. 

My Bad

“My bad”, this is a term I heard years ago, from another grandson. At the time I didn’t understand the context in which it was used, I did figure it out, we both laughed. I neglected to inform my beginner golfing grandson of some basic rules of golf and etiquette. My bad.

On the first holes my grandson dawdled between shots and took an inordinate amount of time on practice swings. He wasn’t aware of watching for the group coming up behind us or when we were taking our shots. He often walked across the line of flight of the ball on the fairway. On the green the same thing. After some advice he adapted quickly.

The Round

Summer rounds are fun when accompanied by family. I was with my grandson and his dad. Balls were flying every which way; it was amateur hour on every hole. The sun was high and hot, thank goodness we all had water bottles. The course was really busy, golfers everywhere, patience and tolerance were the order of the day with delays on each hole. The golf itself was rough, but we enjoyed ourselves. By the 14th hole we had enough, worn out by the heat we decided to end our round.

Until the next time.

I’m looking forward to the next round with my grandson and his dad. I will remind him of some basic rules of golf and etiquette, and to be aware of his surroundings when walking quickly between shots before the round starts! No more “My Bad.”