At the risk of jinxing things, the weather in Vancouver has been nice for enough consecutive days that I’ve lost count. Wednesday was another such day, so a workmate of mine introduced me to a driving range.
I can’t remember the name, but it starts with M and is on First Nations land, or just next to it. A golf course, actually, not just a range. And the range is double-decker so you can hit from up top. Naturally we went up top, which is about the only difference. That, trees and fencing. Back home the driving range is on a plain, with nothing but targets they setup to hit.
Speaking of hitting, my stroke has improved since the last time I swung a club. Last year. Distance isn’t much, 75-100 yards, but that’s better than the 50 yards I could get if I actually hit the ball somewhat straight without topping it.
Took a few hits to straighten, and then I got in the groove. Very much like drumming. You can’t be tense and angry while drumming. Your muscles stiffen and resist. You have to relax, let your muscles relax and move in a fluid motion around the kit. Golf is the same. You have to relax, let your muscles relax so your swing is fluid.
It’s as much physical as it is mental. And I was quite impressed with myself. I could shut out all the chaos and nonsense, and focus on relaxing and producing a fluid swing. Topped. Curve hard left (I am a lefty when it comes to swinging a golf club or bat). Take a minute, take a breath. Straight. Straight. Straight.
Beautiful. And completely at ease.