Eric Bailey's

I went for nine holes yesterday. It is the first time I have ever gone to the course by myself, not expecting to meet up with anyone I know. I was sent out with a man who could drive the ball straight and far, Robert and with an eighty-three year old woman, Pearl. As we watched Pearl tee-off Robert told me, "She doesn't hit the ball far, but she hits it straight. She usually shoots some where around a bogey." An intimidating group to be with golfing. After we had all hit, Pearl hopped into her cart and headed down towards her ball. Robert and I followed. Pearl stopped at the first ball and waved. As we got closer she said, "I usually hit the first ball but I recently started checking the ball to make sure it's mine. Good thing too. This ball is yours, Eric. Mine is just up a little." That was the only time she out drove me, but I also only had one other shot travel straight enough to stay in the farway.

While we walked, we talked. Pearl talked about how she would usually walk the course but this year she is waiting for surgery on her foot. Her doctor only recently let her back out to the course, unfortunately because of the problem with her foot she could not wear shoes that fit, so she wore sandals. This caused her feet to slide around and she topped a few of her shots (but they still rolled a ways down the fairway, never a waisted shot).

Robert was a bit more of a coach for me. Anyone who drives the ball like he does can coach me. He told me that he has spent years working on turning the club over (which is what you do to create a hook - a curve to the left for a right-handed shot). This has paid off for him because now instead of an uncontrolable slice, he knocks them long and straight down the fairway. Every once in a while, though, he really does hook the shot. He told me about his swing, and about his practices that he uses to continue to improve his game. He also said that different things work for different golfers. What he said about my slice is that I must be swinging too hard. I have heard that somewhere else before...

Three golfers show up alone at the course and enjoy 9 holes together. Pearl and Robert were fun to play with and I'd easily go another 9 holes with them. I look forward to seeing Robert again at Chapels, since he said he usually golfs there.