"Ok... so you're gonna wanna use your pitching wedge. Now position the ball in line with your front foot, bend at the knees and close your stance a bit. Now just swing at about 50% of your normal full strength."
I do as he instructs and lob the ball ever so gracefully onto the green. It takes a nice roll and lands about 15 feet from the cup. For me, a major, MAJOR victory.
Utterly satisfied with myself, I turn to him with a wide grin and say, "What next?"
This is how I get through a round of golf with Clark.
Actually - this is how I get through a round of golf period.
I must have his total and complete attention - on every shot. If I'm left to my own devices... I'll likely lose 9 balls into the water or the woods on a single hole - and spend the remainder of the day looking for the beer cart girl, complaining it's taking foreeeevvver already.
And yet - Clark, ever so patient with me - holds my proverbial hand - and talks me through it. THANK GOD. All while playing his own ball practically on autopilot... still managing to shoot just a few over par while dragging my ass around the course.
I rather enjoy golf when I have my little advice angel with me on every swing of the club. Otherwise - the game just seems like a total crap shoot. Like - wind up, close your eyes, let er rip and hope you don't whif it. That's my usual gameplan. And, usually after 3 or 4 holes in - the novelty of that approach has totally worn off, I'm steaming mad and ready to leave.
But thanks to him - instead I'm having fun.
There is one arena, however, where I can coach him a little - and he can execute pretty darn good results. Like me and my unmanaged golf swing, without said coaching, his results would be more or less... a crap shoot.
With just a little setup from me - and a few audible instructions.... when I told him I needed a quick photo of myself to incorporate into a Christmas card for my clients... he lobbed it ever so gracefully onto the green.
Nicely done, Clark.
Now if I could only have him do it on a GOOD hair day.
Damn grow out.
Anyway - he took this shot and a small series of others about thirty seconds before we jumped in the car to have Thanksgiving dinner with the relatives.
This is the card that ended up going out...
You'll have to excuse some of the wacky colors... it's an RGB/CMYK thing.
Random Graphic Design LESSON: Things that get printed out in the real world are saved in Photoshop's colormode CMYK... stuff that is created and displayed on the web is saved in Photoshop's colormode RGB... and since I had these little babies printed in the real world... the files are saved are the WRONG way for web... Essentially, when I upload the FOR PRINT files here - there are some automatic color substitiutions made. Colors that are usually a nice shade of subtle pink - are now some yucky neon purple (like my lips!).... so just disregard that if you would please.
FRONT
BACK
The point is... Clark is patient. And skilled.
Whether he is helping me on the golf course... or with a random task for my business.
He's the best gift I could ask Santa for.
And since it's Christmas Eve Eve...
I thought I'd share just one more work photo with ya.... One that is saved properly... and makes me think of the real reason for the Christmas season... Sweet baby Jesus... God's greatest gift to the world.
Only this precious little one is a girl... a gift from God nonetheless!
What an exciting, rewarding, amazing whirlwind of a year it has been for me both professionally and personally. I have met some incredible people who have been just so so kind to me. One at a time - they broke down my fears of insecurity and incapability - and replaced them with courage and belief in myself.
Another undeserved gift.
At any rate. I hope you all have the marvelous of holidays, surrounded by those you love most.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
xoxo
Katie
