How I Got Into Golf in the Hamptons

I suck at golf, but I used to really, really suck. Like I’m talking I wouldn’t be able to make it through a single hole without losing a ball. But if there is one thing having a kid and going through the pandemic was that I needed to find a hobby and I needed one quick. It wasn’t gonna be surfing, and it wasn’t going to be yoga. I suck even more at tennis, so golf it is. 

If you’re gonna get into golf, it all has to begin at the Poxabogue driving range in Sagaponack. You have to go and you have to buy some clubs. This creates a mental commitment to the game. You also have to completely disregard people who tell you that golf isn’t a real sport and is boring. Just ignore those people, they have no idea what they are talking about. You have to shell out initially $1,000 to $2,000 for a decent pair of clubs. You can get them at Dick’s in Riverhead if you just want to go and buy. There’s no waiting. But make the commitment. 

Go the range with an attitude that your only goal is to consistently hit the ball straight. Swing at 20 percent capacity. Watch youtube videos on how to swing a golf club. Focus entirely on the mechanics, not on your power. Hit the ball for an hour and at the end, set up a lesson with a pro. Go to the range again and work with the pro. He will give you a breakdown on mechanics. You will still suck, but you will make progress. 

Play the Sag Harbor Golf Course completely by yourself. Don’t let anyone know you’re playing golf. Go alone. You will be terrible, so buy extra balls. Again, only hit at 20 percent power. If the ball slices at 20 percent, it won’t go off the course and you can keep making forward progress. Play the full nine, and forget the driving range. From now on, you’re playing nine holes. To you that’s what golf is. The driving range is now for dates with people who don’t play golf for real. You’re for real now. You play golf. 

Play by yourself at least 6 times alone. Once you get through a round without losing more than two balls, put it out into the world that you want to play golf and you’ll find friends real quick. Everyone loves playing golf with someone that isn’t good at it, but can actually get through the course and isn’t a total embarrassment. Set up a time to play Poxabogue with your friend. 

This is the breakthough moment. Playing with a friend makes you realize how fun the game is. 

That’s it. This has been my entire experience with golf thus far and after about a year of playing, I really, really enjoy the sport. It’s a great game, it’s a lifetime sport and it can completely change your life. If it’s something you want to do, follow this path and you’ll love it.