How I got started golfing
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My first experience golfing, not counting mini-golf and putting, was 6 years ago when I got “peer-pressured” into playing at my old company’s golf tournament at Country Meadows Golf Course in Richmond, BC. I was totally intimidated because I knew my foursome would be with the “big boys” – our sales executives who used golfing as part of their sales arsenal. Luckily, half of the tournament players were also newbies like me.
Since I had never been golfing before, I knew I had to prepare. First thing I did was to research online as much as I could about golfing for beginners. I made note to learn the basic rules of play, etiquette and what was acceptable golf attire – collared shirts, golf shoes or sneakers and no scruffy holey clothing. I also checked the weather report in case I needed to bring a windbreaker with a hood, umbrella, or hat. I found out what “Texas Scramble Rules” was – all players tee off at each hole and each person’s next shot would play from where the best drive dropped.
Next thing I did was buy a set of clubs at Nevada Bob’s Golf in Surrey. I could have rented a full set of clubs at the tournament golf course but since I’m just under 5 feet tall, I knew I’d be better off getting my own set of lighter petite womens clubs. At Nevada Bob’s, I selected the Edison Lady Quest Titanium Graphite RH Petite Ladies set from about five full sets on the wall.
I got fitted for my clubs and they shaved my longer clubs by an inch or two. The set cost me almost $500 including the fitting. At the time, I thought I was over-spending on them considering a beginner set of clubs at Canadian Tire could be had for less than $150 at that time. Looking back at the cost, I do not regret getting my clones. They are my buddies on the golf course. I’d never abuse them in a fit of rage after a lousy shot! (If I did, I’d have no clubs left after the first front nine’s!)
Next, I selected a unisex $50 cart bag. I didn’t know the difference between a cart bag and stand bag back then. Being little, I guess the sales person thought I’d be doing the pull cart thing and not carrying my clubs on my back.
After selecting the bag, I knew I would have to purchase a lot of balls. I was envisioning losing several balls in the drink after seeing photos of Country Meadows online. I bought reasonably priced balls – Wilson’s Pink Ribbon balls – with some of the proceeds going to breast cancer research. (They are now packaged as Wilson’s Pink Ribbon “Hope” golf balls which come in multiple soft colours or a clear cover.) I didn’t have to buy any tees because the sales person at Nevada Bob gave me… oh… at least 300 tees in a big plastic bag! I guess I charmed him… or I bought the clubs at a really high price from him! Nevertheless, I didn’t need to buy any tees for a good three years after that.
Lastly, I had to work on my swing. I headed off to Eaglequest at Cayote Creek in Surrey. I brought my 3 Wood, my 3 iron and my 7 iron as recommended by one of my golfing co-workers. I went to the driving range twice before the company golf tournament. I ended up buying a $12 Wilson glove there because my left hand was getting a little beat up. Confident that I could hit at least 60 yards (!!!) consistently, I mentally prepared myself for the tournament. My younger brother who had always been good at sports always told me to repeatedly envision my play before any sports game. I dreamed of consistently hitting 75 yards (!!!) consistently. I was psyched!
The day of the tournament came. I arrived a half hour before tee-time as instructed and registered with my group at the tournament table. When it was our turn to tee-off, the guys let me go first. Self-consciously, I positioned my ball between the ladies markers. Shaking… I took a deep breath, relaxed… then swung. I hit over 75 yards! From that point on, I was hooked on golf!
Posted by Melba - The Where's my ball? Golfer on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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