For us avid golfers living in four-season climates, we know how brutal this winter has been.
Cold. Rainy. Snowy. Windy. Disgusting (for golf purposes).
Add living in the concrete jungle of New York to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a situation.
Look, it hasn’t been an ideal environment.
Usually anything above freezing qualifies as good enough to at least hit up the driving range.
Not this year.
Needless to say, we’ve had to get, um, creative with getting in our golf fixes.
Exhibit A: Snow Golf in Central Park
When I get a text message from Ashley Mayo (@AshleyKMayo), who is probably the most golf-obsessed human I’ve met (that’s a GOOD thing), saying “meet me in Central Park and bring your wedge,” I don’t hesitate. It could be 105º or -20º with a blistering wind chill. Plain and simple, she knows how to make golf fun. Anywhere.
@CoryBradburn and I got desperate. A video posted by Ashley Mayo (@ashleykmayo) on
Dig those feet in, Mayo. Nice work.
Exhibit B: Office Golf
Desparate times call for desperate measures.
No golf ball? No problem.
No golf hole? Get creative.
Real golf club? Ask your publisher for the one in his corner office (thanks, Dan).
Yes, I chunked it. BAD. Someone on Twitter said it sounded like Tiger chipped it. Normally, that would be a compliment. Sadly, it’s far from one this year. (Please come back, Tiger.)
Exhibit C: Celebrate Charles Barkley’s birthday how only a golfer knows
Ahhh, Chuck. Your golf swing, is. Just. Special.
It’s one thing to try and imitate a good player’s swing (which is really hard to do). Perfecting the, erm, “elegant, flowing, rhythmic” motion of Sir Charles is on another level of tough.
How’d I do?
Really though, this has been a fantastic lesson in creativity, weathering the storm and finding joy in the little things. We could easily look at this winter as a lost cause, only to sit back and read golf tips and do the occasional frequent mirror-swing and wait-for-the-subway-pretending-like-my-umbrella-is-a-club thing. But, we found fun in the worst (and I mean worst with Chuck’s swing) situations.
I’m grateful to be around people who love to laugh, work hard and make every situation as enjoyable as possible. Here’s to appreciating the little things, everyone. And don’t worry, spring is around the corner. (31 days ’til The Masters, but who’s counting?!)
Did you enjoy the post? Comment below and tell me how you’ve made your winter more fun.
p.s. Follow these people in these places.
Ashley Mayo:
Golf Digest
Cory Bradburn
