Ready Fore Golf

So glad I finally got off my duff last summer and signed up for golf lessons for women (smile).

Here’s what happened:  I was leafing through the Hamden/North Haven Adult Ed catalog when I happened upon a course listing in the Enrichment Class section called Golf Fore Women 101.   It felt serendipitous as I have been talking about taking golf lessons for what felt like ages so I promptly called to register for the Saturday morning 5-week session.

Then I called my girlfriend and broadcast industry colleague Ginger, who, like me, owned her own set of golf clubs but still did not know how to play.  Ginger was grateful that I thought of her and I felt lucky to know her (smile).

 

Me and Ginger on Day 1 of our lessons and the women we met in Golf 101

 

The reason why I felt so lucky was because I actually bought my own starter set of golf clubs 11 years ago but for some reason or another, nothing ever seemed to come together for me in terms of taking golf lessons or being consistent about actually wanting to play.  Here’s the rundown:

 

2007

I purchased my own set of “lady” golf clubs for $105 dollars (down to the shoes, hat, gloves, pink golf balls, etc.) and although I initially had good intentions, this set sat in my garage year after year collecting dust…

 

My starter set of lady golf clubs

 

2011/2012/2013/2014

Since by now I still had not learned how to play, I spent multiple years volunteering as a “Beverage Cart Driver” at our News 8 annual golf tournament where we invited our clients out for a day of golf.

 

2015

I finally took two private lessons (a gift from my bf) at Lyman Golf Center in Middlefield, CT with John Wilson, who came highly recommended from a former News 8 co-worker and female golfer.

 

Lyman Golf Center – this is  3 years ago…

 

After my two lessons with John,  I wrote a blog post about my experience in The View from Lajeune:  Check out my blog post:  Taking fun seriously…my very first golf lesson

 

2016/2017

At the annual Travelers Tournament in Cromwell, CT (one of my fav live golfing events and spectator sports)

 

At the annual Traveler Tournament in Cromwell, CT. Always a good time. Turns out my cousin Bear from Rhode Island was working there that week

2018

By now I was so desperate I even fake caddied for my boyfriend last Summer while he enjoyed ‘the game’ (smile).

 

And it was right after this fake caddy moment when I happened upon the Enrichment course listing in the Hamden/North Haven Adult Ed catalog…

 

Golf Fore Women 101

The Saturday morning Fall classes I registered for ran from September 15 – October 13 (10am -11am) and consisted of about ten women.  Our first session was mostly in the classroom where we talked about ourselves and what brought us there and then learned about Golf from a theoretical perspective.

My Saturday morning classmates – I’m gonna miss these ladies

 

Let me tell you, there is a lot to learn here.  Golf  is truly a game of and for life… Throughout our introductory 5-week course Marissa Kulig Crow, our LPGA Coach and Club Professional, very patiently taught us the following:

 

  • Essentials – equipment selection and appropriate golf attire
  • Golf Clubs
  • Golf  Course Layout
  • Golf Terms
  • Golf Scores
  • Forms of Golf Games
  • Golf Shots
  • Networking
  • Stretching and Yoga
  • Golf Etiquette 101

 

Lesson 1 –  The Driving Range

 

Here we are lined up and on our way to the driving range

Lesson 2 – The Full Swing

 

The full swing – one of my favorite golf swings

Lesson 3 – Chipping/Pitching/Sand

 

Chipping Pitching Sand Wedge was probably one of the most difficult lessons we took – here is me and Mary Ann – one of my favs

 

Lesson 4 –  On the Putting Green

 

Today’s practice will be on the putting green – the short game – where a lot of golfers struggle

Lesson 5 – The Apple 9 Golf course 

It felt so funny because today’s lesson #5  (final lesson of Golf Fore Women 101) was actually golfing on the Apple 9 Golf course.  We played 3 holes during our last lesson.  It was so fun!  I am looking forward to next Summer and Fall so I can take Golf Fore Women 201 and 301 and work on perfecting my game!

 

Me and my girls – enjoying our last day of Golf Fore Women 101!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL