At the age of 8 my Dad started to teach me the game of golf. A five iron and a putter was all he started me out with and I played that way for years. Him and I in our shorts and mismatched T-shirts out on the course.
We didn’t have our Nike clubs, with our perfectly coordinated outfits and we didn’t spend 15 minutes lining up a put like we were on the pro tour. Just a Dad and his daughter enjoying the outdoors and a game my Dad loves.
At age 38 I continue to play the game on and off and the amount of arrogance and entitlement on the course never ceases to amaze me.
Most people on the course care much more about their image then if they can actually hit a ball off the tee. Dressed to the nines but can’t hit a straight shot off the tee. Walking around the green for 20 minutes lining up a put. Complaining if the greens are not the perfect trim and cut.
While $500 clubs and accessories are nice it’s doesn’t make the game of golf. As my Dad taught me; to be good at this game you have to practice, practice, practice. Each shot you have to clear your head and one bad hole can ruin the entire score. Money can’t buy you a par and at the end of the day that’s the beauty of golf. You can’t buy yourself a great shot, and you can’t buy the feeling you get from being outside, being in nature, and competing against yourself.
Your sole may be for sale but golf is not.
by Stacey Atkinson