06.25
We all know the Robin Williams bit … and golf is definition of insanity … BTW (Before Tiger Woods) for snobs, ATW (After Tiger Woods) for the masses … big butts and funny pants, etc. Although I have friends that like golf, the most common response to the sport, pro or am, is not one of admiration.
But I like golf and there’s a story behind the esteem.
My Grandpa Urso took it upon himself to teach the un-teachable – an intolerant, rambunctious five-year-old with AIP (ants in the pants.) I had the attention span of a gnat. With a wedge, bag of range balls, and patience that would rival most Buddhist monks, he showed me the art of the chip. Then he proceeded to yell until I hit the big oak in the backyard of his house 10 times in a row. Not ten times … ten consecutive, perfect strikes to the base of the trunk.
Mind you, I did not hear the yelling. That would be the description given by my parents and onlookers. I simply took to his style of instruction.
After a few years, his weekly group of golf buddies pitched in and cut me down an old set of Spalding irons (9, 7, 5, and 3) and a 3 wood with a weight built in. He started taking me on their rounds regularly. I would learn the rules of the game, watch the different approaches, and most importantly adhere to the unwritten courtesies. It was these intricacies of the game that I was most drawn to … courtesy, engagement, kindness, respect were all parts of the green kingdom.
I don’t know how he made me interested when all I could think about was a hot dog, Planter’s peanut bar and red soda at the turn.
The 19th hole was time to ante-up, have a brew and some chips and sign scorecards. As the other men continued their carousing, Gramps and I would hit the range with my set of clubs.
100 perfect shots with a 9 iron before graduating to the next club up. When I mastered them all, I could play a round on my own.
I was skinny and patient. This meant I couldn’t drive the ball more than 170 yards off the tee but was a fast play and could chip in from 30 yards out or one putt.
Gramps always told me – “distance will come”, “let the club do the work”, “play within yourself”, “get down there and finish the hole.” When he started talking to me like that, he was done instructing and enjoying the fruits of his labor. There were club suggestions and swing tips from time to time. But after I mastered the basics of the game and respected the men I played with, he was simply there to watch me grow into the sport.
Do you see where this is going? There are thousands of stories like this. But his instruction has been burned in my heart forever. And he did it out of Godly love – building up treasures with his first grandson.
I learned that addressing the ball is more important than swinging. Driving meant nothing unless I could finish the play. It didn’t matter who had the best shots, it mattered if I had the least bad shots.
And when that unnatural phenomenon of your bones vibrating after striking the sweet spot on a perfect shot, and no one is around except you and God, reveling in how good it feels to come close to perfection.
In the mid-nineties my Grandfather had a tumor removed from his spine that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He developed a handicapped swing and started a tournament for those with physical disabilities. And he penned a book called The Miracles Within Us.
Although he is too weak now to swing let alone make it through a round, his friends still ask him to ride along just to have the added benefit of his link wisdom. And occasionally, he’ll tap in a birdie for them. Those soft hands still work.
Every time I tee off, I play for him. His instruction taught me in life to address the Lord each day before getting into the mayhem. I pray to use my God given capabilities to make it through the day without comparing myself to those deemed better players. I ask the Lord that I’ll get better at being a man and promise to endure the hooks and slices along the way. And I seek to sin less and finish well. If nothing works out, or if I miss a step, there’s always the mercy and grace of the next round.
Golf to me is love and life. I hope to pass this along someday.
Thanks Gramps.
And that’s why I play golf.
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