20 Jul, 2010
Chasing those little white balls
Posted by andrea tomkins in: - Ottawa for kids|Easy ways to make kids happy
We parents are quick to sign our kids for swimming lessons and soccer, hockey and gymnastics. Sure, some kids branch out into pottery and karate, but I wanted to share with you a little something that the eldest has been up to.
Mark’s parents are members of Hylands Golf Club and last summer they signed Emma up for group lessons.
Here is she is, learning about putting.
Despite its reputation as being a rich man’s sport, it really doesn’t have to be. Golf has the unfair reputation of being elitist, but as Mark points out (he’s the golfer here) it’s the golf clubs that are elitist, what with their pricey memberships n’all.
Most golf courses have very inexpensive junior memberships, and there are a number of golf camps in the city. Even though I’m not a golfer, I certainly appreciate it as a sport. I think it’s a great game to learn how to play, this is especially true for kids.
Kid’s clubs are relatively inexpensive. This year Emma has been wearing running shoes instead of golf shoes. Nana bought her some clothing (collared shirts only, and no denim), and the rest of the stuff somehow filters in. i.e. golf balls, golf club etc.
Speaking of clothes, golf clothes are the one thing tempting me to take the sport up myself. There is some really swanky gear out there! (But I’m sticking to my slogging for now…)
At a recent board meeting I got the true sense of how important golf is in corporate culture. There’s an upcoming charity tournament, and conversation rolls around to things like who’s going to join our foursome? etc etc. I, of course, couldn’t join anyone anywhere. My golf skills are limited to mini-putt.
There are lot of benefits to learning how to play golf. Networking aside, it gets people outdoors and active. It’s not just a young person’s sport either (how many elderly people do you see playing soccer or basketball?) but it’s about lifelong skills development.
Golf is a window into people’s hearts. It’s a litmus test. Does the person you’re golfing with exaggerate their handicap? Do they shave strokes, or play it straight? Are they a good sport? Are they able to laugh at themselves or are they competitive to the point of throwing their club into the trees out of sheer frustration?
Nowhere do you go so naked as you do when you’re playing golf.
You learn a lot about people on a golf course, after all, you are spending five or so hours together. Mark can speak to this more than I can, but he’s told me about dealings he’s had with people on the golf course that have permanently changed my opinion about them.
As for Emma, she seems to enjoy her lessons. I’m happy she’s taken an interest. There is a certain cache to being a girl who can really drive a ball down the fairway. (Although she’s not quite at that stage yet.)
Her lessons take place once a week. Last time she was out we made it a family event.
We saw her off and then hung out at the clubhouse.
Look at the fancy way they serve up a bag of chips!
The drink in the photo above is a lemon-up; lemon cordial syrup with Sprite poured over it. Oh, and three maraschino cherries. It is heaven in a glass.
We waited patiently for Emma’s lesson to be over:
And even played a couple rounds of hangman to pass the time:
On the way back to Emma, someone got to check out a golf cart:
Anyway, yes, golf! Do you golf? Do your kids?
I hope Mark chimes in here. Hylands was one of his first places of employment, so there’s a special connection there I’m sure. :)