Jay Turns Fifty
Okay so I'm not fifty but I think I'm starting to act like I am. You see, I recently became a golfer. It all started innocently enough with the LTC (that's our organization at work) Golf Scramble, which I played with rented clubs (huge ding in the driver!), and then things took a turn for the worse this weekend. As I was leaving work, Chris, who organized the scramble and knew I really enjoyed it, asked if I wanted to go to the driving range on Saturday. I jumped at the chance and we each hit a bucket that purported to hold about 100 balls; I used mainly the driver and a 3 wood. I did alright and had a great time, even though my arms felt like they were going to fall off afterwards. We actually went back the next day and practiced short irons off the grass, which I found to be much more enjoyable because the swing is much more relaxed.
After the range on Saturday we chased down a bunch of yard sale signs to see if anybody had any clubs but struck out, and then today John explained that the problem with that approach is that most people will hold onto clubs for awhile before they admit they don't use them, so even good condition clubs will be rather old and behind the times. That, when combined with the fact that I can get a good set on sale (big time of the year for golf club clearance sales) for a couple hundred and use it for quite a few years, adds up to Jay going to Dick's today. I got a 12-piece set of Golden Bears (pictured here, although not for the price I paid) clubs for $180, on sale from $300, and the only thing it didn't include that some of the other more expensive sets didn't were a putter and bag. I was happy about the putter honestly, cuz I got to pick one I really liked for only $40. The bag cost a little more than I really wanted but it was one of those things where I didn't want to save 20 bucks and hate the bag for years. One thing I really like about it is that the shoulder strap has been replaced with a four-point, backpack-style harness. Very nice. After balls, tees, and a glove the grand total was a touch over $300, which I'm okay with, especially since the course I plan to play at most costs something like 5 bucks -- seriously -- for 9 holes.
The funny thing is you would think golf would be a terrible idea for me, since I get so frustrated with things, but in my admittedly limited experience I have performed mediocre at best for the majority of the time, but I always get like one good swing and that's all I need to feel good. Also, the thing about golf is that most people are pretty bad at it, so I have an incredibly limited expectation of success, and I get that thing where it's either exactly what I expected or a pleasant surprise. And I think the biggest thing is that since golf is an old man sport, the whole play dynamic allows for plenty of relaxing and socializing, where the golf part is really just something to do while BS'ing with your friends. I can't wait to get out there and try the new clubs.
After the range on Saturday we chased down a bunch of yard sale signs to see if anybody had any clubs but struck out, and then today John explained that the problem with that approach is that most people will hold onto clubs for awhile before they admit they don't use them, so even good condition clubs will be rather old and behind the times. That, when combined with the fact that I can get a good set on sale (big time of the year for golf club clearance sales) for a couple hundred and use it for quite a few years, adds up to Jay going to Dick's today. I got a 12-piece set of Golden Bears (pictured here, although not for the price I paid) clubs for $180, on sale from $300, and the only thing it didn't include that some of the other more expensive sets didn't were a putter and bag. I was happy about the putter honestly, cuz I got to pick one I really liked for only $40. The bag cost a little more than I really wanted but it was one of those things where I didn't want to save 20 bucks and hate the bag for years. One thing I really like about it is that the shoulder strap has been replaced with a four-point, backpack-style harness. Very nice. After balls, tees, and a glove the grand total was a touch over $300, which I'm okay with, especially since the course I plan to play at most costs something like 5 bucks -- seriously -- for 9 holes.
The funny thing is you would think golf would be a terrible idea for me, since I get so frustrated with things, but in my admittedly limited experience I have performed mediocre at best for the majority of the time, but I always get like one good swing and that's all I need to feel good. Also, the thing about golf is that most people are pretty bad at it, so I have an incredibly limited expectation of success, and I get that thing where it's either exactly what I expected or a pleasant surprise. And I think the biggest thing is that since golf is an old man sport, the whole play dynamic allows for plenty of relaxing and socializing, where the golf part is really just something to do while BS'ing with your friends. I can't wait to get out there and try the new clubs.
posted by SomeJerk at 8:58 PM
1 Comments:
Jay...You're already fifty. What other twenty-something year old has arthritis, acid reflux, and bad knees?
Post a Comment
<< Home