TANG Golfing

I could write an entire book on all the ways Hubbie plotted and schemed over the years to make a golfer out of me. I still think he may have managed to get his hands on some magical “golf dust” that he poured on me while I was sleeping. In the end, his support was vital to me falling in love with the game. But I had to find the game for myself to reactivate those old figure skating genes inside me. It would never have happened if I didn’t have that first set of MacGregor clubs.

Hubbie was raised on a golf course by a golf-loving mother and father. He even played on his college golf team a million few years ago. After we were engaged, his father gave him some sage advice: “Be sure to buy a nice set of clubs for yourself before you are married.” His thought was that blushing brides might not be happy about such a significant purchase after the nuptials.

This was a brilliant excuse for Hubbie to buy a new set of clubs, but he took the theory one step farther; he bought me a set of clubs too. I thought the clubs were my wedding present and I was sure that was not the way I wanted to start our marriage. Fortunately, I received an appropriate Tiffany’s frame as my wedding present. The clubs were just a “bonus” gift. The set had a driver, 3 and 5-woods, and the irons ran 3-pitch. What beginner can hit a 3 or a 4-iron? Not me. I still don’t own those clubs and don’t have any plans to add them to my bag any time soon.

I found the clubs utilitarian, kind of like a vacuum cleaner. I knew I would need to learn how to use both for a happy marriage. Hubbie was smart enough to buy me a sassy, floral purple bag, but there was a sinister side to his purchase: He knew I would need the clubs for our honeymoon. Nevis…here we come!

Please note the lovely driver, or 1-wood as I used to call it. No need to worry about losing any hearing with that club. Having no shame, I even shared the humongous dent I managed to brand on the club.

Recently, I spoke with Women on Course founder Donna Hoffman about her organization, its successes in recruiting women to take up and keep up with the game, and how her work could be applicable to both genders.

Listen to the interview at Golf News Net on the Media Player on the side of the home page!

Despite working for some fascinating people, I left my lovely law firm job to work for one of their clients as a lobbyist. Shortly after I started my new job, a good friend of mine became a golf nut and wanted another gal pal to share her new passion. She bought me a 7-iron, and dragged accompanied me to the range. She promised me this was a great opportunity to meet guys. At the time, that alone was a good enough reason for me to try golf—again.

This friend was patient and always told me how well I was doing, but I knew it wasn’t true. Even though she was a beginner her balls took flight. Mine barely made it out of the driving range bay and they always took the low worm-burner route. We were both in the agriculture industry and she tried desperately to lure me to an outing or two. After attending the law firm outing, I decided to spare myself any further humiliation in front of new colleagues.

I missed some really fun golf events (and business opportunities) during this time. I would always show up for the after parties, but it’s just not the same when you can’t tell your story about spraying one into the trees causing a family of squirrels to flee their forest home.

I still have the 7-iron she gave me sitting in my garage, but I kept it in my trunk for a long time. It was a used club, so hopefully it had a nice life before I adopted it. I know the sweet spot never received any love from me.

Next in the saga…Hubbie buys me a set of clubs.

Can you remember the first time you held a golf club in your hand?  It was probably strange and completely unnatural. But, you tried.  And tried again.  Hell, you’re probably still trying.  But the first time you hit the sweet spot, you knew you were hooked for life.  It was love.

Now, remember who was standing next to you.  If you were younger it was probably a parent or a grandparent.  Perhaps it was a close friend.  For others it might have been your spouse, or a co-worker, but it was someone that you knew who originally introduced you to the game of golf.  They hoped that you would love the game as much as they did.  It turned out they were right. Continue Reading »