Namely the driving range! Ooh-ah-oh. We have done years of mini putt, both outdoor & indoor glow in the dark courses. So my oldest is well acquainted with the “short game” particulars of putting on slopes, weird elevations, and obstacles. But yesterday, once the wind had died down and the grey clouds no longer looked as though they were prepared to drop another two inches of rain on us, we came out of GloTown mini putt and dive bombed straight for the range.
I left things as easy breezy as I could because it was the first time we have ever gone together. I wanted it to be a fun experience where they feel as though they’d like to do more of it another day. Mission accomplished on that front. I might have just created a range buddy! Yay. I started her off with a three iron. A club I do not use all that often. I had her stand and wiggle the club for a bit. Then sweep it side to side. Then I let her go bananas on some 5-10 balls, and then I did a few shots. Back and forth we went through a large bucket of balls. The point wasn’t to teach all the finer points and get her deep inside her own head, but to have fun, and to spend time together where we can chat about whatever she likes. I believe we were successful on having fun, and having a nice chat too.
Occasionally I would put forth a small tip, but otherwise I let her get comfortable standing, swinging, eyeing up the ball, holding the club how she feels comfortable doing it, and finding a range of motion that suits her. We didn’t use parallel clubs to showcase swing direction, or do anything technical. This was an introduction, and we kept it fun, and light on any instruction. I’m not fit to give much instruction anyway because I am terrible at golf, but it’s fun!
That was my main message to my daughter, give yourself permission to enjoy things because you love them, and not because you are good/great at them. Not everything needs to become a side hustle or your next “look at me” moment. Enjoy doing the things even if you suck at it. Sometimes only age and lived experience will grant you permission like that, but I thought I’d pass along such wisdom so that she didn’t have to miss out on activities she likes because she hasn’t gotten good at it early on, or ever for that matter.
Today I think we might run off to Wonderland for a brief rendezvous with some roller coasters and pre-paid food & beverages. Going to get our money’s worth out of these seasons passed. Giddy-up!
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