Curiosity is the fuel for discovery, inquiry, and learning.” Anonymous
Here I am again facing my laptop pondering on what to write this week so I ask the wife for some suggestions. She took a deep breath and gave me that quizzical look. Okey, Okey I said. I got the point. Am not forcing you as I sip my coffee and started to pounce on my key board .
“ Dad, am just wondering and expressing my observation”, she started. Why are you golfers prefer to hit those shots into the woods, into the water when the easier path should have been the wide fairways ?” All the coffee spurted out of my mouth as I tried to stop from laughing.
That is the dream. That is the goal of every golfer. To hit that ball long ,pure and straight but golf is hard. No human being have yet perfected the art of swinging, of hitting those dimpled balls. As an old saying goes ,” If the ball goes to the left, it’s a hook, if it fades to right, it’s a slice and if it goes straight ,it’s a miracle “.
The year was 1995 when it all started. While driving on the way to my in laws in Toril,Davao City, I noticed the unusual number of vehicles parked at the highway along the Bago area. I learned later after asking some bystanders that it’s the final day of the Philippine Open being held at the Apo Golf and Country Club. .
Out of curiosity, I parked my car and join the gallery and watched the biggest golf spectacle in town. I watched the golf pros hit those easy unforced shots in a graceful way thereby made me conclude, this sport is so easy. So I watched Frankie Minoza, Carlos Espinosa ( the eventual winner) and the other golf stars as they walked the fairways and followed them literally just like the Pied Piper. I was enthralled by the mystique of the sport that I hardly noticed the searing heat as we finished on the 18th hole. And that’s how my love hate relationship for this sport started.
So after few inquiries from friends, I went straight to the driving range in Lanang golf to test this golf thing, bringing along an old golf set . A friend lend me a set he said was just lying around unused in their garage. Was I proud walking and carry those clubs from parking area into the range? You bet. So I proceed to hit some shots imitating those people around me without consulting a pro.
What’s noticeable after hitting those balls was, I can’t carry some distance. I swear I hit them respectable enough, not so solid but almost squarely in some shots but my 9 iron won’t carry more than 50 yards. One thing I noticed also was the grips seem so small, the shafts were shorter and the color of the grip is green. My suspicion increased further when I noticed the giggle and subtle laughing of the Tee girls. Eventually one of them got the enough courage to tell me. “Sir you are using a lady golf set”. Hahaha…
As proud as I am when I arrived, I left the driving range in a huff avoiding eye contact and took the long route away from the crowd. Golf is hard. Especially when you use the wrong equipment.
It was a great learning experience though. Golf demands concentration, perfection and full attention. You need to have the right equipment, proper swing lessons, create that character of humility and patience and above all give due respect of the sport.
Golf shorts : from my friend Jun Galindo
My boss, who’s on vacation, called up. He said, “Is everything OK at the office?” I said, “Everything is under control. It’s been a very busy day; haven’t stopped to take a break yet.” “Can you do me a favor,” he asked. I said, “Yes Sir, of course, what is it?” He blurted out “Pick up the pace a little. I’m in the foursome behind you.”
