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Metal Spikes
My early memories of golf, like most guys, are heading to the course with my dad when I was young. We’d throw our golf bags and golf shoes into the bed of the pickup and drive up the road to our favorite hacker’s haven.
Once there, we’d sit on the open tailgate of the truck (this is starting to sound like a story about hunting) and lace up our golf shoes adorned with metal spikes. And then we’d walk through the parking lot to the pro shop — while making that beautiful, crunching sound that is created when spikes are scraped on pavement.
I miss that sound. When I think about my start in golf, this usually comes to mind.
Wooden Woods
I miss saying the phrase, “You hit that one right on the screws!” and having it mean something.
The sport is without a doubt better off with high-tech, ultra-light drivers that are about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The ball goes further and straighter, and some of these clubs are so loud when you connect with one that it sounds like two metal trash can covers colliding.
I miss the days when I’d step onto the first tee and pull out a 1-wood that was actually made of wood. The ball didn’t go quite as far (well, mine would go further into the woods) but it seemed more natural. It’s like electronic shifting on bikes — where’s the fun?
Those Rusted-Out Pull Carts
Writing about world’s largest golf cart, coupled with National Walk the Course Day, got me thinking about those old pull carts my dad I and would use back in the day. And no, we didn’t walk uphill each way to rent them.
Maybe it was the local muni we were playing at, but those things never seemed to work right. We’d have to try at least three before finding one that wouldn’t fold like cheap deck furniture.
It was just part of the experience. You walk up to the pro shop in your metal spikes, spend five minutes searching for a pull cart that doesn’t have a broken handle, and place your bag full of wooden woods into it.
Normal-Priced Driving Range Balls
Like everything else in America, the price of driving range balls has shot skyward. I used to pay $2.50 for bag of 30 balls before I teed off. Now that same size bag runs me five or six bucks.
If I’m visiting a driving range on an off day to hit some balls for a few hours, I could spend $20. It’s crazy. And what are we paying for, anyway? These balls get picked up by the range attendant, so I’m merely renting them. And usually they’re about 10 years old. Some are cut up from lawnmower blades.
So essentially we’re paying at least double to hit some crappy balls from a torn up tee area.
It’s an outrage.
Loose-Fitting Golf Shirts
Why does everything have to be so tight these days? It’s like we’re all trying to look like Jesper Parnevik. Folks, we’re not Swedish. This is America.
There was nothing wrong with wearing baggy golf shirts, loud golf shirts (like Duffy Waldorf) and golf shirts that generally fit like an oversized t-shirt.
That goes for pants and shorts too. Let’s bring back the more comfortable look. It just feels right.
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