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I just wanted to share this article that one of my students wrote to her local newspaper.  I loved it and hope you enjoy it too.

                                                 Golfing style:  men versus women
By Sandra Weigand
Guest columnist

    I am taking golf lessons with my niece and two friends and three hitherto strangers who are becoming friends, with an eye toward learning to play respectably well and staying healthy.

    Golf is a social occasion for us and, if the other women golfers with whom I've discussed this issue are representative of the general female golfing population, enjoying each other's company, tanning and exercise are the primary reasons to golf.  Generally, women socialize first, compete last. 

    That is not how men approach the game.  They tend to advance toward the links with the same swaggering desire to outperform and excel with which they approach every task in life.  They are competitors first.  We women are glad our men are like that because aggression makes them conquerors and protectors, and very sexy.

    But we don't want to confront life (or golf) in that same way.  I'm not suggesting that men won't slap a buddy on the back and say, "Nice shot" between chugs of beer, belches and scratches.  But truly enjoying the game for any reason other than to win is seemingly not in their genes. 

Imagine the conversation if men were like us:  Sam:  Hey Joe, your hair looks great.   Joe:  Thanks.  The wife bought some new gel for me to try.  But I'm thinking I need to cover some gray.  I'm a little sensitive about it these days.  Sam:  I feel ya, bro, but you look fine.  If you'd feel better about yourself, go for a little highlighting.  It would look good.  Joe:  Did you notice that John's shoes coordinate with his club covers?  It's a good look.  Sam:  Wish I could look that together.  That dude is truly GQ!

    It may happen in San Francisco, but not in Eastern Washington, and certainly not with our husbands.

    Our lesson a few weeks back was a fine example of how women approach the game.  We each carried our BL Lime as we progressed to the driving range.  Cindy, our tall, thin and athletic teacher whom we all admire, acquanted us with driver and handed out tees and we positioned ourselves in a line to practice our drives.  

    As we practiced, we chatted about recipes, vacation plans, current affairs and other noteworthy issues.  The idea of gathering together for a couple of hours of silence is practical only to monks who have taken vows.

    We had a bit of a scare when D's ball hit G, who was standing beside her, which was a 90-degree variance from where it was intended.  We chuckled when R inadvertently hit three balls simultaneously.  And when A drove one straight up into the branches of the tree under which we stood and then yelled "fore" to warn others of its impending return to earth, we whooped with laughter.

    Since laughter is best shared, we usually all joined in.  We had no idea why those shots happened that way, and instead of obsessing we enjoyed the experience.  

    The remainder of the lesson was spent grousing at bad shots, celebrating the good ones, correctin each other's stance, working to remember all the rules of the perfect golf swing and picturing ourselves actually playing a full game one day soon.  With us competing is civilized and subtle.

    As always following a lesson, we gathered in the clubhouse bar where we ordered a round of BL Lime and shared some hors d' oeuvres.  We discussed the state of this year's crops, shared stories about our kids, recounted VP Biden's latest gaffes, talked about our current project and interests, which include a horse acquisition, home improvements, newly acquied gardening tips to name a few.  In other words, matters that matter to us.

    Last night we golfed again.  We actually played a few holes.  It was fun, even more than we had anticipated that our first game, albeit partial, would be.  We laughed a lot.  We did not keep score.

    I mean no disrespect to men, but do you know one that would have enjoyed the hours with us?  Would he have seen the humor in these situations, admired our casual approach to score keeping or enjoyed our repartee?  I have my doubts.  He would have become quickly annoyed, bored and frustrated.  He would have yearned for a nice competitive 18 with his buddies, no women allowed.  It the way guys roll.

    We women are determined to become good players.  We do not think we will spend much time playing golf with our husbands who take it all so very seriously.  We can see already that having fun and obsessing over a handicap are at odds, and we will opt for the former.  It's the womanly way!!!!

Thanks Sandy for sharing, You were all a pleasure and a blast to teach, 
Cindy