Which way to the first tee and what's the course record?

My Dad taught me to play golf when I was in my mid 30's.  He used to come up for a visit and when I got home from work he would have the clubs loaded up in the car and be ready to head out for a quick 9 holes.  We'd go out to the course and I would tee off on each hole then pick up my ball and hit with him from his ball.   Once on the green we would each putt our own balls.  He didn't try and fill my head with too much instruction.   Important things however were stressed... clean your clubs and shoes after every round, follow proper etiquette, don't hold people up on the course.   In the evenings at home, we had putting contests on the living room rug and maybe a few words about the proper way to grip a club. 

 
Some things he didn't teach me include:  carrying a photo of my cats on my bag, decorating my golf balls with big swirly flowers, and keeping a golf journal.   I figured those out all on my own. 

 
This is my dad around 1965 in Athens Greece.  As soon as he approached a new course he would say - "hmmm wonder which way to the first tee and what the course record is".   Dad taught my brother and nephew to play as well.  They are consistently good players.   But for the moment, my dad and I are the only ones in the family with 2 holes-in-one apiece.  Given the choice, I would prefer to have a 6 or 7 handicap (like they do) instead of a 33 (like I do) and let them have the 2 holes in one, but I had no say so in the matter.  So I take what I can get and celebrate BIG when the good moments come.

 

My dad taught me that too. 

Comments

[Leslie J. Moran]

I LOVE this post. Thanks for sharing this exquisite time with your Dad. Hole-in-one indeed!

[Nancy Lynn]

Wow........two hole in ones.........that's impressive to say the least. You go girl.

[Joan]

How nice that you can play in the midst of summer. You would have to be on the first tee at 5 am, still dark, to play in the heat we have all summer long...100+mostly plus. Your clubs would melt, you'd have heat stroke by noon if you were out there any later than 8 am.

Glad you have such fond memories of your golf days spent with dad.

[Brother]

Well said, Sister. Very well said. It is my hope that his great grandsons will carry on the tradition when the time comes (and his great granddaughters too if and when they arrive!) I hope they get as much pleasure from it as you, me and Brandon. Keep 'em in the short grass.