Getting my life back up to par.
I've been living in a foreign country for well over a decade. When I got here, I had to use public transportation and I couldn't find many of the things to do, things that I was used to, things I grew up with. The first thing I had to do was learn the language and then find a job that would sustain me. That took well over 6 years to do.
When I got settled and got my life together, I was finally able to get a driver's license and obtain a car. You've seen some of my car posts. Prior to that, I had been riding an electric unicycle for years which is a really good way to get around the city. I am sure you saw my posts related to that as well.
Prior to getting my driver's license, I was also able to get "back in the saddle again" related to piloting aircraft which has been a complete joy to have back in my life again. I have made some posts about flying and going to air shows as well.
The Latest Saddle Achievement
Today I was able to get back in the saddle regarding golf! I have been golfing since I was 15 years old, but it wasn't possible to do it here for many reasons The first being lack of a car. Imagine hauling a set of clubs onto a bus or into the subway. No, don't do that. I can already hear people yelling at me for it.
When I first tried to investigate what it would take to get on a golf course, I was told that I had to take lessons. I was able to skirt that requirement. I can be pretty believable when I want to be. I paid pay for a certification at the pro shop right near a public golf course (picture). It's called a matricula here.
The matricula is important because if they let new golf players on the course, other people may be stuck waiting in the heat for those people to beat their way, inch by inch, all the way to the green. Newbies also tear up the course, so I understand why I had to have it. I know how to play golf, I am just really rusty and will need a bit of grace for the first few rounds.
Let's go through the process. I was out riding around on my electric wheel, and I ran into a golf course out in Palermo. I walked inside I went to the pro shop and had a talk with the guy. This is when I worked my magic and only paid a fee for the certificate to play. (matricula)
At that point, I purchased a used set of clubs. It was a set of Ping brand clubs, with three Callaway drivers. I was short one putter. After that, I had to wait about a week for the matricula to come through, so I just went home.
Per week of waiting and no notice by email that my certificate was completed, I took a drive out early morning to the golf course and talk to the same guy pro shop. he said it was all set and he gave me my number. He also registered me to go on the app going to send me a handicap. I've never used handicaps before.
He said I could have played if I had my clubs with me but I didn't. Well I was there, I found a good used putter for like $50 and I bought that to complete my set. And then I planned to come and play either yesterday or today based on weather and business in my life. Yesterday was a no-go.
Today I went to the golf course around 10:00 a.m. planning to at least do nine holes. It's very cheap to play there. It costs about $9 for 18 holes, another $3 dollars to rent a pull cart. I went up to pay my fee and get on the waiting list to join a twosome or threesome. The man said I couldn't play wearing jeans. They didn't tell me about that while I was gathering info on golf norms here. Now that I had my clubs on a pull cart waiting at the first tee I did not want to have to run home and change. I ran back to the pro shop I got some golf shoes and a pair of non jeans pants. Good to go!!
Above, you'll see Laura and Fernando putting. They are from Argentina and play really well. Below, you see Martin, who's a Brit sinking his last put.
I shot a 58 on a par 35 for thefirst nine holes. I was not doing so well as far as all the walking goes. Number one, I am allergic to exercise and golf was the only exercise I used to get when I lived in the states. Since I have not golfed in many years, I was not up for more than nine. It's been a while! Secondly, I have gout in my feet which, as you saw in my last post, I am trying to fix with acupuncture. As it turns out, I felt pretty bold and figured I could walk nine holes of golf.
I was able to, but I'm not accustomed to it. Aside from being ;very rusty, not having played in 20 years, I was using clubs that I'd never used before. Not being used to your clubs can make things very difficult. Every time I use my driver, the number one club, the ball went wildly left or sliced.
On the third hole I went off the tee with my number three driver and the ball just sailed. So I stuck with the three wood rest of the game. I will need to find a driving range to bond with my drivers. Me and Three are already friends, but I will need his brothers to play well.
Heat was an issue. We had a breeze, but if your are out in the fairway, you have no choice but to bake out there. The fairways were quite dry as well due to the afternoon sun. Seeking shade was something I did whenever I could.
After playing and stowing my clubs in the trunk, I took off my shoes and walked in the grass for a while. My feet were not swollen but they were hurting. I dipped them a nice cool pond watch the ducks swim for about a half hour before returning home. All in all, a really nice day. It feels good to be golfing again.
