GOLF SPELLED BACKWARDS IS "FLOG"
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“The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody put a flagstick on top.” (Pete Dye, golf course architect)
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Before leaving freezing sleeting Maine in early January for a three-month sojourn in balmy Vero Beach, Florida, Mr. Wonderful personally packed his golf travel bag. (Aside: I fill his weekly pillbox with less attentive concern than his organization of “clubs I need on vacation.”)
Most golfers carry 14 clubs (the legal limit) in their bag. Bob stuffed 30 clubs into his green canvas travel bag, including two drivers (“Just in case”), four putters (a difficult selection because the man has a collection of 40+), several fairway hybrids (“Not sure which one I like best and I don’t want to be caught short”), plus a clutch of wedges (“My old reliable PGA wedge is letting me down. I‘ve got to test these others.”).
After unpacking and realizing we had an empty refrigerator, I suggested we drive to Publix to stock up, then hit CVS for sun screen. “Sure,” he said, “but let’s also check out how close we are to the nearest course and practice range.”
And so, Mr. Wonderful’s winter tune-up began.
Once he’d booked several tee times for later that week, he glanced around our lovely living room and began moving furniture. “It looks great as it is BUT if we move the two swivel chairs forward, closer to the television, I then have a perfect spot back here in front of the couch where I can practice my swing,” he said. Within the hour, he’d parked four wedges next to an end table and they’ve been stationed in the long-term lot there ever since.
When not swinging a 7 iron on the porch or practicing chip shots into Sunshine’s oval cat bed on the couch, he listens to golf podcasts on his iPhone or watches golf videos on his iPad. While preparing dinner in the kitchen, I hear him ask Siri, “Bring up Matt Fitzpatrick’s golf swing” (substitute: Rory’s, Justin’s, Jordan’s). Or, “Show me ways to increase club head speed.”
He tries to interest me in videos on bunker play. I ask, “Did you learn anything yet that helped?” He answers, “I’ve got 9 more videos to go. I’ll let you know when I’ve watched them all.”
Most vacationers in Vero Beach enjoy sunning at the fabulous beach or strolling Ocean Drive with its upscale clothing shops and popping into Bobby’s Restaurant and Lounge for the tastiest spare ribs. Others take airboat rides to photograph humongous alligators swimming in the marshes at the Blue Cypress Lake Conservation area or walk the historic Jungle Trail through the hammock habitat on this barrier island.
Mr. W’s idea of a really great outing is visiting Play It Again Sports where he rifles through barrels holding bargain-priced used clubs. Since our arrival, he's bought two different range finders because his old one “didn’t show the exact crucial yardage to the green.” He walked out of Moon Golf the other day hugging a wedge he’s convinced will “change my game!”
We are now packing for our return to Maine where the golf courses don’t open for another month. Will Mr. Wonderful retain all his new-found knowledge until the first Men’s Day? Stay tuned.
(And please note: next week is travel week for us so Wandering With Val will take a break and be back in your email box the week of April 3, which incidentally is Masters week — “The greatest week of the year!” according to Mr. W.
