Four

I, along with a friend from work, have decided it is time to embrace the corporate culture and refine the skill honed by executives world wide. Golf. Having not played consistently in many years and her having played never, we signed up for some lessons from a local golf pro. I am sorry, Master Golf Instructor. We get to the range a few minutes early and have the privilege of watching a 7 year old Happy Gilmore his way up to the ball and hit it 100 yards...every time. I still shake my head thinking about it. I don't have a 100% hit rate when standing stationary, no less taking a running start. Fortunately for my ego, their class ended as ours began. I grabbed an iron and the first shot I made went straight down the middle. Then began the rapid descent down hill. First of all I was nervous. It was 100 degrees, I had on uncomfortable pants and had someone watching me be hot and fidgety. The humidity was intolerable and not 10 minutes in I had actually begun to drip sweat down my face. Like it is running into my eyes and it is burning. Everything about my swing apparently needed adjusting. Not turning my shoulders enough, not leading with my hip, not letting my wrist break enough, not bringing the club face around to keep from slicing. Let the club do the work. Imaging holding the pillow against the wall with your head. Remember, you're not a Maserati, you are a freight train. This is like the meditation class where they tell you to reflect on people you are thankful for but don't actually picture them, just clear your mind. Look people, if I am having to think through your conflicting instructions, my mind is not clear and if I have to remember to hold the pillow, be a freight train and stay toe up, I am panicking mid back swing and blowing right by the ball. By the end, I was receiving instructions from one of the older grounds staff on the proper technique for throwing your club and how to sacrifice a ball to the water hazard gods. Clearly they felt these were useful tools to have for someone of my playing caliber. Next lesson in two weeks. Game on.