I did not grow up playing golf. I don’t know much at all about golf. So naturally, after purchasing clubs and visiting the driving range a grand total of 5 times, my husband and I decided to enter into the Young Life fundraiser golf tournament with our good friends Jenn and Joe Eickman. Surprisingly, we didn’t even get last place in the tournament (we were 3rd from last). Thankfully Joe is a GREAT golfer, having played since he was 4 years old. He is the sole reason that we actually finished 3 strokes UNDER par (69/72). I will admit that we did count a grand total of THREE of my hits all day (it was scramble style – hit from the best hit ball from your team). So after my big experience, here are my new thoughts on golf:
1. Being out on a golf course is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The grass gets no greener, the air gets no cleaner, and the the sun shines no brighter. I think God may have even mowed those fancy alternating green stripes in His grass up in heaven. Seriously, it’s beautiful.
2. You need to wear sunscreen if you plan to play 18 holes. Otherwise, you will have a really cute farmer tan the next day. Trust me, I know. I hate the smell of sunscreen and thus started out the day without any on. Bad idea. Around hole 9 I decided to give in and borrow some of Joe’s spray-on sunscreen. I’m glad I did because it helped a ton, and I still have quite the unfortunate sunburn from the first half that I played without!
3. Yes, golf carts can be dangerous. I drove our cart (safely) through the first 9 holes, and Damon took over for the second half. As he was driving along at top speed (naturally), Jenn’s glove flew out of their cart as they drove ahead of us. Damon of course felt it was VERY important to slam on the breaks so we could stop and get her glove for her. He’s just chivalric like that. Now when I say slam on the breaks, I mean he laid his foot to the floor to the point that the cart even skiddid to a stop. Personally, I had no idea any of the glove-losing had taken place because I was simply riding along in blissful adoration of the gorgeous day. Until I was almost flung from the front of the cart. When Damon slammed on the brakes, I went lunging forward and nearly flipped out of the front of the cart. Thankfully I had my arm wrapped around the side rail of my seat, so that stopped me from flying out the front and landing on the concrete cart path. I’m pretty sure that is the only thing that saved me from a trip to the hospital that day. Naturally, I chewed Damon out about how he needs to be more careful while driving. A word to the wise: always hold on to the railing.
4. Golf is addicting. Damon & I have already been planning our next trip to the driving range so we can perfect some of our shots (ok, they all need work) and make a second run at a full game. I have been thinking about golf every day since we played and can’t wait to play again. I can definitely see how some people go out and play every single day when they’re retired. SERIOUSLY. ADDICTING.
