Permanent link All Posts“Want golf clubs?” he asked. “Earn half the money and I’ll pitch in the other half.” I worked all summer. I took great care of those hard-earned junior clubs. They stood next to my bed. Still have them. Here’s part of what he taught me. About the Rules: First round on a “big course” with Dad. First tee. I swing. I miss. “You have to count that,” he said. About Clubs and Shoes: (We cleaned ours together over a bucket of water in the backyard, beginning when I was about 12. We had steel shafts and persimmon woods then. ) Use a wet toothbrush to clean out the grooves of the irons. Put car wax on the shafts, let it dry, and then polish them. Put wax on the persimmon club-heads, and then shine them. Saddle-soap your golf shoes, polish them and wash the shoe laces. Don’t forget the sole-dressing. Funny, polishing my golf shoes the other day, I thought, “I’ve been doing this for 40 years.” About the Wind: To determine wind direction, you don’t need to throw grass into the air. Turn until you feel the wind equally on both sides of your face. Now you’re facing dead into it. You don’t think the wind affects putts? Ever see a leaf blow across the ground? My father taught me how to drive and how to find the Big Dipper, how to body surf and how to dance. Father’s Day. I miss him every day.