Golf – Urban Sport of the Week

Each week we send brave members of the USC team to try out a different sport in our offering. Up this week is the game your uncle can’t get enough of. Here’s how we enjoyed our first round of golf…

What is golf?

We all know the stereotypes – rotund Americans driving around in buggies wearing strange clothes. But there’s a lot more to it than that, as we found out. The technique of swinging, hitting and putting a ball into a hole takes a lot more practice and skill than it may seem.

What can you expect?

Golf Club Riem is right in the centre of Munich, just a five minute walk from the S Bahn.  We were greeted in the entrance and shop area by Benedikt, our trainer for the day. He led us out the shop and through a tunnel. I was surprised when we suddenly emerged onto the green, rolling grass of the golf course.

The place was so silent and peaceful, I couldn’t believe we were minutes away from Munich. Benedikt explained that he always feels calm when he comes out here and it’s the perfect antidote to a stressful day at work.

How was the workout?

It was our first time playing golf so our first lesson was to learn how to hit a ball. We walked over a small wooden bridge over a pond and through to a driving range where Benedikt handed us a bucket of golf balls each. Benedikt explained that he works as a trainer at Golf Club Riem and is an amateur golf player himself. “What’s your handicap?” I asked, as I know this is a question you ask people who play golf. “It’s zero” he said. I decided not to ask what that meant.

Benedikt taught us how to hold and swing the golf club. “Think of it like a baby bird – you want to hold it so it’s firm but you don’t want to kill it.” It took several attempts for us to actually hit the ball, but it was surprising how quickly we improved. By the time our golf ball buckets were empty we were clearing the 100m mark which was good, Benedikt said. Perhaps he was just being nice though.

Next Benedikt taught us how to putt. The grass on the putting green was cut so short it looked like stubble; the place is beautifully maintained.

Putting is a different technique entirely as you must hit the ball very gently. It’s easy to overshoot the mark and easy to get frustrated.

Benedikt suggested we have a contest to see who can putt the ball with the fewest shots. He putted each ball immediately. Now I know what having a handicap of zero means.

We finished off our golf lesson by playing a real round of golf on the course. We put everything we’d learnt to use – hitting a long shot on to the green and then putting it into the hole. I managed it in 5 shots – not bad for a first go.

How did I feel after?

All the walking around and swinging left me genuinely tired and sweaty. Seriously. It is a real sport. All actions in golf are measured and unrushed. As a result I felt very still and calm afterwards, as well as rejuvenated from all the lovely chatting we’d done.

Benefits of golf

I understand why businessmen play golf. It’s a truly social game. For the two hours we played and chatted with Benedikt about all sorts of things. It’s a great way to do get to know someone and form friendships.

Despite popular opinion, golf is great exercise – walking in between shots burns a lot of calories. It’s also excellent brain stimulation and improves hand-eye coordination.

Don’t forget to bring…

Comfortable trousers, flat trainers and water. You can hire everything else on site.  

Fancy trying a round of golf for yourself?

We have several golf partners in Germany. Take a look at our site to find one near you.

Or try the introductory course at Golf Club Riem every Sunday.

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