My club golf … from a very different view
I joined Wirral Ladies Golf Club in November 2015 . It was a huge decision for me as I didn’t really know anybody except the pro Angus & his assistant pro David, Annette (Tess my dog groomer) & neighbour Barry. My ongoing right knee ACL & arthritis issues meant I couldn’t physically play any sort of competition golf because I couldn’t turn to hit any club more than an 8 iron. Also I couldn’t walk any further than the 5th hole without struggling for a few days. This impacted on me greatly because I live on my own & stress triggers my bipolar & anxiety makes it doubly difficult. I also to had to justify & commit to £100 a month which was a serious chunk of my monthly pension, especially if my knee deteriorated quickly & I couldn’t play.
On the plus side it was a way of playing, practicing and engaging in a shorter version of golf. Crucially it would enable me to meet new people & form new friendships because I spend too much time on my own which is quite isolating. It would provide an outlet for my seasonal photography which in time I would find a way of sharing with my golf pals & the club. It would importantly get me out of the house to play winter golf or go for coffee or lunch, to socialise & chat away about golf in different ways with different members or staff. I have a need to belong but in a way that works for me ( not against me ) at this stage of my life. Where I knew I would in time feel safe, secure, supported & understood.
It was a good time to join because I could go under the radar & get used to being around the clubhouse, locker room, pro shop, car park & 1st tee without the club being too busy.
Over the next few months I gradually got more confident by testing then evaluating after & to find out what my knee was capable in terms of the pain reaction or swelling up the next day or the day after.
Due to the near side of the golf course being gently undulating it gives plenty of uphill & downhill lies so an uneven stance often happens. I also learned that I needed to walk the fairways by navigating a more forgiving pathway instead of striding out straight towards the green. I straight away knew that getting in or out of a bunker was a risk too far for no reward therefore impossible . Also trying to hit my ball out of the heather or wandering about trying to find my ball or my playing partners ball in the heather was aggravating it every time unnecessarily. It took a while for my new golf pals to get used to Kath’s way because it was a very alternative way for them & me !
So … after all that I was clear in my head what did ( & didn’t work ) work for me to how to keep playing & connected to the game that I love so much by …
- playing holes 1-3 … either solo or social
- playing holes 1-5 & 18th
- when quiet = holes 1 2 3 4 15 16 17 18
- confidence clubs 8 iron / pitching wedge / scotty putter
- peaceful putter walk to the 15th / 17th
- practice putting green
- camera walk
In time I also found new people to play with & who would understand why I was restricted to X3 clubs & short game only. Irene got me started & then Les Kate & John & then Jackie. I started to feel safe / supported / sociable / and enjoyed using & developing my short game skills.
The club has undergone a huge & at times very painful change for the better and is starting to become a more positive place for me to be around … my way.
What works for me :
- Tuesday / Friday / Sunday options
- Gold membership £500 = £50 per month £ standing order
- weekly Friday short game fun with Jackie
- peaceful putting
- having a chat in the pro shop
- prawn sandwich to take home !
Putt by putt / chip by chip / chat by chat