Giveaway: 2nd Swing + Bettinardi Prototype BB8

[Illest]

My dad started taking me to the range at Ft. Belvoir when I was 5-6. Such a great experience playing with dad growing up, the best part was finally outdriving him for the first time!

[steamcorners]

Dad gave me hand-me-down clubs, a cool black and gold Wilson carry bag, and a new black Anser-esque putter when I was about 8 or 9. Too big, stiff shafts, whatever..I was hooked. Summers were the best--he traveled for business, and would take me along occasionally. Early morning sales calls meant hitting the course around 4pm. RIP, dad. I think it's time for your 8 year old granddaughter to get some clubs...

[NostraDEIMOS]

My father was an ER physician who worked 60 hours a week who rarely had free time. On his days off though we would go and play a round no matter the weather. Golf is my biggest connection with him and brings me joy no matter how horrible I'm playing that day.

[GodSpeed]

I won't have as grand a story as others, but was still kind of special to me.

My Dad wasn't big into golf growing up, that I remember. My grandmother lived on, what I remember, a goat-track. I remember the course not being well maintained what-so-ever, now that I know what a decent course at least is supposed to look like. My Dad gave me a set of my grandpas old clubs and we went out to give it a try. This was my first time on a golf course. I don't remember much about the day, other than the fact that me and my Dad both hit a lot of screamers that were about a 3 feet off the ground, which was hilarious to me. I can't remember the hole either, but I was on the opposite side of this grassy hill that was probably 10ft tall and obscured the green. I can't remember the exact distance, but I was all ready to move the ball to one side of the hill when my Dad said "Hey, just play it from there. You got this." Well, he was right. I didn't get it that high in the air, but just enough to clear the hill. It apparently dropped on the edge of a sloping green and rolled right into the hole. My Dad went nuts.

From then on, I wouldn't say we played a lot? But we played more than usual. Funny side note, is the next time I went and played was at a PGA course near my home that was new. Me and my buddy got out to play in the afternoon for cheap. On the 3rd hole, which is a par 5 about 450 yards that dog legs around a lake to the right. I proceeded to hit a 250 yard drive into the fairway, then somehow managed a 200 yard 5 iron into the green to about 15-20 feet. Managed to sink the putt for my first eagle. So in the matter of 2 rounds of golf I holed out a chip over a mountain, and made my first eagle. I've been playing golf ever since

So, thanks Dad for giving me my first foray into the sport. I'm now a weekly player and just bought my 1.5 year old son his first set of plastic golf clubs. My wish would be for us all to go play someday together, though his non-Hodgkins lymphoma may not let that happen. Damn, way to end this on a sour note, huh?

[jasonTeI3]

He took me to the range.......

[blink3665]

My dad used to spend most of his time with the family. The only thing that he would take time away to do his own thing was golf. He first brought me onto the course when I was in elementary school. He let me chip and putt. Although I did't pick up the game at that point those memories are still fresh and are some of my fondest bonding moments.

[GLF4EVR]

My mom & dad were divorced before I was a year old. My closest friend's dad was kind of my dad when I was young. Around 7-8 years old was when we 1st started trying to hit golf balls. His dad would usually give us the basics & turn us loose. After a couple of years when we started to figure things out; we would be standing over the ball trying to do things correctly to get a good hit. You know where many things are running thru your mind. His dad would alway say, "just shut-up & hit the damn ball". That ment to turn your brain off & hit. My friend & I still tell each other that now almost 50 years later.

[joey2aces]

He was never a long ball hitter but is known for his putting. During a member guest when I caddied he had me read a putt. He trusted me, I was wrong, they went down two, lost the match on 18. This would make a great addition to his bag... with a note that would read,"Sorry about that 4 footer on 9 in 1990."

[ocburg17]

My dad certainly influenced me to become a true WRX'r. I remember him building golf clubs in the basement. I believe the first time we golfed together was on father's day a long time ago. He doesn't play much anymore, but we still try to get out a few times a year. I'm trying to push him back to the game as he use to be a single digit HC player.

[ryrios]

Dad had a set of Wilsons he was using that he cut down and gave me for my 10th birthday. 20 years later and now I am the one giving him my hand me down clubs!

[NMSUgolfnut]

Good luck to everyone that enters. My father had nothing to do with my love of golf. I got the bug when a salesman neighbor talked me into going golfing. I was about 30 at the time. There were no golf courses in my neck of the woods as a youngster.

[nuthin but a hacker]

All you guys with great golf memories with your dads should consider yourselves lucky and hold on to those memories. Not all of us were so lucky. But I did start my daughter out early in golf and I love being out on the course with her as much as possible. When she gets older I hope she looks back at those times as good times.

I did find out recently through my sister who found our dad a year or 2 ago that he is an avid golfer. To think of all the lost golfing with him is depressing for sure.

[rlbennet28]

When I was younger, I was the one always handing down old clubs as I was getting better quickly and dad would always get me something that fit my swing better. It really should have been the opposite way around. I would love to win this putter and give it to him as a gift so he would have something extremely nice that he would use the rest of his life.

[jmf9903]

During my childhood, my dad never let me win when we played. He always said if I wanted to beat him I had to work hard at the game, and earn it. For the rest of my life, I will never forget the day I finally beat him straight up. I plan to do the same for my son.

[cmrl1986]

From the time I could stand, dad had a club in my hand. I grew up on the course, and took away all of the life lessons that golf can give. Now I've got an 18 month old of my own, and his favorite place to be is riding with me in the golf cart and playing on the greens. Nothing better than that to me. The way I see it, I've already won.

[sonofagunn]

I got serious about golf as an adult in part because it was a way to spend time with my dad when we got together. He claimed I would never be able to beat him, a few years later I finally did. Once. I'm still looking for the elusive 2nd victory.

[bigmoneyp]

My granddad and I play golf regularly and take a golf trip each year. He is 75 and still loves the game. I realized that its a game for a lifetime and I enjoy all our memories together.

[JJCOOP7]

Growing up in a military family I could never get on the base golf courses until I was 10... So my dad taught me how to play with whiffle balls in our yard.

[mattuop]

It has helped me keep in touch with my dad after moving far away from my home town. I call to speak to him after every round either one of us plays. This makes me even more excited to get out there and play more often.

[w1zk1d]

My dad used to take us to the golf range when I was very little and he read golf books daily, but he never forced us to play golf because he knew if he made us, we wouldn't do it. So, naturally, I begged him to play in high school and he took me out to the range and then the course. The rest is history, and he's the main reason I started.

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there.

[balsh]

My dad helped me fall in love with golf by taking me on Sunday morning getting us out of going to church.

[ESP]

My dad started me before I can even remember with a cut down persimmon 3 wood. I now have a four year old son that has been swinging a club since he was one year old. We bought him plastic clubs, then a metal fairway and iron. His favorite club to swing is the persimmon 3 wood my dad made for. Best times in the world are playing with my dad and son!

[azgolfer64]

My Father tried to get me to play golf at a young age but I wanted to play the sports my friends were playing (basketball, baseball, football). After college I got a job with PING and started playing golf regularly with my Father, and we enjoyed some great times together. He is no longer with us but I love the game and it is because of my father and the fond memories together on the course.

[jcombs1026]

he gave me his old clubs and said, try to beat me. I was 10, and 10 years later I finally did. now we golf every Tuesday afternoon together.

he would also never buy a putter this expensive and this way I can make him use a nice putter

[etakmit]

My dad grew up in the 60s/70s as a lefty. He learned to golf right handed (and still does). I go off to college and come home one summer, he suggests we play. 20 years later and I took him out for a round on his birthday last week at my home club. We both still love the game

[quikblitz]

Father first took me to a pitch and putt course and I was hooked.

[vaca22]

My father never introduced me to the game, but as with all things I took an interest in he greatly supported me. Since he never was into sports, he figured that starting out by asking his work buddies would be a good idea. One of his friends had an old bag and old set of clubs that he was willing to part with, and the rest is history. He noticed that I wasn't about to drop golf since I kept asking him to take me to the range so often. For Christmas later that year, he bought me my first set.

That was 1993. Once in a while I'll pick him up and we'll go to the same range, at the same bay that I first ever teed up a ball. He'll sit there and watch as I go through my bucket and pick out targets. I was lucky to reach 150 yards with a driver then. Now sometimes I sail balls over the netting at the back of the range LOL

[Hairpie]

My dad left before I turned 2. Luckily I had a grandfather who was every bit the dad that my father wasn't. At age 12 I started "borrowing" his putter to use at the local putting green. After my mom was killed by a drunk driver he became my father in every way. Once he was convinced I was serious about golf he surprised me with a "Johnny Roberts" signature starter set. Thank you Gramps.

[jwb10]

My Dad worked alll the time so the time we spent together on the golf course was precious. He showed me the grip , stance and swing. But mostly, he showed me the joy of golf. he also loved contests, so awin would have made him happy. Thx

[hark114]

MY dad got me started when I moved back from Florida. He got me from shooting in the 100's to shooting in the low 80's. I had the best times on the course with him.