Golf for the Regular Guy

Himawan Prajogo..  Everyday around the world, thousands of people voluntarily go out in the hot sun with the aim of repeatedly using a dazzling array of sticks with metal heads to hit a small white ball in the general direction of a hole in the ground marked with flagstick a long distance away. If they are lucky, the ball will fly towards the hole. If they are not, the ball can veer off with gay abandon in completely random directions, most of the time towards a clump of trees, into the bushes where the fire ants live, or plop into a lake. Sometimes the ball will also land in a sand pit which somebody for some reason have decided to dot the field with in order to ensure that the appropriate level of cursing is always maintained at all times. And they do this for 18 holes, or if they are in a hurry, 9 holes.  They call this game golf.

As a sport, golf is pretty much unique. Where every other ball-and-stick sport usually focuses on agility and accuracy in hitting a fast-moving ball, golf is the only sport where the ball is completely stationary before it is hit.   (Oh wait, just realized that billiards is also technically a ball-and-stick game. Never mind, you get my point). Golf is also unique in that it doesn't simply need a field to play in, it needs a serious piece of real estate, however, as the great Bobby Jones said "Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course-the distance between your ears". 

If you've read this far, it is very likely that you are a golfer yourself. Keep in mind that the word 'golfer' encompasses everybody from Tiger Woods to Annika Sorenstam to the Asian Tour players to your latest golf coach down at the driving range and lastly, and arguably least, you and your 24-handicap buddies who still regularly get drinks from each other after somebody tops the ball and fails to make it past the ladies' tee. And no offense, if you are reading this it is more likely that you bought beers for the foursome at the clubhouse than you put on the green jacket after you won the Masters.  But it's a good bet that you go to the driving range to work on your swing, you buy David Leadbetter's latest videos, and you conjure up elaborate scenarios to tell your spouse why you just simply must have the latest $1000 square driver("But darling, it's really important for my business").

Why do we do it ? Why do we stick at it ? And why do most of us, even after countless lessons/training aids/new sets of irons/drivers/putters are still, well, not very good at it ? (at least compared to Tiger Woods)   Well this is what this blog will attempt to explore in the next few postings. And this is also why we think that letsgolfasia.com can be your best friend in arranging your next golf trip. Because regardless your playing ability and your handicap ultimately golf is about enjoying yourself, the company of your friends, and the sport you love to play.

Welcome to Let's Golf Asia, and welcome to loads of fun !