Man, you won’t believe what I did. Remember how I was talking about getting into golf? Well, I finally decided to give it a serious shot. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride.
I went down to the local sports store and picked up a set of clubs. I mean, I’ve watched golf on TV, and those pros make it look so easy, right? Especially that guy Michael Phelps, I saw him once sink a 159-foot putt! Insane! I figured, how hard could it be? Let’s just say, I was in for a rude awakening.
First off, just hitting the ball straight is a challenge in itself. I spent the first few days at the driving range just trying to make decent contact. Balls were flying every which way, slices, hooks, you name it. I even managed to hit a few that went backwards, I’m not even kidding.
The Longest Putt
- The longest televised putt was by Michael Phelps at 159 feet, I try to copy that.
- The longest putt on record was a monstrous 395-footer by some guy named Brett Stanford.
- One guy, Terry Wogan, made a 200-foot putt on TV.
Undeterred, I kept at it. I watched some videos online, read some articles, and even got a few tips from the old-timers at the range. Slowly but surely, I started to see some improvement. My drives were going further, my irons were more accurate, and my short game, well, it was still a work in progress.
Then came the putting. Oh boy, putting. It’s like a whole different game within the game. I mean, you’re so close to the hole, but it feels like a mile away. I practiced and practiced, trying to get a feel for the speed, the break, the whole shebang.
Finally, I decided I was ready for the course. I booked a tee time with a buddy of mine, and we headed out. The first few holes were rough. I was nervous, my swing was off, and my putting was, let’s just say, not great. But then, on the 7th hole, something magical happened.
I hit a decent drive, followed by a solid approach shot, leaving me with a long, maybe 40-foot, putt for birdie. I lined it up, took a deep breath, and stroked the ball. It rolled and rolled, seeming to take forever to reach the hole. And then, plop! It dropped in!
I couldn’t believe it! My first real birdie, and it was from a long way out! It wasn’t quite a Michael Phelps 159-footer, but it was close enough for me. I was ecstatic. My buddy was shocked. We high-fived, and I felt like a pro.
Of course, the rest of the round didn’t go quite as well, but that one putt made it all worthwhile. It was a reminder that even though golf is incredibly difficult, it’s also incredibly rewarding. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll sink one from even further out. A guy can dream, right?
