Tuesday, July 17, 2012

A Slice of Golf

look down
swing up
then go again
the green goes on
forever

replace
retrace
then count your swings
the score is ending
never

deep grass
sand trap
then in the pond
the hazards rather
clever

look far
look wide
then go inside
this was my last
endeavor

On Since You Asked, Dawn was talking about the relative safety of golf versus football for her two sons.  When anyone brings up the topic of golf, I am instantly transported back to my childhood experience with the sport of golf...and I just have to disagree with its receiving a "Sporting Safety Award".   I know, I know, it is generally a safe sport.  But in my household, with two brothers close in age, we two sisters observed many a safe sport or activity turn treacherous.  I learned a lot by watching them.  There were so many things I decided not to do.  I really should thank them officially some day.
So, about golf. My mom and dad had decided to take up golf.  It was a short-lived jaunt to the country club life, just before their tennis era, so there were some golf clubs accessible somewhere in our house.  I don't think I was even aware of the opportunity to use them.  My brothers though, always took advantage of opportunities which I never knew existed.  I often found out later that there had been no standing invitation to use or do the things that created those memorable moments of instantaneous chaos in our relaxing weekends or evenings.
My two brothers (though they weren't officially "playing golf"), found the clubs, and were swinging my dad's golf clubs in the backyard.  One sure, swift swing from one brother met the side of the other brother's head, severing his ear.  I know, you are cringing.  I did, too.  But don't worry, it turns out okay in the end.
The good thing was that, the "slice" wasn't a fraction of an inch forward.  The outcome would have been much different had it hit just about anywhere else in that area. The other fortunate things were that we lived next door to a doctor, who escorted us to the hospital and stitched the ear back on; and that my mother was a registered nurse so knew how to take care of an errant ear.
Looking back it's incredible that we were able to survive some of our childhood fun.  When I started high school we moved into the city, so we could be closer to school.  The doctor was probably happy to see us move closer to the hospital and farther from him.  It must have made his backyard cookouts much more relaxing and enjoyable.
BTW, this same brother with the wild swing, has now taken up golf some 50 years later.  He keeps asking me if I want to play golf with him.  Uh, no.

28 comments:

  1. Remind me not to stand too close to your brother when he plays golf.
    A fun story.

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  2. I laughed! You did a great job sharing that memory. I loved it! I really liked this line " My brothers though, always took advantage of opportunities which I never knew existed."

    I bet your memories could furnish you with lots to write about. I hope you keep sharing them!

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    Replies
    1. As they come back to me, I'm trying to write them. We all survived, so the ending is happy!

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  3. First - good idea to refuse those golf invitations, considering past history. Second - having brothers, this post made me laugh all the more...brothers = so many disasters avoided, and so many disasters experienced!

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    Replies
    1. A houseful of sisters would make for much different memories I'm thinking!

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  4. Your poem echoes my own thoughts about playing golf: "then count your swings
    the score is ending never" And then the story about your brothers is hilarious, so well-worded, and strikes such a note of familiarity with those of us that have brothers - or sons. I am glad it turned out OK with his ear, too. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Hated trying to keep score golfing...then I stopped. Who cares after 120 strokes?

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  5. I like the way you crafted this setting the tone with your poem (then go inside, this was my last endeavor). Then starting the narrative on the safety of golf. Reeling the reader in to your brothers misadventure. The ending was my favorite and had me laughing out loud.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked it! Our family has never let this brother live this down.

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  6. Such a fun post that does so much. I chuckled at the end with your concluding line. What great memories and links between the past and the present.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Many of my memories make me laugh, or at least smile!

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  7. Your story feels so familiar Donna with two younger brothers of my own, we were very lucky. Both play golf as adults, but not me. I love the poem and prose mixture.
    Bonnie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Bonnie. Brothers bring a special twist to our lives as kids!

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  8. Haha! Loved the poem, and the image of the relieved doctor as you moved away.

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    Replies
    1. Poor guy. We had a few times that we needed his assistance over the years! I really did feel sorry for him when we'd interrupt his meal. He must have been quite a guy, looking back on it now!

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  9. Hahaha that sounds pretty horrific. I wouldn't ever play golf with your brother either. Lucky thing that your mother was an RN and your neighbor a doctor. :-D

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    Replies
    1. My mom always thought she had become a nurse back then so that if anything ever happened to my dad, she would be able to take care of the family. Now I know it was in preparation for having 4 kids and living in the country.

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  10. Yikes - I always thought golf was safer - thanks for the reminder!

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  11. Wow Donna,
    I remember my brother and his friend hitting golfballs from the far end of the backyard...one time, he hit it through the basement window-and surprisingly it ended up on the pool table! what a moment! My mom and dad were ready to wring his neck! Also, the reason my mom saw what happened is she was in the basement at the time doing laundry!
    Your poem on golf along with your slice are awesome, as always! I am glad your brother survived the accident...

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    Replies
    1. Good golf story...or brother story. Should have a weekly feature here - brother horror stories, or golfing incidents! Sounds like either one could be fodder for unlimited fun reads!

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  12. This so reminds me of when Michelle & her brother, Scott, were growing up. One day (it was Scott's birthday) he was "helping/teaching" Michelle to swing the club. Still standing behind her, she brought the club back and "whop" hit the back of his head. Off to the emergency room we went - seven stitches later we celebrated with cake and ice cream. A birthday he always reminds her about. Love your poem.

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  13. The only golf game I've ever played was on the high school football field as a math exercise. I liked the math part - on paper. I didn't like trying to do it with real clubs and a bumpy green.

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    Replies
    1. Ah, yes! When I tried golf it was definitely a math exercise more than a physical exercise!

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