Yesterday I had my first lesson as part of Womens Introduction to Golf Package run by the Woodlands Golf Course.
My friend Caroline and I used to be members of the Womens Golf Network, a social golf club ten years ago that organised lessons and golf games as well as trips away. With life getting in the way and as the network changed, over time, I started to drop out of it.
Golf is a great game to be out there walking and taking fresh air but it does take a massive chunk out of your day. It’s why I loved the short 9-hole games then a cheeky drink in the club house. Truth be told, I liked the social element more – and driving buggies! ?
If I had a good shot, or played a good game, I was happy. It was never about my handicap nor joining a club to have the pressure of weekly competitions.
However it’s always something I had at the back of my mind. I had my clubs in the garage with the view that I’d get back to the game at some time in my life.
When Caroline found out about this 2 month program, she signed us up and yesterday was our first lesson on putting. It was great to be out there and also to do this with my friend again picking up where we left from ten years ago. It was like we had never left.
Our pro, Cat taught us how to stand over the putt, line it and take the shot. It’s quite meditative when you focus all your thoughts on that. For an hour, I didn’t think of anything else. Not of family issues, not of work issues, not of the niggling medical issues nothing.
It was just me and the ball.
I can’t tell you how restorative this is when you’re thinking of nothing else. It’s peace.
Afterwards, when everyone had said their goodbyes, we went into the club house for a cold drink and then caught up with what has been happening in our lives, looking out over the glorious green landscape and a stunning blue sky.
We spoke about how lockdowns have affected our lives and the different ways, it has changed us and our relationships about life, family and work. It was a wonderful positive conversation with an expectation of looking forward to something positive that we are doing for our own health and well being.
Years go by quickly and yet, there are times when you have friends who you can pick up where you left to enjoy a new activity and have a laugh.
Yesterday, another friend Fiona or you may know her as White Owl on Twitter, over a cup of coffee in Oakleigh said something pertinent to me.
She said, “work needs to lighten up.” Meaning people are so traumatised, anxious, uncertain and the workplace needs now to understand that they need a different approach to helping people open up. People need a more opportunities to lighten up. To do things that help them feel good with others.
In some way that’s why I think I’ve always taken this approach. Ive never seen my work as the “be all and end all” of my existence. To me it’s been about enjoying relationships with friends, learning new things (whatever it is), to learn about yourself and to feel connected in some community (whatever it is).
The language learning, the golf, the running, my knitting circles – everything in some way, is now going to be part of my life in my next phase as I move towards retirement. These will be beneficial for my mental well being and health as I then care for ageing parents and their needs.
So I welcome golf back into my life and all it brings.
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