Nicest guy i've played with (long)

[Eore]

I golfed yesterday and thought i would share with everybody the awesome experience i had

this is my second year golfing (i'm 15) and i'm not a great player. i've improved greatly this year (index from 28.5 to an 18.7) but my swing was crappy. i was swaying and all armsy. my short game is awful.

yesterday i was out playing by myself, and sucking. i shot a 51 on the front, and was hitting the ball all over the place. there was a single behind me, and older gentleman named Ed. He's a good player(1.2 index) and I told him he could play through, i wasn't playing well.

He declined, and decided to play the remaining nine with me. He took the time to give me swing tips (that helped a lot, i actually started spinning my wedges). On the 11th i had some "fun" in the bunkers, and on the next hole (which i parred, thanks to his tweaking my swing) he let the group behind us play through, and proceeded to give me a short lesson in the bunkers, helping my regular bunker shot and showing me how to play a buried ball.

all of this led to me shooting a 41 on the back, one of my lowest nines to date. i thanked him profusely on the way back to the cart and told the pro al about it. i went to the range today and was hitting the ball great.

most of the times people on the course get mad at juniors if they struggle a bit. i know i have the ability to shoot in the 80's, but golfers don't care. they see me hit a heavy wedge and get mad and play through grumbling.

this guy took the time and truly helped me enjoy the game more.

kudos, ed.

[play4him]

I enjoyed your story because I can relate. I remember what it was like back when I was a junior golfer, so now I take the time to help others. I love the look they get when something clicks with them. They have a new found passion for the game.

I hope you'll continue to improve and when the time comes share what you've learned with others.

[Lefty39]

Wow thats is really cool. I love when I go to the course myself then get matched with a nice guy.

[Rugger]

Great story. When I was younger just a few years ago I remember being berated by much older players because I always had some trouble. It's a shame that there are people out there who can't be decent to others. Most of the time the people who get angry aren't any good anyways.

[play4him]

Great story. When I was younger just a few years ago I remember being berated by much older players because I always had some trouble. It's a shame that there are people out there who can't be decent to others. Most of the time the people who get angry aren't any good anyways.

Yes, I remember playing as a youngster and catching up with a group of elders. They would have that disgusted look on their faces as they would grudgingly let me hit through. But then if I smoked one down the middle, it was amazing how they would change their tune. It was almost like they wanted to be your buddy then.

[worst_shot_ever]

That's a really great story. Made my day.

Some of the comments remind me of that commercial where the young girl gets paired up with the salty old dude, who then proceeds to smoke the skeptical old guy. The closing quip of him tossing his bag in the drink, only to discover his keys were in there, is priceless. One of the very few golf commercials I like (that, and the Ping G10 commercials -- "easy there big fella").

[Wazzu8]

That's a great story, reminded me of a week ago.

Me and my friend were at the chipping green at our golf course (he isn't good he just plays to have fun) and this guy pretty much fixed his grip and gave him a lesson.

[Dent]

Great story, props to him for taking the time to give you some instruction and not get frustrated with your play.

[JessN16]

It's also good to hear you had a great attitude toward letting him help. I've found you can honor an older person just by listening to them. Many of them are very aware that their time on earth is coming to a close, but they can still feel useful if they can help someone. Young people can do so much for their elders just by letting them know they are still useful. Feelings of uselessness leads to depression more quickly than anything else I know.

Jess

[TigerCurtis333]

Some guys are just simply good people. It's awesome to see - this world needs more good people.

Great story.

[bigoak]

I'm so old that I cannot remember being young. Nearly all of the juniors that I have run into like to play along and are nice guys. They wait for me to limp along. I'd rather play with juniors that some yahoos who have had too much to drink.

[PLAYHOUSE]

cheers to your back nine 41 and Mr. Ed.

[Fon Duc Tow]

cool story. Thanks for posting.