The Lure of Golf

From Tiger Woods to Jack Nicklaus, the names associated with awesome golf performance inspires anyone with a club to enhance their performance. For some, the biggest challenge is finding enough time to play. Then, offices become practice greens, vacant lots become impromptu driving ranges and no chance to swing an imaginary nine iron is passed up.

Modern day golf probably derived from a 15th Century game played in Scotland. Some historians believe that the people of the day were so intent on the sport that military training had come to a virtual standstill. The result was a royal decree prohibiting anyone from playing, but people apparently ignored the ban. The ban was lifted somewhere around the turn of the century, and royalty picked up their clubs.

Golf equipment is an important consideration and most avid golfers are anxious to have the best clubs available. But are top-of-the-line clubs necessary? Who can forget the performance of Roy McElvoy (Kevin Costner’s character in the 1996 production Tin Cup)? After losing his golf clubs in a bet, Roy competed in a round of golf using a pool cue, rake and baseball bat. While most golfers would never hit the range with such an assortment filling their golf bag, the equipment largely comes down to preferences.

Where to play, for most people, is often a question of convenience. The desire to have a nearby range prompted the first of hundreds of golfing communities around the country. Entire neighborhoods are built around golf courses, enabling the residents to step out for a round of golf (or two) even in a limited amount of time. The privilege comes with a price tag - sometimes a significant price tag - but for the avid golfer, it’s a reasonable trade off.

Likewise, vacation destinations and weekend getaways are often chosen for their golf courses. Golfing can be a family enterprise and the days of leaving the women and children to wait at the clubhouse are long gone. More than ever, schools are offering programs and families are using the sport as important bonding time.

Golf. The word is sometimes a bone of contention between the golfer and those less interested in the sport. The golfer’s attitude could approach the professionalism and dedication of the best-known pros, the quirky personality of Roy McElvoy, or something in between. But the result is that the opportunity to golf will seldom - if ever - be passed up. Even if the opportunity is an artificial green in the office, a vacant field or just enough room to swing an imaginary club, it will do until the next chance to hit a favorite course.

Writer's Resource Box:
Duffey Heraux is an avid golfer and owner of Foto Golf, Inc., a leading Internet resource for "a good walk spoiled." For more great golf tips and tricks, check out: http://www.fotogolf.com

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