Golf...and its new admirer

After almost a week of inquiries into the game, its requirements and exhorbitant expenses, I was there at the Golf range one fine Saturday morning. My neatly tucked Tee and sport shoes gave the impression that I was a regular on the course. Immediately after I parked my bike, the security guard showed me the way to the Driving range. I had an appointment fixed with a Golf Instructor. At 500 bucks an hour it was a pricey appointment indeed! Peter(instructor) was already there and busy giving tips to another Golfer. He signalled me to wait and that he would be with me in a few minutes. This gave me chance to get a peak into the golf store housed inside the Administrative office. I browsed through all the irons and woods as if I were a serious prospective buyer, but the time I left the store without even opening my purse, you should have seen the store boy's face.

Meanwhile, Peter had finished his session and was waiting for me. "Good morning Harish! How are you ?  So what do you know about Golf ?" These questions were expected, and yet unexpected. All I had been thinking, I would go on the range, pick a club and start hitting around. But being a true instructor that he was, Peter started testing my knowledge abt the game and my physical and mental abilities. It was quite a while before I wielded a #8 Club and was ready to start hitting my first ever bucket of Golf balls. Though it always looked easy on the television, I really got tired by the time I took out the 11 ball for a strike. Peter smiled, "I have given you graphite clubs for practice since you are a beginner. The steels are more heavier and you would be out of energy even before you run out of Golf balls."

"Yeah! I guess I underestimated the effort for this", I quipped, while positioning myself for the next shot. It was after around 15 drives when I heard "good shot" from Peter. I had a good stance and a good connection, and the 15th ball really went quite a long distance. And in the 5o balls session I could hear more of Peter's comments about shots. I was exhausted and so was my bucket of balls. I paid up at the office for the Instructor sessions and headed straight for the coffee house. After all, I had the right to a nice cup of coffee after an hour's hard work!!

That was the only Instructor session I have had so far. I have not really found time to go onto the greens and play a full game. But I do frequent the course, my target being the driving range, where I can hone on my driving skills before I get on to play on the greens. Golf still remains expensive for me. I don't see a reason behind splurging on a Golf set and painstakingly carry it on the bike when I take on to the game only 2-3 times a month. So renting a kit on the course serves my needs. Someday, I am sure, I will own a car. And then I can afford to buy my own golf kit and carry it around in my car.

Till then..............