I’ve started dreaming about it, already spent way too much money on it, and over the past few months, my love for it has grown so much that I can’t hold it in anymore and have to share.
No, I’m not having a baby. And I wouldn’t announce it on my blog if I was. Actually I would. I’m already off topic though, which can’t fare well for this blog entry.
What I’m really talking about is my love of a game called golf. Back in fourth grade, my left-handed dad tried teaching me the basics of the game at the driving range at Town East and Belt Line. Given my hand-eye coordination had never truly been tested up until this point (I never played a sport in my life) and I’m right-handed, the lesson ended with me declaring golf to be the “stupidest game ever.” (I tend to speak in absolutes to this day)
In my early college years, wanting to woo the man of my dreams into a lifetime of blissful and uncomplicated marriage, I decided I should watch golf on TV and, on occasion, maybe even tap a ball or two in the general vicinity of a hole in the ground. I ended up having the hots for Phil Mickelson, the most adorable leftie on the PGA Tour, but still never got into the “swing” of things. Love me some puns.
Then about three years ago, I decided to get serious. We purchased some golf clubs for me and went to the Hank Haney golf range in North Austin (now a lovely shopping center with a Home Depot, a now-closed Circuit City and a Golf Galaxy) to get some one-on-one lessons with the best golfer I know, my husband… hehe.
Unfortunately, my hand-eye coordination was much the same as it was in fourth grade, and the majority of my swings made little to no contact with the ball in front of me. Aggravating sport!
But it all changed with the discovery of a little shindig called the Butler Park Pitch and Putt, conveniently located across the street from Peter Pan Putt-Putt and about 10 minutes from the house. It’s essentially a nine-hole, par-three course where BYOB is encouraged and may help your score. Once I was able to take what I learned on the range and apply it to a “real-life” setting, the lessons I was receiving suddenly made more sense. You can’t “play” on a range forever, right?
And now, my new favorite course to play is Lions Municipal Golf Course that is at Enfield and Exposition. A relatively flat course, it’s easy to walk and play and get a great understanding of the game. And shockingly, in the two times I’ve gone there, my score has dropped another seven shots! WHOA! The best part of the course? In the evenings, it’s less than $8 to walk and play nine holes. It’s like brining golf to the masses. Genius.
One side note, the University of Texas owns the land this golf course is on, and is currently trying to boot the golf course in favor of “development” – i.e. condos, apartments and retail. Because apparently this city needs more of that, right? A bunch of condos-turned-apartments and empty retail shells. Booo. Lion’s is the only centrally located municipal (or private) golf course that is reasonably priced enough for anyone and everyone to play. Plus, its unique history should solidify its place in Austin. For more information or to sign the petition, visit: http://www.savemuny.com/.
So move aside running, I’ve officially found a new hobby that I’m not too bad at (anymore).
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