I'm so blessed to know this game. I was first introduced to this game when I was real young, not playing, but watching, My neighbor was an avid golfer and use to rush home after work and no sooner saying hello to his wife and kids he would be out in the front yard practicing his chipping and putting to "decompress".
I would sit on his wall and watch him practice, sometimes he would ask me to do a few putts into a tuna can he placed in his lawn. A few months later, he gave me an old wedge of his to fool around with. However, getting lessons, clubs, and playing was way out of reach for me and my family.
After High School, I joined the Air Force, Vietnam was still popping and I didn't want to get drafted. At around 19 or 20 one of my friends who use to shag balls at a driving range took me to hit balls on the range and I was hooked. My first set was not a "Named" brand set, but it cost me over a whole months pay, about $450.00.
Well, long story short, I still love this game today, except for taking a break raising kids, and putting them to college I'm back and still can't wait for the next T time. This game has introduced me to Generals, CEOs, Professionals, Movie stars, Disabled golfers, and plain old Joes and Josephines. It has also got me through a Pandemic by allowing me to exercise my mind chipping and putting in my backyard, hitting balls on the range, and now playing rounds.
Most importantly, it has introduced me to a Company called Titleist who not only sells terrific balls, golf clubs, and other equipment, they surprise me occasionally with golf balls to test, hats, stickers, and bags tags. No other company I believe are doing stuff like this. Thank you Titleist, I'm so blessed!