It’s (Golf) Mailbag Time!
Alright, let’s get right to it. It’s an all golf mailbag…my soundtrack while writing this morning is the album “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately” by Perfume Genius. A first listen through for me…
QUESTION: How long have you been playing golf? - Terri
ANSWER: I believe I started playing golf when I was around 8? My mom bought lessons for me and my dad when we lived in California. My dad had never really played before, only dabbling when someone would drag him onto the course (corporate golf and such…).
I don’t think I actually stepped onto a golf course until I moved back to Massachusetts as a fifth grader. The lessons we took in California were at an indoor facility. I’d have my lesson and then my dad would have his and I’d goof around on the indoor putting green (I should have taken that free time on the green more seriously…). We’d go to a driving range to practice, too. I’d imagine we didn’t play golf until I was older because a) I wasn’t quite ready b) we weren’t members anywhere to just go and play 3 holes c) my dad probably didn’t have enough time.
Anyone out there with kids: get your kid a set of clubs. Start with putting and chipping (the payoff of putting the ball in the hole is gratifying enough, as long as your kid doesn’t know the joy of hitting driver…). Learn the game backwards, green to tee.
QUESTION: How many courses in Massachusetts have you played? How many more to go? - Alex
ANSWER: Ok, so I started this whole idea to play every golf hole in Massachusetts last month. I wanted to start from scratch so I could document it. I have 10 courses under my belt; when I Google “How many golf courses in Massachusetts” the answer is… 376. So Alex, I have 366 to go, which means I have miles to go before I sleep…
Considering my late start this summer, I am aiming to possibly get to 25-35 courses before the season ends. The plan is to take advantage of the Cape’s “bettter” weather in the late and early parts of the golf season. Who knows, with the weather we’re having right now there might never be a winter again.
I am looking forward to sitting down and doing some planning this winter, right now I am trying to check off some of the spots that are closer to home. Travel will hopefully be easier next year.
QUESTION: I have a friend that doesn’t ever seem to want to go on a golf trip with me and my buddies. What can I do to convince him to join us? - Hal
(note: the question has been altered and the name changed for the safety and friendship of those involved).
ANSWER: Every golf trip needs a go-getter. Now-a-days it’s easy to share an awesome IG picture of Ireland, Scotland, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, or any other golf paradise and say, “Let’s go.”
It’s all well and good. Golf trips are amazing. Family and kids and other plans often hinder a big trip, leaving some people to have to pass.
Also, the fear of planning far out into the future makes some people anxious. Plus, golf trips can cost a pretty penny if you want to go during peak season, and the risk of going off-peak means rain-suits and wind-burn.
Here’s where the go-getter becomes invaluable. You need that friend that doesn’t give a crap about anyone else. He’s going to Bandon Dunes, even if he has to go alone. He’ll be the single waiting at the first tee for a game. He’ll play with three 30-handicaps. This friend is the one that will plan something, put dates in the books, and then tell everyone they should join him. There’s only so many Doodle calendars and snarky email chains people can participate in before it gets old.
In the words of Nike: Just Do It.
In the words of Field of Dreams (kind of): If you book it, they will come (and if they don’t, they’ll get FOMO and join you next time).
With that being said, “Hal”, call me. Let’s get a trip in the books for summer 2021. Probably gonna have to be domestic though, Americans will be banned from most countries by then…
Thanks for the questions. Please, respond to this email with new questions and I’ll fire back some answers in a couple weeks.
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