Golf

I like to play golf. Oh, I'm not very good at it but I still enjoy it. The last month or so has become a bit of a golf obsession as someone here at the office has gotten me back into it. Several times a week we go to the driving range at lunch or after work. He even went so far as to buy a nice digital video camera which has a special setting for golf swings (pretty cool, huh?). So we set the camera up, record our practice sessions, and then analyze our swings.

As an educational tool, it has proven to be invaluable. Watching your swing from different angles in crystal-clear slow motion really helps to identify your technical flaws. With patience and practice we both have become better golfers.. at the range.

Something truly unique happens when you actually get onto the course. Everything you've learned, the film study, and the practicing proves to be futile . Your mind goes blank and to no avail can you seem to recreate that fluid, effortless motion you have at the driving range. Those high arching shots with a slight draw turn into blistering grounders. Those beautiful 30 yard pitch shots become line drive fastballs that fall well out of bounds. But then you have that one shot.. that one beauty that even Tiger Woods would envy that keeps you coming back for more.

Golf: THE sport for those who are gluttons for punishment.