I had an interesting experience last week that helped me gain an even greater appreciation for golf. My good friend Tom and I were on the tenth hole at East Bay, preparing to tee off. Before we hit, however, an elderly gentleman approached us and asked if he could play in front of us. He explained that he wanted to finish quickly, as his wife would be expecting him, and assured us that he would play quickly. We happily obliged and watched in amusement as this man, almost certainly over 70, hit a perfect drive to the middle of the fairway and literally jogged out to the ball to hit his next shot. His energy impressed us both. We then mused on one of the greatest benefits of golf - we, too, would be golfing when we were his age. There are no other sports that a person can participate in so late in life.While basketball, football, baseball, and soccer are all highly enjoyable, old age prevents the serious pursuit of those sports. Golf, however, can be played at a relatively high level practically until death.
I love playing nearly every sport. Each has their own unique appeal, and all are very enjoyable. However, there is only one sport that I will be playing 50 years from now.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Golf and Perfection
Most golfers agree that golf has a certain addictive nature. Once you begin golfing, it seems to draw you back no matter how poorly you play. I believe that this magnetic quality stems from the very nature of the game. Golf is very challenging, both physically and mentally. It is very difficult to do well, and very easy to do poorly. What, then, makes this game so appealing? Perhaps a personal example will illustrate.
It is the eighth hole, and the round has gone poorly. I've lost more balls than I'd care to count, and I can't make a put to save my life. Standing 160 yards from the hole, my only wish is to avoid the water. As I swing, I can feel that the shot is perfect. I follow the ball's flight as it lands softly on the green, 15 feet from the hole. Although not enough to salvage the round, it makes me think that perhaps next time I can on every hole.
Every good shot draws you back, no matter how far you want to be from the game. And yet, it is impossible to reach perfection.
It is the eighth hole, and the round has gone poorly. I've lost more balls than I'd care to count, and I can't make a put to save my life. Standing 160 yards from the hole, my only wish is to avoid the water. As I swing, I can feel that the shot is perfect. I follow the ball's flight as it lands softly on the green, 15 feet from the hole. Although not enough to salvage the round, it makes me think that perhaps next time I can on every hole.
Every good shot draws you back, no matter how far you want to be from the game. And yet, it is impossible to reach perfection.
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