Ok here goes
My dad was a phys-ed teacher and a really good golfer so I grew up in that household. Dad was capable of winning the Saskatchewan teachers golf tournament and did this more than once while rarely picking up a club in July in August (since we went north to my grandpa's isolated fishing camp where there was no golf). Dad retired at 59 and continued golfing up to 200 rounds a year (Arizona and Saskatoon) and routinely shot below his age after his 80th birthday. Dad is 90 this January and happily hung them up when he was 87 when his back kind of limited him. He loved golf and it brought the best out of his terminally sunny disposition although he loved competition.
I began golf in Grade 9 at Holiday Park in Saskatoon with two equally tiny buddies and my history teacher (Fran) who was awesome and huge into the Women's movement in the 7o's but still golfed from the Lady's tees which she took massive heat on from her little golf buddies. We golfed most days after school and as I recall I enjoyed golf in this stage. Once I hit grade 11 I switched to Tennis and loved that sport and was all in on it until I was in my mid 20's.
I picked up golf again in my mid 20's but kind of only a few times a season.
As I entered my 30's I moved allot for work and began golfing a bit more. This consisted of booze fueled twilight rounds at Waskesui Golf course and I had a blast doing this. Once I moved to Alberta the company I joined had guys that were really interested in golf so I picked it up a bit and probably started golfing 6 to 8 times a season. My game was generally around 87 and I was usually a bit pissed off at myself. Think kind of a Sip like curmudgeon attitude but hopefully with his odd charm. I didn't enjoy it but once in a while with the right friends I really loved it. So it was a mixed bag. Looking back my club path was too steep but I had nice full shoulder turn and relaxed swing which buddies use to compliment (it looks like you barely swings at it but it goes far type compliment). I am a very streaky putter and it tends to be the strongest part of my game and when I am hot it allowed me to dip into the 70's.
Once I moved to Winnipeg in 1993 I probably golfed 4-6 times a year from my mid 30's to my late 40's. Often that was scramble style so that isn't good for habits. I was still capable and usually shot in the 70's once a season but probably hit 100 once a season too.
Things changed allot when I had a family later in life. I also bought a cottage property and fell in love with lake life. from 47 to 52 I probably took every second season off and maybe golfed 2 times a year on average.
I think this kind of brought an end to the phase where I was a really pissed off golfer. I didn't like who I was on the golf course and it didn't make sense since most people that knew me said you are a pretty fun guy in life but f*** you are an angry golfer. My expectations were hilariously out of whack with how much effort I was putting in. I hated this part about myself and and often contemplated "firing my golfing self" because of it. It wasn't take my football and go home diaper baby give up but more looking in the mirror and going "it doesn't appear you are enjoying golf".
I had a moment of clarity and did drastically improve my attitude and started just not giving a f***. I was proud of this accomplishment but I still didn't love the game. I had taken the occasional lesson over the years and enjoyed it but I don't think it really changed my swing.
Around this time I started getting invited on these pretty amazing golf trips from Molson Brewery. Although I was hit and miss with Golf these trips were best of times moments for me and I deeply valued them. It was the key account rep from Molson plus the president who both hosted (both amazing hilarious guys) and a bunch of people from my work community who are equally hilarious.
That brings an end to the back story part 1
I know this is probably mind numbing but I think its important for you guys to know my tortured past if you are going to advise in a more 360 degree holistic fashion. I promise if you hang in this is going to get interesting and I think there will be some good back and forth around my plan and any advice from you teachers pet, golf keener types on here
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I think one more part of the back story is critical to allow you guys to fully be able to advise. The next part will bring you up to date and lay out the more current challenge and how I started to build my plan (that is in the infant stages). I think it will also address the "why" behind my
puzzling decision to not throw in the towel on my lifetime tormentor.
TLDR part 1 is over.
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Also got to talk to Jim Nance, really nice guy.
