A little more than 3 years ago, I was introduced to the game of golf. It was supposed to be a casual pastime to be played on company outings and possibly to find a new group of friends. I knew many people who played but never thought much about it in spite of my love of the outdoors and sports. I guess I never considered golf a true sport, always questioning the appeal of chasing a little white ball around a big field.

With this in mind, I was still game to give it a try when an opportunity arose. I went out on a little par-3 course with borrowed clubs, and though it was a struggle, I thought I might end up liking it. But I also knew it would never be fun if I didn’t know how to play correctly. I am a teacher, so I have great faith in having someone show me how something is done in order to save myself a lot of time and frustration. I knew for golf to become fun, I needed to take lessons.

The muni course close to my house has a PGA Teaching pro who also coaches the junior college team and has been teaching for years. Tony seemed like a logical choice. So a week later, I went for a lesson. The first golf lesson is funny. I didn’t even hit a ball. We talked about grip and swing plane. I was bored and a little disappointed but trusted that the instructor knew best. I went home and practiced the swing in front of the mirror.

I went back the next week for the second lesson. He looked at my swing still without a ball. After several swings and more discussion, he placed a ball in front of me and told to to go for it. I had a 7-iron in my hand. I wish I could say that I had hit the first one one. It took a few, don’t really remember how many. But then it happened. The most perfect strike I could make at that moment. Clean. crisp. POP. The ball flew. Maybe 100 yards, maybe only 80. I don’t know. All I do know is I was hooked.

It is quite weird to think that my life has not been the same since. All because I could hit a ball and make it go in the air in a perfect arc. Lessons continue, friends–amazing friends ensued, vacations taken, and tournaments played. Golf gives me enormous pleasure, and at times, devastating frustration. It is the beauty of the game.

This addiction has lasted 3 years so far and has only gotten more intense with time. I hope to share here the reasons why I love the game along with my favorite golf spots. Come join me in my adventure.