So Long, Tiger

It's a bizzare coincidence that just as I am finally taking up golf, the game's most famous ambassador, Eldrick Tont Woods (aka Tiger) has taken an indefinite leave. I'd like to think that he was scared of the competition, but think it is unlikely given that my seven year old niece has a better game than I do, and has certainly played more.

On the face of it, the biggest reason for me not to join the game informally dubbed "the sport of businessmen" is cost. I'm between jobs, and golf is one of the most expensive sports to play. With clubs, clothes, green fees, balls, tees, lessons and practice on the driving range to purchase, it's a wonder that most amateur players aren't entirely bankrupt. Fortunately, one of the most costly items (the clubs) was generously taken care of at Christmas, and I got a natty pair of golf shoes too. The rest of it is still to come, though, and having jotted down a back-of-the-envelope budget, I'm expecting to be at least $100 a month poorer as a result of my new hobby.

But the other side of the coin is the long list of benefits that go with the sport. It turns out that golfing is a bit like a secret society, with vast numbers of friends confessing to being lifelong golfers, now that they know that I'm joining the club (not a literal club - definitely can't afford that -but the golfing community).

• Golfing involves a pleasant amount of fresh air and exercise. It's just enough to feel like a mild workout - particularly if you skip the buggies - but does not require the somewhat manic training schedule mandated by participating in triathlons and IronMans - which far healthier friends on the east coast have recently taken up.
• I shall finally be able to participate in golfing tournaments, which I have been turning down for several years now while working, on the basis that it would be jolly boring as a non-player.
• We live close to some of the finest golfing in the world, including the home of this year's US Open, Pebble Beach, and Cypress Point (see picture of the 15th hole right for why one might want to golf)
  
• Our wedding celebration in California is taking place at Pasatiempo Golf Course, which was designed by the same Yorkshireman who created Augusta National, Alister MacKenzie.

This last reason provides quite a good incentive to put my best foot forward and try to improve my game before September. One of the perks of spending oodles of money on a reception with the Pasatiempo folks is that they will allow us to play the course for a little less than their normal eye-popping rate. I'm sure that the groom and his best man were thinking that they might take advantage of that. But they'd better watch out. I'm sure I can fit in a game of golf before my hair appointment...

My lessons commence next Wednesday (booked the first one on 13th for luck). Thwack!