How To Make Bad Golf Enjoyable

I rarely pay to play golf, but when I do it better be a special occasion. I usually play rubbish golf but this time, it was fun to do so. How to make bad golf enjoyable.

‘That was one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I’ve ever played.’

Three right-handed golfers and a leftie graced the sandy grass knoles of Chart Hills Golf Club, hidden amongst the Kent Downs.

It was a fabulous autumn day and we, surprisingly, had the course to ourselves.

It’s a course I’d yet to play, although played golf for nearly 15 years and I was in for a treat.

Designed by Major champion Nick Faldo, it was laced with bunkers and water farther than the eye could see.

Let me introduce to you the players and the teams.

Pictured left is Sam. I know Sam from my extensive time spent at Orpington Golf Centre. He was once a staff member like myself but I think he’s famed for the most ‘film-like’ exit from the company which I still stipulate was a bad move. He’s about to attend Queen Mary to study Aerospace Engineering.

Pictured left centre is Tom. Although he struggles to keep his eyes open in photos, he’s undoubtedly had the best golfing career out of everyone. He works for Sky now. Funnily enough he’s deferred an offer at Queen Mary so maybe he’ll be a student there soon. I’ve known Tom for a number of years, about the same amount of time I’ve known the third player in the four ball.

Pictured right is Ted. Ted is my closest friend I’ve made in golf. I helped him into Orpington Golf Centre, has since turned professional and tries his hand trading day-to-day.

Ted and Sam vs Tom and I.

Tom and I lost miserably. But it’s safe to say that we didn’t care.

It was the first time I had seen Tom in months, Ted and Sam in weeks.

The highlights of the day were:

• Chris the starter. Loud and boisterous he made the opening tee shot feel like it was the Ryder Cup.
• I fell in a pond and got sludge on my shoes, bottom and had to wipe it when we got to the halfway hut. I found my ball though.
• We all thought I had a hole-in-one at the par 3 17th. Turns out I was short and perspective makes you feel better about yourself.
• Ted played brilliantly, apart from the last hole, tough conditions and new course.

The conversation. The course and the play. Theatrical at best.

It was a combination of the ages.

I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it to anyone.

Don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a bad game of golf that much in a while.

How to make bad golf enjoyable