Thread by @HoarseWisperer

When I was about four years old, my grandfather cut down one of his old@l golf clubs for me.

Wrapped the shaft in silver duct tape and made a grip for me so I could hit plastic balls around the yard.

1/

When I got a little older, he took me out on a course a few times.

I had no idea what I was doing but he was patient and it was a blast.

We played our last round when he was dying of lung cancer. It was the last time I saw him.

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When my family moved out of the city, I decided to learn how to play.

Got a shitty set of clubs at a garage sale. Beat up irons, ancient woods, a cheap vinyl bag.

Adult clubs too big for me but they were clubs.

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In summer, I’d ride my bike three miles with my golf bag on my back to a short little rundown golf course.

Cost $4 to play nine.

The pro had a soft spot for kids though, so we’d show up in the morning and play until dark. We’d walk 36 or 45 holes stopping only for a hotdog.

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I never took a lesson. I just watched people and played and taught myself.

My dad would take me out on occasion but didn’t play and never tried. Always during the fairly miserable two-week stretch Insaw him over the summer.

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I’d play by myself while he drove the cart.

It all had an air of ostensibly supporting your child’s interests while having no interest in sharing them.

As if taking your kids to do something you do not enjoy should make them appreciate your sacrifice all the more.

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I am the opposite with my son.

I expose him to things, let him find his passions and then join him.

I never played soccer. Still learned to coach when he fell in love with the game.

If it interests him, it interests me.

8/

Last year, I exposed him to golf though.

It was the first thing I secretly hoped he’d like and want to take up.

Bought him a ragtag bunch of clubs at thrift stores, taught him how to swing and took him to a course.

We had a blast.

9/

I didn’t know if that interest would stick though. But it apparently has.

He has has been itching to play.

He’s too big for his few ragtag clubs though. So, I’ve spent the last couple weeks scouring the web for a real set for him that I can afford.

10/

I found them today. Callaway irons. A Cobra driver. A carry-bag.

They’ll arrive later this week.

We’ll pack a cooler, put snacks in the bag and hit up a little course that’s only letting out twosomes.

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I’ve loved all of my son’s passions.

This one I wanted for me though.

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To him, it’s just a new passion. A new thing to be into and enjoy and get good at.

To me though, it is a whole lot of complicated things but the biggest of them is love.

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Loving my son. Loving his company. Loving sharing his passions. And now getting to love sharing one.

His clubs arrive this week.

I don’t know which of us is more excited.

Yes, I do. It’s me.

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