The Driving Range
If golf is a game for people who do not get enough frustrations at work, then going to the range is for golfers who do not get enough frustrations at the golf course. It is like students who hated exams and then have to practise for tests. It is like rehearsing for a big event like the NDP (National Day Parade). I do not know about you but as for me I have always hit the golf ball better on the actual course than at a range which explains why I only go to the range when my swing goes hay wire or when testing a new club. I am not a prima donna but yet I feel that training is such an arduous task but you don't have to be like me if you want to fast track your golfing skills or any life skills - practice makes better (I won't say perfect because nobody can be perfect).
In The Beginning
In the beginning, you don't have a choice but go to a golf driving range if you want to try your hand at golf. With the perception of this lousy, slow game for old men you borrow or use a friend's equipment without the faintest idea how to do it thinking you know it as it look so simple and then you got humbled. Let me tell you that many folks got disinterested and gave up even before they barely got started. Like when you first tried alcoholic drinks you just don't know how to control things. Yet others remain undaunted until they hit their first crisp shot where the ball is launched high, straight and long with that feeling of ecstasy. You must keep going till you hit 3 or 4 out of 10 such shots to have a real feel whether you like the game as too many people just give it up too early. I reckon 70% of folks give up a this stage even before they got started.
Next Stage
At this point, the remaining 30% face a life and death struggle. If you watch Discovery Channel or National Geographic sometimes they feature killer whales or sharks feeding off sea lions especially those helpless baby ones you will know what I mean about life's struggles. It helps that there are friends with you participating in this struggle with at least one who could play and along the way you can have some break time for chatting and some beers and to keep the encouragement going. About half the folks here may give up. So if you are here and some times thought of giving up, let me tell you a secret which will help determine whether you should continue golfing and why you should give it a shot.
The Most Important Phase
You see the picture above, you will notice that I was on Bay 8. I didn't choose it intentionally so that my game will prosper because of how it sounded in Chinese/Cantonese (發) but it does symbolize that golf is played in two halves like soccer. Even at the range in the beginning, this second half is very important. To me, the first phase helps you to identify if you may have some liking for the game. You are just trying it out so you don't need to buy your own expensive equipment or get a coach. Borrow from friends a cheap set or an old spare set and before you go into coaching, go the real golf course and play the game. That is presuming out of 10 shots, you can get more than half flying. Locally, it is very strict on golf handicap without which you can't play. So going to nearby Johor in Malaysia or Batam, Indonesia is a good idea especially the latter. I used to organize a few flights there in the past in particular to Batam and a preference for Tering Bay or Palm Spring via the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Nongsa in Batam. Sometimes switching to South Links, Indah Puri or Batam Hills from Sekupang via our World Trade Centre then occasionally the pilgrimage to Bintan to play at the picturesque Ria Bintan or Bintan Resorts.
Secret Lies Here
What's the secret? My simple theory is that nobody should ever give up golf ending it at the driving range. If you have to give it up make sure you try golfing at a real golf course where you will experience real golf and every part of the game. You will have your senses perk up due to the elements of the sun, the forests, the sea, the wind, rain and animals and insects, birds and the bees. Combined them together with good companions, throw in a few beers and you will soon forget how useless you have been for a good part of your life. After a few times, provided you must be proficient enough to get them balls flying even if all over the place instead of turning it into a hockey pitch then you tell me if you like golf. If you say no from here, I respect your decision. Huge monitor lizards frolicking, snakes including cobra, a snake tugging with its food - a frog who sensing my presence finally let go of the frog and they both scurried away in different directions on a green. I saved a life!! These are some among many.
Why Batam?
There are reasons why I chose Batam. Batam's journey by sea is not more than 45 minutes. The sea is less treacherous than the open South China sea to Bintan. Go only on weekdays as it is during this time that you could almost have the whole course by yourselves. There are not many people there and less danger of you hitting people in front or pressure from a flight behind. You can take your time and you have caddies to help out with your clubs, distances and directions. It wold be best to take the 8am ferry locally so that you can definitely be back catching he 5pm ferry.
Lone Ranger
Listen too to Rossini's WIlliam Tell Overture.
When I was young, I have always been enthralled by caped crusaders and masked rangers. Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Hornet, Zorro, the Lone Ranger and many more. Like women, perhaps what is revealed is interesting but what that is concealed is fascinating but stick to the masked heroes please. I do see some golfers spotting Superman belt buckle but frankly I think it is not enough to help your golf. If you were serious, try wearing a red underwear on the outside. It will surely transform you and you will notice a lot of people staring at you as if they know you have the power!
When you go to the range alone does it make you the Lone Ranger? Or do you need your sidekick Tonto? One day Lone Ranger was riding with Tonto into a valley and suddenly he realised that they have been surrounded by Red Indians. Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and said: "Tonto, we have been surrounded by Red Indians". Tonto stared at him and curtly replied: "What do you mean we, quimo sabe"? (quimo sabe pronounced ke-mo sah-bee is an endearing tribal term which means "faithful and trustworthy friend" - a term Tonto affectionately use for the Lone Ranger for saving his life). Going it alone isn't so bad, I have met and known golfers who can even just join in any flight and even playing alone.
What We Should Really Do At A Range?
Golf, besides many other things, is a game of muscle memory. This means the more you practise the better. More practice means you need to space out like once or twice a week if you have the time. Hitting 200-300 balls at one time won't help much and can be trouble if you sustain injury. Let me warn you that most golf injuries are suffered at the range simply because you are hitting balls non-stop without breaks unlike a real game. Do your stretching and warm ups. Hit balls to practise your swing. If you were to observe, good golfers hit balls mostly for consistently with short wedges for their short game feel. Start with the easier shorter clubs. Take note of what you do right or wrong but firstly you must know right from wrong. It is inevitable that some guys with good intentions can give you the wrong advice.
Decision
It is at this point that you come to a stage where you have to make a few decisions. Do you really like the game? Is it time to get your own clubs? If so, what type and which type? Do you need a coach? Yes to get the right mechanics before all your bad habits are formed. Eventually you are going to get a PC (Proficiency Certificate) leading to a handicap test which is actually more of a courtesy round to establish that you have some proficiency, can observe etiquette, can take care of the fairways and greens, can take care of yourself and others and most importantly, the most important thing on the golf course is safety. Once you get your handicap, your golf will improve. You are probably a 36 but you may get a 24 rating. It means that I have to give you quite many strokes but since 24 versus 36 a bit less and win your money. You will improve because you do not wish to give me too much and then the bragging rights. Welcome on-board, the world of golf. Remember, golf is never so much about power but techniques. Power alone is not enough as the old adage goes: "Practice makes perfect". To be a master craftsman, you have to hone your skills. For golf, it'll be at the driving range. Most golfers only go to the range at the beginning when they were discovering what golf is like. Some are serious and still train there weekly at least. Others visit only when their swing has gone awry or when trying new equipment. Some would go when in a group while some do it alone. Which one of the above best describes you? Where do you go from here?
Do Something Crazy
Once in awhile, doing something crazy. Not just golf but anything like bringing your mother to the range. Or something you have never done before. Never mind if someone, your mum or family members think you are nuts. I brought my family, sisters, niece and mum and all and urge all to try and have some fun. Something they may never try. When they see me, they may think that I am actually quite good but that's because they do not know. Mum was dressed very casually here and didn't know I'm publishing her photo. If she found out, she may whip me like a ball but I took the risk because I have to prove that I practise what I preached. Besides, to me she is a beautiful woman - anytime, anywhere.
Golf as in life, play as it lies.
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