Boot Camp

In some ways golf lessons are like boot camp. Instead of a Drill Sergeant and Private, however, there is instructor and student.

At first, the instructor strips the student down leaving him feeling beaten, fatigued and crestfallen. All dignity and pride and ideas of accomplishment are dashed in the flicker of a video and a pointed voice. The bad is accentuated so that student is left wondering why he even bothers at all since he's shown all the things he should not be doing. It is all so negative.

As a result, quietness befalls him. Nothing can be said from this now cowering puppy eyeing the dark figure holding the rolled newspaper.

Questions arise in his mind: Why the buckets of balls 3 or 4 days a week at $7 a pop? Why the 4:30 a.m. alarms to practice chipping and putting before a big match? Why the love affair with a game fraught with frustration and sporadic reward. Why even bother? For this? Is it worth it?

Then some light cracks through. The instructor has expertly played the recently humiliated and now downtrodden student. He is offered some encouragement and enlightened to some of the good he is doing. The side-by-side view of the video shows he has, in fact, grown as a player even if the scores don't necessarily reflect it. The instructor guides the student to certain things he does better than others. It is positive.

The student's chin raises and his eyes brighten a little. A timely compliment and a gentle word renew him. Invigorate him. The bond between instructor and student, recently strained, is now deeper. Yes, student decides, this can be done. It will be done. Together they can reach their goals.

A hearty handshake sends the student off on his own. Armed with new found knowledge, he effortlessly slings his black and silver back over his shoulder and walks off with a purpose.

To the range. There is work to be done.

It is worth it.