When we first began coming to Florida, a friend had been kind enough to invite me to play in her complex’s golf league.
Nothing fancy or strenuous, just nine holes played by kind and non-judgmental people. After two or so years of embarrassment, convinced I was the worst player on the course, I improved a little, began to enjoy it, and for the next four years felt as though I’d made some friends there.Zoom forward to today’s world, in which it seems the entire country is racing here to retire to Florida. The roads are packed, houses are going up like mushrooms, store shelves are often empty, and the golf courses are swimming in people.
Thus, the menfolk of my borrowed golf league, faced with the insanely increased prices for an afternoon on some other course, have come back to the fold. And last week all communication to me from the league stopped as though someone had dropped a curtain.
What to do? I figured if I couldn’t play, I could at least learn, and perhaps even scout out someone to play with in the future. So, this morning’s lesson was putting, an area (like every other area, actually) where I could certainly stand to improve.
I knew I was in the right group when the one man among us asked which club was the putter.
This ad should give you an idea of how nuts it’s gotten here. (BTW, at home I play nine holes, with a rented cart, for about $28.) NEVER will my game justify spending $125 for an afternoon.
I'm bogglng at even the $28 for half a course! Gosh, I knew golf was expensive but I hadn't realized just how.
ReplyDeleteYour comments about beginners reminds me of a bunch of guys I used to work with, who would come in on Mondays talking about their golf scores at the weekend. Low 70s, and I was very impressed. Then they mentioned the course, which I knew was a nine hole course! Ah, more likely.
Wow. They're almost as bad as me.
DeleteYikes! That's pretty expensive, all right. I'll stay away from Florida myself. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs much as we enjoy it here, there's plenty more reasons to avoid Florida lately.
DeleteNot looking good.
ReplyDeleteI would be looking around for a cheaper option, a different sport if need be.
ReplyDeleteThose prices are ridiculous
DeleteOuch.
ReplyDeleteI played tennis when I was younger and thought that golf would be good for my older self. However, a bad back put an end to those thoughts, but then, I couldn’t have afforded it anyway.
ReplyDeleteIf you're crafty, there are often cheaper ways to enjoy golf.
DeleteI've always heard golf is expensive, but I've never played it myself. And probably won't!
ReplyDeleteNever say never, Steve. No one in my family ever played, and I didn't take it up until after I retired. I will say it saved my sanity during Covid - we could still play if we kept our distance from each other. It got me outside and around other people - a godsend during those times.
Delete