TheSocialGolfer.com – My Story…

We asked you the members to share your TSG (TheSocialGolfer.com) stories with us. Here it’s the turn of Richard Adinolfi to tell us about his TSG experience. Richard joined TSG in December 2013.

TheSocialGolfer.com – My Story…

TheSocialGolfer.com - My story by Richard Adinolfi

TheSocialGolfer.com – My Story by Richard Adinolfi

TheSocialGolfer.com means more to me than just playing golf. It started as therapy of sort and developed into an addiction.

In December 2013 I lost my father and I needed a release from the moment. I decided to throw myself into playing golf. Four hours of fresh air and a stroll in the countryside would take my mind of events.

The problem was I had nobody to play with.

My friends were spread far and wide over London and I had little interest in joining a club. My experiences of playing private clubs as a visitor were never good enough for me to part with hard earned cash.

I was a member of another golfing community website but could not find anyone to play with, until someone on that very site suggested The Social Golfer.

I took a look and saw frequent games being posted in the Essex area so I signed up.

Truth be told, I was not really expecting much but thought it was worth a shot (excuse the pun).

TheSocialGolfer.com – My Story (What happened next?)…

Hesitantly, I attended my first Epping Bandit game in January 2014 at Toot Hill Golf Club. I was immediately made to be feel welcome, despite having to sit across from Howard Davis at breakfast. Not a pleasant sight for anyone but one of which I have become accustomed.

The first few games I played were about getting to know the people I was playing alongside and enjoying playing golf on a regular basis. However, what was first a decision to get out and get fresh air and a bit of exercise quickly turned into a need to improve my game as much as possible. I signed up for as many games as I could at as many different courses as possible.

I had initially given myself a modest 24 handicap but wanted to bring this down as much as possible. Unfortunately an attitude, not shared by many but that is a discussion for another day!!!

Without The Social Golfer I would probably still be sitting at home watching golf on TV thinking “I wish I played more golf”, whereas now, I sit at home watching golf thinking “If I can just cut my handicap by a few more strokes, I’ll be as good as Tiger”….

The Social Golfer was there when I needed it. It is one of my first ports of call when I turn on the computer in the morning just hoping for those magic emails that say “a new game has been posted in your area”.

I sit here now in front of my computer having played 60 times in just over a year at 40 different courses. My handicap has come down from 24 to 16. I have travelled to France and Spain with the Epping Bandits, learnt some valuable Yiddish and have met many people whom I now consider friends.

I owe all of that to The Social Golfer!