In the beginning....

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By Nate H

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  • 24 Replies
  1. SJW PM

    SJW PM
    Pennsylvania

    My dad introduced me to the game when I was about 10 or 11. We would go play when we went camping as a family. Wish I had played more with him when I was younger but was more focused on playing ice hockey. As I grew up we played a few times a year and even did some trips to Myrtle Beach - so many great memories. Now that I am older I truly see the value of the game and the longevity in which a person can play it. I still get out with my dad several times a year and even do an annual trip. Truly one of the greatest games!
  2. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    That’s an awesome story, thanks for sharing!!!!
  3. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    I had 1 uncle that played golf. On Sundays when he visited, we would watch the Shell World Wide Golf show. Picked up a used 5 iron and beat balata balls to death on the school football field across the street. Never challenged the 120 yard length. Only course within 15 miles was a private club - non-starter. Maybe played 5 event outings from college to 40's. A good friend got me into some golf (1st LH clubs to use) in my late 40's. At 59, slow pitch softball with 20-somethings was not long-term, moved to golf as a way to exercise - walking alone is too boring. Barely more adept at hitting a drive in the fairway 200 yards but play with the same tenacity as chasing an outfield fly beyond my range. If I could get a do-over, wish I had played with my uncle before he passed and sorry I didn't play golf in my 30's to get my sons involved with me.
  4. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    Neat story!!! Hey you never know, maybe pass along the game to future grand kids!!!
  5. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    Back in 1973 (age 10) my parents put me & my older brother in Junior Golf. My dad played golf and never broke 100 in his entire golfing life.

    But they supported us in all the sports they put us in even though they never played any sports growing up.
    At Junior golf my mother would be with one & my dad with the other.

    So from there I played 4 years of varsity in high school & I admit it was fun playing along with my older brother 2 of those years. It was in high school I got introduced to Titleist Golf balls.

    Before each meet our coach gave us a sleeve of DT 90 (1978-1981) I was playing Wilson clubs at the time.
    My senior year I had a set of Titleist irons, and MacGregor Golden Bear Woods.

    My parents would attend meets & tournaments even the out of town ones.

    Until our dad suffered a stroke in 2012 he had continued to play golf & my brother & I would still ask him from time to time to play in scrambles with us.

    My dad has had a total of 8 birdies in his many rounds of golf. He missed a hole in one by 2 inches once. closer than I've ever been.

    Golf like all the other sports I've played was because my parents put me in them & fully supported me 100%

    At 57 I still enjoy the game just as much as I did when I got introduced to it back in my younger days.

    Darryl M.
  6. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    Awesome story!!!
  7. JT TITLEISTUSER

    JT TITLEISTUSER
    Wirral

    Nate,
    More youthful sports (footie, rugby & cricket) gave me up in my mid 30's - about the time my knees gave out - so I was left with a competitive spirit and nowhere to exercise it. A friend lent me some antique golf clubs and that was the start of an on-going compulsion. Some friends played with the golf society at work so I joined them playing local courses (often badly!). Some of the older members would invite the "youngsters" to their clubs so we got guest rates and we also played municipal courses. Years later, many of us "youngsters" have joined clubs. Though I've now retired, I still play with the society and go on golf holidays with a core of half a dozen friends I've played with more than 35 years and known for longer.
    JT
  8. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    JT TITLEISTUSER said:

    Nate,
    More youthful sports (footie, rugby & cricket) gave me up in my mid 30's - about the time my knees gave out - so I was left with a competitive spirit and nowhere to exercise it. A friend lent me some antique golf clubs and that was the start of an on-going compulsion. Some friends played with the golf society at work so I joined them playing local courses (often badly!). Some of the older members would invite the "youngsters" to their clubs so we got guest rates and we also played municipal courses. Years later, many of us "youngsters" have joined clubs. Though I've now retired, I still play with the society and go on golf holidays with a core of half a dozen friends I've played with more than 35 years and known for longer.
    JT

    That’s awesome!!!
  9. KCGolfGuy

    KCGolfGuy
    Greenwood, MO

    My Dad played and would take my brother and I along, we grew up on a public course and played as much as possible. Been hooked ever since
  10. TPropst

    TPropst

    Military
    I played a little in high school because of the Tiger Craze. Wasn’t until June 2020 when my mental health took a bad turn and I was struggling that I played 18 with my brother and found an out. Since then 50 rounds played mental health improved and I can wait for many more years of this wonderful sport
  11. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Caddied at a club near our home at age 13 in 1966. Played on Monday's which they called Caddy Day. Back then there was no such thing as the junior golf programs that they have today, at least not in our area. A retired club pro that lived down the street from us, put together a starter set for me from some old clubs that he had in his garage. From that scruffy kid with the caddy yard swing, here I am today.
  12. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    Frank P said:

    Caddied at a club near our home at age 13 in 1966. Played on Monday's which they called Caddy Day. Back then there was no such thing as the junior golf programs that they have today, at least not in our area. A retired club pro that lived down the street from us, put together a starter set for me from some old clubs that he had in his garage. From that scruffy kid with the caddy yard swing, here I am today.

    Those type of upbringings breed the best players
  13. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Moved to South Carolina from Memphis, TN in 1984 to open women's clothing stores as a newly hired District Manager. Had a choice of moving to Columbia or Charleston. Left that up to my wife and we moved across the river from Charleston in Mt Pleasant and found Patriot's Point Golf course with very reasonable rates to join, bought a set of clubs at Edwin Watts and started playing golf with guys I played softball with. Was not very good but had lots of fun. My life had been consumed around my wife, my work and competitive softball. Eventually stopped playing softball due to accumulated injuries over 26 years of league play and traveling. Retired in 2011 from state of SC to devote my efforts into golf. Still having lots of fun. As my game progressed since starting this great game, played in half a dozen tournaments in the area a year, did well in upper flights, but as age came on just could not keep up with the young guns any longer. Still hit the ball pretty good off the tee for a senior and began playing in senior events. Hope to continue to play in a few senior events as my game lth returns to 100% and the tournaments are reopened because of the pandemic. I love competitive play. Very rarely play in captains choice tournaments. Irons still need help, putter above average. Still volunteer for local golf events. Worked with PGA/LPGA events in area for over 25 years. Love participating in the TT events and giving back to the game when I can. With respect to all who love this game as much as I do. Fairways and greens......golf should be fun.......
  14. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    Chuck Z said:

    Moved to South Carolina from Memphis, TN in 1984 to open women's clothing stores as a newly hired District Manager. Had a choice of moving to Columbia or Charleston. Left that up to my wife and we moved across the river from Charleston in Mt Pleasant and found Patriot's Point Golf course with very reasonable rates to join, bought a set of clubs at Edwin Watts and started playing golf with guys I played softball with. Was not very good but had lots of fun. My life had been consumed around my wife, my work and competitive softball. Eventually stopped playing softball due to accumulated injuries over 26 years of league play and traveling. Retired in 2011 from state of SC to devote my efforts into golf. Still having lots of fun. As my game progressed since starting this great game, played in half a dozen tournaments in the area a year, did well in upper flights, but as age came on just could not keep up with the young guns any longer. Still hit the ball pretty good off the tee for a senior and began playing in senior events. Hope to continue to play in a few senior events as my game lth returns to 100% and the tournaments are reopened because of the pandemic. I love competitive play. Very rarely play in captains choice tournaments. Irons still need help, putter above average. Still volunteer for local golf events. Worked with PGA/LPGA events in area for over 25 years. Love participating in the TT events and giving back to the game when I can. With respect to all who love this game as much as I do. Fairways and greens......golf should be fun.......

    That’s so cool, I bet you saw a lot when working with PGA!!!
  15. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    As a volunteer you got to see a lot. Worked leaderboards, marshal, on course security, scoring, hole captain, have chaired numerous committees. Loved it but now am 75 and after all these years have decided to retire from working the PGA events except for a couple of Pro/Am events, which are just for "fun" and I verify hole in ones. Only PGA event this year is to attend the PGA Championships at Kiawah, on Friday. When it no longer is "fun", you know it is time to step aside. I started volunteering in 1991 and it has been a good adventure helping out. As for playing golf I enjoy playing with my follow seniors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at our local municipal course. Which has been redesigned with all the characteristics of Seth Raynor greens and bunkers. What a change for us to adapt to after all these years. The course was built in 1929 right after the Country Club of Charleston and Yeahmans Hall which were designed by Mr Raynor. The designer took the characteristics from both of those clubs when he redid our course in 2020 and made it a very tough track. Not really for all levels of golfers. A beginner could have really hard time on the greens as well as a middle handicapper and the bunkers are maddening. You have to bring your A game every day to play well on our newly redesigned course. It has been tough having been away for over a year, because of the back surgery, but it is slowly coming back. Waiting on the fairways to return. It will be a beaut when it gets all grown in.
  16. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    My bro and I used to love to fish everywhere we could go. One day, he showed up in my driveway with a bag full of clubs. They were our step dad's Titleist set. I told him I haven't tried fishing with those, but I'm in!
    He took me to the range and we got a jumbo bucket each- 250 balls or so per basket. I got one in contact halfway down the bucket and flew nicely and landed about 170 yards or so with a blade 3 iron which felt like nothing I've ever experienced.
    I asked my bro if he saw that shot. He said, "nope"!
    ...and the search was on.
  17. Diego D

    Diego D
    Miami, FL

    Although I mostly played tennis during my childhood, I dare say, I belong to a family of golfers. From my father's side of the family, my grandfather, father, most uncles, some aunts and some cousins play golf; it is a family thing. One of my uncles had a brain aneurysm on a golf course and sadly he passed away, however, I like to think he died happily doing what we love.

    I had been playing golf every weekend after my tennis matches, training, etc. since the age of 4 or 5 and then I stopped when I turned 16. In 2017, I took the game again and I will never look back, however, I still place tennis every now and then.

    My wife calls my golf bag the 'mistress' and I guess it's true, we kind of have a love affair.
  18. Allen L

    Allen L
    Clarington, OH

    Began in 1955 chipping balls back and forth with my grand-dad. Age was 8. Club was a hickory shaft 9 iron that he fitted for me with a saw and a grip of leather I think he glued on. He started taking me to his club and I'd walk along for a few holes. We played a lot of golf, at about age 85 he had to give up the game. That's how it all began for me.
  19. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    All the fine gentlemen above have told us about their introduction to the game, how about you sharing your story.
  20. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    I'm a 'near' old-guy now, but I got my start as a result of several uncles playing weekend golf. Three were decent players who could break 80 any given day, and one who regularly shot 115. Guess which one took the time to get me started? And, he showed me some swing basics, gave me a Rules Book to learn, and told me he did not take preferred lies, drop in the fairway after hitting OB, etc. Real golf for him. Yes, he was the 115 shooter, but he instilled an appreciation for the traditions and rules of the game. I learned how to hit the ball so I could find it and hit it again, well before I was ready to try balata golf balls (I told you I was a 'near' old-guy). One of my other uncles gave me my first set of clubs when his wife upgraded his equipment (he had some hickory shafted fairways!) which definitely shaped my swing. Do I wish I had learned to hit it long, then hit it straight? Sometimes, but I am more appreciative that Uncle Bob gave me some of his time! Thanks, Uncle Bob!
  21. Chris B

    Chris B
    San Diego

    My Dad was an incredible golfer, had a 1 or 2 handicap, won some local amateur tournaments, caddied on Tour in the 60s, but never made it himself. Became a teaching pro here in San Diego and ran the junior clinic, so I got started pretty early. Played in junior tournaments for a few years (saw a pic of Tiger at a jr tournament here in SD back in the 80s at a course I definitely played at, always wondered if we played in the same tournament just a different age bracket). My Dad never taught me the mental side of the game though, mostly because he never mastered it himself which is what kept him off tour, so I never did great in the tournaments. He gave up golf when I was in 8th or 9th grade because he wasnt having fun anymore, had too bad a temper, so I kind of lost my resource and didnt play for a couple years. I got hurt out at the desert my junior year of high school and had to relearn how to play one handed. Since then Ive played pretty sporadically with friends and coworkers through my 20s and 30s due to kids and other obligations. Hopefully now I can play as much as Ive intended to for the last few years lol. Signed up for my first lesson since I was 12 or so and hope to finally break 80 this year (Lowest round was an 84).
  22. Nate H

    Nate H
    Pennsylvania

    You can do it !!!
  23. Padraig G

    Padraig G
    Ireland

    My start in Golf was erratic - more of a Summer-time activity with family on a Par 3 or local Pitch and Putt courses
    I took it up again as part of a Golf Society when working
    My objective now is to create a beginning - After having a son in the last 3 months, I would like to be able to share some sport with him. He will probably play Hurling and Football but I think Golf would be a great addition

    I always thought that Golf would be beyond the interest and attention-span of small kids but I have seen some really nice stories, on these forums, about kids developing an interest and spending some quality time with Mums and Dads
    At the moment, his interest is drawn to the Golf on the TV, during feeds etc, so I am hoping that is a good sign :-)

    That is my hope for a new beginning
  24. AllStarBlue23

    AllStarBlue23
    Wyoming

    My dad was a good high school golfer (scored well because he could hit it a ton, big guy) but never really had much of a polished swing (self proclaimed hacker), but he's always been really good around the greens (he grew up playing sand green golf). He worked with the middle school golf team and always focused his attention on the short game. When I started golf in Junior high, he started getting back into golf after a 10 year break. After my first season of JH golf we played 9 together at our local course (about 20 miles away) when visiting my grandparents and we decided to become members at the course. I spent hours and hours at the course through my early 20's, then I stepped away from the game for a few years. Recently picked up the game in the last couple years and loving it. My dad is now retired and has become a member at one of his local course. Some of my best memories are golfing with my dad.

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