I've always been more of a basketball guy. Or I'd play flag football, soccer, volleyball, softball or tennis, but I never considered playing golf. I thought the sport was too slow and too boring. I tried to watch a little bit on television but I couldn't figure out what was going on. I couldn't figure out why so many people were passionate about this sport. Honestly, golf seemed like a sport for "old folks." There isn't any running or jumping, but just hitting. There is no physical contact with another competitor... it looked like a sissy sport to me. Golfers aren't in a hurry at all. They just quietly hit the ball, wave a little bit at the crowd and then walk slowly to the next hole. Sometimes they drive their golf cart around instead. I didn't find anything attractive about the sport at all. Not only that, a game of golf takes forever. Who has time to spend 3-4 hours to play 18 holes when there are a ton of other things to do in life? Golf also seemed like an expensive sport. Well I tried a few times to get into it, but I just found the sport to be "whatever." A few years ago, I went twice to a golf range with friends and it was just "hacking away" time. No technique. I would use my baseball swing and try to hit the golf ball as far as possible. I must admit, it was a lot harder than it looked. Still, going to the golf range didn't change my attitude about the sport.
But recently, I have had a renewed interest in golf. I think it's because my senior pastor keeps wanting me to learn. Not only that, there are some really cool and studly guys at my church who are avid golfers. They go out together all the time and I can't join them because I don't golf. They bond on the course and have great conversations. But the kicker is... they have a lot of fun playing golf.
I watched "the Masters" on television once. I saw how Tiger Woods dominated the field and that was the first time I watched golf intently for 14 minutes or so. I must admit, he was good! I don't think a person can appreciate how good Tiger Woods is unless you've played golf yourself. Any ways, I decided to give it a try. A friend of mine at church took me to a golf range. He let me borrow his clubs, his golf shoes, and his golf gloves. He paid for my bucket of balls along with a trainer for an hour. I loved it! I absolutely loved it!!! My body felt awkward and weird because I was using muscles that I don't normally use, but there was something exciting and enjoyable about the whole idea of hitting a small white ball with your choice of club. My grip was all off and I was leaning too heavily on my strong right arm during the swing. But I was learning and I was having a ball. I think I'm addicted! I called my parents about my experience and they were not happy. They think this may be the downfall of my ministry knowing how people can get into the sport so passionately. I think one thing I learned through this is to always give something a chance. If nothing else, just try it and see how it is for yourself.
I've just spent an hour reading about golf swings on the internet. I'm thinking about retiring from the ministry and trying out for the PGA tour... something called Q School? See ya'll on the greens!
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