If you click on my Beginning
Golfers page, you can read about how Pebble Beach offered my first
view inside the wonderful world of golf.
But now for a little old "girl
talk" regarding golf. Perhaps you are intimately familiar with the
phrase "golf widow." When my children were growing up, I was a
"tennis widow." You know how over the years, every Saturday morning
your husband goes out to play golf or tennis with his buddies while
you stay home with the kids? Then when he does come home, naturally,
he is much too tired to do any household chores.
Are your children grown up or at
least pretty self-sufficient? NOW, it is your turn. Here is a sport
where you do not have to get really sweaty; where you can wear
great-looking outfits; ride around in a nice little golf cart while
chatting with your partner; sip on a lovely beverage of your choice
and plan your lunch at the " 19th hole." For you newbee girls, the
19th hole is what the quys lovingly call the bar and restaurant
adjacent to the Golf Course.
Get this: on some of the courses,
some nice person, in a golf cart rides around with iced drinks you
can buy right out there on the course. No kidding!
The other side of the picture:
you do have to learn to play at least a respectable game of golf
because they send out foursomes of golfers every few minutes and
people behind you expect you to move right along. Then they have
these folks called "rangers" who are constantly driving around the
course making sure people are doing what they should and if you need
any help in an emergency, they are very good about that.
Maximize your pleasure in
learning the game: You definitely want to start with a group lesson.
It is taught by a good-looking, trim. fit, charming young man or
woman who will group you with other players who are at your level.
Then, in between lessons you have a wonderful excuse to get out of
the house a lot because it is better if you can spend lots of time
practicing at the driving range and the putting green. Guys consider
this to be doing something necessary and you may be surprised to see
how tolerant your significant-other is about you spending time this
way. Does he complain about you going shopping? Practicing a game is
usually viewed in a whole different light. And think of all the
money you save by not going shopping.
The best part about the actual
game is the part called "your handicap." Because of this wonderful
feature unique to golf, accomplished golfers (called
low-handicappers) can play golf with mediocre golfers and everyone
can enjoy the game. Also, since we are female, we are ALWAYS allowed
to start each golf hole while much closer to the cup than the men.
Even the professional women in the LPGA get to do this. Isn't that
awesome?
Also, due to the handicap, when
you play with other ladies say on something like Ladies Day, they
will only send you out on the course with players who golf at a
level similar to yours. I LOVE THIS GAME!
Additional benefits: Out on a
golf course, you will view scenery and views of lovely homes which
you could not not possibly see in any other way. And the flowers and
landscaping can be lovely, too. If you like to see wildlife, it is
there for you. We once had a huge deer run across the course when we
were playing in Tennessee. The greatest thing is that you can play
golf anywhere you travel.
Call me, Joan Schall at (352)
346-5740
