How Will You Make Your Mark?

In golf you mark your golf balls before you play. This is so you can identify your ball during the course of play. Some mark their balls with a simple x in their favorite color. I’ve seen others mark with a design and even some golf pros put “instructions” like “breathe” or “focus.”

My journey into golf started with a different type of x. An ex-boss, ex-husband, and ex-boyfriend. In the early 90’s I was a professional intern with the Indiana Pacers. One of my first jobs was to work a charity golf tournament supporting the Indiana Pacers Foundation. My ex-boss, Kathy, is a golfer and she put this tournament together. My role at the tournament was the beverage cart girl. There is no one more popular on the course than the beverage cart girl! That day on the course I was not bit by the playing bug but the business of golf bug. I was astonished to see vendors, coaches and players talking business on the course. I would imagine some of these vendors would have to take months to score an ½ hour meeting with these people and here they were with 4 uninterrupted hours! Since my (ex) husband and I were in the process of post military planning, I suggested he take up golf to network.

When we moved S.C., I enrolled him in an Adult Extension Golf class at the local community college. I didn’t know about clinics at Golf Courses but I do imagine the route we chose was the cheapest! He loved the classes and the game. We bought him used clubs and off he went. At this time I wasn’t interested in playing but I still enjoyed driving the cart and going out to professional tournaments. He did try to get me to come out and play but I felt it was his time to hang with the guys.

Fast forward a decade or so. Tiger Woods is on the scene and golf is exciting and mainstream. I’m divorced and have more time to volunteer for charitable organizations. Alonzo Mourning Charities had recently started hosting tournaments and I enjoyed watching everyone have fun. I was even shocked to see some of my DC guy friends playing golf. I had no idea. So now I’m more interested in playing.

So I take a couple of private lessons with Rodney Green, PGA Teaching Professional, and I’m doing ok. Sure, the swing is different than my usual tennis or softball swing but I believe I kept the cussing to a minimum. I was using rental clubs and determined to make it work. But then the hurricanes hit and I got distracted for a long time.

Then I met a guy. He was obsessed with golf and even more passionate about me playing with him. Ok, togetherness and fun, now we’re talking my language. So now I’m really inspired to play! So with that motivation I started seeking out more lessons and clinics. So while the husband and boyfriend are exes, golf has remained a great partner.

I originally marked my journey into golf with an e(x) but now it bears a signature all my own. Which is why I mark my ball with my initials.

Taking the First Step

The forward tees are for middle or high handicap women and seniors, and beginners of all stripes. There's no shame in playing from a forward set of tees if that is appropriate for your game.

I have had so many starts to playing this game. Once going to the driving range some 10 years ago. Then taking a couple of private lessons 5 years ago, a golf clinic the fall of 2009 and then taking a 5-week clinic last May.

Two huge things happened before taking that clinic last May. First, my fairy golf father gifted me some clubs and then I was introduced through my job to EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association). The 5-week clinic was the kick I needed and the friendships with the women in the clinic fueled the passion. We made a pact after the clinic to try and play every Sunday. This provided the comfort level needed to go out and just have fun. We play 9 holes because we need time to socialize at the 19th hole!

I constantly hear from women that they want to learn to play but then they don't. I hope by sharing my stories, you'll be inspired to grab some friends, some cute outfits, learn to play and join in the fun.