Off The First

So, I have two boys aged 10 and 12 who for the last two years have been enrolled on a Young Masters Golf program. The program has been very good for them - too good perhaps, because they are starting to get some consistency to their play. Problem is, consistency is something my game sadly lacks!

My father-in-law and brother-in-law are both single figure handicappers and for the best part of 15 years have been trying to get me to play. I have stepped out for the odd round here and there 2 or 3 times a year but have very rarely broken 100. So like any self respecting father faced with the prospect of two sons about to best him in a game of skill I decided I needed to take action so I have recently joined a local club (ouch! - that was expensive) and booked in a set of lessons.

I've started to plough through back issues of Golf Monthly looking at all the tips to improve my golf and actually I think I've learnt a bit - in theory. Golfing theory and golfing practice are very different however. There's so much out there to learn and so much to forget that I thought I'd start to blog some of the steps along my golfing adventure. First so I could look back and maybe remember the things I learn, second so that others who are setting out on the journey might find some moral support and third so that any more experienced and public spirited golfers might be able to offer some valuable insights.

So I don't even have a handicap of any sort right now but here's my target...

• Year 1 - Get a handicap
• Year 2 - Get down below 20
• Year 3 - Get down below 15
• Year 4 - Single figures!

...I don't know if that's too ambitious, but I feel I need some targets to work too.

Hope you stick with me and find the blog useful. Please do feel free to comment as we play!