Golf, what an easy game to learn. Or so I thought. How hard can it be to swing a club and hit a little ball? These are just a couple of the many questions I asked myself when I decided to take up golf. Thankfully my Dad, Mike, has been playing for over 35 years and plays off 12 now but has been down to 9 before. With his advice and help it should be a doddle. We went to Hurleston Hall driving range so I could get some pointers and advice off my Dad on grip and swinging the clubs. Suddenly the going got tough.

Me getting ready to swing a club at Hurlston Hall driving range

There is so much to remember. After 80 balls I could get the ball about 200 yards and relatively straight with a driving iron. As long as I find a relatively straight hole to play, I should do OK. Another 80 balls and I felt good. My dad warned me that I might feel a bit stiff in the morning, and I thought nothing of it. Next day I was in agony: my arms hurt, my back ached and my legs were like lead. Golf uses muscles I didn't even know I had and they all throbbed. Two days later the aches wore off, but the practice carried on.
I have purchased a couple of training aids and now practice every spare moment I have. At least my wife knows where to find me now - in the garden with my 'ball on a string'. Slowly I am gaining in confidence with my driving skills, limited though they are and soon I will be going back to the driving range to practice chipping and floor shots. Hopefully I won't be as stiff and sore after this session. I have yet to buy any equipment other than for training at home. Next time I will be pondering the shoes to wear, soft or hard? I have no idea.

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