Back to Golf!

If you watch religious discourses on cable tv in Hindi, you invariably hear this word ‘bhatakna’. I think it means wandering aimlessly in search of God, truth or whatever after being misled. It aptly describes our state as we keep going back and forth between the driving range and the golf course in search of the right swing. While at the range you feel you will get it right at the golf course under real-time conditions and while at the course you console yourself that all you need to do is to tweak your swing a little at the range!

In short, you are totally confused and are not sure of the right path to a respectable game of golf. You also learn that there is more to golf than just driving long, that you lay up shots and a good short game of pitching, chipping and putting is a must. There is no doubt about your need to develop correct techniques and to master the right technique you discover that golf muscles need to be specifically strengthened.

Anyway, you are constantly reminded about your lack of fitness as you suffer many aches and pains. You make a resolve to start a regular regimen of Gym and Yoga as soon as the pains subside. But you are not totally convinced as you notice all types and shapes of people at the driving range not doing too badly. You also wonder whether the new equipment you had read about would make a difference, but deep inside you know that equipment comes last.

As you struggle, to add to your confusion you find that:

• The maximum distance you manage is about 100 yards irrespective of the club you use.
• Your game is one-dimensional; you get either the direction or the distance, never both.
• The harder you hit the lesser distance the ball goes.
• Align yourself away from a hazard the deeper you go into it.
• Practice swing is not the same as the one you hit the ball with.
  
  In your weak moments you may even start thinking that possibly the same number of hours at the feet of a spiritual guru would enhance your chances for a better after-life.
  
  Finally, in your quest you find a ray of hope as you read that all you need is to develop your muscle memory and commit your good shots to it.