Let the ball be in the way
Today’s golf lesson was awesome.
I was a little worried because I found this teacher through SaxMan and was completely surprised to get a voicemail from SaxMan yesterday (at 8:30 AM) saying he’d “heard” I was starting lessons.
While it might be true that there is some small sick part of me that hopes being a better golfer will increase the fun and quality of my dating life, I really am not doing this for that purpose. So it gives me pause to know that by going to the same teacher the likelihood of bumping into SaxMan at various things (open practice sessions, for instance) is high. Not that there will be anything uncomfortable about that…not at this point anyway.
Still, it gives me pause because of what both SaxMan and GolfPro might assume about my motivations. But, let us review: I am not living my life according to what other people think. Not much, anyway.
Ok. As long as that’s clear.
Anyway…GolfPro is a good teacher. He is the High School girl’s golf coach and also coaches girl’s soccer and hockey. So he knows how to teach.
And what I learned just in this first lesson was a lot. And it totally ROCKED. I even think GolfPro had fun! We started with some putting and one of the very first things he showed me blew my mind. It’s so common sense-acle and yet no one had ever mentioned it to me before and I hadn’t ever done it except maybe by accident. Ready for the big tip?
When putting, approach the ball so that it is lined up between you and the cup. Don’t come at it from the side. Look at it on a straight line into the cup. Then come around to the side to do the practice swings and tap it in.
I know! Simple! I sunk most of the putts today in two. Only a couple in three. Some of them were 25 foot putts.
Next big thing?
Swing the club head and “let the ball be in the way.”
In other words, it’s not about hitting (or smashing the heck out of) the ball, it’s about swinging the club.
Then we picked up a wedge (8 iron) and he corrected my grip, and gave me some pointers on my swing. According to GolfPro I am “not a derelict” with regard to body mechanics and the game. I have a good swing and he thinks I’ll have some distance…not that it’s a distance game.
It was all very affirming to not only grasp what he was showing me so quickly intellectually but physically as well. I’ve always thought of myself as sort of “not very athletic” or “kind of cloddish” but I think I may have been misled about that!
Anyway, it was a lot of fun and we’ve scheduled a couple more lessons. Then I can come and practice at the studio during open practice sessions until the links open up this spring. First thing this spring the two of us will hit a 3-par course he likes that’s close by and we’ll actually play a game out in the world where things are unpredictable and variable…like wind, grass, sand and water. Not to mention geese and trees and all the rest.
Now I really can’t wait for spring!
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Anticipation 2007
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Anticipation 2007
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Anticipation 2007
January 4th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Is Golfpro single? Does he have any more single friends? Glad you had a good day.
January 4th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Abbagirl,
No, GolfPro is married to DressDesigner who actually runs a business designer dresses that appear on people like Andie McDowell and others on red carpets. All about size 0 to size 2, I suppose. Beautiful fantasical creations I got to look at at the Christmas part.
Might know people…but, I think he thinks I’m “with” SaxMan. Over time, that will be clarified, I suppose.
Still. It was a way fun day.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I admire you getting out and golfing! I like hitting balls but can’t seem to get into being on the course with my boyfriend. I have so much else I am doing with my art and such and prefer an hour run. But I do have a newfound appreciation for golf and those who love it. Enjoy!